History was made when the IOC announced the creation of the Olympic online games. The online games are here for the first time ever, and it’s nothing short of epic. This groundbreaking decision was unanimously endorsed during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, marking a bold step into the future of sports. Partnering with Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee for the next 12 years, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) is ready to revolutionize the Olympic landscape with this exciting new competition.
The president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, has been actively supporting a transformative era to launch the Olympic Esports game, emphasizing commitment to keeping pace with the digital revolution. The passionate engagement from the gaming community emphasizes the Olympic brand’s appeal among young people. Associating with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia, well-known for its exclusive gaming expertise, promises to improve this pioneering project ingrained in Olympic beliefs.
IOC President Thomas Bach announces that the Executive Board has proposed the creation of 'Olympic Esports Games' to the 142nd IOC Session.
The IOC Members will vote on this proposal at the Session during the Olympic Games Paris 2024. pic.twitter.com/lIBUCxm2kK
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) June 14, 2024Why only Saudi Arabia? Why not other countries?
Saudi Arabia has taken several significant initiatives to develop esports. The Government of Saudi Arabia created the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF). They hosted major international tournaments like Gamers8 and the Esports World Cup. They are also investing in gaming infrastructure in different cities like Qiddiya City. They also launched “Vision 2030” to make Saudi Arabia a global esports hub. They established Qiddiya City as a dedicated gaming and esports district under development. 67% of Saudi Arabian citizens are involved in esports and gaming activities. The Saudi Arabia esports market’s revenue will reach $10.6 million in 2024.
The country’s esports contribute over $13.3 billion to the GDP and create 39000 new jobs by 2030. To boost gaming, NEOM and MBC collaborated and inaugurated the first AAA gaming studio in the region. MBC’s illustrious expertise in the media field and NEOM’s gaming professionals grant them unique employment opportunities. AstroLabs and Impact46 collaborate with PlayHERA, making a 360-degree overview of Saudi Gaming.
The Esports Olympic Games will make its debut in Saudi Arabia starting in 2025 pic.twitter.com/8QSm6Q9ViQ
— Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) July 12, 2024Empowering the Next Generation: The IOC’s Commitment to Youth Engagement in Esports
The International Olympic Committee, since 2018, embraced esports, culminating in the successful Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in 2023. IOC, led by David Lappartient, constructed a project that reverberates with the gaming community while encouraging gender equality and appealing to a youthful audience. This initiative marks a significant step in integrating the dynamic world of online games into the Olympics. Thomas Buch, the president of the International Olympic Committee, has admitted that physical activity in comparative gaming is comparable to traditional sports in some areas.
Online games are a big competition for the sports industry, especially when attracting younger audiences. The popularity of the games changes so quickly that it will be haunting down for an event, not to mention maintaining consistency for developing athletes years before. For those reasons, Barch argues for more research and discussion to determine whether he is gaining consistency considered in the Olympic games.
The online gaming industry has been continuing to develop and explore. In 2013, the U.S. government even recognized the League of Legends players as pro athletes. So international players can get work to compete with them. When this sports competition is conducted, the prize money is comparable to traditional sports and, in many cases, surpasses them. Some online gamers achieve millions of dollars in a year. This will involve determining the event’s timing, the games to be featured, the player qualification process, and additional details.
The IOC has indicated that it will primarily collaborate with International Federations already involved in esports versions of their sports when considering them for inclusion. National Olympic Committees that incorporate e-gaming into their activities will also be key partners.
Additionally, the IOC plans to establish a new dedicated structure within its organization, distinct from the Olympic Games’ organizational and financial framework. To effectively manage the unique aspects of the Olympic Esports Games, the IOC will adopt a different approach to financing and organizing the event.
Uniting Legacies: Merging Esports with Olympic Tradition
The gaming Olympics will be separate from the regular show and include accurate gaming titles. However, don’t expect CS2 or Call of Duty. Online games in the Olympics are non-violent and may include games like Rocket League, FIFA, NBA 2K, Sailing, Cycling, Taekwondo, Chess, Tennis, Just Dance, MotorSport, Zwift, Dota2 Super Smash Bros and others. These online gaming titles represent what the game would like to see.
Online games have been gaining recognition globally as they focus on game skills, strategy, and teamwork, just like traditional sports. It is a golden opportunity for gamers to showcase their in-game skill through the Olympics. The revolution of online games is rapidly spreading across the globe. As a part of it, the Indian teams have revealed their capability by bagging the top position globally.
