Everyone knows who Faker is? He is the most iconic pro player in game history, also known as the GOAT. He has played as the mid-laner for T1, a professional team in the League of Legends, for his entire career. His decade-long dominance over the league and legendary legacy have greatly shaped and influenced esports as we know it today. Additionally, this influence did not stop with the league alone but extended into the broader community and worldwide, making people intrigued by the world of esports. With millions of people watching his games and numerous aspiring players inspired by this GOAT, it raises a general question: Should esports be considered a real sport? In many ways, the answer leans toward “yes.”. There are several reasons supporting this view. 

To begin with, esports require intensive skill and discipline similar to traditional sports. Like other sports players do, esports players also train for 6 to 12 hours daily, which includes a mix of individual practice, team scrims, and strategy sessions. This training is also composed of physical exercise, mental conditioning, and consistent review of gameplay. Just like athletes who keep practicing for perfect form or tactics, programmers must constantly refine their mechanics, game sense, and teamwork. Moreover, the level of mental stamina is the most significant skill in gaming. All the details of movements, plays, or decisions that are made during the game are automatically stored as a form of “data” in-game while millions of people around the world watch it. No less demanding than that seen in physical sports. Pro-gamers who can endure this pressure can become top players, like Faker. 

Furthermore, esports share the same competitive structure and professional standards as sports. There are international leagues, strict rules, coaching staffs, analysts, mental therapists supporting players, and huge tournaments that fill stadiums. Also, one major misunderstanding regarding esports is that many people believe that it is easier to be a programmer compared to other elite sport players. However, it is also difficult, as in other sports industries, to be a professional player. Unlike traditional sports that require specific physical traits or expensive training environments, almost anyone with a computer or keyboard can begin playing esports. This accessibility means millions of people can practice, compete, and dream of going pro. But because everyone can enter, the skill ceiling becomes unbelievably high. Only a small faction of players can survive this competition and rise to the top. That makes their salaries high– the symbol of high value as they represent the best among millions, and the industry recognizes their talent, fan influence, and market power. For these reasons, esports today fit every standard of what we consider a sport. Esports fully deserves recognition as a modern sport. 

By Minji Park