Esports Return to the Asian Games: Looking Beyond Aichi-Nagoya
The 2026 Asian Games kick off in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on September 19. This year esports are on the competitive menu for the second time in the games’ history. An exploration of the issues surrounding this booming competitive scene and how it fits within the larger world of sports and multievent tournaments.
Esports returned to the Asian Games in a big way at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games. For the first time since 2018, the flagship event in Asia will feature 13 esports titles across 11 events, showcasing a diverse lineup of games ranging from popular franchises like Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 to titles like Puyo Puyo Champions, Gran Turismo 7, eFootball, and Pokemon Unite. The presence of Japanese publishers in the tournament lineup highlights the strength of the host nation's game industry.
Esports, while seemingly detached from physical activity, shares many qualities with traditional sports, including the need for quick reflexes, split-second decision-making, and strategic thinking. The term "sports" in English can refer to both physical and recreational activities, giving esports a broader definition than the Japanese word undō, which typically refers to physical exercise alone.
Concerns over fairness in esports competition include ensuring that all players compete under equal conditions. Game companies hold the copyrights to their titles and can determine how they are used, which may shape competition rules. Major events like the Asian Games address this issue by adjusting competition to create an equal playing field, with officiating handled by computers to minimize the risk of bias.
Selection of Japan's esports representatives for the Games was straightforward for team-based fighting games like Street Fighter 6, with top performers advancing through designated qualifying events. However, for titles like Pokemon Unite and Identity V, selection criteria were based on an overall assessment of performance and match play, leaving room for subjective judgment.
Continuity is another challenge, as games may be discontinued or replaced by sequels, leading to competitors jumping from title to title. Despite this, established genres like fighting games and racing games have stable player bases, allowing for a competitive environment even when the title changes.
Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
