The term esports no longer accurately defines the industry nor the culture we have become.
esports is teams with a few thousand dollars arguing among each other over how to keep some money from a game they don’t own; sports is billionaire’s arguing with millionaires on how best to feature the sports they own to make more money,For almost a decade I’ve been asked the same question at every panel, sponsor discussion, or general assembly around esports. “Is it a sport?” My reply has remained consistent since the first time I answered: “Who cares what you label it? It’s great competitive entertainment”. Except that doesn’t work anymore. The “esports” industry is begging to evolve, the players and fans are demanding it grows. The powers that be are resistant as ever to change and innovation, choosing stagnation and old practices for the sake of ease. With success comes a particular comfort zone that is hard for companies to break out of, but this leads to focusing on today’s bottom line without looking to the future,As a symptom of both the scale and speed at which esports has grown commercially, some publishers have merely tried to bolt on an esports theme to their game. Others decide to marry old models together with lopsided value propositions, selling franchise spots for a single title at an extraordinarily high fee, rinse and repeat with another game. Many feel this strategy prioritizes short-term capital over long-term sustainable success and doesn’t offer traditional sports teams a genuinely collaborative seat at the table. Announcing massive franchise fees makes for a great headline, however it causes concern industry wide that this is pushing esports toward hype over substance; you still have to applaud the commitment in my opinion. Time will tell how that one plays out, and regardless it’s still just one model. I’d be hypocritical if I acted like I didn’t swing for the fences every time I was at bat,Still, esports has become ego over innovation, fear of missing out over sincere interest, silencing opinion over free exchange of ideas, and short-term money over long-term value. The only way this changes for the advancement of the industry as a whole is by a fundamental change to the core philosophy of how competitive video games are categorized. For this reason, I’m changing my company’s philosophy and direction; I hope other leaders in the gaming industry will be brave enough to follow suit. That change starts with a new label and definition that sheds the confusion, fragmentation, and stereotypes associated with esports,Still, esports has become ego over innovation, fear of missing out over sincere interest, silencing opinion over free exchange of ideas, and short-term money over long-term value. The only way this changes for the advancement of the industry as a whole is by a fundamental change to the core philosophy of how competitive video games are categorized. For this reason, I’m changing my company’s philosophy and direction; I hope other leaders in the gaming industry will be brave enough to follow suit. That change starts with a new label and definition that sheds the confusion, fragmentation, and stereotypes associated with esports
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