BBC Take Away English (The rise

近年来，有一项特殊的运动正在掀起热潮，那就是 “电子竞技”。电子竞技尤其适合玩电脑游戏时好胜心强的人。技巧高超的玩家还可以通过这项运动赚钱。你知道电子竞技日益兴盛背后的原因吗？本集Take Away English探讨这类 “运动” 为什么会成为一大经济产业。

esports---from BBC

article

There are many ways we can enjoy sport – watching it on TV or a smartphone, attending an event at a stadium or even playing the game. But for those who enjoy getting competitive with their computer gaming, there are realistic-looking games with lifelike graphics to be played without leaving home. It’s this type of sport – if that’s what we can call it – that has become big business. And interest in it has gone to a new level.

Initially, grabbing a joystick or controller and playing a game was a solitary activity. But around 20 years ago computers became cheaper and the internet became faster, which made it much easier for more people to get involved with computer gaming. This led to gamers connecting with each other around the world, so they could go head-to-head online. It also became a spectator sport, with people watching others play. The whole experience has been given the name ‘esports’ – electronic sports.

Now, huge esports tournaments take place all over the world in big arenas with large crowds. Die-hard enthusiasts, who have become first-rate players, are now well-known - some play together in teams. Its top stars can earn millions of dollars a year, without even breaking into a sweat! And fans from around the world tune in to watch the action online. The global audience is now estimated at more than 200 million and growing. Annual revenues from esports, currently around 650 million dollars for events, continue to rise with billions more generated through video games sales.

Famous football clubs are now trying to get in on the action. England’s Football Association for example launched its first esports team this year, known as the eLions. It recruited Fifa 19 players to represent them at the inaugural Fifa eNations Cup. Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief commercial and football development officer, said "The FA prides itself on being a modern, innovative organisation that strives to engage and inspire all generations of football fans."

But while this virtual version of football might give aspiring footballers a chance to get closer to the real game, some might argue the lack of physical activity means it shouldn’t be called a sport – and the biggest winners are the companies who promote and sell esports.

vocabulary

competitive 好胜的
lifelike graphics 栩栩如生的图像
joystick （电子游戏）操纵杆
controller 手柄
solitary 一个人的
gamer 电游玩家
head-to-head 正面交锋的，短兵相接的
spectator sport 观赏性运动
esports 电子竞技
tournament 锦标赛
die-hard 狂热的，“铁杆”的
first-rate player 一流玩家
revenue 收入
get in on the action （为获利）加入这一行列
inaugural 首届的
innovative 创新的
inspire 激励、启迪
virtual 虚拟的
physical activity 身体活动
strive to 争取，努力
without breaking into a sweat 不费一点力
tune in to 关注，收听

make sentences

1. My son is very competitive, he always plays cricket（板球） to win, not just for the fun of the game!

2. We hope you can make the inaugural meeting of our book club – we hope it will become a regular event.

3. It’s very exciting – my football team are going head-to-head with the current champions. Let’s hope we beat them!

4. I am a die-hard fan of the TV series Friends. I have all the DVDs and binge-watch them from time to time.

5. I started a band with my friends but now my girlfriend wants to get in on the action and be the lead singer!

question

How did faster internet connections help develop the growth in esports?

answer

Faster internet connections meant gamers could connect with each other around the world, so they could go head-to-head online.

@BBC Learning English