Olympic Esports: A New Chapter for Competitive Gaming

The inclusion of popular video games like Pac-Man and Call of Duty in the Summer or Winter Games remains off the table, but the Olympic Esports Games are set to debut as a distinct event in 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Preparations are underway to determine the event's exact dates, the games to be featured, player qualification processes, and other essential details.

"This marks a significant milestone for the IOC," stated IOC President Thomas Bach. "We are evolving with the digital revolution. This move underscores the appeal of the Olympic brand and its values among the youth."

While serious discussions about esports in the Olympics only began in 2018, the concept has been considered for much longer. Back in 2006, Ted Owen, founder of the Global Gaming League, initiated conversations with the Chinese government to introduce video games as a demonstration sport in the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. Although those initial efforts did not succeed, they laid the groundwork for future considerations.

The explosive growth of esports has prompted Olympic officials to rethink their stance to maintain relevance among younger audiences. Although the inclusion of esports might seem unconventional for the IOC, many now-popular Olympic events faced similar skepticism upon their introduction. Snowboarding, for example, was not added until 1998, and the rising popularity of the X Games led to the inclusion of Big Air aerials and slope-style skiing.

The Olympic Esports Games will likely differ from private esports tournaments. The IOC has previously expressed concerns that some game genres, particularly action games and shooters, do not align with Olympic values and noted the industry's commercial motivations as a potential issue. This perspective suggests that the event will feature sports simulators rather than the more familiar action-packed titles, potentially excluding some of the top esports athletes from participating.

As the IOC moves forward with this new venture, the Olympic Esports Games aim to bridge traditional sports and the burgeoning world of competitive gaming, reflecting the changing landscape of global sports and entertainment.