The Rise of eSports

Abstract

The availability and affordability of increased internet bandwidth, video memory, and processing speed has enabled electronic sports (eSports) to become a flourishing global sensation, and college students are helping to drive this phenomenon. This mixed-methods study focuses on feedback from 159 college students regarding the eSports phenomenon across both gender and educational classification. Findings from the study include their eSports-related gaming and spending habits and perceptions of personal and academic benefits of playing eSports such as social interaction, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Included are the perceived risks of playing eSports that encompassed eSports gaming addiction; mental, social, emotional risks; lack of physical activity; and physical disorders associated with playing eSports.