Esports gets their own Olympic Games

Image sourced from League of Legends

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Esports has taken the world by storm, and what better way to emphasize its popularity than by introducing it to the Olympics! Yes, that is correct; esports will get their own Olympic event in 2025, where esports players from around the world can show off their talents.

The groundbreaking move was recently announced, and it's safe to say that this is a significant milestone for the industry. The announcement comes off the back of Saudi Arabia's plan, Vision 2030. The plan aims to diversify and unify their population and economy as well as boost the country culturally.

Where Did This Suddenly Come From?

The Gaming Olympics has always been a faint dream or a gentle whisper in the gaming community, but not for much longer. The goal of the tournament is similar to that of the Olympic Games. The competition will provide the most skilled with the opportunity to showcase their talent, sportsmanship and strategy. Games such as League of Legends and Rocket League are rumored to be featured as categories, though the IOC has yet to confirm the list of titles of the inaugural edition. 

The Host With the Most 

The host wasn't picked at random for the first ever Esports Olympics. Saudi Arabia has been making waves in the gaming industry in recent years and has become known for its skilled and talented players. 

Since its growth has taken off, the country has decided to invest a significant amount into the industry, managed by the Saudi Esports Federation and other private entities. 

The location for the games is yet to be unveiled and that's because the Saudi government has promised a new and state of the art building on an impressive and grand scale. Saudi Arabia is the perfect middle ground for gamers all over the world travelling from Asia, Europe and America. 

Brick and Mortar Investment 

Not only has Saudi Arabia committed to investing in the industry in terms of its support, the country has also had multiple large-scale development projects going on. 

Some of the key esports venues can be found dotted around the country, in the effort to modernize and promote the next generation's involvement in culture and society. Some of these venues include the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre which has been constructed specifically to host large esports events. 

Another center is the King Salman Esports Arena, which boasts modern technology and ingenuity in its construction and appearance. We can't wait to see the final location for the tournament in 2025. 

The Esports Olympics

This is not the first attempt of the IOC to integrate esports into the Olympic Games. The committee held two editions of the Olympic Esports Series, one in 2021 and another in 2023, but they only included games that are virtual simulators of existing Olympic sports, such as archery, baseball, and cycling. Core esports titles like Dota 2, League of Legends, and Fortnite were not included.

The 2025 Olympic Esports Tournament is quite a way off but we've already gotten a taste of the celebration that lies ahead. This event will be the marker of how far the gaming industry has come as well as the amazing community that has gotten it there. This competition will mark the beginning of a new era in the world of esports and will set an ultimate goal for young and budding athletes in the industry.