Prospects and Challenges of Internationalizing eSports Competitions

The movement to include e-sports as an Olympic event is gaining global momentum.
This trend indicates that digital games are establishing themselves as formal competitive sports, beyond mere entertainment.
However, there are various challenges in selecting competitive titles.
It is necessary to comprehensively consider complex factors such as regional popularity differences among the numerous titles worldwide, adaptation to frequently released new versions, and ensuring fairness as a competition.
The selection of competitive titles is a crucial issue that will influence the future of e-sports.

To develop as an international competition, the ethical aspects of game content are also important considerations.
In a 2018 interview with the Associated Press, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), clearly stated, “We cannot include games that promote violence or discrimination in the Olympic program,” and “So-called killer games contradict the Olympic values and are unacceptable.”
This statement significantly impacts the direction of e-sports as an international competition and is expected to be reflected in the future criteria for selecting competitive titles.

Amidst such circumstances, e-sports were adopted as a demonstration event at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, marking an important step forward.
In this event, six titles were selected: “League of Legends,” “StarCraft II,” “Pro Evolution Soccer 2018,” “Arena of Valor,” “Hearthstone,” and “Clash Royale.”
Although the specific selection criteria have not been disclosed, it is believed to be the result of a comprehensive evaluation of each title’s popularity and content appropriateness.
This selection is drawing attention as an important example that suggests the direction of e-sports events in future international competitions.

Legal Position and Fundamental Principles of eSports

The legal position and fundamental principles of eSports serve as a crucial foundation supporting its international development.
eSports involves treating digital games, where outcomes are determined by players’ technical skills, as competitive events.
While there are no inherent restrictions on the games involved, they must align with the fundamental principles of the Japanese Basic Act on Sport, which emphasizes “cultivating a sound mind and body and forming the foundation for nurturing rich humanity” (Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the same law).
To meet this legal requirement, ensuring fairness in competition is essential, and specifically, the appropriate adjustment of game systems and the establishment of tournament regulations hold significant importance.

Diversity and Development in Competitive Genres

The genres within eSports have undergone diverse development alongside technological advancements and the maturation of gaming culture.
In the past, the Japanese gaming market was dominated by single-player action games and RPGs, such as Super Mario and Dragon Quest.
While these genres still maintain high popularity domestically, the games that have evolved into eSports are primarily competitive games that allow multiple players to participate simultaneously.
This shift has been accelerated by the widespread use of the internet and technological advancements in online gaming.

First Person Shooter (FPS) has established itself as one of the representative genres of modern eSports.
Players participate in combat from a first-person perspective, requiring advanced operational skills and situational judgment.
In representative titles like “Call of Duty” and “Overwatch,” diverse worlds ranging from realistic battlefields to science fiction and fantasy are depicted.
Each player navigates the game world from the protagonist’s perspective, engaging in tactical battles while coordinating with teammates.
The appeal of this genre lies in its immersive experience and strategic maneuvers that leverage teamwork.
Individual skills, tactical thinking, and team coordination are key factors that determine victory or defeat.

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) has developed as a genre that particularly demands high-level strategy and precise teamwork within eSports.
In titles like “League of Legends,” “DOTA2,” and “Arena of Valor,” players control specific personalitys and are divided into teams to attack and defend the opponent’s base.
Each player is assigned a clear role, and close coordination among team members and advanced strategic thinking are crucial for victory.
The hallmark of MOBA is the need for situational judgment that changes moment by moment according to the match’s progress, and the ability to execute strategies as a team, testing both individual skills and team leadership.

Real-time Strategy (RTS) is a unique genre that combines strategic thinking with real-time decision-making.
In games like “StarCraft II,” players act as commanders, constantly required to quickly grasp and respond to situations in a continuously flowing timeline.
Players must simultaneously consider multifaceted elements such as resource management, troop deployment, and predicting enemy movements, making instantaneous decisions.
The appeal of RTS lies in the demand for both macro-level strategy and micro-level tactics, testing the player’s comprehensive abilities.
Flexible judgment according to the battle situation and the quick operational skills to execute those decisions are also important elements.

Games based on real sports have also uniquely evolved as eSports.
Starting with soccer games like “FIFA” and “Winning Eleven,” various sports such as baseball, basketball, and car racing are featured.
Many games are modeled after real athletes and teams, creating a new competitive culture that transcends the boundaries between real sports and eSports.
Notably, actual professional sports teams are establishing eSports divisions and actively participating in domestic leagues and world tournaments.
This movement suggests new possibilities through the fusion of traditional sports and eSports.
Additionally, from the perspective of attracting young sports fans, it has become increasingly significant.

Fighting games occupy an important corner of eSports as a traditional genre where Japan has led the world.
In titles like “Street Fighter” and “Tekken,” players engage in one-on-one battles, utilizing specific command inputs for attacks and defenses.
Both psychological warfare, which involves reading the opponent’s moves and changing responses instantly, and the operational skills to accurately input complex commands are required.
The personalityistic of fighting games is the clear victory condition of reducing the opponent’s health to zero and the intricate maneuvers to achieve it.
Many Japanese players continue to excel on the world stage in this genre, representing Japanese eSports culture.

Digital card games (trading card games) add new appeal to eSports as a genre where strategy and elements of chance are exquisitely fused.
In titles like “Hearthstone” and “Shadowverse,” players collect cards online and engage in battles using them.
Players tackle multilayered elements, from pre-battle strategy design through card collection and deck building to situational judgment during actual matches.
This genre boasts high popularity particularly within Japan, with large-scale prize tournaments regularly held.
In competition, the balance of pre-battle strategy planning, judgment during actual matches, and elements of chance are crucial, establishing a unique competitive nature.

Future Development of eSports

As an international competition, eSports is anticipated to further develop alongside technological innovations.
The unique appeal and competitive nature of each genre are creating a new competitive culture distinct from traditional sports.
However, this development faces various challenges.
Ensuring fairness in competition, establishing international standards, and considering ethical aspects are among the numerous issues that need to be addressed.
By tackling these challenges, eSports is expected to evolve further as a new sports culture.
It is anticipated to grow as a competition that is embraced by a wider audience, while leveraging the personalityistics of each genre.