The 2018 Asian Games to host League of Legends!

Recent news has the 2018 Asian Games revealing League of Legends as an official sport to be demonstrated to the public. Riot Games announced this piece of news through their social media pages. Here's why you should be excited for the future of esports. 

The Asian Games are being organized, as they always have been, by the International Olympic Committee - the organizers of the largest multi-sport event of the year thanks to the Olympics. The Asian Games are just one step down and are the second largest event following the Olympics. Like this,  the whole world, especially Asia, will be exposed to esports through League of Legends. Apart from that, we're excited to see the level of competition from the continent so invested into the gaming industry. 

The following is a comment by the co-head of esports over at Riot Games, Jarred Kennedy:

“We're honored that League of Legends was selected for the Asian Games. Representing one's country at the Olympics is a dream for athletes around the world, and with this step, that dream is one step closer to reality for the best in our sport. We admire and respect the values of the Olympic movement and look forward to supporting the Olympic Council of Asia in making this competition a success.”

The whole event will be taking place from August 18th to September 2nd, with many other details to be revealed. Yet why should you be excited? Well, the International Olympic Committee has already made its position clear earlier on this year regarding the presence of violent videogame esports acting as Olympic events - not very open towards it. 

The performance of LoL at the Asian Games could potentially influence a change of thought and perhaps introduce esports more heavily in the largest event of the age - the Olympics. Fingers-crossed.