Video games on ESPN2

[NUSouth]

Sorry for the delayed post as I forgot about this until I heard somebody else talking about it. A couple Sunday's ago the Sunday night baseball game on ESPN was rained out. So, I flipped over to ESPN2 and they had about 5 guys from a couple colleges set to play a video game against each other. One was Arizona state and the other a Texas school I don't recall which one.

At that moment I felt a cold draft coming up from the ground as hell began to freeze over. Video games on a sports channel ?? I've always thought poker on sports channels was rediculus but at least they have that "royal flush" crew for a little redemption.

Anyone else see this ? What did you think ? There has got to be something more resembling sport that they could put on.

 

[CC_Lemming]

Esports are gaining in popularity, so I'm not surprised ESPN is trying to capitalize. Look at China or Korea and the obsession with Starcraft and Dota - it's insane, million dollar prize pools.

And if ESPN is willing to show NASCAR races and golfing, I don't see a difference in kind. Part of me is only tempted to call those activities that involve physical exertion sports, the other part of me says let all competitive activities in, chess and other games included, who cares?

It's interesting though, if you think NASCAR is a sport but video games aren't, why is that?

 

[saluno22]

Come on, it's all about League of Legends now.

But yes, Starcraft is essentially the national sport of Korea.

 

[bigboxes]

I saw that too. It was Texas-Arlington (my alma mater). I thought it was some obscure channel and wondered that schools were now doing this. Weird. That and ESPN covering it. Even weirder. I agree that poker is stupid on sports channels (on any channels for that matter). I miss the days of Australian Rules Football. That was cool!

 

[balsy]

Esports are gaining in popularity, so I'm not surprised ESPN is trying to capitalize. Look at China or Korea and the obsession with Starcraft and Dota - it's insane, million dollar prize pools.

And if ESPN is willing to show NASCAR races and golfing, I don't see a difference in kind. Part of me is only tempted to call those activities that involve physical exertion sports, the other part of me says let all competitive activities in, chess and other games included, who cares?

It's interesting though, if you think NASCAR is a sport but video games aren't, why is that?

I think there is a big difference between actually being in a car turning left going 200 mph, or the hand eye coordination it takes to hit a golf ball and hitting a button on a controller or keyboard. Admittedly, I gave up gaming at 12 and kind of look down on "gamers." Probably shouldn't, I know.

 

[NikkiSixx]

This has been going on for awhile on Twitch. It's good to watch some of the elite teams on some of your favorite games.

Check it out here: https://www.twitch.tv/

 

[jay-cheese]

I think some colleges are giving out full rides for these gamers today (they tend to be pretty techy and have advanced computer knowledge/skills). Frankly this type of team, DnD gaming is quite different than MarioKart, NCAA football, or Tetris.

Not surprised one bit to see it on TV. Like others mentioned, it's huge in other places and a growing demographic here. I do agree w/ CC above though that real sports involve physical exertion. This is no different than say knitting, which also involves hand/eye coordination...

 

[bigboxes]

I think some colleges are giving out full rides for these gamers today (they tend to be pretty techy and have advanced computer knowledge/skills). Frankly this type of team, DnD gaming is quite different than MarioKart, NCAA football, or Tetris.

Not surprised one bit to see it on TV. Like others mentioned, it's huge in other places and a growing demographic here. I do agree w/ CC above though that real sports involve physical exertion. This is no different than say knitting, which also involves hand/eye coordination...

I'm a big tech guy, but I won't sit around and watch someone else play. I build computers, but I couldn't care less about some gamer's name on my computer parts. It makes sense to have something like that on a network like G4 (which is no longer). On ESPN? No way. I'll protest by just turning it off. Of course, I think most of their weekday afternoon stuff sucks as well.

 

[jay-cheese]

I rarely watch sports on espn anymore...

 

[bigboxes]

I rarely watch sports on espn anymore...

I watch it if it's the game I want to watch. Whether it's ESPN or not matters little to me.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

I think there is a big difference between actually being in a car turning left going 200 mph, or the hand eye coordination it takes to hit a golf ball and hitting a button on a controller or keyboard. Admittedly, I gave up gaming at 12 and kind of look down on "gamers." Probably shouldn't, I know.

Ditto

 

[Limencoke]

Esports are a huge moneymaker nowadays. Especially games like what you saw (Heroes of the Storm). I mean you might think it's dumb, but so is sitting on a couch watching people throw a football with 2 minutes of nothing in between each play, sooooo. I mean worst case - it's better than poker because it at least involves team coordination and fast twitch reactions.

