Since the introduction of the first Mario Brothers in 1985, college students have played video games, using the virtual competition as an outlet. While gaming has largely been viewed as a hobby, the rising popularity of video games has changed the landscape, opening the door for a new era of sports.
These new forms of competition are called esports and they’re quickly gaining traction. Games like Fortnite, NBA 2K and Overwatch have developed gaming leagues and created contests with big cash prizes. At the third annual Inclusive Sports Summit on Wednesday, a panel of University of Colorado faculty members discussed the current state of esports at the collegiate level, including women in gaming and the rise of competitive gaming.