Is gaming a professional sport?

Hilly · 16 Jul 2013 at 21:05

America seems to think so:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/23321595

Personally, I think it's border line; Gaming takes so much skill and ability and knowledge of the engine that it's a high skilled (potentially) profession. If it is indeed a profession and the best can make it so, then why shouldn't it be classed as a sport?

Does a sport have to include exercise, can it be mental? Is Chess a sport for example, some would say so.

Now games like LoL are taking off, along with CS, BF, CoD, what are the main examples for you, of "Professional Gaming sports?"

Hilly · 16 Jul 2013 at 21:08

Hah, no unfortunately not

Hilly · 17 Jul 2013 at 00:09

arknor said:
so your saying scrabble is a sport?

I'm not saying anything, I'm provoking a discussion; I wouldn't class scrabble as a sport - by the very definition post above it would be, but I just don't see enough competition compared to the captive gaming audience.

Hilly · 17 Jul 2013 at 12:40

Honestly, people under estimate darts and snooker in terms of skill level and practice. The skill is astounding for both sports - I've played both and to be any good (and not just throw the odd dart or pot the odd ball) you have to practice for hours every dya. I believe most dart players practice for between 5 hours and 8 hours a day. Snooker is very similar.

Ok, so both of those aren't the most atheltic of games, but I don't think a sport needs to be athletic.

Hilly · 17 Jul 2013 at 13:02

TommyV said:
Is overclocking a sport? I don't wanna be the one to tell 8-pack if it isn't especially if he is of different opinion

You'd break his poor little heart