eSports: Digital Games and Its Future From the Traditional Athletes’ and eSports Players’ Perspectives

ÖRSOĞLU T., Yüzbaşıoğlu B., PEKEL H. A.

Simulation and Gaming, cilt.54, sa.5, ss.534-553, 2023 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 54 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/10468781231188668
  • Dergi Adı: Simulation and Gaming
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Periodicals Index Online, ABI/INFORM, Applied Science & Technology Source, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Communication Abstracts, Computer & Applied Sciences, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Political Science Complete, Psycinfo, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.534-553
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: digital games, electronic sports, eSports, perspective, traditional sports
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Discussions regarding the classification of eSports as a sport are still ongoing, primarily due to the distinctive features that differentiate them from traditional sports. Purpose: This study seeks to comparatively explore the perspectives of athletes on digital games and eSports with the goal of shedding light on the unique challenges and opportunities of eSports as a professional career. Method: This study seeks to comparatively explore the perspectives of athletes on digital games and eSports. To this end, the phenomenology model was employed in a qualitative study involving seven elite eSports players and eight elite basketball players. Focus group interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was employed to analyze the resulting data. Results: Participants’ viewpoints were examined across six themes, including the reasons for initiating their career, familial and environmental support, their perspectives on eSports, society’s perspective on eSports, the impact of eSports on health, and the future of eSports. Discussion and Conclusion: The majority of participants viewed eSports as a sport and expressed optimism about its future. Despite acknowledging concerns about the public’s negative perception of eSports due to inadequate knowledge and health concerns, participants remained optimistic about its prospects.