Gamers becoming recognized as pro athletes?

May I have your attention, please?

Just LOL.

Video games are not sport and never will be, the notion is laughable. The people who are vying to become "pro athletes" here are the dudes that got picked last for football in school.

Just LOL again. Sports and video games are two seperate entities and will never/SHOULD never cross over. Don't make me laugh.

Just LOL.

Video games are not sport and never will be, the notion is laughable. The people who are vying to become "pro athletes" here are the dudes that got picked last for football in school.

Just LOL again. Sports and video games are two seperate entities and will never/SHOULD never cross over. Don't make me laugh.

balfe1990

I'll admit, to call it a sport is pushing it.  But many things that require little to no physical exertion are called sports.  I can see an argument to be made.

But Athlete?  Pro Athlete?  :lol:  Yes, that is fvcking ridiculous.  Until we get to a day where its full on virtual reality and "gamers" are having to physically overcome challenges, it will always be a joke to call this shit athletic.

For some reason a lot of people just cant be content with their hobby.  As if someone calling themself hardcore isn't stupid enough, now they have to fantasize about having some athletic status.

For some reason a lot of people just cant be content with their hobby.  

Wiimotefan

That's what get's me. It's like calling yourself a pro-stamp collector who "trains" four times a day.

It's a hobby and nothing more. Some people take it more seriously than others, but that doesn't change the fact.

Only in America.

[QUOTE="balfe1990"]

Just LOL.

Video games are not sport and never will be, the notion is laughable. The people who are vying to become "pro athletes" here are the dudes that got picked last for football in school.

Just LOL again. Sports and video games are two seperate entities and will never/SHOULD never cross over. Don't make me laugh.

Wiimotefan

I'll admit, to call it a sport is pushing it.  But many things that require little to no physical exertion are called sports.  I can see an argument to be made.

But Athlete?  Pro Athlete?  :lol:  Yes, that is fvcking ridiculous.  Until we get to a day where its full on virtual reality and "gamers" are having to physically overcome challenges, it will always be a joke to call this shit athletic.

For some reason a lot of people just cant be content with their hobby.  As if someone calling themself hardcore isn't stupid enough, now they have to fantasize about having some athletic status.

There's nothing in the article about people wanting to be considered hardcore or athletic through games to the public to achieve a fantasy. Under the US government, players are placed under the same category as athletes so that people outside the US have a much easier time entering the country. Because the goal is essentially the same, instead of creating a whole new section in whatever document for players, they are mixed with athletes to basically save time, effort, and money. The government will refer to them as "athletes" only through the legal definition, but the word won't be used anywhere outside that. There is no one at the moment publically pushing that they be recognized on the same level as people from other sports.

Of course, there's always the underlying goal that the government wants to increase tourism from other countries in this manner, but that's as far as the article goes.

Eww, of all games they had to pick the dumbest one. Would've understood this if they picked SC2 or CSS progamers, but LoL? :lol: 'murrica

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

[QUOTE="balfe1990"]

Just LOL.

Video games are not sport and never will be, the notion is laughable. The people who are vying to become "pro athletes" here are the dudes that got picked last for football in school.

Just LOL again. Sports and video games are two seperate entities and will never/SHOULD never cross over. Don't make me laugh.

Valiant_Rebel

I'll admit, to call it a sport is pushing it.  But many things that require little to no physical exertion are called sports.  I can see an argument to be made.

But Athlete?  Pro Athlete?  :lol:  Yes, that is fvcking ridiculous.  Until we get to a day where its full on virtual reality and "gamers" are having to physically overcome challenges, it will always be a joke to call this shit athletic.

For some reason a lot of people just cant be content with their hobby.  As if someone calling themself hardcore isn't stupid enough, now they have to fantasize about having some athletic status.

There's nothing in the article about people wanting to be considered hardcore or athletic through games to the public to achieve a fantasy. Under the US government, players are placed under the same category as athletes so that people outside the US have a much easier time entering the country. Because the goal is essentially the same, instead of creating a whole new section in whatever document for players, they are mixed with athletes to basically save time, effort, and money. The government will refer to them as "athletes" only through the legal definition, but the word won't be used anywhere outside that. There is no one at the moment publically pushing that they be recognized on the same level as people from other sports.

