Once considered just entertainment, video games have evolved into a discipline—esports. It is a competitive field that demands preparation and training. Ottawa Future explores where students can learn esports and shares the origins of this gaming discipline.
The Beginning: What We Know About Esports
This concept, as we understand it today, is relatively new. However, esports began as far back as 1972, when home consoles gained popularity. By 1980, the first national competition, Space Invaders, attracted 10,000 participants.
In the early 1990s, tournaments like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat gained traction. For instance, the legendary Starcraft 2 PC tournament in 1990 was watched by over 50 million online viewers, including 17 million players.
By the 2000s, esports had become a serious competition. The widely recognized MLG (Major League Gaming) emerged as an organizer of large-scale events. In 2006, the first televised event took place, and in 2011, audience-player interactions became notable.
The level and scale of esports competitions are impressive, with tournaments and leagues pushing participants to their limits. Professional gamers have become celebrities with legitimate fanbases. The most popular esports games include:
- League of Legends;
- Call of Duty;
- Counter-Strike;
- Dota 2.
In 2019, prize pools for nearly 200 games exceeded $230 million—a number that continues to grow yearly.
Esports and Education in Ottawa
Given the popularity of esports, especially among youth, the demand for education in this field has risen. Ottawa’s high schools have integrated esports alongside traditional competitive activities. Universities have established esports clubs that are expanding and recruiting more players.
Ottawa Esports Academy
The academy emphasizes gaming, skill development, and social interaction. Its Friday evening program fosters the growth of young players and their abilities. For instance, in 2018, U.S. universities awarded $10 million in scholarships for esports. Similarly, Canadian institutions are increasing student incentives each year.
Ontario-certified teachers introduce students to various game styles and platforms to test their skills in a semi-competitive environment where teams or individual players compete.
Equally important is the supportive community that encourages and motivates students. Esports thrives on this dynamic.
What do students experience at the academy?
- Games with individual tournaments led by expert instructors.
- Competitions evolve into championship-level matches broadcast live, accommodating all age groups.
- Gamers participate in retro games, dance nights, and cosplay events, where students dress as their favourite video game characters.
Ottawa High Schools and Esports Lessons
In 2019, for example, 17 students were enrolled in the Centre Professionel et Technologique Minto course. For Ottawa high school students, receiving school credits for video games was once considered something fantastical, but since 2019, this has become possible. The school at the La Cité campus in Ottawa began preparing students for a professional career in esports in 2019. The course teaches how to excel at playing video games.
At that time, the course faced criticism, but Education Inspector Eugénie Congi admitted that the aspirations and ambitions of the students gave them courage. The teaching staff uses these opportunities to improve the curriculum and develop the skills needed for the 21st century.
The course includes not only gaming but also helps players combine discipline, potential future work, a healthy lifestyle, proper sleep organization, and physical activity. In this context, the instructors highlighted something particularly important for parents: violent video games will not be part of the course.
Why does this make sense? Because professional players in games like StarCraft can earn six-figure salaries.
University of Ottawa
The university’s esports club is led by co-presidents Zach Goldstein and Jackton Murphy, who aim to unite various gaming communities under one banner and provide a solid platform for competitions.
University of Ottawa students have excelled in numerous tournaments. In 2020, FIFA 21 became the most popular game among students.
According to Amy Roberts, the university’s in-person learning coordinator, tournaments will continue because esports momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
Carleton University
The Carleton Ravens team was the first to join OPSE. Other universities soon followed suit. Many institutions are introducing esports courses to attract new students, as young people enjoy honing their gaming skills and achieving new levels.
Carleton University founded Ontario Post-Secondary Esports (OPSE), a student-run, volunteer organization aiming to integrate collegiate esports into traditional athletics. OPSE serves as a platform for connecting students, alumni, and local communities.
Player motivation includes:
- Pride and Championship Titles: Competing for the Ontario high school esports championship.
- Scholarships: Representing their school in Ontario’s first university esports league, with $30,000 at stake.
- Making History: Winning players bring home the championship flag, creating a legacy.
The Carleton administration is proud of its collaboration with talented students. OPSE offers Ontario and Ottawa post-secondary students opportunities to compete, develop skills, and expand their social networks.
Training and the Dream of Victory – Is It Possible?
Esports is a billion-dollar industry, bolstered by platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Players compete individually or in teams, with countless opportunities in Ottawa for students aspiring to an esports career.
One striking example is Canadian teenager Hayden Krueger, who won $1.2 million in the Fortnite World Cup. At 17, Hayden followed a strict routine: waking up at 1–3 p.m. and gaming until 3 a.m., training for 8–12 hours daily. He transitioned to homeschooling to dedicate more time to gaming.
Such stories are not rare, but achieving success requires more than desire—it demands daily learning, training, and endurance. The weak may give up, but the strong will reach the finals.
