How do you feel about video games being called a sport?

[Everlong]

Sports:

Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, volleyball

Not sports:

Anything you can legitimately (and would in fact likely) play while drinking a beer.


Verdict: video games is not a sport.

[GNR]

Why does it make you so angry?

Does it bother you that ESPN are showing Heroes of the Storm tournaments on their channels? BUT MAH SPORTS. DEY JUST SIT ON THEIR FAT BUTTS PLAYING GAMES HUUUR DUUUR.

I never said angry or acted angry, it's annoying and absurd, chill dude. ESPN is a TV channel, they can show whatever the hell they want, just because they broadcast video games doesn't mean video games are sports, 90% of MTV shows have nothing to do with music. It annoys me because if you're going to start calling video games a sport, that means that you'll have to call gamers athletes and that's dumb af in my opinion.

What is wrong with just calling it what it is, competitive gaming? Why does it need the distinction of being called a sport?

[War Daddy]

Dis gon b one of dem threads isn't it?

[Everlong]

Dis gon b one of dem threads isn't it?

If you think video games are a sport then you're a british nancy boy bin man who likes scollops and pussy-ass gun control.

[Hanley!]

I wouldn't care that ESPN are showing competitive video games. The majority of what's on the channel is sport, but I see no problem with them having the odd exception. As GNR said, at least they're not on MTV's level. And there's no obvious gaming channel to show these kind of events instead. Although a dedicated gaming channel would be great actually.

It doesn't really matter how video games are classified, but as an English major and a writer and someone who enjoys language, I have a problem when we as a society attempt to harm our language in some way.

Most dictionary definitions of sport include terms like "physical exertion" or "energetic", because sports are supposed to be physical. If you start throwing in all sorts of different games and competitions, the word starts to mean less. Which hurts our language. It makes it more difficult for us to communicate with each other (if only slightly).

That's my take on it anyway. I don't care if video games are shown on sports channels, or even included in certain mass sporting events. But it would bug me if they started being commonly referred to as a sport in the common lexicon.

[The Legend]

I've not once seen a video game tournament on ESPN.

So then it must not be true if you've not seen it.

Apparently this topic has touched a nerve with you and I'm not sure why. I never claimed it never happened, just I didn't see it.

People refusing to call "gaming" a "sport" shouldn't piss you off. It's just reality. It's not degrading to gamers to not call them athletes, it's just using common sense. They aren't athletes and it isn't a sport. that's not to say it isn't competitive or it isn't a skill gamers have honed with extensive practice. A doctor hones his skills and practices his abilities, but they don't call it "Accounting", they are two different fields that can both be considered important while acknowledging that they are completely different.

A sport is defined as: An ATHLETIC activity requiring skill and PHYSICAL PROWESS, often of a competitive nature. A particular form of this especially OUTDOORS.

I've capitalized all of the words that differentiate gaming from a sport.

An athlete is defined as: A person trained or gifted in EXERCISES or contests involving PHYSICAL AGILITY, STAMINA or STRENGTH. A participant in a sport, exercise or game requiring PHYSICAL skill.

Again, the capitalized words seperate athletes from gamers.

[The Legend]

Sports:

Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, volleyball

Not sports:

Anything you can legitimately (and would in fact likely) play while drinking a beer.


Verdict: video games is not a sport.

I disagree with your distinction. I often drink while playing golf, basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, soccer or bowling. All of these things require physical ability and athletic skill.

[Circled Square]

Sports:

Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, volleyball

Not sports:

Anything you can legitimately (and would in fact likely) play while drinking a beer.


Verdict: video games is not a sport.

I disagree with your distinction. I often drink while playing golf, basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, soccer or bowling. All of these things require physical ability and athletic skill.

nigga how the fuck are you playing baseball/basketball/volleyball and drinking at the same time? Unless you're Julian from Trailer Park Boys and carry around a drink all the time.

[DBSoT]

Sports:

Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, volleyball

Not sports:

Anything you can legitimately (and would in fact likely) play while drinking a beer.


Verdict: video games is not a sport.

I disagree with your distinction. I often drink while playing golf, basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, soccer or bowling. All of these things require physical ability and athletic skill.

I have done the same. I have even drank during flag football games, though I don't recommend it. Hell there are many professional athletes that got loaded before games.

[SortaCreative]

I don't understand how I have apparently called games a sport.

People call them a sport because of what professional sports actually represent. Not the fact that it's a physical activity that you simply cannot do while intoxicated. But because actual sports have leagues, are televised, have competitions, player salaries etc. etc. It's short hand. There's no short catchy word for it other than "esports".

At the end of the day, it's going to be compared to "legit srs bsns sports". That's where the interest is going. Get used to it.

[The Legend]

Sports:

Football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, volleyball

Not sports:

Anything you can legitimately (and would in fact likely) play while drinking a beer.


Verdict: video games is not a sport.

I disagree with your distinction. I often drink while playing golf, basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, soccer or bowling. All of these things require physical ability and athletic skill.

how the fuck are you playing baseball/basketball/volleyball and drinking at the same time? Unless you're Julian from Trailer Park Boys and carry around a drink all the time.

I don't do it all the time and I don't necessarily do it in the middle of playing, but baseball/softball, have you never heard of a beer league? As for basketball/volleyball, I'll do it at holiday picnics and what not. Drink, play a little, drink, play a little.

I'm by no means suggesting I do it all that competively, or that I'm very good at the games when I do it, but I have done it.

[Circled Square]

Ooooh, I guess I see what you mean. I don't think I could get rat arsed (fuck I love that term) and play sports, but to each their own. I'd certainly have to stop myself after getting buzzed.

[Str8Shooter]

If you'd have told me the most active thread we've had in months would be about competitive video gaming and what to call them, I would have said you were crazy....

[GNR]

If you'd have told me the most active thread we've had in months would be about competitive video gaming and what to call them, I would have said you were crazy....

It's because everyone loves me and they are glad that I came back to post a topic.

[EmperorWu]

Under my definition it's not a sport. But I give zero shits, if someone thinks it is who am I to argue.

[PorkChop]

If you think video games are a sport you are a tool and should have your console taken away. You should also be forced to go outside.

[Everlong]

If you think video games are a sport you are a tool and should have your console taken away. You should also be forced to go outside.

Now this is the pot stirring mentality I like to see.

[War Daddy]

Dis gon b one of dem threads isn't it?

If you think video games are a sport then you're a british nancy boy bin man who likes scollops and pussy-ass gun control.

I knew it was gonna be one of them threads.

[GNR]

If you think video games are a sport you are a tool and should have your console taken away. You should also be forced to go outside.

Mwahaha, foolish console pleb, you forgot about LE PC MASTERRACE

[Kein]

I consider gaming competitive but I dunno about a sport per say.

Although I admit I couldn't do it, sitting on my ass for months playing games all day like, 14 hours a day everyday? For months? My body wouldn't take that....