Esports is a form of sporting competition using video games. It has grown into a colossal spectator sport viewed by over 500 million people worldwide, where competitors can earn millions of dollars. Often seen as a child's video game, it is now vying to be recognised along with conventional sports and has even been considered a future event at the Olympics.
Motorsport is primed to take advantage of the esports opportunity. Formula 1, Indy Cars and even my homegrown Supercars have embarked on an esports series, where many regular drivers compete in a virtual race. It won't be that alien for many drivers, as they often use driver simulators to practice the various tracks where they race. With online platforms, esports can be efficiently broadcast to fill a void in a motorsport schedule.
Convincing me that motorsport can translate itself to the esports arena will take some doing. It lacks the resolution and real-life effects that I enjoy when watching motorsport on the TV. Also, it's not as spectacular when there is an incident on track. But, with a lack of reasonable alternatives and a little bit of time at home, I will give it a try. Who knows, I might get to like it.
Motorsport is primed to take advantage of the esports opportunity. Formula 1, Indy Cars and even my homegrown Supercars have embarked on an esports series, where many regular drivers compete in a virtual race. It won't be that alien for many drivers, as they often use driver simulators to practice the various tracks where they race. With online platforms, esports can be efficiently broadcast to fill a void in a motorsport schedule.
Convincing me that motorsport can translate itself to the esports arena will take some doing. It lacks the resolution and real-life effects that I enjoy when watching motorsport on the TV. Also, it's not as spectacular when there is an incident on track. But, with a lack of reasonable alternatives and a little bit of time at home, I will give it a try. Who knows, I might get to like it.