Gaming was neglected in India earlier, but in 2023, the Indian gaming industry had a net worth of $3.1 billion, 25900 crores in Indian rupees. By 2028, this number is projected to double, and digital games have now been inducted into the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee. This reassures the parents that digital games are a viable profession for their children to aspire to do. Digital athletes are not just playing the games but also making history.
Finally, being recognized as a proper sport, the Olympics 2025 is an excellent opportunity for the Indian gaming industry to showcase our country’s strength and keep our athletes and talents in front of the world. Saudi Arabia is hosting the esports Olympics in 2025 in Riyadh.
IOC Member HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, who also helps on the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and leads the Women’s Committee, stated that the narrative of sports in Saudi Arabia reflects substantial transformation. It highlights the potential of the Saudi people, channels their eagerness for sports, and increases their quality of life.
Since its launch by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, Vision 2030 has introduced over 150 reforms that have reformed society, focusing on authorizing women and youth. With over 23.5 million gamers in the country—nearly half female—Saudi Arabia has long been a central player in the online gaming industry. The upcoming Olympic Esports Games in 2025 is seen as a logical development in the nation’s effort to associate Saudi Arabia with the world and vice versa.
The women’s committee in online games has been led by Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud a member of IOC, and has played a significant role in promoting women’s sports in Saudi Arabia. They collaborated closely with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia to achieve this progress. Their support for increasing female participation in e-gaming is a significant commitment, and we look forward to working together.
The problems with Esports at the Olympics
The international Olympics recently hosted an Olympic series, a competition featuring five video game events; however, instead of showcasing the best talent from online games, the events used came from traditional sports. Over the course of the event, the players competed in virtual cycling sailing. This is the IOC’s response to the rapid growth of online gaming and the global impression of gaming. The IOC has made it clear that online games won’t be a part of their plans, at least not for the future. For years, the gaming community in 2017 at the 6th Olympic summits organizations discussed the development of online games and whether it could be included as a future event.
The Summit acknowledged that e-sports should be considered a sporting activity that required training in several traditional sports and put together a commission, and put together a commission tasks discussing online gaming with the stakeholders at the time the IOC was considering the inclusion of digital games in the Olympics. The summit noted that e-games couldn’t infringe on the Olympic values and must have an organization guaranteeing compliance with Olympic rules and regulations. Surprisingly, these two things are next to impossible for anyone who plays video games.
In 2018, the IOC confronted another summit once again, this time with several prominent figures from the e-games and President Thomas Bach. At the time, there was even more hope as an international event in the year. IEM Pyeongchang was held in connection, and it seems that things are moving in the right direction. The gaming community wasn’t ready for the breakwall. Whether the value of Olympic sports includes combat from shooting martial arts, most of the interviews following the summit made it clear the notion that any game involving killing was unacceptable.
The president is eliminating the possibility of making the fighting game, street fighters, or games that did not have violence at all a viable part of the Olympics. However, of course, there were a few other concerns. One of the major problems regarding this is that the publisher can control the esports. Olympic sports are operated by federations and national organizations that don’t have ownership states in the very concept. On the other hand, the game publishers do. The IOC also added active women’s discipline for most major esports, another problem the online-gaming industry needs to resolve.
FAQ
What are the Olympic Esports games?
The IOC has taken a new initiative to incorporate online games within the Olympics, with the first edition scheduled for 2025 in Saudi Arabia.
When and where will the first Olympic esports games take place?
The inaugural Olympic online games will take place in 2025 in Saudi Arabia.
Why does the IOC include digital games in the Olympics?
The IOC aims to engage younger audiences, adapt to the digital revolution and enhance the growing popularity of esports as a legitimate form of competition.
How has the IOC been involved in esports before this announcement?
From 2018 has embraced esports, culminating in the successful Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in 2023, which showcased the potential for integrating online games into the Olympics.
What is the role of the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia in this initiative?
The Saudi Arabian NOC is partnering with the IOC for the next 12 years and is ready to revolutionize the Olympic landscape with this exciting new competition.
How does the IOC plan to ensure the integrity of online gaming competitions?
The IOC Esports Commission is working to create a guideline that combines the guidelines, including Olympic values and gender equality.
What is the role of the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia in this initiative?
The Saudi Arabian NOC has collaborated with the IOC for 12 years to assist in organizing the Olympic Digital Games, leveraging their experience in the online gaming sector.
