The International Olympics Committee has announced that the Olympics will be holding an official Esports series this year. While this news is not entirely unexpected given the growing popularity of esports, the lineup of games chosen for the event is quite surprising to those familiar with the esports landscape.
A Reasonable Choice: Chess
One of the reasonable choices for the Olympics' Esports series is chess, hosted by Chess.com. With a history of hundreds of years, chess is a beloved game that Chess.com has invested significant resources into as an esport. Its inclusion in the event feels like a natural pick.
A Surprising, But Recognizable Choice: Gran Turismo
While a surprising choice, racing game Gran Turismo is at least a recognizable brand to many people. As a digital version of motorsports, it can be more readable to audiences who are more familiar with traditional Olympic sports like volleyball and rowing than with esports games like League of Legends and Counter Strike.
An Odd Choice: Just Dance
Just Dance's inclusion in the Olympics' Esports series feels reasonable due to its popularity, but it may not be the best game to watch as a spectator sport.
Obscure Mobile Games and Sports Simulations
The other games chosen for the Olympic Esports Week will only be familiar to obscure mobile game enthusiasts and those who follow the International Federations governing their favorite sports very closely.
Archery: Tic Tac Bow
Tic Tac Bow, a game created by Singapore-based studio Refract Technologies and published by Project 99, is a combination of archery and the classic children's game, Tic-Tac-Toe. Despite its recent release, the game has only been downloaded 150 times so far. However, it is affiliated with the World Archery Federation, the International Olympic Committee's recognized archery federation.
Taekwondo: Virtual Taekwondo
Refract Technologies is also the developer of Virtual Taekwondo, a flagship game for the Axis, a motion-tracking based console that the company successfully Kickstarted in 2018. The game uses motion tracking technology to translate real-world body movements into the game, allowing for no-contact, virtual sparring.
Baseball: WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS
WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS, available on the PS5 and Nintendo Switch for $.99, is a baseball game that the World Baseball and Softball Confederation has partnered with Konami to produce.
Cycling: Zwift
Zwift is a virtual version of cycling that has gained popularity among enthusiasts of the sport.
Sailing: Virtual Regatta
Virtual Regatta is a virtual version of sailing that has also gained popularity among enthusiasts of the sport.
Tennis: Tennis Clash
Tennis Clash, a mobile game produced by Wildlife Studios, is known for its pay-to-win microtransactions. Some product reviews cite sudden, unpredictable changes in game balance from update to update that can only be alleviated by spending more money on the game. Its inclusion in the Olympics' Esports series is an odd decision, especially alongside enthusiast products like Zwift, Virtual Regatta, and Virtual Taekwondo.
Mixed Reactions from the Esports Community
As expected, the announcement of the Olympics' official esports series has garnered mixed reactions from the esports community. Some have applauded the move as a step towards legitimizing esports as a sport and providing a platform for its athletes. Others have criticized the selection of games as strange and not representative of the broader esports community.
Critics have argued that the selected games do not have the same level of skill, strategy, or competitive depth as other esports titles. They have also pointed out that some of the games have microtransactions, which could give an unfair advantage to players who are willing to spend more money.
Despite the criticism, the Olympics' inclusion of esports could be seen as a sign of the industry's growing influence and legitimacy. As esports continue to gain mainstream recognition and generate billions in revenue, it is only natural that they would be considered for inclusion in one of the world's biggest and most prestigious sporting events.
The Future of Esports in the Olympics
It remains to be seen whether esports will become a permanent fixture in the Olympics or if the selection of games will change in the future. However, it is clear that the industry is continuing to grow and evolve, and its inclusion in the Olympics is just one sign of that.
Esports have already been included in other major sporting events, such as the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games. The International Olympic Committee's decision to host its own esports series could pave the way for further integration of esports into the global sporting community.
Conclusion
The Olympics' announcement of its official esports series is a significant milestone for the industry, even if the selection of games has been met with criticism. The inclusion of esports in one of the world's biggest sporting events is a testament to the growing influence and legitimacy of the industry.
While it remains to be seen what the future holds for esports in the Olympics, it is clear that the industry is continuing to evolve and gain mainstream recognition. As esports continue to grow and generate massive revenue, it is likely that they will become an increasingly important part of the global sporting landscape.