 

[bigboxes]

Esports are a huge moneymaker nowadays. Especially games like what you saw (Heroes of the Storm). I mean you might think it's dumb, but so is sitting on a couch watching people throw a football with 2 minutes of nothing in between each play, sooooo.

Really? You think that watching others play football is dumb? Did I read that correctly? If so, why do you even post on this board? You don't like to watch football, but just check the scores later because watching the game is dumb? I mean, I can understand if you don't like watching sports. Not all people do. Of course, those people don't post on a sports message board either. Just making sure I understand your way of thinking.

 

[Limencoke]

Really? You think that watching others play football is dumb? Did I read that correctly? If so, why do you even post on this board? You don't like to watch football, but just check the scores later because watching the game is dumb? I mean, I can understand if you don't like watching sports. Not all people do. Of course, those people don't post on a sports message board either. Just making sure I understand your way of thinking.

No I love watching football. But objectively it's just as big a waste of time as watching esports and is virtually the same exact thing. Depending on your interests, they can both be interesting or dumb.

 

[bigboxes]

No I love watching football. But objectively it's just as big a waste of time as watching esports and is virtually the same exact thing. Depending on your interests, they can both be interesting or dumb.

Well, objectively, anything non-productive could be labeled a waste of time. However, we all like to relax and have our time wasting hobbies. I love to work on computers. It's fun for me. I also love to watch sports. Seeing the best athletes go head to head in competition is exciting. The OP was commenting on ESPN showing this type of programming. I can see watching video game competition as a niche activity. I certainly don't see EPSN showing this on their networks. Maybe at 3 in the morning. LOL

 

[HuskerAlum92]

What's next, Magic card tournaments?

 

[NikkiSixx]

I want more MXC!!!

 

[NUSouth]

Get used to it. With ESPN losing subscribers they are doing whatever they can to get viewership and ESports is gaining popularity fast and is quickly becoming part of the "mainstream". It's been around a while but it's finally getting noticed for more than just "losers in their Mom's basement".

Of the 10 guys playing, I didn't see any that looked like they would challenge for second string on their college football team. Nor, 3rd or 4th string for that matter. Also, not supprisingly, there were no girls. This was a group of the classic losers in their mom's basement type of group.

 

[Limencoke]

Of the 10 guys playing, I didn't see any that looked like they would challenge for second string on their college football team. Nor, 3rd or 4th string for that matter. Also, not supprisingly, there were no girls. This was a group of the classic losers in their mom's basement type of group.

Ok Uncle Rico. Tell us about that football you threw over the mountains.

 

[saluno22]

What's next, Magic card tournaments?

Can't wait...

I used to make fun of people who socially and competitively played video games. Then I realized how much fantasy football had taken over my life.

Edit: I couldn't find a YouTube clip of the chickens playing magic, sorry.

 

[jflores]

Well, objectively, anything non-productive could be labeled a waste of time. However, we all like to relax and have our time wasting hobbies. I love to work on computers. It's fun for me. I also love to watch sports. Seeing the best athletes go head to head in competition is exciting. The OP was commenting on ESPN showing this type of programming. I can see watching video game competition as a niche activity. I certainly don't see EPSN showing this on their networks. Maybe at 3 in the morning. LOL

At one time, both soccer and football were niche activities in a nation captivated by baseball. Hell, according to the ratings, College baseball is a niche activity although its made a nice bit of money for folks like Zesto.

One thing to keep in mind, at a lot of the younger/hipper places to work where employee freedom is a little more tolerable (places like Apple, Google, and locally in Omaha, Hayneedle, etc) and the job is mainly programming, having a DOTA stream on while working is not uncommon.

From ESPNs point of view, there's no reason to let Twitch take their money. Not when a bunch of highly paid mostly male programmers with good disposable income and a video game habit could be theirs.

 

[HuskerAlum92]

I had to pick up my son at a Magic card tournament. 3 things struck me as I walked in: there's a lot people here, too many of them aren't wearing deodorant, not a girl anywhere. I then spotted my son in the distance talking to the only girl there, and I thought good for him. But when I got closer, it was just another guy with long hair.

 

[GretnaShawn]

ESPN is hemorrhaging. Get used to some unusual stuff to try and find an audience.

Or, they could just fire Stephen A and Skip, get back to actually showing highlights, cancel His & Hers and any of the other drama filled crap shows, show some more highlights, and continue making 30 for 30's.

 

[jflores]

ESPN is hemorrhaging. Get used to some unusual stuff to try and find an audience.

Or, they could just fire Stephen A and Skip, get back to actually showing highlights, cancel His & Hers and any of the other drama filled crap shows, show some more highlights, and continue making 30 for 30's.

ESPN has had poker for years now. This is not exactly new.