Almost two years ago, the Gamers Without Borders tournament was held to raise funds worldwide for pressing causes and give a glimpse into how the future of fundraising could be tied into the future of gaming.

With a $10 million prize fund up for grabs, the tournament consisted of one-off tournaments for a variety of eSports titles – from Fortnite to FIFA. Those who played, commentated, and watched were all persuaded to donate to a charity – from UNICEF to Direct Relief and International Medical Corps.  

The tournament gained widespread attention.

The final FIFA tournament even had an appearance from Snoop Dogg and One Direction’s Liam Payne. Some of the world’s most prominent footballers, such as Paulo Dybala, Dele Alli, Joao Felix and Andre Silva, managed to raise around $1.5 million through their gaming exploits. By combining some stars of traditional sports and recognizable celebrities with the eSports tournament, not only did the industry managed to raise funds for charity, but they also proved that they could be deployed as a force for good going forwards.  

Part of the crusade for eSports as an industry is to prove to the mainstream that it is a valid and legitimate counterpart to traditional sports and traditional gaming.

By merging the two, eSports is able to benefit from both sides. The success of Gamers Without Borders could prove just how much of a fundraising machine eSports could be and how, with a greater uptake in those who engage with the industry, the industry could do many more benevolent acts. 

There are many ways that eSports is gaining the legitimacy it deserves, and this charitable tournament helped prove it. Indeed, as eSports betting attests to, allowing eSports fans and spectators to wager on the outcome of matches and tournaments gives it further credibility as a likeness to traditional sports. Indeed, bettors can wager on games from Dota 2 to StarCraft 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to Overwatch and Rainbow Six in a similar way to how they bet on football, basketball and horse racing. 

The interconnected nature of eSports – that often involve connecting with hundreds of people across social media and streaming sites like Twitch – means that causes can be amplified to audiences around the world. The younger generation who are likely to be participating in and watching eSports are also arguably more likely to think altruistically, according to research, and will often use their platform as a professional eSports player to spread positive information.  

eSports is thriving, and its supportive community is in part to thank for that.

But the main barrier to its further success is its need to be legitimized by mainstream society. Given its professional polish, the good works it’s doing, the chances for careers, and the engagement of fans, it’s clear that the eSports industry is proving itself to be a real contender. The eSports industry might not be able to save the world single-handedly, but as it continues to gain tremendous steam, it could definitely be a vehicle that helps affect positive change.  For the Silo, Bethany Riley.