Olympic e-Sports Games

[Quaker2001]

Esports has no Olympic future with violence, Thomas Bach says

[Sir Rols]

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/game-paused-as-fans-protest-esports-in-switzerland

[Quaker2001]

IOC eases off support for esports in Olympics

 

Quote

 

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The International Olympic Committee has slowed its support for recognizing electronic gaming as a sport.

After an Olympic leaders’ meeting on Saturday, the IOC says “discussion about the inclusion of esports/egames as a medal event on the Olympic program is premature.”

Enthusiasm has seemed to dim since the IOC hosted a July conference with esports organizers and players.

Sports bodies are now advised to “continue to engage with this (gaming) community, whilst at the same time acknowledging that uncertainties remain.”

The IOC rules out cooperation with violent games, and suggests virtual and augmented reality could become more popular with young people.

“Commercially driven” gaming was also compared unfavorably with “values-based” sports.

The IOC says governing bodies will continue meeting gaming industry officials “to explore jointly collaborative projects.”

 

 

[Sir Rols]

 

1 hour ago, AustralianFan said:

Kirsty Coventry, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032 has strongly hinted at inclusion of virtual sports while speaking to media at a meeting of the Organising Committee in Sydney.

This possibility is flagged at around the 01:10 mark in this 7 News report in the Brisbane 2032 thread (p.23).

 

[Anthony]

This is getting ridiculous.

[AustralianFan]

2 hours ago, Anthony said:

This is getting ridiculous.

Why ?

[Anthony]

8 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

Why ?

The Olympics are getting too big for themselves.

[AustralianFan]

12 minutes ago, Anthony said:

The Olympics are getting too big for themselves.

They need to change with the times and sports which are played, especially by the next generations.

That includes dropping some sports and introducing new ones.

They’re doing that. 

[Anthony]

1 hour ago, AustralianFan said:

They need to change with the times and sports which are played, especially by the next generations.

That includes dropping some sports and introducing new ones.

They’re doing that. 

Nah I'm good.

[AustralianFan]

13 minutes ago, Anthony said:

Nah I'm good.

?

[AustralianFan]

It’s happening 

 

[AustralianFan]

 

 

 

[AustralianFan]

 …. kinda missed these developments on Olympic virtual sports by the IOC over the last  few months with the Tokyo and Beijing Games happening.

 

[Sir Rols]

As someone who considers themselves a pretty keen video gamer (and that just shows you it’s not just a “youth” obsession), and as I’ve posted many a time here over the years, I can see some merit in it.

But I also can see that it’s a rather large leap to make to think of it as appropriate for the Olympics. It opens up acan of worms - where do we draw the lined then? Poker? Backgammon? Trivia games? I guess while I’d be open to video games in the Olympics, I;m also comfortable to keep the Olympics for the more purely physical pursuits.

And for all that  e-games get hyped, and there are professional leagues such as Overwatch, I really don’t se that they are such a huge spectator market as many make out, at least outside Korea. The other problem is, it really is tied to professional commercial game development studios. It’s a bit problematic tho tie the Olympics in with corporate game studios.

[Sir Rols]

Looks like we're gonna get a new Olympics edition to join the SOGs, WOGs and YOGs - the EOGs?

Bach announces IOC plan to launch inaugural Olympic Esports Games

Again though, just shows Bach doesn't understand e-games and gaming beyond the fact that "it's something the young people do, and we should have a stake in it". His choice of games is just so out of touch - it's the "violent" games he says they won't touch that drive all the the e-sports leagues and Twitch streamers.

[FYI]

That would be the epitome of irrelevance. 

[Sir Rols]

9 minutes ago, FYI said:

That would be the epitome of irrelevance. 

At least he's not proposing adding them to the main games. Even as a gamer, I can't see them as fitting for the main celebration.

[Sir Rols]

A week too late

23 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

N E W   O L Y M P I C  G A M E S

15 October 2023

IOC President Thomas Bach announces plans to create inaugural  OLYMPIC ESPORTS GAMES.

IOC President Thomas Bach announced: “I have asked our new IOC Esports Commission to study the creation of Olympic Esports Games.”

The IOC has been engaging with esports since 2018 in a holistic way. “We chose an approach that would allow us to be active in the esports space while staying true to our values that have guided us for over a century. With respect to esports, our values are and remain the red line that we will not cross. Our crystal-clear position is gaining more and more respect also in the esports community. One of the leading publishers even adapted their popular game to conform fully with our Olympic values – so that players shot at targets, not at people,” the IOC President emphasised. 

The first engagement of the IOC with the esports community was the organisation of the Esports Forum in 2018 in Lausanne, followed by the set-up of an Esports Liaison Group to have a platform to engage with all the esports stakeholders. In 2021, the IOC developed the Olympic Virtual Series. It was the IOC’s first pilot venture in esports.

