<strong>5 sports benefits that video games offer </strong>
Video gaming is no longer perceived as a fun and low-key hobby. It has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing and promising professions. But is it a sports per se? Let us figure that out.
The word ‘game’ in video game should suffice for it to be considered as a sport. However, the word ‘sports’ comprises of several significant tenets, such as competition, wins and losses, athletic prowess, physical activity, practice and dedication and sport arenas like stadiums.
Now the point is, does holding a controller in your hands, pressing its buttons and directing movements of virtual characters on screen make video games pass off as sports? The answer is yes. Video games are rooted in competitions, they require certain level of athletic ability, require regular and serious practice and dedication. Held on virtual sporting arenas, they include many sporting attributes including wins and losses. Here are the top 5 sports-like qualities of video games
Video games are competitive
The fundamental principle of any sport is competition. This is what makes sports so exciting and engaging. In video games also, there are opponent gamers, intense competition and finally, victories or defeats. This competitive spirit in the arena of virtual games lends tenacity to the players.
They require sound athletic abilities
Just like any other sport, video games too require a specific set of athletic skills, the most important being coordination. If video gamers achieve perfect coordination, they will be able to strike at the exact time, by synching their unique techniques on the controller. Video game also requires a lot of psychological stamina and concentration as head-to-head gaming challenges are all about outlasting the opponent. Moreover, instant responsiveness is also equally vital, since video gaming is fast moving domain. A successful video gamer usually responds quickly to a game’s changing landscape.
They incorporate unique physical activities
Professional video gaming doesn’t just involve sitting on couches and lounge chairs. It involves marathon gaming sessions that require constant and fast button pushing and continuous shifting of joysticks. This results in physical strain.
Require a lot of practice and training sessions
Professional video gaming requires constant practice and training sessions, in order to improve skills and proficiency. It is a time-consuming field that needs a lot of dedication and focus. It’s not just about playing more and more games, it’s also about developing physical strength and mental endurance through rigorous training and even prepare for injuries like tennis elbow, cramps and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fans need to be entertained
Just like any other sport, video games too have their own audience. The only difference is, they are online viewers. However, online fans of video games reach millions at times, sometimes outnumbering the audience of the fans of physical sports at the stadium. According to some estimates, e-sports tournaments and live streams of video games have 258 million viewers annually.