US government recognizes League of Legends players as pro athletes

@Xymond Well, seeing as the things you mentioned aren't really things that people come to a Gaming News website to read about, I would say that it's safe to assume that people are welcome to have their own opinions on news they are interested in. I would also say that it's safe to assume that "most" people know there are bigger things going on in the world, but simply "bitching" about any of them doesn't change any of that. If you're truly interested in changing those things I suggest you write a letter to your Congressman, instead of telling people on a Gaming website to do something about it... just saying.

P.S. The "uncultured swine" are reading the same news you are, so what in the hell are you even attempting to make an insult at? Keyboard warrior much?

@Xymond : hahaha, just like the way you said it... I think I've found a new word "Uncultured Swine". Made my day ^_^

@PrpleTrtleBuBum Not the games that they concider; LoL and SC2. These games will never be not played and is nowhere near getting unpopular. the closest thing to change is SC2 becoming SC3-4-5-6

@santinegrete

The thing is that professional athletes have particular privileges (the visa access for example).

If they called them Cyber Athlete they could deny those privileges to the people, so while Cyber athlete may be a interesting and accurate term for the people professional athlete must be given for legal reasons.

Allow me to show you how incredibly stupid you are. Let's start.

"...gaming requires MUCH more intellectual processing than any Olympic sport right now."

Yes, that is what the Olympics are about. Intellectual processing. Hell, why don't we make math an Olympic sport, see who can solve tough equations the fastest?

"...America needs more intellectual sports..."

There is no such thing as an intellectual sport. Look up the definition of "sport".

"I'm an American and wow people are dumb here"

Yes, you are proving your statement well. Your ego somehow manages to overcome basic grammar skills that most people learn in third grade.

"People need to realize that gaming isn't 'ruining our children'..."

Where does this article say anything about gaming "ruining our children"?

"And gaming GREATLY improves intelligence..."

You are not proving that statement too well. Also, don't you think "GREATLY" is an overstatement? If you are a kindergartner who plays nothing but video games, will you be a genius? I don't think that faster reactions and better eyesight (which is actually false, playing too much games can degrade your eyesight) reflects actual life skills that will make you intelligent.

"I am a paintball player and a gamer, so don't say I'm some fat gamer blob"

Wow, not only a gamer, but a paintballer too? That automatically makes you super fit.

"...then gaming is VERY healthy."

Very healthy, huh? I don't know, I wouldn't consider staring at a screen and slightly improving hand-eye coordination is "VERY" healthy.

TL;DR: You are very dumb.

@1wikkid1 How is it ridiculous?

FACTS MAN, GIVE FACTUALLY BASED SENTENCES.

Basing your entire argument off of media-induced stereotypes is NOT A LEGITIMATE ARGUMENT.

If you want to say "Video games shouldn't be a sport because... they're unhealthy!" I could say that you can receive extremely life-altering (if not fatal) injuries in physical sports. Either way, just saying "IT'S NOT A SPORT BECAUSE THAT'D BE STUPID HERPDERP" IS NOT A LEGITIMATE ARGUMENT.

Chess is considered a sport by the International Olympic Committee and the Government considers League a sport.

ACTUAL FACT-BASED ARGUMENTS AS TO WHY CERTAIN VIDEO GAMES CAN BE CONSIDERED SPORTS.

If people could actually make a legitimate reason why it shouldn't be a sport I could understand that... but NOTHING. I have heard NOTHING in the past year that can form a legitimate bloody reason why it's not a sport. NOT A SINGLE BLOODY THING.

If you can come up with a reason, BY ALL MEANS SAY IT, but for the love of all that is dear in this world- make a lick of bloody sense. You're just being needlessly cruel and making yourself seem immature.

@1wikkid1 I'm getting a slightly racist vibe from you. It'd be amazing if the Korean teams apply for visas, they're better educated than kids here that's for sure.

@nikspt Someone with sense. Good man.

@ClaTheNinja You realize that site is a joke site right? It's like The Onion for gaming. I swear people will believe anything these days...

@ClaTheNinja That site claims to be using information cited from a gamespot interview, but I have yet to see the interview here. Until gamespot releases that information themselves, I really question the validity of that article.

@hal00000 Since when do Terrorists play League of Legends professionally?

That's stupid.

@DMND So what type of gun do you own that all you have to do is pull the trigger to shoot and hit a target? I really want one, well if it is not from a FPS game that is! Otherwise there is posture to take the exertion from the firing of gun and the physical strength between body and arm to hit the target while firing.

@Rennik_Repotsir Many professional gamers exercise like normal people too. WAIT, IMPLY THAT GAMERS ARE NORMAL PEOPLE!?!

That probably seems completely out of the realm of possibility for many people like you, sorry for blowing some minds.

Now as for a legitimate argument:

(google definition) sport: an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

physical exertion: quick-paced usage of keyboard and mouse, check.

skill: It takes a lot of skill to play games like League of Legends and DotA 2. (if you don't believe me, try them for yourself and/or watch professionals play. It's very challenging.) Check.

individual/team competes against another or others for entertainment: look at Twitch.tv and League of Legends and DotA 2 tournaments (as well as other games) are played both casually and professionally for entertainment, and as far as LoL and DotA 2 are concerned, two teams of five compete against each other to destroy the other team's base. Check.

Seems to count as a sport, next word.

(googled version) athlete: a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise.

proficient at sports: established by government that LoL is a sport. Check.

other forms of physical exercise: Varies from gamer to gamer. unChecked... sort of? Seems like an unusual staple to put at the end of the definition.

I found one that I think better suits the word: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/athlete

"The noun athlete comes from the Greek word athletes, meaning “contestant in the games.” Anyone who competes in sporting competitions can be called an athlete, but usually the term is reserved for people with a high level of dedication, skill and fitness. If your income comes from participating in your sport, you are a professional athlete."

If your income comes from participating in your sport, you are a professional athlete: The International 4 for DotA 2 recently concluded, giving 5 million dollars just for winning 1st place. Check.

I don't see what possible counterpoint you can make to that. Saying "YOU TOOK A DIFFERENT DEFINITION THAT'S NOT FAIR" probably won't be worth much in my opinion, and I'm not too sure it's easy to argue against Greek roots, along with a pretty clear-cut statement that seems to fit the word perfectly.

But, have fun being needlessly critical of a growing sport, I'll be enjoying eSports for as long as they're willing to keep it going, just like how people enjoy football and soccer. I don't really see the difference to be brutally honest.

@Triton A lot of people also play Basketball, Baseball, Football and so forth in their spare time and also have a job. Then there are people who are good enough at the game to play it at a professional level and for these people the sport is their job. Professional LOL players practice as often as any other sports player and get paid a lot more than most of us ever will. Just like any other entertainer, they are paid to play LOL for the entertainment of others.

@Triton **** yeah dungeons and dragons for the next pro sport! or maybe LARP'ing

@Triton If they make more money than most, I'd call it a job.

@Triton The same can be said for all sports...