march 26 (3/26)

Esport refers to professional computer game tournaments.
It has become a global phenomenon similar to traditional sports.
The industry is male-dominated, reflecting gender and racial imbalances found in traditional sports contexts.
The debate continues on whether esport should be included as an Olympic event.

The esports market is projected to grow to $5.18 billion by 2029.
Worldwide, over 410 million people engage with esports, including viewers and gamers.
6.6 billion hours are spent watching esports videos every year.
There are 2 million athletic scholarships available for colleges in North America.

Integrity Issues:
- Concerns about performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and e-doping.
- Issues of match-fixing, hacking, and gambling.
Stigma and Violence:
- Negative perceptions about esports participation.
- Associations of aggressive behavior with esports athletes.
Gaming Addiction and Mental Health:
- The impact of gaming addiction on players.
- Importance of mental health awareness in esports.
Social Inequality:
- Disparities in earnings between male and female players.
Racism and Ethnicity:
- Examination of racialized ideas and structures in esports.
Gender Issues:
- Concerns about masculinities and harassment faced by female gamers.

Women make up 46% of the gamer population, but only 5% of professional gamers are women.
Out of 476 esports players at the 2022 Asian Games, only 8 were women.
Female gamers often face judgments about their skills compared to male counterparts, and experience higher rates of online harassment.
Approximately 30% of game developers are women.

No women are listed among the top 400 highest-earning esports players.
Example:
- Johan "Notail" Sundstein: $7,184,163 earnings
- Sasha "Scarlett" Hostyn: $444,461 earnings.

Defined as a specific form of masculinity emphasizing intellectualism and technical skills over physical strength.
Often intersects with narratives of technological mastery within gaming.

A professional Overwatch player known for her skill in the game.
Faced accusations of cheating that were later disproven.
Her experience represents struggles for recognition and respect among female gamers.

Despite harassment, she gained significant support and recognition from fans.
Issues of sexism were highlighted through discussions around her appearance and skills in gaming.
Debates about the existence and necessity of gender distinctions in gaming communities ensued.

The viewpoint that feminism has achieved significant success leads to a culture emphasizing meritocracy in esports.
Challenging the notion that gender plays a role in gaming performance presents both liberating and complex implications for female gamers.

The accusations highlight entrenched male dominance in esports.
Geguri's performance challenges traditional gender norms by questioning the links between biological sex and gaming performance ability.