Esports: Inside the relentless training of professional gaming stars

Professional, competitive video game playing—the phenomenon known as esports—has seen double digit growth for much of the past decade. With a massive following, many say it will soon become an official Olympic event. Throughout the U.S., high schools are launching competitive gaming clubs, and even some colleges are offering scholarships to top players.

It’s a dream come true for professional esports players—traveling the world and paid salaries to play video games full time for a living.

But as money continues to pour into the industry, the pressure on these young pros—many still in their teens—is leading to early burnout from high stress, repetitive stress injuries, and grueling practice schedules.

In this episode of CBSN Originals, we follow pro esports players Doublelift (League of Legends) and Space (Overwatch) as they compete for glory, get an inside look at what it takes to be pro, and explore the risks many are taking to stay at the top.

--

---
CBSN is the first digital streaming news network that will allow Internet-connected consumers to watch live, anchored news coverage on their connected TV and other devices. At launch, the network is available 24/7 and makes all of the resources of CBS News available directly on digital platforms with live, anchored coverage 15 hours each weekday. CBSN. Always On.

[Subs]

talking about league and how league is a very competitive game, shows him playing wow..

[ohkabomb]

0:53 "too long meaning, how many hours?"
_"Like 8 hours"_

*Those are rookie numbers son*

[ExorcistX]

A pretty nicely done documentary. Covers the multiple sides of esports pretty well with multiple perspectives. Hope to see more like this

[thatfangirl]

Respect to parents who support their child's passion and dreams, and the gamers who work so hard to achieve their dreams in e-Sports, amidst misconceptions, discriminations and prejudice.

[zarzarbinks]

Lol "gamer mom" and "gamer dad"
Lmao. Should just label it "supportive mom" and "supportive dad"

Y'know. Like what good parents should do. . .lol

[THeCOMENTOR]

this is actually some really good reporting. cudos to cbsn for getting it right. W for esports fans everywhere.

[nakibsayyed]

“I'm not just playing games for fun anymore” feels like loss of true purpose of gaming.

[jaredchacon]

Can we get a dad of the year for the guy at 9:47 doing wow raids with his son.

[hollowgod]

i wish i had a oriental father to whisper courage in my ear when i play apex lol

[enderlul]

and then my dad talks me down when I talk about esports but gives me hella motivation and courage when I talk about the NBA lol

[nowthis]

I was there for this last years Overwatch when the USA finally won the championship. The energy in the arena was amazing!

[stitch]

To be a professional player you need a good pc, good internet and paents that understands your passion. And sadly, some of us don't have that.

[mortenkjellreitan]

Remember 2015 when Hollywood laughed at us? Remember Jimmy? We've proven them all wrong.

[kieronfarley]

As a big overwatch fan and a person who follows it a lot it was really weird to relive stuff like the World Cup from 9 months ago and be like he was there! Really good balanced documentary. Nice to see media giving esports a fair look now

[joeallen]

“Expected to go over 50% of that in 2020...”

2020 - “hold my corona.”

[josephmanojk]

Pro Player: " I play games Too Long "
Reporter: How Long?
Pro Player: "8 Hours"
Me an intellectual Watching youtube for 16 hours staright

[babapapa]

Nice doc, they should definitely make a longer one I enjoyed this

[plozee]

Perceptions have changed so much in gaming in the past 20 years. From being a "dead-end hobby" to an appreciation of the serious commitment involved to reach the professional level.

[daleadamroodt]

To see parents supporting their kids in terms of understanding choices in life is new for me. Max respect

[codywalker]

Feel bad for Space... Valiant literally did not win a game in the 2nd season of Overwatch League. Lost to the Shanghai I’m pretty sure