Teaching the Next Generation of Gamers: The Progression of Esports Pedagogy
The emergence of esports as a legitimate and popular competitive activity has necessitated the development of a comprehensive pedagogical framework for the growing industry. In the last decade, esports has made significant strides, transforming from a niche pastime to a global phenomenon, with millions of fans and players participating in various esports titles worldwide.
As the industry continues to expand, the need for a better understanding of the teaching and learning processes involved in esports has become a serious area of focus for many. In this article we aim to explore the development of esports pedagogical understanding and its implications for the future of competitive esports.
The initial wave of esports pedagogy has primarily focused on learning through play, where individuals honed their skills through trial and error or by observing other players via YouTube or Twitch.
-
This approach, while effective to some extent, lacked structure and formal guidance, leading to gaps in player development and inconsistency in performance. Recognizing these limitations, esports stakeholders began to explore more systematic teaching and learning methods that could facilitate the growth of both amateur and professional players.
Over the recent years we have seen tremendous innovations in physic replication sandbox environments like Kovaaks, AimLabs, and other micro-game esque trainers that allow players to isolate specific skills and train them repetitively.
Not to mention the UGC-ification of most AAA game titles have opened up the floodgates for solo developers to create powerful training tools for their respective communities. Some of these user created training maps have gone on to garner tens of millions of plays and have become staples in the competitive players repertoire.
The introduction of esports academies and coaching programs have marked a significant shift in the pedagogical landscape. These programs emphasized the importance of structured training, providing players with access to qualified coaches, structured practice regimens, and well-defined goals. Furthermore, the academies fostered a learning environment that encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and communication—skills that are essential for success in esports and other facets of life.
And now to the area of the esports industry that I am lucky enough to call home — the scholastic esports space. Universities and high schools worldwide have started offering esports programs, scholarships, and courses that delve into the strategic, psychological, and physical aspects of competitive gaming. Through on-campus/ cross departmental collaboration we are seeing unique ways in which holistic esports programs are being built, managed, and grown. The idea of “running” an esports program draws its own implications that esports directors are eager to own — from recruiting, running effective practices, providing tools and resources to their players, and harnessing data and analytics.
This formalized education has contributed to the legitimization of esports as a discipline, attracting more investment and interest into its pedagogical development.
As we look to the future, the pedagogical understanding of esports will continue to evolve, taking into consideration the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the ever-changing landscape of competitive esports. Emphasis on mental and physical wellbeing, sports psychology, and data-driven training will likely become more prominent, ensuring that esports athletes receive well-rounded development and support.
Additionally, collaboration between educators, researchers, and industry professionals will be crucial to refining the pedagogical framework, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and growth of esports as a whole.