Esports has witnessed various controversies since its inception. Doping is a significant issue in esports, and in 2015, the Electronic Sports League started testing for drugs. Cheating is another perennial problem, and a professional player was banned from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2014 for using hack programs. In 2019, allegations of sexual misconduct against a known figure rocked the fighting game community. Esports has also been criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion. Finally, censorship and political issues have increased with the industry’s growth, such as the Hearthstone player ban in 2019 for shouting pro-democracy statements during a post-match interview.
The Most Controversial Moments in Esports History
Esports has grown exponentially over the past decade, with millions of fans tuning in to watch professional players compete in their favorite virtual games. As with any sport, controversy is bound to arise from time to time. In this article, we will explore some of the most controversial moments in esports history.
Doping Scandals
Doping in esports may seem like a strange concept, but it is a very real issue. In 2015, the Electronic Sports League (ESL) introduced drug testing for its players. This decision followed the suspension of a professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player who admitted to using Adderall, a prescription drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
In 2017, a professional Overwatch player, Felix “xQc” Lengyel, was suspended from the Overwatch League for four matches after making derogatory comments towards a fellow player. The suspension was extended to the rest of the season after Lengyel made an obscene gesture towards the camera during a live stream.
Cheating Scandals
Cheating is a perennial problem in esports, with players finding ways to gain an unfair advantage. In 2014, Cheating was brought into the spotlight when a professional player known as “KQLY” was banned from competing in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive after being caught using a hack program to improve his aim.
In 2018, another cheating scandal rocked the Fortnite community. A professional player known as “XXiF” was accused of colluding with other players to boost his performance in online tournaments. Despite protests from other players and fans, XXiF was allowed to continue competing, which further fueled the ongoing debate about how to regulate cheating in esports.
Misconduct Allegations
In 2019, the fighting game community was rocked by allegations of sexual misconduct against one of its most well-known figures, Alex “Mr. Wizard” Valle. Valle, who was the CEO of the Evolution Championship Series (Evo), was accused of inappropriate behavior towards multiple women. He resigned from his position shortly after the allegations were made public.
Diversity and Inclusion
Esports has long been criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion. Many esports events have been criticized for their lack of female representation, as well as for their lack of racial and ethnic diversity.
In 2018, the Overwatch League made headlines when it signed its first female player, Kim “Geguri” Se-yeon. The move was hailed as a step forward for the industry. However, female players continue to face challenges, including harassment and discrimination both online and in person.
Censorship and Political Issues
Censorship and political issues have also affected esports events. In 2019, the Hong Kong-based Hearthstone player Ng “Blitzchung” Wai Chung was banned from the game’s Grandmasters tournament for shouting “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times!” during a post-match interview. The move was seen as an attempt to appease the Chinese government, which has cracked down on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
In Conclusion
Controversy is inevitable in any competitive arena, and esports is no exception. From doping and cheating scandals to issues of diversity and inclusion, esports has been at the forefront of contentious debates. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how it addresses these and other issues in the years to come.