Since time immemorial, competition and contest have been a cornerstone of recreation, identity and society. Alongside cultural and technological development, sports have also evolved over time. With the rise of the Internet and video games, gaming now offers its own, highly competitive and lucrative arena in eSports. This week, we discuss their perception in the mainstream and how they shine a light on the way we define and interact with traditional sports. Can the definition of a sport expand with a society? What function(s) do sports serve that eSports might also satisfy? How do sports influence players and spectators differently?

Further Reading:

CNN, "Seven-figure salaries, sold-out stadiums: Is pro video gaming a sport?"

The Week, "Sorry, nerds: Video games are not a sport"

The New York Times, "Should Video Games Be Considered a Sport?"

CNN, "Should pro gamers be considered athletes?"

The Huffington Post, "The Controversial Dichotomy Between Sports and eSports"