2019. The endless argument over esports being a legitimate form of sports, esports players being legitimate athletes, their feats receiving equal recognition etc, etc, rages on. No-one expects a resolution to this discussion to be met anytime soon, as the participants are sports fans, who become needlessly heated on a whim and vehemently defend their positions to the death.

The esports industry waits patiently, not particularly bothered about the answer, the interest and engagement exists regardless. While the industry as a whole is carrying on as a rapidly growing industry should, not looking backwards or sideways, some mini features of traditional sport are being “rediscovered” by esports teams. Training facilities instead of grim shared player houses, regulated and balanced diets instead of fast food, and now: Performance Wear.

Agreed, “Performance” is one of the key weapons used to discredit esports by traditional fans. Lack of physical ability and movement is for many in itself justification enough to remove the word “sport”.

Granted, while the mental acuity required to succeed in LoL or CS:GO is immense, all that will be visible to the observer are some rapid wrist and finger actions. That’s what she said. However this doesn’t mean that the body doesn’t need a little help while seated and playing for hours. Meaning, in essence, you need somewhere to wipe your clammy, clammy hands.