global pandemic brings esports to forefront

Kyle Chandler

We certainly find ourselves in a peculiar situation in today's day and age with the world pandemic seemingly going on forever. Everyone’s situation is different; however, all who endeavor in sports can agree that the passion and joy we get from watching or playing has been stripped from us. To add insult to injury, it doesn’t seem like they will be coming back anytime soon.

There is one platform of sports that has not been indefinitely suspended. A platform that has been hiding in the shadows of its older brother and sister’s popularity. ESports, or electronic sports, is the newest form of gaming, taking video games to the next level. While players compete in different game settings, using only their hands, brains, and eyes to determine who is the better player. Being one of the only sports available to watch or play right now, it might not be a bad idea to pick up a new hobby.

Though esports has carried a negative connotation to the older generations of today’s society, it can be quite entertaining to watch. One of the best features about esports is that there are hundreds of different games, literally. The variety of genres from sports, to first person shooters, to adventure allows for a large audience of people, and has attracted the attention of younger generations across the world.

Given the world’s circumstances, it is unique to find professional athletes in a more respected field of play giving video games a try. A lot of major league baseball players have adventured to virtual baseball, having tournaments with each other on a game called “MLB The Show 20”. Posted on ESPN and SportsCenter, some of the clips are hilarious, entertaining, and fun to watch.

The Cleveland Indians have also partaken in given video games a try. As Jim Rosenhaus, radio broadcaster for the Tribe, has been announcing the Indians on MLB The Show 20’s virtual season. It is a fun way to keep the fans entertained, and the Indians have been consistently posting it on their Instagram page.

ESports is a great way to stay connected with friends, as a majority of the games offer an online multiplayer experience. However, for the more introverted people, typically the games come in a package deal so you can also ride solo and play alone. If you’d rather watch, there are multiple streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube so you can watch a game you find yourself interested in. There is also the option to watch someone else play the game, which can provide comedy and more perspective.

Given that this is one of the only sports to watch right now, it provides a great opportunity for the world to explore more options and try to find someone to keep them entertained during this disaster we find ourselves in.