IOC’s Olympic Esports Games elevates esports to stature of traditional sports: Experts

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to propose the creation of the “Olympic Esports Games” at the 142nd IOC Session, which will take place during the Olympic Games Paris 2024. During this session, IOC Members will cast their votes on the proposal. With advanced discussions already underway with a potential host, an official announcement is anticipated shortly after the final formalities are completed.

The proposal to create an Olympic Esports Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) marks a significant intersection between traditional Olympic values and the rapidly expanding realm of esports. Esports, characterised by competitive video gaming, has gained immense popularity worldwide, particularly among younger demographics, reflecting a cultural shift in entertainment and competitive sports consumption. This initiative aims to integrate esports into the Olympic movement, potentially broadening the appeal of the Games to new audiences globally while embracing digital athleticism in a modern context.

The IOC’s journey into esports began with the Esports Forum in 2018 and subsequently evolved through the establishment of the Esports Liaison Group and the IOC Esports Commission, chaired by David Lappartient. The development of the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021 and the subsequent Olympic Esports Week in 2023 highlights the IOC’s commitment to exploring esports as a means of engaging younger generations and promoting digital sportsmanship. These events showcased the potential for esports to align with Olympic principles of excellence, respect, and friendship, while also promoting gender equality through mixed-gender events and fostering global participation.

For India’s esports industry, the introduction of Olympic Esports Games could signify a transformative opportunity. As one of the fastest-growing markets for esports, India has seen a surge in participation and viewership across various gaming titles. Inclusion in the Olympic program could elevate the status of esports, providing recognition on a global stage and potentially attracting greater investment, infrastructure development, and grassroots participation in India. This initiative could inspire and empower a new generation of Indian gamers, driving growth in both competitive gaming and related industries, while also promoting the values of sportsmanship and fair play among youth across the country.

While speaking about the inclusion of ESports into the legacy of Olympics sports, IOC President Thomas Bach said, “With the creation of Olympic Esports Games, the IOC is taking a major step forward and is keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution. We are very excited how enthusiastically the esports community represented in our Esports Commission has engaged with this initiative. This is further proof of the attraction of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for.” He further added, “The IOC has been engaging with esports since 2018 in a holistic way. It has chosen an approach that allows the organisation to be successful in the esports space while staying true to the values that have guided the IOC for over a century. With respect to esports, our values are and remain the red line that we will never cross.”

Adgully reached out to some leading esports experts to know about their views on how this initiative can revolutionise the esports industry in India as well as globally.

Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, remarked, “This recent development around the Olympic Esports Games further fortifies the dawn of esports as a mainstream sport in international multi-sport events. The decision to make International Federations responsible for the adjacency of their sport to an esport title empowers democratically elected and independent sports federations the ability to engage with the youth of their respective sports while keeping the tenets of the Olympic charter.”

He further said that the Olympic Esports Games is an endorsement of esports by the most prestigious global sports body, realising its value and giving it recognition. “With the strategic partnership of NODWIN gaming with the Global Esports Federation (GEF), our aligned vision is to elevate esports globally in emerging markets. We expect newer partnerships with existing and fresh entrants in the space for brands, publishers, and communities. I am excited and hopeful that the opportunity offers traditional esports titles a chance to be chosen by International or National Federations and will soon be included as a medal sport in the Olympics as well as this new-age sport will finally be embedded under the iconic rings of the Olympics,” Rathee added.

Rajan Navani, Founder and CEO, JetSynthesys, felt that the IOC’s proposal to create ‘Olympic Esports Games’ presents India with a golden opportunity to shine on the global esports stage. With a vibrant video gaming community of over 450 million and a booming industry, India is poised for exponential growth.

“As JetSynthesys’ Gen Z gamers push esports into the mainstream, India can leverage its talent and host international tournaments, cementing its position as a formidable contender in the esports world. Indigenous IPs like Real Cricket can take cricket esports to the world,” he added.

According to Animesh Agarwal, Gamer and Founder, S8UL, “This marks a pivotal moment for the esports industry globally and for India. By enhancing legitimacy, attracting substantial investments, and garnering support of the biggest administrators of sports as well as governmental support, it compels the global market to elevate standards and professionalism. For India, it opens opportunities to build a robust esports ecosystem from the grassroots, creating professional pathways for gamers and driving technological advancements. This initiative positions India to become a dominant force in the global esports arena, capitalising on the country’s growth.”

“With the Indian esports sector forecasted to reach Rs 1,100 crore by 2025 and a remarkable CAGR of 46%, this move can elevate esports to the stature of traditional sports. It positions India to become a dominant force in the global esports arena, harnessing the country’s burgeoning interest and talent. Embracing this vision will blend competitive gaming with the prestige of the Olympic tradition, promising a bright future for esports in India,” he added.

Ashwin Haryani, Country Head, Ampverse DMI, noted, “With its substantial gamer base and burgeoning youth demographic, India is poised to reshape the global esports scene. By leveraging this demographic advantage, India not only amplifies its global influence but also drives innovation and sets new benchmarks in esports. This demographic dividend provides fertile ground for nurturing talent, advancing technology, and establishing robust esports ecosystems that can propel India to the forefront of the global gaming industry.”

India’s embrace of mobile gaming further underscores its global significance. As one of the largest markets for mobile games, India showcases how mobile platforms are revolutionising esports accessibility worldwide. With around 20% of gamers in India being paying users, the popularity of pay-to-play, casual, and core games among this group is significant. In-app purchases are expected to surge with a 35% CAGR, driven by the increasing number of paying users in both casual and core gaming genres. This trend highlights India's pivotal role in democratising esports, cementing its position as a trailblazer that the world cannot afford to overlook.

“We’re excited to see the International Olympic Committee (IOC) actively considering the inclusion of Esports in the Olympics. This is a major step in recognizing Esports as a legitimate performance sport,” said Roby John, CEO and Co-Founder, SuperGaming, adding, “By integrating Esports into the Olympics, the IOC acknowledges the dedication, skill, and sportsmanship of this growing field. The hard work of governing bodies, stakeholders, game developers, and especially the gamers, has made this achievement possible. This move validates the importance of esports and celebrates the efforts of everyone involved. In our own small way, we are proud to contribute to the grassroots growth of Esports in India, and it is exciting to see the grit and talent of players from across the world compete at Esports and shine in their Olympic journey.”

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