Are gamers athletes? Study examines perceptions of students on 'esports' scholarships
Friday, May 13, 2016 - 07:01
in Psychology & Sociology
College students have been banding together to play video games for decades. But the popularity of online gaming has grown so much that colleges are now offering athletic scholarships for "e-sports" participants. University of Kansas researchers have authored a study in which they interviewed e-sports athletes who compete at a university where they receive athletic scholarships for their gaming abilities. The study examined if the e-sports athletes do in fact consider themselves athletes, what their motivations are for taking part in the new venture and if the experience adds to their social capital like that of a more traditional college athlete.