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Go Spotting: What esports have to learn from go

While esports have becomes hugely popular in recent years, garnering large audiences, broadcast on ESPN and major sponsorships, they may still have something to learn from the ancient game of go. That's the premise of "Go: The First Generation of Competitive Games," an article published recently in "1337," major e-sports trade magazine. "Despite similarities, go and esports are worlds apart in terms of perception," writes Michael Cohen. "While go is intertwined with some national cultures, esports faces the stigmatization of video games as a whole." Noting that go is "accepted by all generations as a legitimate game of mental strength and strategy, as well as a tool for teaching life values to children and adults alike," Cohen suggests that go "may also be a predictor of what esports can hope to become throughout everyday life." In an ironic turn, "it looks like they're looking to go for an example for how to make the jump to legitimacy as a reputable pastime, compared to how we look to them for tips on marketing, sponsorship, and promotion," says AGA VP of operations Andrew Jackson, who sent us the article.