Asian Games 2018 Esports Demonstration A Huge Success

A demonstration event featuring six video game titles was one of the highlights in the recently concluded 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Despite the cringe of some Olympic purists, the event was a success and has somewhat provided an overview of which country to look out for when it debuts as a medal event in the upcoming 2022 Games in Hangzhou, China.

Asian Games Esports Titles

China took home two gold medals after dominating League of Legends and Arena of Valor.  South Korea as expected reigned supreme at the Starcraft II event.  Japan also got a piece of the pie after beating Iran in Pro Evolution Soccer 18, Indonesia for Clash Royale and Hong Kong for Hearthstone.

IOC EsportsForum

Despite the success of the event, there is still a lot of skepticism about the topic of Esports as part of the Olympics, with the argument that the discipline itself is not considered as a sport. By definition, the skeptics are correct since Sports is defined as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

IOC

As far as definitions are concerned, Chess which pretty much resembles Esports was already recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a proper sport. Anywho, Esports does not need to be recognition from the IOC to succeed in the competitive scene, in fact, the inclusion of Esports in the Olympic may even be more beneficial to the IOC than to the discipline itself.  The Asian Games Federation’s decision to include Esports as one of their medal events will not only entice more audience but will also provide an opportunity for those who were not blessed with physical strength/agility to represent their country in one of the biggest competitive stages on the planet.

Source: Asian Games 2018, IOC, CGTN