He called for a change of mindset in the Olympic Movement in order to seize this opportunity: “The younger generation has a completely new way of thinking. They are living digital lives right now. We must not ignore their thinking if we do not want to jeopardise our own future. We must empower them to guide us with their young mindset.”

The President said the IOC must be in the driver’s seat: “We have to devise a holistic analysis of the opportunities and risks of AI – and then take action immediately. I am happy to inform you that this work is already underway. If things go well, you may see some first consequences of this already in Paris.” The IOC has created an AI working group of experts to guide its efforts.

Credit: Olympics.com

• IOC developing plans to launch Olympic Esports Games in struggle to be relevant to young people - Gamesbids.com
• Bach announces IOC plan to launch inaugural Olympic Esports Games - ITG
• IOC to pursue 'Esports Games', says Bach - Reuters
• A New Era?: The IOC evaluates creating the e-sports Olympic Games - ATR

 

 

[AustralianFan]

@GBModerator  can you kindly change the name of this thread e-Games in the Olympics to.:

Olympic Esports Games   please?

This is following the recent confirmation that the IOC is going ahead with a dedicated Olympic Esports Games.

Reference:  Major Esports federations collaborate and establish Leadership Group as Olympic Esports Games emerges: Gamesbids.com

 

 

[Sir Rols]

You coulda just asked me. Done

would still maybe be good to merge the Tokyo thread to here

Edited January 28, 2024 by Sir Rols

[AustralianFan]

9 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

You coulda just asked me. Done

would still maybe be good to merge the Tokyo thread to here

I thought I did.  Aren’t you the moderator?

Yes agree its good idea to merge the Japan one into this one.

[AustralianFan]

Major Esports federations collaborate and establish Leadership Group as Olympic Esports Games emerges

“The International Esports Federation (IESF) and Global Esports Federation (GEF) this week followed up last month’s collaboration announcement with the formation of the Esports Leadership Group (ELG).”

“The sudden cooperation between the two largest international Esports federations developed after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in October announced plans to launch the Olympic Esports Games that could be staged for the first time as early as 2026.”

Source:  Gamesbids.com:  MajorEsports federations collaborate and establish Leadership Group as Olympic Esports Games emerges

 

2 hours ago, Sir Rols said:

Anyway, back on topic. Here’s what the gaming and general press thinks of it:

We asked the Olympics why their official esports are so weird

The Olympics’ lineup of esports games for its first major competition makes no sense

And then there’s GBMod’s (another gamer) story Krow linked to further up.

It’s ironic, and telling, that it’s the gamers themselves who have the biggest problems with the IOC “plan”

 

43 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

Sounds like a typical gaming forum or in-game chat. Yeah, cost of games and micro transactions really fire people up.

For me, gaming is value for money. I pay typically in Australia $80-$100 for a new release AAA game. That would usually give me 60-200 hours of entertainment. A ticket to the cinema for a new release would cost $30-$40, and divert me for 2-3 hours. A dinner out $100 for an evening of conversation and a full belly. I rarely buy into micro transactions on mainstream titles except for DLC for ones I really like. On my go-to MMO, yes, I will buy micro transactions, but mainly for cosmetic items, and not to often. But I’ve invested multiple thousands of hours in that game and feel it is doing my part in supporting its continued upkeep and new content development. 

I agree. Console warring is silly - and is mostly the juvenile fan boys.

(transfer of discussion to this ‘Olympic e-Sports Games’ thread ):

 

9 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

So, do we have any idea what is the common middle ground is?

What I mean is, what specfic popular esports games do non-IOC entities want in the Games that also meet the IOC’s line in the sand regarding them being against violent/war games?
 

 

[AustralianFan]

 

16 hours ago, Sir Rols said:

Basically, if the IOC is serious, Bach has to realise his “Red Line” is not viable and that seems to be a line he is determined not to cross. But the roster as it stands makes them a laughing stock.

Meanwhile, if you look at the roster of games that were contested at the 2023 International E-Sports Federation World Championships - Counter Strike, DOTA 2, Tekken 7, PUBG, Mobile Legends and Football 23 - all bar the football one are shooters and wouldn’t make it over the red line.

IESF World Championships

So some collaboration and negotiation still to go regarding the wishlist of Esports games from the combined leadership group representing the two international esports federations.

[Sir Rols]

But the thing is, the IOC doesn’t even recognise those two federations. They’ve made it clear they want to do it THEIR way, and hold control over it. They’re saying “hey we can see e-sports are popular and we want to reach out to the youth market - but we’re going to do it our way, whether the kids like it or not”.

It would be like the IOC deciding they wanted to embrace music festivals after seeing what big deals events like Glastonbury and Loolapaloza are and deciding they want to entice music fas. But when Glastonbury and Lolapalooza organisers try to give advice, the IOC tells them to go away; “We’ll do it our way - our festival will be restricted to christian rock as that’s more in keeping with our ideals. We expect the kids to follow us”.

