E-sports that make progress under COVID-19

 ■ E-sports that make progress under COVID-19

While most industries have been damaged by people staying at home because of COVID-19, there are industries that are in very high demand. These are masks, toilet paper, convenience stores, digital teaching materials, and e-commerce.

I have a feeling that e-sports will also be one of them. I have this feeling, not because there are any clear figures about it, but because I am taking notes on the perceptions of the current situation.

E-sports are competitive games that can be played remotely. Even in the COVID-19 situation, it is possible to hold tournaments with few challenges.

Games are entertainment that create communication with other people without physical contact, so they are perfect during COVID-19. Relieve the stress of staying at home. 

That's why WHO ambassadors are also recommending having games now.

There is data that the amount of time that live streaming in Japan was being watched, increased by 44% two months after COVID-19 was announced as a designated infectious disease. There is also data showing that the number of people watching games is increasing, and it has been observed that this is having a favorable effect on works that were released a long time ago, making them more popular, even globally.

Of course, real events play a big role in the world of e-sports. In many cases, the qualifying rounds are held online, and the final is held offline. However, now, it has become clear that it is possible to hold really attractive tournaments and events completely online, whilst keeping the costs down. 

The world-leading tournament "Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2020", was held without spectators, but it recorded the highest number of people simultaneously accessing it in history. Now is not the time for players to be patient, but for training and growth, and it is expected that the players that have built up the most strength will play an active part next time. 

What is attracting attention now is that existing sports are using e-sports as an alternative.

The US basketball NBA will hold a tournament in the "NBA 2K20" where top players such as Kevin Durant, Trae Young and Rui Hachimura will take part to show off their game skills.

Active F1 drivers such as McLaren's Lando Norris, also took part in the "F1 Virtual Grand Prix", held while motor sports were canceled or postponed. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, participated for the first time in the "Virtual Australia GP" on April 5th, and won the championship just like that.

In professional tennis, the "Mutua Madrid Open" will hold an e-sports tournament for the "Tennis World Tour" games, with active players such as Rafael Nadal participating. 

While real sports tournaments are being canceled, we are communicating the true pleasure and fun of sports through e-sports. It's an interesting attempt.

The sports industry has come to an immediate compromise, settling on "eSports can go". It's a new move.

From the perspective of real sports, this is an opportunity to appeal to young people who are not usually exposed to sports. From the perspective of e-sports, this is an opportunity to get fans of real sports to watch e-sports. It is true synergy.

COVID-19 is an unfortunate event, but it can also be an opportunity to recognize the appeal and potential of e-sports. E-sports is  entertainment that involves interactive communication, and has an educational effect of fostering abilities that will be important in the future.

Japan is a major nation for games. but a developing country in terms of e-sports, but it is expected to become an e-sports powerhouse by promoting healthy development both in terms of industry and as a culture.

At the same time, 5G starts. E-sports is also predicted to move on to the next stage. Like COVID-19, this is a drive that is spreading across the world at the same time, and the point is how do we make the most of this changing environment. 

I would like to promote growth by taking advantage of opportunities such as the Osaka Expo in 2025.