Esports Definition – Origin and Meaning

The term esports has been thrown around on the internet for quite some time now. In fact, since the pandemic, we’ve seen a rise in the use of the term, although many times people use the wrong context. They use it to describe any gaming events which is not the case because esports has a very specific definition, which covers a specific area of gaming.

That’s why we’re here today to help you understand the true esports definition.

What does esports mean?

The meaning of esports is quite easy to understand: “e” in esports stands for electronic, and esports is simply a shorthand for “electronic sports”. Any competitive video gaming events that are played on electronic devices, like computers, consoles, and handheld devices and can be esports. This also does not mean that anything that can be played on an electronic is considered an esport. An established ruleset and several critieria have to be met:

• Organized Competition: Esports events are structured tournaments with established rules, formats, and playoffs.
• Professional Players: Esports involve highly skilled gamers who dedicate themselves to competitive play, practicing regularly and participating in training. Which mirrors real athletes and answers the question “Is esports a sport”
• Significant Prizes: There’s usually prize money or other valuable rewards on the line, attracting top players and sponsors.
• Spectator Focus: Esports events are often live-streamed for a large audience, with commentary and production value similar to traditional sports broadcasts.
• Competitive Gameplay: Not every video game has the potential to be an esport. Esports meaning electronic sports means the game has to be competitive, so games like shooters, sports simulators, and combat games are prime examples of potential esports.

Many gaming events are not considered esports, we have many types of gaming events, expos, showcases, award shows, and fairs. Only those that meet the above crtieria fall under the guise of esports.

Esports Definition Simplified

Esports is essentially competitive video games, played against individuals of higher or equal skill, in a free and fair competition format.

There is an ongoing debate to further clarify what are the more distinct defining parameters for a game to qualify as an esport. Under the general broad definition games like chess, backgammon or even card games can be considered esports as simulated representations of a physical sport. Scholars are now working to differentiate esports and sporting simulations in separate categories.

We will update this page, if and when the definition changes, or we have a different way to define competitive video games.

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