TAMESIDE is no stranger to sporting success. Whether it’s football, weightlifting, rugby, or anything else, the borough always strive to compete on a high level, with each new opportunity providing new chances for victory.
Traditionally, this has come in the sphere of physical sports. Recently, with the success of Tameside eSports students and the rising profile of gaming competitions, there are new directions to explore.
With gathering momentum, the next generation is poised to be one where competitive video game performance could be another feather in Tameside’s cap. It’s not an area many outside of gaming have considered, but approached from the right angle, there’s a lot of potential here not just for victory, but also for personal growth and fulfilment.
So, what is it that makes eSports worth considering, and what can Tameside’s players expect?
Low Barriers to Entry
One of the biggest issues in physical sports is how difficult it can be to both get started and play. A game like football requires the right gear, it requires travel time for games and practice, and it requires the right weather for matches. It also requires a base level of fitness that can take weeks or months to achieve for the less physical players.
Esports games are different, as taking games to the digital realm often requires no special equipment or purchases. On the extreme end, this is demonstrated not by traditional esports, but by the related field of online casino gamine. The best online gambling sites available to play today like Mr Vegas and Neptune Play require nothing more than a mobile phone. Whether collecting bonuses or competing in games, this means a far more open and welcoming atmosphere.
Competitive video gaming offers similarly low barriers to entry. Some of the best mobile eSports games are playable directly from already owned devices, while the computers and consoles that are also extremely common can run competitive titles without issue. No matter a player’s age, when they want to play, or their physical fitness level, opportunities are open and available in eSports.
Team-Work Skills
Most competitive games today are either team-based or require a player to learn how to navigate a social environment. These are both areas where traditional sports have always excelled, as camaraderie grows through training and tough matches where the players all pull together. The same sort of concept applies just as much to the video game landscape, where communication and cooperation are key.
Before a match, players need to combine their knowledge to plan their approach, sharing how they view their opponents and where they see success through their respective strengths. During games, they need to be able to effectively communicate developments, positions, and opponent weak points. A sports environment is a fantastic way to imbue these strengths into a person, which can also pay off in other parts of the personal and professional lives.
Operating Under Pressure
The pressure provided in a controlled and constructive environment can be a useful tool for teaching players how to navigate stressful and difficult parts of life. In gaming, players will naturally face unwinnable situations, and times when they, their teammates, or their opponents make significant and game-losing mistakes.
Learning how to respond to these situations under pressure can again be converted into the challenges faced in real life. Time like this can teach you how to productively manage failure, support teammates who make mistakes, and exploit errors made by others. Each of these are skills that can be hugely useful in regular life, and learning to handle them with grace is an important part of being a respected professional.
Tameside isn’t unique in its position to take advantage of the growing success of eSports, but it does find itself in a place where players and teams could use more encouragement. Esports can build a huge range of valuable skills, while also providing passions to people who might not otherwise be interested in competition.
Video games aren’t just about having fun and spending an afternoon relaxing, they’re a form of media worth more than the music and film industries combined. The top players in eSports games like Dota 2 have already won prizes exceeding what the winners of Wimbledon take home, and the competitive marketplace is only expanding.
There’s a lot to explore on this new gaming frontier, and by taking a proactive approach, this could be just another place where Tameside punches above its weight. Don’t overlook what’s available, support our local scene, and there’s no telling how far Tameside players could go.