History of Esports

“A game is an opportunity to focus our energy, with relentless optimism, at something we’re good at (or getting better at) and enjoy.”~ Jane McGonigal, Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World

When you notice ripples upon the surface of water, do you ever consider where the first drop must have fallen? In 1972 the world of video games was changed forever by one of the smallest, yet most impactful, choices made by Stamford University. As the country’s digital revolution began to take form across all walks of life, SpaceWars became the first game to ever hold a legitimate colligate tournament. The simple aim and evade shooter classic still holds it’s legacy of impactful importance even today, as the stage became set for the progression and development of competitive video games.

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However, the next major point of Esports history would not be celebrated again until the early 2000’s. As the rising popularity of arcade games paved the way for standard console sales to the everyday homeowner, computer games also began to gain rapid traction in commonality. It would be unprecedented to assume if you are reading this to ask, but do truthfully consider one of your earliest memories of gaming. Few things, even to this day, ignite such fondness in myself then the nostalgia attached to early mornings spent with my brothers, side by side, as the Nintendo 64 sat between our already forgotten breakfasts.

Following the rise of technologies’ advancements, video games began to enter discussions that extended past the prominent misconceptions of only nerdy folk finding joy in “time that could have been spent outside”. As the systems and computers became more and more capable, so too did the industries content. Unimaginable leaps in digital fantasy begun to create entire universes outside of our wildest imaginations. For some they could accomplish feats few would ever dream possible, for others their work day woes began to coincide with the very media that drove their passions. And I, for one, could not have ever imagined such a possibility growing up.

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Esports as a market in today’s age has taken form at a rapid pace. Everyone who is anyone, be it colleges, high schools, Disney, ESPN, or even energy drink manufacturers, have all begun climbing aboard the growing popularity of the scene. For example, should you tune into ABC during the Winter-Spring period, you may find yourself surprised to find that the competition on your screen is not that of ball players or socially conceptualized athletes, but rather a massive talking ape with a doctorate and laser gun shooting at a blue sniper with a 3D modeled back arch that would make even the most seasoned chiropractors wince in sympathy. Just this past week, a 16 year old boy was crowned as the first Fortnite world champion to compete at a global level, who now finds himself, not one, not two, but three million dollars richer for his efforts. They may call it silly, or childish, or even innate at the worst; at the end of the day professional video games are here to not only stay, but thrive.