UKEGI to make Competitive Gaming an Official Sport?

And you thought you could never really make it professionally big as a gamer? Earth to gamers: playing video games may no longer be a lifestyle, but a career choice!

The UK Electronic Gaming Initiative (UKEGI) has begun to promote video gaming as a professional career and sport. They are now reeling in evidence to show to the British Sports Council and Department of Culture that video gaming meets the requirements to be classified as the latter. Besides, the UKEGI is not alone in their cause. Other countries have already passed the same proposal to their respective governments.

Of course, there would be reactions to the differences between the definition of “sport” and “competitive video gaming.” The CEO of Prize Fight, a firm that has signed up to support the proposal, says that there is actually just a slight difference. “The skills possessed by those able to compete at a professional level define such competitors as athletes – and thus their pastime as a sport. The UKEGI are simply working toward mainstream recognition of this fact.”

Cool! If this keeps up, maybe in the near future, gym class won’t just offer basketball, tennis, and chess! Students could choose to play video games instead!

And you thought you could never really make it professionally big as a gamer? Earth to gamers: playing video games may no longer be a lifestyle, but a career choice!

The UK Electronic Gaming Initiative (UKEGI) has begun to promote video gaming as a professional career and sport. They are now reeling in evidence to show to the British Sports Council and Department of Culture that video gaming meets the requirements to be classified as the latter. Besides, the UKEGI is not alone in their cause. Other countries have already passed the same proposal to their respective governments.

Of course, there would be reactions to the differences between the definition of “sport” and “competitive video gaming.” The CEO of Prize Fight, a firm that has signed up to support the proposal, says that there is actually just a slight difference. “The skills possessed by those able to compete at a professional level define such competitors as athletes – and thus their pastime as a sport. The UKEGI are simply working toward mainstream recognition of this fact.”

Cool! If this keeps up, maybe in the near future, gym class won’t just offer basketball, tennis, and chess! Students could choose to play video games instead!