From gaming to sport: The history of Esports development in Taiwan.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore the historical development of Esports in Taiwan through three key themes: "the introduction of video games in Taiwan," "the transition from video games to gaming," and "the progression from gaming to Esports." Methods: This study employed a historical research approach focused on institutional history. Relevant historical materials on Esports were collected and reviewed to illustrate the evolution of Esports in Taiwan. Results: Video games were initially introduced to Taiwan through amusement arcades. However, government restrictions and negative public stereotypes, combined with the rise of the internet and PC gaming, gradually shifted the focus of gaming development toward PC and online games. Fueled by the growing popularity of online gaming and competitive gaming events, as well as the successes of Taiwanese players at major international tournaments, the Chinese Taipei Esports Association was established. Notably, the inclusion of Esports as a medal event at the 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games sparked discussions on recognizing it as a legitimate sport. After extensive discussions and negotiations, the Sports Industry Development Act was amended in November 2017 to officially include Esports. The inclusion of Esports in the 2018 and 2022 Asian Games marked a new era for this discipline. Conclusion: This study concludes that "video gaming" has evolved from entertainment into a skill-based competitive sport. This transformation includes the establishment of a dedicated organization responsible for player selection, training, competition, and support. Ultimately, Esports has gained recognition as an official sport category in the Asian Games, paralleling the emergence, development, and characteristics of modern sports and reflecting the evolution of video gaming into a recognized sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]