For a long time, video gamers have recognized that the gaming industry can bring people together and create vibrant, multi-faceted communities. In fact, during the pandemic, this sense of identification and camaraderie grew stronger as the gaming world provided a built-in location to connect online when in-person gatherings were risky. Video game sales surged, and so did the sales of consoles and PC games. Mobile gaming increased even more, and there are no signs of letting up. Gaming draws people together, and an increasing number of gamers are joining in on this new form of interaction.
This relationship is more visible in the game industry than in Esports. This successful economy has given rise to a whole ecosystem, complete with rich jobs for top players, large fan bases, and a genuine feeling of community. It has also created a yearning for something maybe not so surprising, given the precedents established by virtually all of human history – a genuine desire to meet in person. Esports gatherings are part concert, half corporate event, part improvisational performance, part light display, and so on, as seen by renowned Esports events such as Blizzcon, the Fortnite World Cup, and the League of Legends World Championship. A lively spirit erupts beneath the venue’s dome as hundreds of fans converge to celebrate a passion that normally restricts them to relative physical solitude.
Designing for all
It is important to consider the varied demographics while developing for an Esports competition. Perhaps most importantly, unlike traditional sports, Esports are easily accessible, and everyone can decide to play at any online platform like bestuscasinos.org.
Large and small companies offer features to aid persons with limited vision, hearing, and movement, ranging from community-built adapted controllers to the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Naughty Dog is a perfect example of this accessibility effort, adding modes of play into their game The Last of Us II, which makes it accessible for blind, deaf, and mobility-impaired gamers. Call of Duty: Black Ops also has a feature that allows colorblind players to modify the game’s display, offering a spectrum of alternatives to meet each player’s individual needs.
This accessibility extends to Esports, where professional players have arisen from all backgrounds and abilities. Danik Soudakoff, a deaf Overwatch player who has pushed to make the game more accessible, is a perfect example. We ensured the interpreter was adequately illuminated throughout the whole game when Soudakoff attended an Overwatch League matchday so he didn’t miss a beat.
There are also potential for Esports to enhance and broaden its inclusion to include other disenfranchised communities. There have been some successes: Since the Esports sector’s start, LGBTQIA+ players have begun to carve out a place in the community, with organizations such as Overwatch League hosting an annual Pride Day in June.
Other underrepresented groups, particularly women and BIPOC, might benefit from more exposure. In comparison to the overall composition of the gaming community, just a tiny percentage of professional Esports players are female. Furthermore, while the number of professional BIPOC gamers is increasing, the typical Esports team still has many more white players — even the slice of the Esports community that is represented on-screen during contests.
