Challenges of Marathon Gaming
Just like any other professional sport, eSports athletes also face physical and mental stresses. This can be seen explicitly in the intense gaming marathons that players often partake in. League of Legends (LoL), for instance, presents a unique set of challenges. Recently, there was spotlight on two LoL players, Keria and Gumayusi, who were seen struggling to stay awake during their game.
Often the domain of professional athletes, endurance and stamina are certainly values required in the world of gaming. As eSports continue to grow, the lines between traditional sports and gaming are blurring. So though not surprising, it is disheartening, witnessing players like Keria and Gumayusi visibly struggling.
The Struggle for Alertness
In an ideal scenario, professionals must maintain a high level of alertness for extended periods. Fatigue can result in the decline of performance. For players like Keria and Gumayusi, remaining lucid and sustaining attention for long stretches - often in high-stakes environments is crucial.
In the realm of gaming, lack of sleep or fatigue is not a unique phenomenon. Many players often resort to caffeine or other stimulants to fuel their prolonged periods of gaming. But when the gaming sessions start to stretch into several hours, as is often the case in professional gaming leagues, even these aids can't completely thwart the effects of sleep deprivation.
Gaming Marathons: A Necessity.
The world of eSports consists of gaming marathons that span hours and varied time zones. This can drastically mess up the athlete's natural sleep-wake cycle. Studies have time and again emphasized the importance of regular sleep patterns, especially for those venturing into cognitive demanding tasks like gaming.
However, an important question subsequently arises: In a world where prolonged gaming hours lead to fatigue, borderline exhaustion and at times visible struggle to stay awake, why are these gamers partaking in such punishing routines? The answer lies in the continued demand and popularity of eSports events and the consequent pressure on players to perform and succeed.
The Struggles of Keria and Gumayusi
Keria and Gumayusi, both renowned for their skills in the game, recently caught attention as they struggled to maintain their high levels of performance during an extended gaming series. Their visible struggle to stay awake ignited discussions on the physical cost of eSports.
Both players garner high expectations due to their expertise and professional position. Hence, it is worrisome to see that long gaming hours could potentially hamper their performance, or worse, their overall well-being.
Taking A Stand.
In the wake of these incidents, it's vital to raise questions about the safety and sustainability of the current eSports culture. Fatigue and sleep deprivation can have long-term effects on mental and physical health. Therefore, changes in the way eSports events are carried out today might be required.
Just like any other sports organization, the gaming industry is responsible for ensuring the health and wellbeing of its players. If gaming marathons are a necessity, apt measures should be taken to ensure rest and recovery periods are incorporated into schedules.
Action Steps.
Several steps can be taken to address this issue. Firstly, gaming leagues could structure their tournament schedules in a way that allows for ample breaks and rest periods between matches. Secondly, professional athletes could also be educated on the importance of maintaining a regular sleep schedule outside of tournaments.
Consideration should also be given to gamers' nutrition. Balanced diet and hydration go hand in hand with sleep for maintaining high cognitive functioning. Steps can be taken to encourage players to adopt healthier eating habits, particularly during gaming marathons.
The Role of Gamers
While it's vital for gaming organizations to implement changes, it’s also essential for gamers to prioritize their well-being and be aware of the possible health risks associated with prolonged gaming sessions.
Professional gamers like Keria and Gumayusi could serve as important figureheads in raising awareness amongst the gaming community about the physical effects of overindulgence and deprivation that gaming marathons can lead to.
Fans and their Expectations
Fans adore and admire professional gamers for their impressive skills and passion. However, it is necessary to remember that they are humans and they need rest. Hence, the fans' expectations should be regulated with the understanding that players' well-being should always come first.
The fans, while inadvertently encouraging these punishing schedules, should also understand the potential long-term implications of prolonged gaming on their favorite players.
Conclusion
The situation faced by Keria and Gumayusi serves as a reminder of the physical cost that eSports can have on its players. Shedding light on this issue is necessary, and it’s important that actions be taken to address it. So while the future of eSports is undoubtedly bright, it must be ensured that it is equally safe and sustainable for all its participants.