LoL players get US visas xD

Apparently League of Legends has been officially recognized as a sport by the US government, allowing pro players to get visas easily as any other athlete.

US Governments Deems Pro 'League Of Legends' Video Game Players Professional Athletes, Awards Work Visas | Geekologie

"This is groundbreaking for eSports; now we can start looking at international players when they come over. It's a much easier process because they're actually recognized by the government. This is a huge thing."
"This was a lengthy process; we had a lot of people fighting for this. It wasn't something that happened overnight," Allen continued.
He further explained that Riot went back and forth with the government multiple times before enough evidence was provided to prove that the game is a legitimate sport.

 

I'm very disappointed. They should have picked Aion. But, the good thing is, a lot of people notice our pro gaming. Video games are better than substances.

 

The thing about these games is that the number of players at any one time is very limited. You can easily spot who is good when you have small teams (starcraft, LoL, counter-strike etc.) In those games, everybody starts out with a clean slate, an even opportunity. That is very different from our mass mmos where gear is everything, level is everything, money buys you power etc. Skill stopped to matter much a few years back.

 

I dont think that was a secret.....LCS happening a long time before....am i wrong??...Cause i thought that was happening from the begining of the carrer of a LoL Pro Team...Btw LoL is as entertaiment as AION

 

Strange world we are going to.
I don´t deny the skill involved in playing it, but is like a sport of laziness.

Well, good for the really skilled players.

 

Hope they give visas to those player that are pro at Mario Bros.

 

now when u say sport i think of physical activity lol..when you say video games i think of leisure activity lol.

 

It is about mental strain rather than physical, doesn't make it any less of a sport xd Think about chess, you sit the entire time, yet it is still a sport, people still see it as entertainment to them, you have your professionals, it is no different except for the aspect of team play required here.

I would say the common definition of "sport" should be revised. It is meant as a form of competition, finding the best of the best, who says it should just be about physical strain and ability xd Let them have their way with mental strain and ability.

 

And now I decided to start playing LoL.

 

e-Sports are a very specific type of competitive play in gaming, some MMOs can have e-Sports, but just because a game is good or you think it is good doesn't mean it's fit for e-Sports.

First of all, the game has to effectively be able to be played in an e-Sports environment. Aion may be competitive and PvP oriented, but it's focused a lot on massive scale PvP, not minor battles. It relies more on the raw power and sustainability of large groups than individual skill. e-Sport games tend to have much smaller, skill based competitions (ie: arenas in Guild Wars and World of Warcraft).

Two, for e-Sports to be effective you have to have a good audience. People generally just don't want to watch MMOs anymore unless its competitive PvE, such as WoW raids which Aion lacks. Nowadays they like watching short, competitive session based games like Starcraft 2 or League of Legends.

If a game isn't large enough and popular enough you simply don't have the talent pool or the audience, and you won't get sponsors unless they can make money from your performances.

 

wew, the world is changing

 

wew, I heard about this a week or so ago. We'll see where it goes. Why I would ever want to tell people that I am a "pro level LoL player" is beyond me. I would probably be embarrassed by that to be honest.

 

When I write about laziness is because the notion of playing a videogame is born from leisure most of the time, and the idea associated to gamers, while competitive, is not regarded as "healthy". While a sport is by all means an activity that involves a healthy disposition towards such activity; chess follows the same pattern. Is debatable.

But indeed, as times are now, the notion and concept must be revised.

 

They should have picked Dota (one of the reasons is that Dota was first) ! xD
Well....it's a weird/good thing i guess....

 

U have never tried LoL before??...LoLzz a lot of ppl here didnt play LoL before i wonder why.....

 

Tell me what is healthy about professional sports people constantly caught with doping or constant injuries xd Neither of them are healthy when they do whatever it takes to be the best.

 

That is your perspective to look at it. You don't like it, me neither, but it is what socially and culturally a sport is associated with, a healthy activity. You wanna change that? You don't need to write to me about it.

And I wrote that I also think the concept need to be revised. I agree with you, but that does not make it any different.

But to think that a videogame can be considered a "sport", is equally weird to look at.

 

From what I know about other games?

Take for example Korean SC2 Pro-Houses. They have mandated exercise / gym time EVERY DAY, that is simply because they sit in a chair for 8+ hours to train for their game. The same could be said for most professional teams, they do regulate their players health and aspects of it (be it physical or mental). I would garner to say that e-Sports, would be healthier simply due to the lack of injuries (outside of wrists, neck, back problems that can develop.)

Other than that? World is starting to recognize video games as sports. Could be a good thing, as Gaming generally you can start as a newbie and get better and better, by practice where as with a sport, generally natural talent and ability comes into play more so than being able to literally work your way to the top.

Sooo yay for LoL despite my hatred for the game (yes I do not like it, I don't enjoy it x_x)

 

Hah. You wish you were that pro. Getting pro in that game, takes from beginning skill, a good mind, pro reflexes, teamwork, patience, nerves of steel and many other. US visa!!! FFS! Gotta switch to pro mode now...sigh

 

Because it's a copy , obviously (one of the reasons).