I have found myself doing something I’d never thought I would: watching esports. I wouldn’t have even thought I would agree to use the term “esports.” At first glance, it just seemed silly to me. Then again, why? Why should an organized competition be limited to athletic activities only? Ok, fine. Esports it is.
Why? I am not, was not, and most likely will never be a competitive gamer. It simply doesn’t interest me. I do enjoy listening to the casters though, they have their moments. However, more than that it’s an entirely different culture than the sports I grew up with. Internet memes based on the results of the games, no tv commercial breaks – no tv, for that matter. I can watch the entire thing on youtube at my leisure, until time warner spectrum imposes data caps because of their monopoly and I reconsider my stance on firearms and violent opposition.
I don’t really remember what I’m watching, per se. That is to say the casters, and much of the crowd, remembers the names of ____, and what they do specifically. I think i enjoy more of the games themselves, the atmosphere, the convenience, the culture.
It’s strange, and new. Although when you have memory loss, everything is. Take that with a grain of salt, although ‘salt’ means something entirely different in the world of esports. It’s fun to sit back, as a more casual observer and watch. There are rivalries, for certain – but they aren’t deep hatreds. It’s still light-hearted fun, and something relatable for we who can’t run a something in a something.
In fact, now when someone sits down next to you and starts spewing those lengthy, but impressive, numbers of sports stats and stories: we (well, not me) can now retort with equally lengthy and confusing esports stats and stories. Both people can look at each other in bewilderment.
P.S.: Go Immortals. It is always fun watching Huni and Reignover so I decided to be an IMT fan when the team started.
Give me a ping please, one ping only.