South Korea has moved into the highlight as a doable host of the Olympic Esports Video games (OEGs) following the collapse of partnership negotiations between the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia.
Initially reported in native media, the event was mentioned throughout a parliamentary discussion board held in Seoul on December twenty second, the place lawmakers, sports activities officers, lecturers and business representatives debated whether or not South Korea ought to pursue internet hosting the inaugural version of the Olympic Esports Video games.
The discussion board, titled Discussion board on Internet hosting the Olympic Esports Video games in Korea, was co-hosted by Individuals Energy Get together lawmakers Koh Dong-jin and Jin Jong-oh, alongside the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) and the Korea e-Sports activities Affiliation (KeSPA).
It passed off on the Nationwide Meeting Members’ Workplace Constructing and centered on each the strategic worth and potential dangers of internet hosting the Video games.
Esports as a Strategic Business
Opening the discussion board, Koh highlighted the connection between the video games business and superior applied sciences, arguing that esports ought to be considered as a part of a broader industrial ecosystem relatively than easy leisure. Referring to the evolution of graphics {hardware} and synthetic intelligence, Koh mentioned that internet hosting the Olympic Esports Video games might generate long-term industrial advantages if Korea leveraged its current {hardware}, software program and participant experience.
Jin, a former Olympic gold medallist, framed the dialogue in geopolitical phrases. He famous that South Korea’s esports sector faces rising stress from China’s affect over technical requirements and Saudi Arabia’s monetary energy. Jin argued that engagement with the IOC was partly pushed by the organisation’s want to draw youthful audiences, including that Korea ought to actively use its worldwide networks to strengthen any future bid.
KeSPA Requires Consecutive Internet hosting Technique
From an organisational perspective, Kim Cheol-hak, Secretary Basic of KeSPA, advised that South Korea ought to goal to grow to be the primary host of the Olympic Esports Video games to bolster its picture because the ‘birthplace of esports.’
Nonetheless, he warned that internet hosting a single version might restrict long-term affect.
Kim proposed a mannequin of internet hosting two or three consecutive editions to determine a standardised operational framework that might later be exported globally. He additionally advised showcasing Korean-developed titles, akin to PUBG: Battlegrounds and FC On-line, as demonstration occasions, alongside exhibition areas for home recreation publishers.
In accordance with Jin, persuading the IOC would require presenting esports as an built-in cultural mannequin combining media, content material and fandom, relatively than relying solely on Korea’s previous achievements within the scene.
Business Raises Issues Over Olympic Match
Business representatives expressed extra sceptical views. Oh Ji-hwan, CEO of Nongshim RedForce, questioned whether or not the Olympic model nonetheless carries vital enchantment amongst core esports followers. He criticised the IOC’s concentrate on ‘digital sports activities’ — digitised variations of conventional sports activities — suggesting this method diverges from viewers curiosity in established aggressive titles akin to League of Legends and VALORANT.
Oh pointed to Saudi Arabia’s Esports World Cup for example of how unbiased occasions can succeed with out Olympic involvement, arguing that Korea would possibly obtain higher returns by creating its personal worldwide esports properties.
In the meantime, Kim Woo-jin, Senior Workforce Chief at KRAFTON’s esports division, harassed that internet hosting would solely be viable if Korean-developed video games had been included as official occasions. He famous that Japan and China actively promote domestically linked titles by worldwide competitions, calling for coordinated diplomatic help if Korea proceeds with a bid.
Whereas the discussion board underlined the strategic potential of internet hosting the Olympic Esports Video games, it additionally made clear that vital structural, monetary and cultural hurdles would must be addressed earlier than South Korea might transfer ahead with a proper bid.
