【BBC】 The rise of esports 電子競技的熱潮－酷兩倍DoubelCool

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There are many ways we can enjoy sport – watching it on TV or a smartphone, attending an event at a stadium or even playing the game. But for those who enjoy getting competitive with their computer gaming, there are realistic-looking games with lifelike graphics to be played without leaving home. It's this type of sport – if that's what we can call it – that has become big business. And interest in it has gone to a new level.

我們有很多種方式可以享受運動，可以透過電視或是智慧型手機進行觀看、在體育館內參加活動或是玩遊戲，但是，對於那些執著於具競爭性的電腦玩家來說，即使不離開家門也可以享受栩栩如生圖像的逼真實境遊戲，如果真的要我們說的話，這算是現今運動的一種類型，現在已經是一筆頗為龐大的商機了，因為人們對於它的興趣已經提高到另一個層次了。

Initially, grabbing a joystick or controller and playing a game was a solitary activity. But around 20 years ago computers became cheaper and the internet became faster, which made it much easier for more people to get involved with computer gaming. This led to gamers connecting with each other around the world, so they could go head-to-head online. It also became a spectator sport, with people watching others play. The whole experience has been given the name ‘esports’ – electronic sports.

原先呢，抓一個操縱桿或是控制器是一個人的活動，但是經過了20年之後，電腦變便宜了，網路速度也變快許多，於此讓人們更容易參與電腦遊戲。也因為如此，遊戲玩家可以與在世界各地的其他玩家有連接，能夠直接在網路上正面交鋒。後來因為愈來愈多人在看其他人玩遊戲，於是這也成了一種觀賞性的運動，這整個體驗的名稱被稱為esports，電子競技。

Now, huge esports tournaments take place all over the world in big arenas with large crowds. Die-hard enthusiasts, who have become first-rate players, are now well-known - some play together in teams. Its top stars can earn millions of dollars a year, without even breaking into a sweat! And fans from around the world tune in to watch the action online. The global audience is now estimated at more than 200 million and growing. Annual revenues from esports, currently around 650 million dollars for events, continue to rise with billions more generated through video games sales.

現在，世界各地的大型競技場都舉辦了盛大的電競錦標賽，也吸引了大批的觀眾。狂熱的遊戲愛好者變成了一流的遊戲玩家，而且眾所皆知，而且有些人會集合起來組合一個團隊，最知名的明星一年可以賺進數百萬元，甚至一滴汗都沒有流！世界各地的粉絲都可以透過網路收聽或觀看比賽，粗略估計，現在全球的觀眾大約有兩億人這麼多，而且還在持續成長中。電競所帶來的年收入，一場活動大約可以賺進六億五千萬元，這些透過銷售遊戲影像的商機，每年增長數十億元的業績。

Famous football clubs are now trying to get in on the action. England's Football Association for example launched its first esports team this year, known as the eLions. It recruited Fifa 19 players to represent them at the inaugural Fifa eNations Cup. Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief commercial and football development officer, said "The FA prides itself on being a modern, innovative organisation that strives to engage and inspire all generations of football fans."

著名的足球俱樂部現在為了獲利，也打算加入這一領域，例如，英國的足球協會在今年就推出了第一隻電競隊伍，eLions。他們招募了19名國際足聯的選手代表出席首屆的國際足聯首屆FIFA電競國家杯，足球協會的商業與發展領導人，Mark Bullingham說：足協以站在時代的尖端感到自豪，創新的組織將會持續努力來吸引各世代的粉絲。

But while this virtual version of football might give aspiring footballers a chance to get closer to the real game, some might argue the lack of physical activity means it shouldn’t be called a sport – and the biggest winners are the companies who promote and sell esports.

但是，當這些虛擬的足球電玩給了那些有抱負的足球玩家更貼近真實比賽的時候，也是會有一些爭議產生，例如它其實沒有一些身體活動，意味著不能稱之為運動，而且整體來講，最大的贏家是那些推廣與販售電競遊戲的公司。

單字

● competitive 好勝的、競爭的

● lifelike graphics 栩栩如生的圖像

● grab 抓

● joystick 遊戲搖桿

● controller 手柄

● solitary 一個人的

● head-to-head 正面交鋒的

● spectator sport 觀賞性運動

● tournament 錦標賽

● die-hard 狂熱的