• Loading stock data...
Thursday, March 28, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now

Player Wellness Campaign Promotes Healthy Living For Esports Teams

Jul 21, 2019; Miami Beach, FL, USA; GEN.G takes on EUnited during the Call of Duty League Finals e-sports event at Miami Beach Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Gen.G Player wellness
Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Even though he was a competitive gaming novice when he joined esports organization Gen.G as its vice president of strategic partnerships last March, Martin Kim caught on quickly to the stereotypes surrounding gamers: They play too many video-games – many of which are violent – and they don’t exercise enough. 

When he worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011 to 2017, Kim noted the team’s interest in educating its ballplayers about mental health. They had a sports psychologist on staff who spoke to the players daily and made sure they were properly cared for and treated for. 

“I started noticing that that is what a professional organization is supposed to do,” Kim said. “They’re supposed to create an environment for these very highly skilled gamers to take themselves to the next level.”

Over the last few years, money has flowed into esports as the industry has exploded in popularity. It is expected that revenues for the global esportsing industry will reach $1.1 billion in 2019, a year-over-year growth of 26.7%, according to a report from Newzoo – which also estimated that there are 23.9 million esports enthusiasts in North America.

However, despite the growth of the business around esports and gaming, there has not been a heavy investment into ensuring the well being of its players.

When Gen.G opened its Los Angeles headquarters in July, that was a big feature of the new facility which offers players access to healthy food, rest pods, and LA Fitness memberships. 

Expanding beyond just the four walls of its headquarters, Gen.G also developed a Player Wellness Campaign alongside partners LA Fitness and Simple Habit.

The Player Wellness Campaign is designed to inform its gamers on better mental and physical health practices and to educate them on financial responsibility. With help from LA Fitness – an international gym chain – and Simple Habit – a wellness mobile app – Gen.G players will be receiving the same treatment akin to other professional sports leagues. 

When asked if there’s any data that can shed light on mental health in esports, Kim says that it’s more anecdotal than quantitative. During the Player Wellness Campaign, Gen.G plans to also work with iHealth – a healthcare management company – and conduct research and studies to learn more about the prominence of this issue. Gen.G is also working with different apparel companies who have insight into clothing that is esports friendly and can prevent specific injuries or ensure better sleeping and training methods.

Outside of physical and mental health organizations, Gen.G is also consulting with financial companies about getting involved with the Player Wellness Campaign. Feeling that there isn’t a strong voice informing Gen Z how to spend their money, Kim wants them to be aware of potential financial pitfalls – and how to avoid them.

“We just really want this young audience to be aware of how to be savvier – including even financially,” Kim said. “The ball has started rolling and we’re getting a ton of questions and different propositions and going through it has been fun and exciting.”

READ MORE: Why The Washington Post Chose To Cover Esports

Another key element to the Player Wellness Campaign is Simple Habit’s role in helping gamers practice meditation. It was in 2018 that Gen.G CEO Kevin Chou met Simple Habit CEO Yunha Kim at an event, said Simple Habit Content and Partnerships Specialist Emelia Orke. Chou and Kim began discussing mental health in their respective industries – esports and digital meditation. Once Gen.G started working to address it as well, that’s when Simple Habit took a more active role, said Orke.

Simple Habit’s work with Gen.G has seen it create custom content based around the latter’s esports players, said Orke. There are at least 2,000 sessions players could choose from – ranging from meditation series on handing online negativity to making them feel less groggy when they wake up. 

Another unique aspect of Simple Habit’s Gen.G-inspired stress-relief practices is curating them to both female and male esports gamers. Compared to their male counterparts, female esports players are subjected to higher amounts of online sexual discrimination and toxicity, said Orke. For both genders, she added that they feel their mental and physical health levels are tied to their gaming performances. With Gen.G, she hopes that these players don’t put added pressure on themselves – and are comfortable to freely express whatever feelings they’re experiencing. 

