As E-Gaming Becomes More Popular, Rules Are Getting Tighter and E-Gamers Will Start Being Drug Tested

Rules for performance enhancing drugs have been set in place for many sports, however the rules are now being enforced for competitive video game players. The new rule is in response to competitive video gamer Kory Friesen boasting about him and his teammates consuming prescription drugs to enhance their focus during competitions, according to New York Times. 

As a result of Friesen’s boasting, the Electronic Sports League (E.S.L) shared on Wednesday that they will begin to test players for use of performance enhancing drugs starting with a tournament in August. E.S.L. revealed that they will collaborate with two international agencies, National Anti-Doping Agency of Germany to assist in developing a new policy, and the World Anti-Doping Agency to assit in enforcing the policy.

E.S.L. has had a long standing prohibition against doping, however the rules have never specified which drugs were prohibited, and the league failed to police competitive players. However, E.S.L. tightened up the rules after Friesen, who plays under the name Semphis shared in an interview earlier this month that he used Adderall during an E.S.L. tournament. In an interview posted to Youtube, Friesen also revealed that his teammates used Adderall as well, a drug which is primarily prescribed to those with ADHD, however the drug is commonly abused to help its user enhance their focus.

the E.S.L. faces unique challenges in drug testing it’s players due to some preliminary competitions being held online and players are scattered all around the country and abroad, meaning no one except maybe a housemate will see the player popping a pill.

“We want to create a level playing field for all competitors and maintain the integrity of the sport,” said James Lampkin, vice president of professional gaming at E.S.L. Lampkin also shared that they will work with both agencies to determine the how well current testing methods will detect drug use. It has been suggested by Lampkin that the whole industry may have to switch from online competitions to majority live, in-person games, according to New York Times.

The announcement is a possible indicator that e-sports is evolving into a mainstream form of competitive entertainment. Despite competitive gaming being around for over a decade, it has gained popularity as a serious business within the past few years. Live events can attract up to tens of thousands of people and online competitions have millions of viewers. Energy drink companies have even began marketing products for gamers, suggesting their products are capable of improving play.

Do you believe that we will see a difference in competitive gamers performance now that they’re being drug tested?

 

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The post As E-Gaming Becomes More Popular, Rules Are Getting Tighter and E-Gamers Will Start Being Drug Tested appeared first on Harbor Village Florida.

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