eSports
Research of ISU Graduate Student Focuses on Burnout in Collegiate Esport Athletes
New research by a graduate student of Idaho State University is focusing on burnout in collegiate esport athletes.
Tyler Moerer, who is currently in ISU’s Master of Physical Education in Athletic Administration programme, has always been fascinated with sports and esports psychology, specifically understanding why top-level players are ending their careers early due to mental health. Tyler’s thesis research is aimed to understand this issue and is titled, “Non-Functional Overreaching and Overtraining Syndrome within College Esports.”
Moerer’s study has included data collection from Big Sky Conference Universities who participate in collegiate esports. In the Fall 2022 semester, he examined 10 athletes to understand burnout and prevention methods.
“When we talk about burnout or the complete removal from sports, we look at what happens before a player completely leaves. With overtraining syndrome, somebody will practice or play a game that is high intensity and short duration. Because their adrenaline is increased, this leads to an improvement in their skills. However, if it is not followed by proper recovery, this will lead to a decrease in their overall performance,” said Moerer.
Esports, also known as electronic sports, is a series of games that are played through electronic devices whether it be a computer, playstation, x-box or another gaming console. Typically, esports game play includes one person against one person or team versus team(s). Super Smash Bros, Primary Rocket League, League of Legends, and Overwatch are predominantly played at the professional level. Esport athletes in their prime are known to play their game 9-14 hours a day, seven days a week.
“If a top esport athlete is playing this often, they are prone to overtraining syndrome. This can lead to mental health issues in players such as stress, depression, or anxiety,” Moerer said.
Much attention has been given to the esport industry as secondary schools and colleges/universities esport programmes have grown in popularity. Because esports are not tied to a specific nation and can include worldwide participants, viewership has increased in recent years which has led to an increase in monetary prizes offered to athletes. However, little research has been done to understand athlete’s mental health.
“It has always confused me as to why athletes drop out when they are at the height of their professional career, but sports isn’t everything. It is important as an esport athlete to have outside hobbies and activities that you are involved in to avoid burnout,” said Moerer.
While Idaho State University is currently not active in esports on the collegiate level, Moerer hopes his research can shed light on ways to better help and support collegiate esport athletics.
“Regardless of whether you believe esports are sports, they are a product of sportification and they are built around the model of sports, teams, and team building. My goal is to bring awareness to this under researched area to better help athletes,” said Moerer.
Moerer is expected to graduate from the athletic administration programme in May 2023 where he plans to enter a PhD programme with the eventual goal of becoming a sport psychologist. In his free time, Moerer serves as a Graduate Assistant for the Human Performance and Sport Studies Department where he teaches classes such as table tennis, weight training, and sport psychology. He also enjoys playing esports, specifically Super Smash Bros.
Asia
AA Gaming Announce the Rajasthan State Esports Championship (RSEC) with Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Govt. Of Rajasthan
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Open Qualifiers
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Inter-College Knockout Rounds
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Semifinals
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Grand Finals – which will be live-streamed and culminate in a prestigious awards ceremony.
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Gaming techniques and strategic play
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Game development fundamentals
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Esports career pathways
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Mental health and well-being for athletes
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Team-building and communication
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Professional conduct in esports
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In-depth game analysis and review
The post AA Gaming Announce the Rajasthan State Esports Championship (RSEC) with Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Govt. Of Rajasthan appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
StarLadder today announced that it will host the second Counter-Strike 2 Major of 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, culminating in a four-day Playoff stage inside the MVM Dome – one of the largest and most advanced esports venues in Europe, and one of the biggest CS2 Major venues to date.
The event will run from November 24 to December 14, featuring the world’s top 32 Counter-Strike 2 teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool and one of the most prestigious titles in the esports world.
Kicking off on November 24, the early stages of the tournament will take place at Budapest’s MTK Sportpark, a recently upgraded venue with seating for 2,000 spectators. This modern, esports-ready venue offers fans a unique opportunity to get close to the action and experience high-level Counter-Strike in the vibrant atmosphere of an offline setting.
From December 11 to 14, the tournament moves to the MVM Dome for the playoffs. With 20,000 seats and cutting-edge production capabilities, the Dome will deliver a stadium-scale experience – featuring record-breaking LED setups, immersive lighting, and arena-wide special effects crafted to elevate the show for every fan on site. Set against the backdrop of Budapest’s iconic pre-Christmas charm, the Major will offer not just world-class esports, but also a chance for fans to experience one of Europe’s most vibrant cities during its most magical season.
“ Hosting another Major is an incredible honor, and we’re determined to make it unforgettable,” said Roman Romantsov, CEO of StarLadder. “Budapest gives us the perfect stage to push the boundaries of what a live CS2 event can look and feel like. From day one to the Grand Finals, we’re building something that fans – both in the arena and watching around the world – will remember. We invite every Counter-Strike fan to be part of this iconic moment with us.”
The post StarLadder to Host 2025 CS2 Major in Budapest’s 20,000-Seat MVM Dome appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Global “Road to EWC” Program, Unveiling Qualification Pathways for the Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has unveiled the full scope of the qualification system for the Esports World Cup 2025 with the launch of the global “Road to EWC” program. Featuring over 200 tournaments spanning grassroots leagues to elite international circuits, the Road to EWC offers opportunities for players at every level to compete on the world’s biggest stage, the Esports World Cup, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.
“Road to EWC is a platform for every player, Club, and community whose journey defines the spirit of competition,” said Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer, of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “By connecting hundreds of tournaments across the world, we are creating life-changing opportunities for players at every level, bringing the world’s best talent to Riyadh. This is how we grow the sport – by growing our partnerships, investing in competitions and laying the foundation for sustainable growth across the industry.”
The Road to EWC qualification program marks a major milestone for the Esports World Cup and is a core component of EWCF’s commitment to the sustainable growth of esports, supporting the professional ecosystem and advancing the sport on a global scale. With 25 tournaments in 24 games, including four new games – Chess, Crossfire, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and VALORANT – the EWC 2025 will bring together more than 2,000 elite esports players and 200 top Clubs to compete for a prize pool of more than $70 million, the largest in esports history.
For League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legends, official publisher circuits such as the LEC, VCT, OWCS, and ALGS serve as the primary route to qualification. Other games, including Dota 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, Teamfight Tactics, and StarCraft II, are holding open online qualifiers, while fighting games, including Street Fighter 6, TEKKEN 8, and Fatal Fury are qualifying players through community-driven tournaments such as EVO Japan, Combo Breaker, and CEO.
In mobile titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, PUBG MOBILE, and Honor of Kings, region-specific leagues across Southeast Asia, MENA, and LATAM are producing national champions who will represent their respective nations in Riyadh. Finally, for titles such as Chess, EA SPORTS FC 25, and Overwatch 2, a final wave of Last Chance Qualifiers will be staged in July, giving one last opportunity for breakout players and rising stars to earn their spot in Riyadh.
Additional information about the Road to EWC, including events and dates for specific titles, can be found at esportsworldcup.com.
As anticipation builds for the Esports World Cup, the Road to EWC also features a multi-channel marketing campaign with a calendar of original content from selected qualifier events and partner leagues around the world. Player interviews and behind-the-scenes access will bring to life the stakes, talent, dedication and human interest stories behind the competition, alongside tournament and game explainers to introduce EWC games to broader audiences and bring fans closer to the action.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The post Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Global “Road to EWC” Program, Unveiling Qualification Pathways for the Esports World Cup 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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