In today’s growing virtual world, the introduction of online “sports” was inevitable. Esports, or competitive video games, have taken the globe by storm with many games having their own leagues and championship series, similar to the NBA or NFL. In contrast to physical sports, esports can occur in whatever weather: rain or shine, heat or cold. Such differences were especially notable during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which professional esports leagues persisted, while other live sports temporarily shut down. During quarantine, video games were a popular pastime that stuck with players even after the lockdown ended. With playerbases (the games’ players) experiencing drastic increases, so did the stigma of video games.

From the first video game to now, video games have always had a harsh— and perhaps unfair—critique. The thought of sitting in front of any device and experiencing a brand new, fantastical world seems to be too controversial. Mindless couch potatoes have existed as long as the invention of television, and video games are not that far off from the term’s definition. How could staring at a screen, even if you’re actively engaging in its contents, ever be considered a sport? I don’t think esports could ever find its way onto any official list of sports. Excluding the furious clicks, typing, and mouse-dragging, there is little physical effort involved in the activity. Players sit in an upright position with their eyes glued to a screen for the entire game, typically an hour or two, depending on the title.

Given the little cognitive abilities video games seem to require, esports is even perceived as a complete waste of time to many. However, there is much detail and framework behind esports; it is not just an excuse to play video games. Through esports, players develop a multitude of real-life skills. Team-building, working in a group, confidence, and sociability, vital to almost every work environment, are all attributes that are continuously built upon throughout the season. These are the same qualities that are present in every single physical sport. The only difference is that players’ actions occur through a screen, instead of on a playing field. Comments, suggestions, and questions are all received through headsets and audio-speakers instead of across large distances. Esports provides all the conditions necessary for players to focus solely on winning.

For high school students in Virginia, there is already an opportunity to play in an esports league, the VHSL, which is also the same league many other sports and activities participate in. Esports is still in a preliminary phase for the VHSL. The debate over its actual benefits is as controversial as ever, but it should definitely become a permanent addition to VHSL. Whether it is put under the sports or activities category, esports is an opportunity that should be put on equal footing with every other official VHSL extracurricular. It is 2022 now, and it’s time to start accepting ideas outside of old traditions.