LoL players considered "pro-athletes" by U.S. government

[marchefelix]

(Article is a little old)

http://www.gamespot.com/news/us-government-recognizes-league-of-legends-players-as-pro-athletes-6411377

SMH so much....

[Coliflowerz]

Man, fighting games have been around for over 20 years and we don't even get half the recognition. No disrespect to MOBA players... but god damn.

[marchefelix]

I showed this to my DDR/ITG-playing friends and they were furious (and for good reason).

[PureYeti]

Man, fighting games have been around for over 20 years and we don't even get half the recognition. No disrespect to MOBA players... but god damn.

FGC is just seen as a bad rep and not esports enough :\ I thought athlete involves with physical fitness. Now athletes mean anything competitive

Well good thing is its show a good side of gaming so not everyone always will blame gaming for violence or whatever

[Malik]

It's surprising but not to a high degree because of the factors (marketing, player base, ease of accessibility to the product, etc.). Fighting games will never get there unless current developing changes overall within "the FGC" are to be worked on & actually go positive. It's hope though varying on how you look at it.

[marchefelix]

FGC is just seen as a bad rep and not esports enough :\ I thought athlete involves with physical fitness. Now athletes mean anything competitive

And that's exactly why some of my friends in the dance/rhythm game community got angry. I mean, they are the only video game community in existence that do any physical activity whatsoever. If any gaming community should be considered a sport, it's them (dancing games are considered a sport in Norway BTW).

As for fighting game players being considered athletes, I wouldn't agree on that either, despite my love for the games. But if they're going to be treating MOBA players as athletes, might as well do the same for FG players. They truly put on a spectacle.