How video game skills can get you ahead in life | William Collis

Summary

The script argues for the recognition of esports as a legitimate and highly skilled field, comparing it to traditional sports. It highlights the mechanical, strategic, and leadership skills required in esports, emphasizing their mental nature and adaptability. The speaker challenges the undervaluation of gaming skills and draws parallels between the traits developed in esports and those valued in the workplace, suggesting that pro gamers could be advantageous in a digital work environment.

Takeaways

• 🥇 In 2019, Lionel Messi was the highest paid athlete, earning 104 million dollars, reflecting the high value placed on traditional sports skills.
• 🎮 The speaker admires video games for their intricate strategies and precision, equating them with traditional sports in terms of skill and admiration.
• 📈 The esports industry has grown rapidly, becoming a 27-billion-dollar phenomenon, with top gaming teams earning substantial amounts from tournaments.
• 👀 Despite the growth of esports, there is a perception that the skills required for competitive gaming are not as respected as traditional sports skills.
• 🕹️ Esports require three main skill categories: mechanical skill (micro), strategic skill (macro), and leadership (shot calling).
• 🎼 Mechanical skill is likened to playing an instrument, requiring precise timing and activation of in-game abilities.
• ♟ Strategic skill is compared to chess, involving planning and adapting to a constantly evolving 'metagame' in esports.
• 📢 Leadership in esports involves coordinating team actions and making decisive calls, similar to leadership in other fields.
• 🧠 All three skill categories are predominantly mental, not dependent on physical attributes, and can be adapted for players with unique needs.
• 🌐 The speaker argues that the traits developed through esports, such as diligence, perseverance, and teamwork, are valuable in the workplace.
• 🏠 The script concludes with a personal reflection on how esports is becoming a part of family traditions and societal change, paralleling traditional sports.

Q & A

Who was the highest paid athlete in the world in 2019 according to the script?

The highest paid athlete in the world in 2019 was Lionel Messi, an Argentine footballer.

What is the approximate amount of money Lionel Messi earned for every goal he scored in the 2019 season?

Lionel Messi earned approximately two million dollars for every goal he scored in the 2019 season.

What is the speaker's perspective on the value of skills required to play video games well?

The speaker believes that the skills required to play video games well are equally admirable and valuable as traditional sports skills, emphasizing the intricate strategies and precision reflexes needed.

What is the industry of competitive gaming referred to as today?

The industry of competitive gaming is referred to as esports today.

How much revenue did the esports industry generate almost overnight according to the speaker?

The esports industry generated a revenue of 27 billion dollars almost overnight according to the speaker.

What are the three common categories of skill required to master esports as mentioned in the script?

The three common categories of skill required to master esports are mechanical skill, strategic skill, and leadership.

What does the speaker compare mechanical skill in esports to?

The speaker compares mechanical skill in esports to playing an instrument like the piano, emphasizing the musical flow and timing.

What is APM in the context of esports and what does it stand for?

APM stands for Actions Per Minute, a measure of how many commands or actions a gamer can execute in one minute, highlighting mechanical skill.

How does the speaker describe the strategic skill required in esports?

The speaker describes strategic skill in esports as similar to mastery of chess, involving planning attacks, counterattacks, and manipulating the digital battlefield, with the added complexity of constant game evolution.

What is the term used by gamers to describe the constantly evolving suite of strategies in esports?

Gamers use the term 'meta' to describe the constantly evolving suite of strategies in esports, short for 'metagame'.

What is the role of leadership in esports and how is it similar to leadership in other areas?

Leadership in esports involves coordinating with teammates through voice chat and in-game pings, seizing opportunities, and inspiring others, which is similar to leadership roles in other areas such as business and sports.

How does the speaker argue that esports skills can be valuable in a workplace setting?

The speaker argues that esports skills such as mechanical, strategic, and leadership abilities can develop traits like diligence, perseverance, and teamwork, which are valuable in a workplace setting, especially in today's digital-office environment.

What is the speaker's final appeal regarding the societal perception of esports?

The speaker's final appeal is that as technology infiltrates every aspect of our lives, sports should not be an exception, and esports, with its unique skill set, should be respected and valued in society.