Of course, there's always the underlying goal that the government wants to increase tourism from other countries in this manner, but that's as far as the article goes.

I'll admit, I didnt read the article.  

As for the hardcore part, I just find that funny in general, nothing to do with this particular thread.  Just an example of people trying to glorify their hobby.

And this isnt the first time I've heard of gaming being touted as a serious sport, or gamers as athletes.  So thats why I responded the way I did.  Some people really try hard to justify their hobby instead of simply enjoying it.

What you're saying though, sounds reasonable and makes sense.  A good way to cut back on all the hassle and complications for creating a new sub section.

Eww, of all games they had to pick the dumbest one. Would've understood this if they picked SC2 or CSS progamers, but LoL? :lol: 'murrica

N30F3N1X

There are really no other games to set those rules for. SC2 is mostly outside the US and CSS is mostly inside the US (I think, I know other countries like Source) with very a small margin of players from outside coming in.

LoL is a western game, so it's going to make sure it stays dominate in its homeland.

[QUOTE="balfe1990"]

Just LOL.

Video games are not sport and never will be, the notion is laughable. The people who are vying to become "pro athletes" here are the dudes that got picked last for football in school.

Just LOL again. Sports and video games are two seperate entities and will never/SHOULD never cross over. Don't make me laugh.

Wiimotefan

I'll admit, to call it a sport is pushing it.  But many things that require little to no physical exertion are called sports.  I can see an argument to be made.

But Athlete?  Pro Athlete?  :lol:  Yes, that is fvcking ridiculous.  Until we get to a day where its full on virtual reality and "gamers" are having to physically overcome challenges, it will always be a joke to call this shit athletic.

For some reason a lot of people just cant be content with their hobby.  As if someone calling themself hardcore isn't stupid enough, now they have to fantasize about having some athletic status.

As for the hardcore part, I just find that funny in general, nothing to do with this particular thread.  Just an example of people trying to glorify their hobby.

And this isnt the first time I've heard of gaming being touted as a serious sport, or gamers as athletes.  So thats why I responded the way I did.  Some people really try hard to justify their hobby instead of simply enjoying it.

Wiimotefan

Understandable. I don't laugh at others for enjoying and doing things I don't enjoy, but those that try to use their hobby to claim superiority are generally pathetic in every possible way, be it sports, games, penmanship, or anything else.

It's a hobby and nothing more. Some people take it more seriously than others, but that doesn't change the fact.

balfe1990

That's not true, wen you can have a sustainable income out of gaming it's no longer a hobby. And there are many ways to create a thriving money making machine out of gaming.

[QUOTE="AD216"][QUOTE="the_bi99man"]

Really?  That's  why you lost faith in the government? :lol:

the_bi99man

"how the hell can u be a pro athlete sitting on a couch moving ur thumbs smh. that's why i lost faith in the govt years ago"

You did say "years ago", but you also said "that's why". :P

That;s just sad. In no way should gamers ever be called atheltes unless they play a real sport.

Solid_Link22

I agree they shouldnt be called athletes. Some people take the term hardcore to mean something grand, all the word means to me is someone who is extrememly dedicated to an activity. Someone who plays Starcraft 5 hours a day is a hardcore gamer to me. Cranler

I see what you're saying.  Its just that usually when I see someone say hardcore gamer it has more to do with acting superior than anything else.  Someone trying to glorify the fact that they play games.  I believe core gamer is a good term.  Obviously there are people that are far more invested in the hobby than others.  They dedicate a lot of time to it and they spend a lot of money on it.  They are the core market so it makes sense.

That's not true, wen you can have a sustainable income out of gaming it's no longer a hobby. And there are many ways to create a thriving money making machine out of gaming.

