ESPN To Cover Competitive Video Gaming
from the next-up-on-the-ocho dept
ESPN has entered into a multiyear agreement with Major League Gaming to provide exclusive online coverage of MLG's upcoming video game competitions. The online coverage is a natural fit for gaming, however, this relationship could segue into more regular coverage on ESPN's television channels. ESPN already regularly covers non-traditional "sports" on its television channels now, from poker to the national spelling bee, so seeing coverage of video game tournaments is not a huge stretch. Video gaming is one of the most popular activities for the young male set, and ESPN is responding to the changing interests of its key demographic. Last year, the USA network aired the MLG finals, and more recently, MLG gamers are starting to appear regularly on ESPN's "Cold Pizza" morning show. The allure of professional gaming has been around since the dawn of video games (remember The Wizard?). Korea (the site of the first world cyber games) leads the charge, with its professional video gamers making good money as early as 2003. That said, professional video gaming is still dwarfed by professional sports (and even professional poker), so it still remains uncertain whether or not it will ever grow to have wide appeal, or if it will remain a relative niche spectator interest.
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Filed Under: competition, video games
Companies: espn, mlg
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That sucks
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Re: That sucks
Sorry had to say it.
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What's good to watch?
spectator sport-- as opposed to the sports that only has a
"relative niche spectator interest".
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Re:
"But if it means I don't have to listen to Skip Bayless, then I don't care." - Hilarious, I couldn't agree more. Whatever gives me less Skip Bayless I am all for!
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It's a good thing that ESPN has this already but they need to expand in terms of more game genres.
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Moving up in the world...
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Dont Forget
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Role Models?
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Re: Role Models?
That would be nice, but I doubt it. Witness Fatal1ty.
The Wizard was hardly the dawn of video gaming, Dennis. By about 20 years, or more. But it's a good example, even though it was just a giant commercial for Super Mario Bros. 3. Check out the history of Twin Galaxies if you'd like to see some older history of competitive video gaming, or watch the [related] movie The King of Kong, which was only made last year but covers events with their roots in the early 80s.
I think it's kind of silly, but it's good that ESPN is doing this. They are recognizing their actual market (competition), instead of focusing on their surface market (sports). But sports aren't exactly going away. Too bad industries that are actually struggling can't do the same.
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Good News
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great
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MLG > Poker
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You're right. Let's stop paying those engineers and programmers, too: they need to do real work in industries like construction.
To everyone criticizing this because video games aren't "interesting" to watch, what makes a traditional sport interesting to watch? I for one never grew up with sports fans, and as such I cannot even faintly enjoy spectating. I enjoy playing some, but somehow watching them is just pushing it, and I think people only enjoy watching sports largely for the solidarity benefits. Similarly, as video games are increasing in popularity, its not at all hard to imagine a society so excited about watching competitive gaming (just like at South Korea), and it really has little to do with the activity: people will watch for a sense of being part of a "team."
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Correct: There is no Cold Pizza
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Has nobody seen the current professional videogame league, with all player's salaries starting at $30k/year + winnings/endorsements? The games are broadcast live on DirectTV with announcers/commentator/the whole deal.
They just completed their first season i believe, and it was so successful they are expanding for the next season.
There certainly is a market for this, and they're just trying to fit into it.
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Hmmm
How can anyone be against televised video game competition?
At least chances are if you watch an online game you probably play the same game and learn from the pros. If you're at home watching NFL on a Sunday chances are you don't play football thus are learning nothing you can apply from it.
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Party in Benalmadena, meet singles and hook up!
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sponsors
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Games on TV
Thats for sure. I play tons of games spanning many genres and systems all the time.
But I don't watch TV.
And I don't even really like watching games be played by others unless its a cooperative thing where I will have a turn (or multiplayer is even better).
I have never enjoyed watching any sport for that matter.
I don't feel involved enough.
Its too lazy / mind numbing.
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Anyone remember "Tommy"?
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Really
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