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Esports, or electronic sports, is a booming industry that challenges conventional sports leagues with respect to revenue, merchandising, and future opportunities, and naturally, it is attracting more gamers and prize money. More skilled gamers are flocking into the genera, and the competition is firing up every day. The growth is attracting further investment and business opportunities, but the use of cheats and hacks such as ESP and aimbot is becoming more extensive as it provides a sheath edge to some players in the competitive gameplay. It is not only about their performance but attracting more viewership as esports have transformed into a spectator sport, where the audience, instead of watching a physical event, watch the streaming video where one player combats against another in a virtual environment.
Aimbot and ESP /wallhack hacks
Players use different hacks and cheats to gain an edge over others. In competitive matches, players adopt any means to have an undisputable edge. A spectrum of hacks and cheats can be downloaded from Cobracheats.com, and mostly, it can bypass anti-cheat software installed by game developers. But the esports communities with game publishers are trying to curb the use of cheats and hacks. The most commonly used hacks and cheats are aimbot and ESP /wallhack, the first one that delivers precise and fast shooting power to the user. At the same time, the second one enables a user to observe through solid objects to spot enemy locations and strategize his movement.
Unethical tools have become expansive
Some gamers also use macros or script that activates specific action at a particular keystroke or click of the mouse. Not adhering to the prescribed rules might bar the specific player and dishonour the whole game. Similar to traditional games, in esports, fairness of competition must be ensured, and no prohibited support should be deployed. Unfortunately, the use of unethical tools has become expansive in esports as the industry grows. Organizers and game developers are initiating stringent measures to inhibit cheating practices among gamers. The anti-cheat protocols are becoming more advanced, and bans are exerted on players caught using various cheats and hacks.
ESIC (Esport Integrity Commission)
The organizers lay out terms that articulate a strict absence of cheats and hacks during the tournament, and a penalty in the form of a ban or otherwise would be implemented if the gamer is found guilty. In conventional sports leagues, centralized governing bodies like FIFA or the NFL establish well-defined rules and regulations prohibiting cheating and doping. But in sport, no such central governing body with comprehensive rules are present. In such a scenario, the organizers set rules for the explicit e-sport tournament, and the principles must be approved by each game developer. In esports tournaments, two types of bodies govern the event: specific and game-neutral. WESA (World Esport Association), ESIC (Esport Integrity Commission), and ESL (Electronic Sports League) fall in the second category. In 2019, ESIC emerged as the principal governing body declaring and enforcing ethical standards in esports.
Participation in ESIC is voluntary
The resolution against the use of cheat and hacks in esports is gaining strength. A single governing body accepted across the board will minimize illegal tools in the sphere. More game-neutral bodies than game-specific bodies whose domain is restricted to specific esports titles would bring comprehensive change in esports regulations. It is to be noted participation in ESIC is voluntary for game developers and organizations and often not adopted. The organizers and game developers must take proactive measures to guarantee fair play for each game and ensure a safe, enjoyable ecosystem for all participants involved in the tournament. With appropriate rules and regulations, esports can continue its development without compromising integrity, and stringent punishment would discourage players from using illogical, unethical tools to gain undue advantage over other players.
Far-reaching effects
The prevalence of the use of cheats and hacks in e-sport tournaments has far-reaching effects. If it persists, the viewership and sponsors would dwindle as the integrity of the industry would become questionable. Furthermore, the unethical practices would create an air of distrust and bitterness among gamers and teams, and many would prefer not to participate in such tournaments. If competent, skilled players assume opponents are using cheats and hacks, it would demoralize them as their acquired skill set would be ineffective against those computer-generated algorithms.
Psychological viewpoint
From a psychological viewpoint, capable players may suffer from mental trauma when they combat players using unapproved software that enhances their shooting and other combat skills. The depression and anxiety they suffer could be deterrence in further participation in such tournaments; it could also destroy the mutual respect the gamers enjoy among themselves. The extensive use of cheats and hacks destroys the cohesiveness in the gaming community, seeding a plant of distrust and animosity among participants of an esports tournament. When scrupulous players use hacks and cheat to gain over competent players, the essence of fair play is destroyed and, in the end, dishonest players against those who adhere to rules and regulations. To uphold the integrity and vividness of esports, fair play must be ensured so the most competent player wins the title.