[AustralianFan]

So I guess the starting point are the following Esports Games events that esports athletes competed in at the Olympic Esports Series in Singapore in 2023

(*this transferred from this Gamesbid thread):

*Below is a complete list of the Esports played at the 2023 Olympic Esports Series in Singapire:

ARCHERY - Tic Tac Bow

• Tic Tac Bow is a blend of the classic game of tic-tac-toe and archery into one game. This mobile game pits two players against each other, where the goal is simple. You need to shoot arrows at a 3 x 3 archery board, scoring points. The first player to complete a whole row (much like in Tic Tac Toe) successfully wins the game.

 

BASEBALL - WBSC Baseball

• WBSC eBaseball sees players pretty much play a whole game of baseball in a virtual setting. This game is currently available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. WBSC eBaseball boasts adorable player models, various game modes, and easy pick-up-and-play mechanics for everyone to enjoy. Moreover, the game lets you create your own team, get a chance to bat, pitch, and field, and compete against friends offline or against global players online.

 

CHESS - Chess.com

• Chess has always been one of the popular sports titles in the world, and it is not a surprise that the game of wit will feature in the esports lineup of the Olympics in 2023. Chess.Com is a web-based platform that pits players against each other in a match of Chess.
• It has leaderboards, tutorials, a ranking system, and an overwhelming community of passionate chess players. Over the years, this platform has gained popularity thanks to popular chess streamers. The International Chess Federation, the governing body for the game, will curate the esports matches.

 

CYCLING - Zwift

• Zwift is a mix of digital and physical setups. The digital app features popular cycling tracks from around the world that you can cycle through with other people. Along with that, you also need physical cycling kits, that simulate the cycling experience at home.

• Zwift cycling is already a popular game that’s competitively played in numerous parts of the world, and it will now be part of the Olympic Esports Series 2023. Union Cycliste Internationale, the governing body for cycling events around the world will oversee the event.

 

SHOOTING - Fortnite

• Fortnite was also in the mix of games played at the Olympic Esports Series 2023. But there’s a catch. You didn’t see the chaotic and fun battle royale mode played at this event. Instead, 12 players from the 2023 Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) duked it out in a shooting competition in a specially designed Fortnite Creative Island.

 

DANCE - Just Dance

• JustDance is well known for its yearly reveals during the E3 video game event at Ubisoft’s showcases. The dance game sees players mimic various dance moves using motion controls through an app on their phones or consoles, and it scores them. The game puts players in choreographies based on popular songs around the world.

• The game’s esports rounds were curated by the World DanceSport Federation, a governing body responsible for the DanceSport and Para DanceSport.

 

MOTOR SPORT - Gran Turismo

• Another well-established title that had a very concise esports presence over the year, Gran Turismo is a simulation racing game made by Japanese developer Polyphony Digital for PlayStation. Gran Turismo features simulation features, realistic gameplay, and offering of an assortment of cars.

• Now, the International Olympic Committee has not mentioned which edition of Gran Turismo is being considered for the esports games. We guess they will be picking the latest Gran Turismo 7 as the title for the event. Nevertheless, the games will be curated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the organization responsible for motor car usage around the world. Also known as FIA, they oversee sports such as F1 and more.

 

SAILING - Virtual Regatta

• This game is an online sailing race simulator, which originally started as a browser-based title, but quickly turned into a mobile-app game over the years. Virtual Regatta boasts real-time weather conditions, near-realistic control, and a passionate community of players. The goal is to sail from point A to point B using real-world sailing tools.

• The esports aspects of the game are overseen by the World Sailing, a body for the sport of sailing, officially recognized by the Olympics.

 

TAEKWONDO - Virtual Taekwondo

• Virtual Taekwondo sees players fitting sensors on their legs and duking it against digital taekwondo players. The sensors pick up each movement and attack, scoring them accordingly. Refract Technologies, a company consisting of ex-Ubisoft and EA developers, is the brain behind this game.
• Virtual Taekwondo turns a contact-heavy combat sport into a safer, contactless affair. World Taekwondo, the governing body for the combat sport, will curate and oversee the matches for this virtual game at Olympic Esports Series 2023.

TENNIS - Tennis Clash

 

• The final title in the lineup is a popular mobile game called Tennis Clash. In the game, players lock horns against each other in matches of Tennis. To play the title, you need to swipe your finger toward the point where you want to hit the ball. It follows the ruleset of tennis and features a cartoon aesthetic. Of course, given it is a free game, in-game monetization is something players should expect from it.
• International Tennis Federation, the governing body for tennis matches worldwide, will oversee the esports matches for the game during the Olympics Esports Series 2023.

 

It seems that governance of most of the Esports Olympic Competitions is by the actual ‘live athlete’ International Sporting Federations for that sport.     For example, for Zwift (Cycling), it is actually ‘Union Cycliste Internationale’, the governing body for cycling events around the world which will oversee the Esports event.   The same applies for several of the above approved Olympic Esports.