NZ Esports

Esports, also known as electronic sports, refers to the competitive playing of video games. Esports often takes the form of organized, multiplayer gaming competitions, particularly between professional players. These competitions can be held in person or online, and they can take place at the local, national, or international level.

There are a variety of different types of esports games that people compete in.

Some of the most played games include:

• First-person shooters (FPS)
• Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA)
• Real-time strategy (RTS)
• Fighting games.

Some of the most well-known FPS games are Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Halo, and Overwatch; while RTS games include Starcraft 2, Warcraft 3, & Age of Empires.

Some of the more popular MOBA games are Heroes of the Storm, Dota 2, and League of Legends (LoL).

Casual and competitive gaming both have their own unique appeal. For casual gamers, they play for fun and typically don’t take the game too seriously. They might not invest as much time into learning all the game’s mechanics and may be more likely to play with friends just for laughs.

On the other hand, competitive gamers are usually more focused on winning. They tend to spend more time practicing and honing their skills so they can perform at their best during tournaments or matches. For them, gaming is more than just a hobby – it’s a way to test their abilities and see how far they can push themselves.

New Zealanders say yes!!

In 2020, Sport NZ formally recognized the New Zealand Esports Federation as the official national organisation for esports.

However, prior to 2020, the answer was not so clear cut, and today there are still some people who don’t agree.

New Zealand has always been a country with a strong sporting culture and the question of whether esports was an actual sport was one that came up frequently.

People argued that esports doesn’t fit the traditional definition of a sport. It doesn’t involve physical activity, for starters. And with some esport games there’s no clear way to win or lose – it’s not like playing a game of rugby where the team with the most points at the end is the winner.

But others countered this argument by saying esports does fit the definition of a sport. It requires skill and dedication to be successful. Players need to be able to think strategically and react quickly. And just like traditional sports, there are plenty of competitions and tournaments to be involved in.

The recognition of Sport NZ coupled with the fact a New Zealand Esports team has played in the Commonwealth games has since changed a lot of attitudes around the country and garnered more acceptance of Esport as an official sport.

Getting started in esports can seem daunting, but with a little know-how and some practice, anyone can become a pro. Here are a few tips to get you started on your way:

1. Find your game.
   There are tons of different games out there, so it’s important to find the one that’s right for you. Do some research, read reviews, and watch videos to find the perfect match.
2. Get some practice.
   Once you’ve found your game, it’s time to start practicing. If you want to be competitive, you’ll need to put in the hours and learn everything you can about your chosen game. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources online to help you out, including forums, guides, and video tutorials.
3. Play in tournaments:
   Tournaments are a great way to test your skills and see how you stack up against other players. There are tournaments for all levels of players, so you can find one that’s right for you. Many tournaments offer prize money, so you could even make some money while playing.

By following these steps and a lot of hard work you could be climbing the leader boards in no time. If you prove to be a good player, you may even get the opportunity to join a professional team.

There is no official age limit for competing in Esport in New Zealand, and the NZEF allows parents to set their own limits for children who wish to play.

Schools around New Zealand have recognized and embraced Esports as a sporting option, with many colleges creating and hosting their own events.

Kiwi gamers certainly believe so!
A staggering 75% of New Zealanders play games classified as video games and over 86% of Kiwi gamers would like play or watch esports if it were more widely available.

Large sports organisations are getting on board too.

Not only has the Commonwealth games committee embraced Esports, but the International Olympic Committee is also discussing the logistics of including it as an Olympic level sport. Once this is approved, Esport will likely skyrocket into the general public’s awareness like no other sport before.

Esport has been flying under the radar of traditional sport enthusiasts for some time. But it’s getting harder to ignore its popularity with reports of 256 million global viewers & a global value of 2.4 billion NZ dollars.

You can join in on Esports action by competing, or simply watching as the professionals play. Maybe you’ll even place a few bets on your favourite teams and players. No matter what you decide you can be a part of the new and thrilling world of Esports in New Zealand!