Lucianu

Then they are professional gamers.  Thats fine.  Still not athletes (obviously).  And even calling them hardcore still doesn't settle with me.  Plenty of people turn hobbies into careers.  But I've never seen a person label themselves as hardcore football players or hardcore musicians, hardcore artists, etc..

With this heat wve, make sure you have gamer fuel.

Because sitting in your ass screaming at a monitor is hard work.

[QUOTE="Cranler"]I agree they shouldnt be called athletes. Some people take the term hardcore to mean something grand, all the word means to me is someone who is extrememly dedicated to an activity. Someone who plays Starcraft 5 hours a day is a hardcore gamer to me. Wiimotefan

I see what you're saying.  Its just that usually when I see someone say hardcore gamer it has more to do with acting superior than anything else.  Someone trying to glorify the fact that they play games.  I believe core gamer is a good term.  Obviously there are people that are far more invested in the hobby than others.  They dedicate a lot of time to it and they spend a lot of money on it.  They are the core market so it makes sense.

That's not true, wen you can have a sustainable income out of gaming it's no longer a hobby. And there are many ways to create a thriving money making machine out of gaming.

Lucianu

Then they are professional gamers.  Thats fine.  Still not athletes (obviously).  And even calling them hardcore still doesn't settle with me.  Plenty of people turn hobbies into careers.  But I've never seen a person label themselves as hardcore football players or hardcore musicians, hardcore artists, etc..

Ofcourse, i agree with you. Though as far as i'm concerned, all of these labels - core, mid-core, hardcore, newbie, etc. are meaningless shit that shouldn't exist.

Personally i views video gamers in three categories. Those that casually play games (like my self these days), those that have gaming as a hobby, and those that make a sustainable income out of it (professional gamers).

[QUOTE="Cranler"]I agree they shouldnt be called athletes. Some people take the term hardcore to mean something grand, all the word means to me is someone who is extrememly dedicated to an activity. Someone who plays Starcraft 5 hours a day is a hardcore gamer to me. Wiimotefan

I see what you're saying.  Its just that usually when I see someone say hardcore gamer it has more to do with acting superior than anything else.  Someone trying to glorify the fact that they play games.  I believe core gamer is a good term.  Obviously there are people that are far more invested in the hobby than others.  They dedicate a lot of time to it and they spend a lot of money on it.  They are the core market so it makes sense.

That's not true, wen you can have a sustainable income out of gaming it's no longer a hobby. And there are many ways to create a thriving money making machine out of gaming.

Lucianu

Then they are professional gamers.  Thats fine.  Still not athletes (obviously).  And even calling them hardcore still doesn't settle with me.  Plenty of people turn hobbies into careers.  But I've never seen a person label themselves as hardcore football players or hardcore musicians, hardcore artists, etc..

Hardcore means dedicated or loyal to their hobby, if someone is gaining an income from said hobby and has to practice 12 hours a day then they are by definition hardcore. Your disapproval of the term is illogical.parkurtommo

You're an artist.  You practice a lot.  You will at some point be employed full time if you arent already.  Will that make you a hardcore artist?

I picked up digital sculpting as a hobby years back.  I did it because I enjoyed it, not because I planned to make money at it.  But practicing 12 hours a day, like you said, put me in a position of getting paid.  Now I get more job offers than I can take.  Still, I dont call myself hardcore.  I'm a professional.  Just as these gamers that turned their hobbies into careers are professionals.

I really dont understand this.  Why is it for every other skillset on earth you become a professional?  But for gaming, and only for gaming, you become hardcore?

I know they're just words, but why the difference?

I picked up digital sculpting as a hobby years back. 

Wiimotefan

Dafuq is that?  Is there a market for it?  Who would pay for a sculpture that isn't even physical?  How well does it pay?

Sounds dumb.

[QUOTE="parkurtommo"]

Hardcore means dedicated or loyal to their hobby, if someone is gaining an income from said hobby and has to practice 12 hours a day then they are by definition hardcore. Your disapproval of the term is illogical.Wiimotefan

You're an artist.  You practice a lot.  You will at some point be employed full time if you arent already.  Will that make you a hardcore artist?

