The online game competition is called esports and has taken a leap forward. According to the "2020 Korea Game White Paper" by the Korea Creative Content Agency, the size of the domestic e-sports industry is estimated to be 139.83 billion won in 2019. By detailed item, the game team's budget was 46.32 billion won, accounting for 33.1% of the total, followed by broadcasting sales of 46.3 billion won (33.1%), Internet/streaming sales of 280.2 billion won (20.0%), and competition prize money of 19.19 billion won (13.7%). During the Pandemic, the number of competitions involving large crowds decreased, but online competitions continued. In addition, the development of sponsorship and broadcasting rights in esports continues.

It can be said that esports in Korea has been led by Blizzard and Riot Games. In particular, Blizzard launched the Overwatch League in 2017 by introducing professional team systems such as traditional sports. This introduced many elements of traditional sports into esports, such as team purchase, international teams forming a league, team selection based on geographical connection and a draft system. Many Korean players participated in these professional teams, proving Korea is a powerhouse in esports. On the other hand, in the case of the recent Olympics and Asian Olympics, the trend of recognizing esports, similar to traditional sports, has been strengthened, such as hosting esports together. 

There are similarities and differences between Esports and traditional sports. The advantage of Esports is that anyone can access it regardless of genders, language, and physique. In traditional sports, male and female games are divided according to the physique of female men, but esports do not need to. Also, esports often change the rules of events and competitions. The technology and rules change according to the new game and new updates. In addition, there are experts in each field, such as volleyball and basketball in traditional sports, but people can learn various games and become experts in various esports competitions at the same time.

Unlike the Olympic games, we do not have regulations that regulate esports, which have entertained many people, especially during the Pandemic, to make broadcasting accessible to anyone. However, there may be a day when such regulations will be imposed, like traditional sports in the future.

서영주 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

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