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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at USFSP chapter.

We geeks have gotten a bad rap. 

We’re seen as lazy, anti-social shut-ins, aggressive lunatics, and violent through the eyes of the public. But that is about to change. 

In the gaming industry, it is well known that there is profit to be had. From video game consoles to games flying off shelves during high releases. It is “estimated the esports global market will hit $696 million” in 2017 with “a 41 percent increase over 2016.” Video games are growing even more to become a popular pastime; even if not privately, video game streamers are gaining plenty of revenue. Statista believes that the Esports market is planning to reach over $1.6 billion in revenue by 2023. The market is very lucrative to the point that it is overpowering other forms of popular entertainment such as film. For example, the game Space Invaders sells more than the highest-grossing film. More and more people in high business circles see the spectacle appeal of video gaming competitions through profit.  In 2022,  5.1 million viewers were expecting the 2022 League of Legends Championships for one only game.  

Colleges are now offering scholarships and rewards to win thousands of dollars in Esports tournaments. Many competitions stream to thousands of viewers, not including the packed crowds seen recently at conventions within the highlights of the media. 

Esports athletes are now being recognized as a sport across the country and are being considered for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which would give video games more respect.  However, it is currently not in the official roster for 2024, but they do have their own Esports series. Although it is small, they are taking their first steps to making the Olympic Esports happen. The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC)  first Olympic Esports Series will be streamed from Singapore in late June, and it is featuring some questionable titles at best. Most of these games are mostly iterations of motion control or use pre-existing sports as guidelines for the game. They are not the popular titles that many people link to Esports, except for Just Dance. This roster seems to be lackluster compared to existing Esports competitions. Only time will tell with the qualifying rounds and the official Esports series streaming from June 22nd -25th. 

Despite some of the problems seen before us, the future of the industry seems bright. This first competition series is a step forward in the Esports community to grow in the public eye. Hopefully, the IOC can learn to respect Esports along with other revered sports in the Olympics’ catalogs by including more popular titles for the next Olympic Esports Series. 

Chloe Duncan is a writer and undergraduate at University of South Florida at St. Petersburg. She is passionate about service work and artistic media. She is an artistic dork who probably should go outside more in sunny Florida. In the meantime, she will continue to write about non-profits and some unique artistic experiences.