Written By: Alina Gomez, Staff Writer
ESPORTS: The rise in esports among high school students in a generation of modernization.
Hold on to your controllers because as times have changed in these recent years of technology vastly growing, esports has transitioned from what used to be a niche hobby into a mainstream spectacle. This gradual alteration in culture has taken a huge shift on high school students throughout the world, as there have been many competitive gamers. As esports is climbing its way into groups of leagues and competitive teams, even the possibility of scholarships exists. Gaming has become such a staple in the lives of the new generation, as games are no longer just something to pass the time with but are becoming ways of educational chasing and the start to strong career paths.
Now, in order to understand the rise in esports, we must grasp an understanding of its journey, as what first started off as competitive gaming has been placed into ruthless tournaments.
The power of esports among teens doesn’t just revolve around the late nights of getting on call with friends and gaming and the thrills of playing some of the latest games or unlocking new characters. This rise is growing into something big and is stretching youth to connect more with others as a way to build their futures. Many schools have even invested time in creating esports clubs, such as Poly, introducing the skills of not just winning a game but being able to excel in the opportunities that life provides. Esports has become popular throughout the country even for scholarship opportunities, with coaches and providing the dedication to improve skills and quick thinking.
There are many skills that are put into gaming, such as teamwork and communication, and being able to quickly combine each other’s strengths and powers in order to overcome any challenge. Problem solving is a mastery, the ability to outthink your opponents and master the algorithm of each game.
As esports rises over the years, it opens new doors for careers, the possibility to become a big streamer or pro gamer. This environment is rapidly growing as games are provided to us just by the tip of our fingers with our iPhones. New job opportunities open up, such as graphic design, game development, marketing, and more creative titles that all involve the competence of gaming. Esports are shaping tomorrow’s innovators as they continue to intensely arise; many schools promote the cutting-edge sport as it involves an alternative for those students who can’t engage in other activities. What may be viewed as the youth just playing games could be the roots to new beginnings and big tech companies or game designers; esports requires the constant new ideas and grand imagination that many youth can provide.