With the last few years, misconceptions and myths have grown about the esports industry that often clouds the reality. In this article, we debunk these myths and shed a some light on what is happening within esports today.
Why Esports Deserves Your Attention
Esports has revolutionized the way we perceive competitive gaming, blending entertainment, skill, and community in a digital arena. Yet, misunderstandings persist. Let’s set the record straight and delve into why esports is more than just a game and a commodity to market.
Spelling Confusion: It’s All in the Name
First, the varied spelling of ‘esports’ (eSports, E-sports, ESports) adds unnecessary complexity. Esports is just one word, reflecting its status as a unified and distinct industry. If you think we missed spelled, just ask!
Esports vs. Sports: Clearing the Air
The confusion between esports and traditional sports is another point of contention. Despite the digital medium, esports demands strategy, teamwork, and skill, making it a legitimate competitive field. We have personally seen the effects of combining esports and STEM to educate and engage with kids today, just read a few of our past articles:
STEM and Building the Next Workforce Generation
…and these are just to name a few.
Busting the “Esports is Booming” Myth
While many proclaim that “esports is booming,” the reality is…it’s NOT. Although the industry faces challenges, which is more than what we can dive into with one blog, there exists a wealth of opportunities for local businesses, recreational organizations, and marketing endeavors.
Esports Implementation: Intangible “Profits”
- Esports events attract visitors, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and local businesses.
- Parks & Rec and youth organizations embrace esports to enrich community offerings, not to chase profits but to build community and educational opportunities.
- Companies leverage esports to engage with potential lifelong customers, illustrating its value beyond mere entertainment. For example, a local business sponsoring a tournament to make a more long-term impact in the younger generation, which we can agree is always a good thing.
How Big Companies Utilize Esports
The presence of Epic Games in the Triangle area sparks questions about the region’s esports potential.
Most companies do not prioritize esports because the market is not large enough to have an impact for them to capitalize on it, which is why their focus centers around casual gaming.
Despite misconceptions, Epic Games, focusses on the Unreal Engine and games they own like Fortnite and Rocket League. Also, with stakeholders in the company such as Disney, Tencent, and Sony, it is clear their interest lies in making money, not necessarily reaching the local community or educating the next generation with new tech skills.
Conclusion
Esports is a multifaceted industry, and at NC Esports Academy, our mission remains the same. We are dedicated to building character and life skill development through productive video gaming, introducing students to the early stages of IT, coding, video game design, esports, and more.
As we move beyond misconceptions, the opportunities within esports become increasingly clear for us, inviting businesses to collaborate, investing in youth and communities, and exploring ways we can adapt and change despite what the market may be advertising.
Join the conversation and explore how you can contribute to or benefit from the evolving world of esports. Whether you’re a gamer, a business owner, or a community leader, there’s a place for you.
If you are interested in connecting to see how you or your organization can leverage esports effectively, reach out to us!
