By JOSHUA OKIKIOLU/Contributor
Esports demands more focus, practice and teamwork than most people realize. Those who think esports looks like ordinary gaming often view it differently once they understand the competition, focus, and effort involved.
Dewaylon Brown learned about UT Tyler’s esports team last year while touring the campus.
“After seeing all the equipment, I quickly understood how competitive it was, and I was completely shocked about it because I did not know esports could get that competitive,” Brown said.
Dewaylon said he believes the university’s competitive clubs and teams should receive respect because players must balance being on a team with taking at least twelve credit hours in college.
Alberto Vich, a student at the University of Houston, was drawn to esports by the fact that he could earn money while playing his favorite esport game. Esports gave him an outlet to be competitive, while still enjoying playing video games.
Vich said competing takes a lot of time to perfect the player’s craft.
“People completely underestimate the amount of time it takes to get even close to being competitive at game,” Vich said.
Vich said natural players may need 500 hours, while others need 1,000 to 2,000 hours in order to develop their skills enough to be able to compete seriously.
Taurean Drake, a student at UT Tyler, also loves gaming. He said that although some play esports competitively, others play it leisurely as a hobby
“Most people who play competitively also play recreationally,” Drake said.
Some people press buttons on a controller as part of playing casually while others do so competitively in an effort to win, he said.
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