Curse

The Real Roy Keane · Jan 15, 2007, 02:52 AM // 02:52

One of the many topics of debate I've experienced during my time playing Guild Wars is the aforementioned title: can games be classed as sports? I've seen plenty of people argue the issue both ways, and am curious as to what the Guru community think.
Personally, I would never view games as being in the same category as sports; the level of physical interaction is far too minimal, even compared to the likes of snooker or darts.
However , if anyone here has a different opinion I'd be glad to hear it.

Malice Black · Jan 15, 2007, 03:03 AM // 03:03

No.

Anyone who classes gaming as a sport needs to review their life.

I pwnd U · Jan 15, 2007, 03:20 AM // 03:20

Dictionary.com classifies sports as this:

1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.
2. a particular form of this, esp. in the out of doors.

So by those definitions no it can't be. As when you play games the only thing that is being used is your fingers and sometimes your brain.

Stalker Haras · Jan 15, 2007, 04:38 AM // 04:38

What about the Supposed new things for the Nintendo Wii, where the player has to actually move their body and stuff to play the game?

I pwnd U · Jan 15, 2007, 04:44 AM // 04:44

That could be close but a "sport" is still defined as outside/physical activity. Still a no in my opinion.

Nickhimself · Jan 15, 2007, 05:06 AM // 05:06

I think anything that's extremely competetive and has teams / clans vying for a top spot can be classified as a sport if it has a large enough player base.

Fishing is considered a sport and that sucks.

IMO, Counter-Strike, if anything, would be considered a Cyber Sport. Very competetive, in some cases victories have large payouts, and a very large following. Granted, it's no football fan base, but it's one of the largest for what it is.

If you can't see that, you need to review your life.

Comrade87 · Jan 15, 2007, 05:09 AM // 05:09

My initial reaction is...no.

But then again, NASCAR is now considered a sport. Does driving a car really take any more physical talent then playing a video game?

I pwnd U · Jan 15, 2007, 05:12 AM // 05:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade87

My initial reaction is...no.

But then again, NASCAR is now considered a sport. Does driving a car really take any more physical talent then playing a video game?

Ummm.... YES! Driving a car at 200 mph or more around a track for 3 or more hours requires alot of physical "talent". These are not guys that just got up one morning and decided to go race around at 200+ mph. The stress it puts on your body is immense. The cars are not Air Conditioned, their is not comfort in them. It is a very stresful sport. It may not look like much but it is very difficult to do.

Stalker Haras · Jan 15, 2007, 05:35 AM // 05:35

So is keeping #1 Spot in a Videogame.

Comrade87 · Jan 15, 2007, 05:46 AM // 05:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by I pwnd U

Ummm.... YES! Driving a car at 200 mph or more around a track for 3 or more hours requires alot of physical "talent". These are not guys that just got up one morning and decided to go race around at 200+ mph. The stress it puts on your body is immense. The cars are not Air Conditioned, their is not comfort in them. It is a very stresful sport. It may not look like much but it is very difficult to do.

Driving a car requires no talent at all. Driving and handling cars at those speeds may perhaps require plenty of conditioning and practice, but so does learning to flawlessly operate a sniper rifle in BF2.

Fishing, as listed above is also considered a sport now...although, really how much physical ability does it take to reel in a fish? about as much as it does to drive a car? or play a video game? yup.

No AC huh? so what about those dedicated gamers in the American southwest who are without AC during June and tough it out for some FPS tournament play? maybe because they have to deal with heat as well as immense stress of competition they should then be considered an athlete?

Pfft. No NASCAR fan will ever convince me that their "sport" requires anything close to the physical abilities of that of your average Football/Hockey/Basketball/Lacrosse player.

I pwnd U · Jan 15, 2007, 06:00 AM // 06:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade87

No AC huh? so what about those dedicated gamers in the American southwest who are without AC during June and tough it out for some FPS tournament play? maybe because they have to deal with heat as well as immense stress of competition they should then be considered an athlete?

Pfft. No NASCAR fan will ever convince me that their "sport" requires anything close to the physical abilities of that of your average Football/Hockey/Basketball/Lacrosse player.

First, so i guess me working 8 hours a day doing hard manuel labor without AC makes me a athlete? For all you know i could be 450 ilbs and 5'8". If they want to tough it out good for them, stupid but whatever floats their boat.

Second, fan? lolz Dude i hate Nascar with a passion, but I won't stand by and see them ripped on by someone who has never tried to drive a car at 200+ mph for 3+ hours. It is hard enough to control your own car going striaght at 130 mph as it rises up and bounces if you hit anything. They drive around for 3 hours doing 1-2 G's on some corners. Gamers will never have to worry about such a large amount of stress on their bodies for that amount of time. Yes they may not be in the same pyhisical shape as Football/Hockey/Ect, but you put any of those guys in that position and they will have problems. All sports require a certain amount of skill and talent. You can't really compare different sports because each is different. Skill is based on the sport. A Skilled basketball player is someone who can shoot or pass or defend really well. A skilled football player is someone who can throw, run, catch, defend, or intercept a ball. Skill for a NASCAR driver is being able to have the endurance to keep a car going 200+ mph while being jostled around on a track for 3 or more hours. Everything requires skill. I am not trying to tsay that NASCAR drivers are more talented and such then other athletes, but even still they deal with a large amount of stress that other athletes cannot endure.

EDIT: Seeing how I doubt you will believe me, I went and found an article that was written by someone who used to be around the pits in NASCAR. http://www.catchfence.com/html/2002/stooge042902.html He has first hand exprience and actual numbers from studies down by Doctors. I was wrong with saying it is between 1-2 G's applied to the drivers, it is actually 2-3 G's.

Fallen Hunter · Jan 15, 2007, 09:49 AM // 09:49

I think gaming should be classified as a sport. In my mind, a sport is simply a competition of skill. In conventional sports, this is physical skill. In games, this is mental skill. The definition of sports as an outdoor competetive physical activity is short sighted - I wouldn't class fishing as a particularly physical activity yet it's a sport. Many games require a huge amount of time, effort and skill to master, and most are competetive, and that classes gaming as a sport in my book.

Mourne · Jan 15, 2007, 10:21 AM // 10:21

Gaming should never be classified as a sport...Gaming is just that, gaming. It is a competition sometimes, but goes no further.

Divinitys Creature · Jan 15, 2007, 05:20 PM // 17:20

Doesn't chess count as a sport?

Sir Skullcrasher · Jan 15, 2007, 05:47 PM // 17:47

Games can't be like sports, granted if you put them (gamers) into virtual reality type of games where they have to run and hide and attack the opponents.

big papi · Jan 15, 2007, 07:37 PM // 19:37

if theres no ball it is not a sport

therefore gaming is not a sport

Addone_Abaddon · Jan 15, 2007, 07:52 PM // 19:52

EA SPORTS

TO THE GAME!!

I hate EA.

I pwnd U · Jan 15, 2007, 09:01 PM // 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divinitys Creature

Doesn't chess count as a sport?

I don't count chess as a sport. No real pyhsical activity.

tommarrow · Jan 15, 2007, 11:02 PM // 23:02

What if you are playing a sports game on your platform then is it a sport?

Isaac Rahl · Jan 15, 2007, 11:30 PM // 23:30

I agree that video games aren't sports, mostly. They have some similarities though. 1) Both make you "move" your body parts in some way (Yes fingers count), 2) Most games require endurance to play for many hours (eg: tiredness occurs, "Square eyes" [A parents favorite saying lol], tired arms and fingers), 3) Both get very competitive. If sitting in a boat for six hours, while eating chips, and drinking coke is considered a sport video games aren't too far behind.