I picked up digital sculpting as a hobby years back.  I did it because I enjoyed it, not because I planned to make money at it.  But practicing 12 hours a day, like you said, put me in a position of getting paid.  Now I get more job offers than I can take.  Still, I dont call myself hardcore.  I'm a professional.  Just as these gamers that turned their hobbies into careers are professionals.

I really dont understand this.  Why is it for every other skillset on earth you become a professional?  But for gaming, and only for gaming, you become hardcore?

I know they're just words, but why the difference?

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

I picked up digital sculpting as a hobby years back. 

SDC_4_LIFE

Dafuq is that?  Is there a market for it?  Who would pay for a sculpture that isn't even physical?  How well does it pay?

Sounds dumb.

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

I picked up digital sculpting as a hobby years back. 

SDC_4_LIFE

Dafuq is that?  Is there a market for it?  Who would pay for a sculpture that isn't even physical?  How well does it pay?

Sounds dumb.

Its the "new" way of 3d modeling.  Mostly for characters and other organic stuff.  Its faster than the old ways, you can achieve more detail and it allows you to forget about the technical aspects while concentrating more on the art side.

And yes lmao of course there is a market for it!  Every high detail character and creature you see in any video game or movie comes through a digital sculpting program.  And it can be physical, 3d printers derp.  Just a few months ago I worked on some toys, all done digitally then sent to China for printing and mass production.

It pays ok.  I'm still fairly new to the business + I'm freelance so my pay isnt set in stone, but I already established a base pay of $35 per hour.  Some jobs have paid $100 per hour, but thats very rare.  Yesterday I sold a model that was just a personal project of mine for $1,000.  Not too bad really.

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

[QUOTE="parkurtommo"]

Hardcore means dedicated or loyal to their hobby, if someone is gaining an income from said hobby and has to practice 12 hours a day then they are by definition hardcore. Your disapproval of the term is illogical.parkurtommo

You're an artist.  You practice a lot.  You will at some point be employed full time if you arent already.  Will that make you a hardcore artist?

I picked up digital sculpting as a hobby years back.  I did it because I enjoyed it, not because I planned to make money at it.  But practicing 12 hours a day, like you said, put me in a position of getting paid.  Now I get more job offers than I can take.  Still, I dont call myself hardcore.  I'm a professional.  Just as these gamers that turned their hobbies into careers are professionals.

I really dont understand this.  Why is it for every other skillset on earth you become a professional?  But for gaming, and only for gaming, you become hardcore?

I know they're just words, but why the difference?

I can see that.  Not really worth splitting hairs over, the term does apply.  I just find it odd that it applies to gamers, but is rarely (if ever) applied to other fields.

[QUOTE="SDC_4_LIFE"]

[QUOTE="Wiimotefan"]

I picked up digital sculpting as a hobby years back. 

parkurtommo

Dafuq is that?  Is there a market for it?  Who would pay for a sculpture that isn't even physical?  How well does it pay?

Sounds dumb.

I wasnt thinking lol.  I always thought it was just called 3d modeling.  Should have googled it first.

^

Thats really good pay!  :shock:

^

Thats really good pay!  :shock:

SDC_4_LIFE

I think so too.  :P

I worked construction and restaurants most of my life so being able to make that kind of money while doing something I enjoy is a true blessing.

Evo is happening right now. The greatest fighting game players from around the world are competing in the most competitively viable gaming genre in existence.

The only thing these games exercise are the hand and wrist areas of the body. It takes a ridiculous amount of brain power though. I'd put competitive gaming closer to something like chess than pro sports.

Meh.

Evo is happening right now. The greatest fighting game players from around the world are competing in the most competitively viable gaming genre in existence.

The only thing these games exercise are the hand and wrist areas of the body. It takes a ridiculous amount of brain power though. I'd put competitive gaming closer to something like chess than pro sports.

Pikminmaniac

My stand on the subject is and always will be that video games are not a sport and those who play them for a living aren't atheletes.