“Gen.G is taking a huge step right now – seeking out and cultivating these relationships and developing this wellness initiative,” Orke said. “When we spoke with them, they were incredibly self-aware and they too wanted to have a great state of mind and to feel good. I think that the community is taking the first steps – and that in and of itself is huge.”

The gaming industry has had a checkered past when it comes to mental health, not only impacting players but also those who create games.

READ MORE: Complexity Gaming Finds Home In GameStop Performance Center

As a founding partner of LA-based law firm Morrison Rothman LLP, Ryan Morrison got involved in esports by providing legal advice to independent game developers whose work would be taken advantage of by publishers. Once they began seeing his esports work, players – hundreds, Morrison added – began seeking him out for legal help.

While mental health is still far from being destigmatized in esports, Gen.G’s efforts are commendable, said Morrison. He estimates that players can spend up to 19 hours a day playing video games. Factor in the temptation to browse through Reddit and Twitter and these players’ lives can start to suffer. 

Luckily though, Morrison has noticed a more concerted effort by esports organizations to implement mental-health initiatives. Despite being long overdue, the players’ best interests are finally being prioritized now – and they can begin eliminating their previously unsustainable work habits. 

“We need way better living conditions and work hours,” Morrison said. “They’re just in front of their computer playing from when they wake up to go to bed – that’s not a way to survive. The more healthy bodies and minds we promote, we’ll start to see healthier and happier players.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

It Remains Unclear Which Authorities Shohei Ohtani Has Reported Theft of Millions to, If Any

A federal investigation is ongoing, but it’s not clear what it covers.

Ohtani Emphatically Denies Any Knowledge of Translator’s Gambling

The MLB superstar insists his former translator has engaged in ‘theft and fraud.’

Confounding Ohtani Episode Exposes Dark Underbelly of Sports Betting

The situation involving the MLB superstar follows several other flash points in recent weeks.

Ohtani’s Dodger Debut Also Advances MLB’s Global Ambitions

Two high-profile games in Seoul begin a new professional chapter for the superstar
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

MLB Opens Season With MLBPA, Ohtani, and Ownership Dramas

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

March 22, 2024, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) react in overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center.
March 27, 2024

‘An Expensive Game’: March Madness and NIL Collectives Are Intertwined

At schools nationwide, collectives are fueling NCAA tournament runs and vice versa.
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits to be announced in the starting lineup against West Virginia in a NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Monday, March 25, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
March 26, 2024

The Women’s Trading Card Market Is Overlooked. Can Caitlin Clark Change That?

Traditionally, women’s sports cards have been a marginal part of collectibles.
The Sports Illustrated cover signed by Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, February 27, 2019, at Don & Charlie's, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Don Charlie S
March 24, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Ongoing ‘Sports Illustrated’ Saga

Understanding the strange state of affairs for the nearly 70-year-old publication.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
Oct 5, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, points to the lettering outside of the museum Tuesday.
February 28, 2024

How Do You Keep Negro Leagues Baseball History Alive? Put It in a Video Game

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum attracting increased donations, visits from ‘MLB The Show.’
February 29, 2024

Electronic Arts’ Layoffs Signal Ongoing Evolution, Struggles

The company is set to make a second major round of staff cuts in the last year.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
Sony-Playstation-Demo-Booth
February 27, 2024

Sony to Lay Off 900 From PlayStation Team After Missed Sales Target

Cuts come amid a tough stretch for the gaming industry.
EA Sports
February 15, 2024

EA Sports: Summer Release for Long-Dormant College Football Video Game

Ed O’Bannon’s historic lawsuit led to the shuttering of EA Sports’ popular college games.
Gatorade
February 14, 2024

Was the Gatorade Color Compromised Before Super Bowl LVIII Kickoff?

Multiple gambling companies saw a sharp spike in the color purple prior to Sunday’s kickoff.
Reba McEntire Super Bowl
February 12, 2024

Reba McEntire Repeated ‘the Brave’ in the National Anthem, Sending Prop Bettors Spiraling

BetMGM paid bettors on both the over and the under.