Olympic Esports Series 2023 has nothing to do with esports

After the International Olympic Committee announced the lineup for the Olympic Esports Series, it immediately created a backlash in the community, since classic esports titles like CS:GO and Dota 2 are not included, while titles like Just Dance or Chess are.

Not so long ago, esports took a giant leap as it was adopted into the Olympics as well. In the summer, the IOC will host an Esports Olympic Week, following the Olympic Virtual Series.

The committee’s Twitter account announced a number of titles to be played at the event. Needless to say, the disappointment was great, because none of the esports like CS:GO, Overwatch, Dota 2 or Rocket League are not included.

Olympic Twitter account flooded with criticism

Instead of classic esports games, the committee opted for games that represent traditional sports, such as Just Dance, Virtual Taekwondo, and Zwift — a bike racing game.

The full list of titles in which contestants will compete in the series includes Gran Turismo, Chess, Tic Tac Bow, Zwift, Just Dance, Virtual Regatta and Virtual Taekwondo, as well as WBSC eBASEBALL: POWER PROS.

 

Community criticizes the choice of titles

Surely, some of these games are related to esports, such as chess, and some have hosted tournaments in the past, such as Gran Turismo. But overall, every esports fan knows these are not truly esports titles, and so the community reacted with criticism to the announcement and made fun of the committee for its inappropriate positioning and marketing. The announcement tweet has already received over 1,000 retweets and several organizations and players have poked fun at the titles.

What is the reason for the selection?

The reason for the selection has to do with the old “shooting game” reputation of some games. The committee stated some time ago that they do accept games as a sport, but only the completely “harmless” ones, meaning nothing to do with shooters, blood, fighting, etc. The more harmless esport titles like Dota 2 or League of Legends, or Rocket League were not included either.

Therefore, the committee has bet on games that are virtual counterparts to traditional sports where there are no weapons in the game, yet are not considered esports.