The Olympics, both summer and winter, have been known for their diversity with the sports they include. They are always looking to try something new, add more sports and generally keep things fresh.
But what will come next? Is it time for a big step towards the world of eSports, after the eSports industry have grown massively over the past decade and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Picture the setting now, live on TV around the world we have a group of players sat playing the Fortnite video game in a battle royale where the last man standing wins a gold medal. It may seem a little farfetched, but with how eSports are growing and how technology continues to improve, it could and should happen.
The Growth and Appeal of eSports
The market for eSports is all about young people, and that is an area where the Olympic Committee are looking to improve themselves on. They want the games to appeal to as many younger people as possible, including Fortnite would open things up to millions of potential viewers.
In Britain, 28% of boys ages 16-19 watch what are described as traditional sporting events. 57% of them play video games, showing how this industry is overtaking in many areas. Betting on eSports has also grown in popularity, the betting industry have realised what eSports can offer them and for that reason, new online bookmakers offer prices on many eSports events, including Fortnite.
The Professional Game
There is a professional eSports circuit out there, with the top players in the world battling it out at events which are played in packed arenas and streamed around the world. The industry is also a lot bigger than many people imagine it is.
In comparison, around 200 tennis players play on the tour and compete enough to earn a professional living from tennis. The game League of Legends has over 1000 players who play enough to receive a wage for their games. This is just one of many games, and it is five times the size of tennis in terms of how many people make a professional wage from playing.
Dare to be Different
What the Olympic Committee need to do is be different, they need to take a risk and bring something new and exciting on board. Winter sports such as curling, summer sports such as the long distance running events, how many people actually watch them?
Of the people that do watch them, how many are seasoned Olympic veterans, the sort to watch anything and everything that takes place at the games?
If the Olympics are serious abut attracting younger people and they want to bring more viewers on then eSports, and in this case Fortnite, is the answer to their problems.
For the first year it will be strange, but after that, and after the world of eSports has shown it belongs alongside other big events, watching people play will become a common feature of the games.
