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Video games should be in Olympics, says Warcraft maker | Video games should be in Olympics, says Warcraft maker |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Competitive video gaming - known as e-sports - should be included in the Olympic Games, the creator of World of Warcraft has told the BBC. | Competitive video gaming - known as e-sports - should be included in the Olympic Games, the creator of World of Warcraft has told the BBC. |
Rob Pardo, who until July was chief creative officer at Blizzard Entertainment, said "sport" now had a broad definition. | Rob Pardo, who until July was chief creative officer at Blizzard Entertainment, said "sport" now had a broad definition. |
"Videogames are well positioned to be a spectator sport," he told Afternoon Edition on BBC 5 Live. | "Videogames are well positioned to be a spectator sport," he told Afternoon Edition on BBC 5 Live. |
Professional e-sports events currently attract audiences of millions. | Professional e-sports events currently attract audiences of millions. |
A recent major final held in Seoul, South Korea, filled a stadium of 40,000 people - with many more watching either online or at meet-ups around the world. | A recent major final held in Seoul, South Korea, filled a stadium of 40,000 people - with many more watching either online or at meet-ups around the world. |
"There's a very good argument for e-sports being in the Olympics," Mr Pardo, who was also lead designer on Starcraft: Brood War, a game often credited with kickstarting the e-sports phenomenon. | "There's a very good argument for e-sports being in the Olympics," Mr Pardo, who was also lead designer on Starcraft: Brood War, a game often credited with kickstarting the e-sports phenomenon. |
"I think the way that you look at e-sports is that it's a very competitive skillset and you look at these professional gamers and the reflexes are lightning quick and their having to make very quick decisions on the fly. | "I think the way that you look at e-sports is that it's a very competitive skillset and you look at these professional gamers and the reflexes are lightning quick and their having to make very quick decisions on the fly. |
"When you look at their 'actions per minute', they're clearing over 300." | "When you look at their 'actions per minute', they're clearing over 300." |
However, he conceded that video gaming faces a cultural battle to win other those who follow more physical sports. | However, he conceded that video gaming faces a cultural battle to win other those who follow more physical sports. |
"That starts getting into how you define sport," he said. | "That starts getting into how you define sport," he said. |
"If you want to define sport as something that takes a lot of physical exertion, then it's hard to argue that videogames should be a sport, but at the same time, when I'm looking at things that are already in the Olympics, I start questioning the definition." | "If you want to define sport as something that takes a lot of physical exertion, then it's hard to argue that videogames should be a sport, but at the same time, when I'm looking at things that are already in the Olympics, I start questioning the definition." |
'Mind sport' | 'Mind sport' |
Having new sports admitted into the Olympic roster is a long-winded process and, since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) capped the number of sports allowed in the Games, has become increasingly difficult. | Having new sports admitted into the Olympic roster is a long-winded process and, since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) capped the number of sports allowed in the Games, has become increasingly difficult. |
Even if e-sports were to be recognised as an Olympic sport, that does not mean it will be included in the Games - it merely means a case can be presented to the IOC. | Even if e-sports were to be recognised as an Olympic sport, that does not mean it will be included in the Games - it merely means a case can be presented to the IOC. |
Take chess, for instance. Supporters of the game have long called for its inclusion the Games, but the IOC has been reluctant, considering it a "mind sport" and therefore not welcome in the Games. | Take chess, for instance. Supporters of the game have long called for its inclusion the Games, but the IOC has been reluctant, considering it a "mind sport" and therefore not welcome in the Games. |
Video games face the same hurdle, but has done its best to at least act like a sport, by adding measures such as an anti-doping programme. | Video games face the same hurdle, but has done its best to at least act like a sport, by adding measures such as an anti-doping programme. |
Mr Pardo argues that e-sports could be visually appealing to a broad audience. | Mr Pardo argues that e-sports could be visually appealing to a broad audience. |
"You can do whatever you want with the graphics, you can make it be really excited and competitive," he said. | "You can do whatever you want with the graphics, you can make it be really excited and competitive," he said. |
The full interview with Rob Pardo can be listened to via the Let's Talk About Tech podcast. Download it here. |