Fortnite Olympic Esports Series 2023 (Photo: official website, Olympic Esports Series)
Last March, the IOC announced for the first time the titles that will be played at the official Olympic esports games, and the election was what to say? Strange. Instead of games like Counter Strike, League of Legends, Rocket League or any other successful eSports game that has already proven itself, very bizarre mobile and web games were chosen.
It seems that the online criticism has done its job, and this week the committee announces a new, slightly more popular and played game - Fortnite. The industry the game represented? Shooting of course. The main thing is that the committee has repeatedly claimed over the years that it will not include shooting games because they "do not promote Olympic values." Although Fortnite is primarily identified as battle royale, it's not the style of play that will be emphasized. The competition will include a custom arena built in Creative Mode and its role will be to reflect a virtual shooting range.
The choice to include shooters is welcome and a step in the right direction toward recognition of gaming as a sport for all intents and purposes, but shooters require much more than direction. They require tactics, thinking, quick reactivity, and some even require teamwork. As mentioned, the race will simulate a shooting range, not a battle scene. The IOC once again seems to be missing the point. But it's definitely a start.
Now the list stands at ten games. The best known of these are Gran Turismo (motorsports) or Just Dance (dance). Other games selected are Tic Tac Bow (archery, mobile game), Chess.com online game (chess), Zwift (bicycle), Tennis Clash (tennis) and a number of other minor titles.
This isn't the first attempt to link gaming to the Olympic Games. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, an official Esports tournament was held in cooperation with the Olympic Committee and Intel at the Rocket League and Street Fighter V Games. French President Emmanuel Macron has already announced that alongside the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, the country intends to host the world championships of esports games such as Counter Strike, League of Legends or Dota 2.
- Gaming Channel
- Magazine
Tags
- Gaming
- Olympic Games
- Olympics
- esports
- ESPORT
- Fortnite
- fortnite
