eSportsmanship

After doing readings this week about digital citizenship and the ethics behind all of it, I turned my attention to a current problem in my own school.  That is the lack of digital, formal expectations for my eSports club.  I plan to show this to the club on the first meeting. This is what I came up with:

 

eSportsmanship

Rationale:

In the current digital age communication is essential.  Unfortunately, as communication around the globe and amongst digital landscape expands, humanism and attachment have partially diminished.  It is important for all peoples of the future to become proper digital citizens.  Citizens that not only know but respect the technology used as well as the people connected.

E-sports (or eSports) is a new phenomenon in American culture.  It is the celebration and acknowledgement of the competition of sport within the video gaming realm.  With this new sporting format we cannot forget the essential human aspect of it all.  Sportsmanship must not dwindle in the coming age.

Goals/Expectations:

The goal for these exercises will be to define sportsmanship in sports as well as its new place in eSports.   Through this, students will have an understanding of why it is important to become a proper digital citizen in relation to the school policies and eSports club—emphasis on StarCraft II.

The following steps would be presented to the club at one of the first meetings:

Steps:

Firstly, introduce or reintroduce students to the Options Charter High School student handbook.  Particularly these points from the student expectations:

6. Show respect for the building, grounds and your personal space.

7. Do not engage in verbal disrespect toward teachers, staff, or students;
agree to disagree in an appropriate manner.

8. Do not engage in verbal or physical violence of any kind.

Suggest how that these rules are no different on the digital landscape and need to be followed completely.

Secondly, I will introduce the students to idea of sportsmanship with a Merriam Webster definition:

Sportsmanship: conduct (as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport.

Pose the questions: Why should someone be a good sport?

Display why we will be good sports:

1.    The human factor – these are people we are playing, emotions can be high.  We do not want to hurt anyone.

2.    Self-representation – you are representing yourself in every game you play. You do not want to showcase your inability to deal with your feelings whether winning or losing.

3.    Team representation – you may be representing a team or clan that you are playing for—in this case Team OCHS (Options Charter High School).  Showing disrespect may cause generalizations of your other teammates.

4.    School representation – you are not only representing yourself and team but the school as well.  Show that we are above the hate.

5.    The game factor – although suggesting this may seem cliché, this still is just a game.  This is not a real battle.  Do not let your emotions get the best of you.

Thirdly, introduce the students to the Liquipedia’s gamer etiquette: 

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Gamer_Etiquette

(Liquipedia is a wiki created by the prestigious, pro-related Team Liquid StarCraft community.)

Fourthly, show a video involving StarCraft professions demonstrating good sportsmanship as well as someone showcasing poor sportsmanship and the consequences in a certain situation:

            Good Sportsmanship (@1:43):

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVgr9juKtTY

The Rage Quit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-kBxbbtYZc

Finally, show the students the phrases that will be expected pre-game and post-game.

            Expected Acronyms and Behavior:

            Starts of Game

            GL HF (Good Luck Have Fun) or GL GG (Good Luck Good Game)

            End of Game

            GG (Good Game) or GG WP (Good Game Well Played)

            During/Throughout Game

No offense gameplay/language as laid out by Team Liquid

Last Rule:

Have Fun!

Conclusion:

With the emphasis on relationships of digital citizenships I think the presentation will demonstrate our schools intent on maintaining a positive environment on the physical and digital campus.  The eSports arena should be no different than a soccer, football, basketball, or baseball field/court when it comes to respect and expectation we have for our students.

Resources:

Gamer Etiquette - Liquipedia - The StarCraft II Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Liquipedia. Retrieved July 21, 2013, from http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Gamer_Etiquette

IdrA Rage Quits a won game Vs MMA @ MLG Columbus - YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved July 21, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-kBxbbtYZc

ShoutCraft America - Finals - ROOTKane vs. State - BO7 - YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved July 21, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVgr9juKtTY

Sportsmanship - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.). Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved July 21, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsmanship