The Rise of eSports: Mental Agility and the Shift in Modern Values

Game Studies for Everyone

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of eSports, exploring how its rapid rise mirrors evolving social values in the digital age. We’ll discuss how eSports, much like traditional sports, showcase exceptional skills—but with a twist. Instead of physical dominance, eSports champions mental agility, strategic thinking, and problem-solving prowess.

Our conversation will focus on how this shift reflects a broader cultural change, where society increasingly prizes cognitive skills over physical strength. From the complexities of digital environments to the role of mental sharpness in mate selection, we’ll unpack how eSports may symbolize a new era in how we define success and skill. Join us as we examine the intersection of play, culture, and the changing landscape of human values.

References:

Grace, L. eSports as Evolution: Shifting Social Values in Sport, Future of Information and Communication Conference, San Francisco, CA, March 2023

Jordan-Vallverdú, V., Plaza-Navas, M. A., Raya, J. M., & Torres-Pruñonosa, J. (2024). The intellectual structure of esports research. Entertainment Computing, 49, 100628.

Brown, S.L.: Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Penguin (2009)

Kaplan, H.S., Gangestad, S.W.: Optimality approaches and evolutionary psychology. In: The Evolution of Mind: Fundamental Questions and Controversies. pp. 121–129 (2007)