DollarD
Long-time Lurker
Well, this is just something that struck me as I was reading some on the threads here today:
D&D is a sport! I submit the following evidence:
D&D is competitive
Like sports, D&D is competitive. Not necessarily player vs player, or even player vs DM, but player vs (virtual) environment. The participating players (and their characters) feel the drive to win in a tough struggle.
Unfortunately, many activities that are competitive aren't sports, so we must continue.
D&D requires skill
Similarly, D&D requires skill. Just as the footballer must learn to master running, passing, tackling, and positional game sense, becoming adept at D&D requires deep study - of rules, rule interactions, manipulation of the (virtual) environment and social skills - manipulating NPC's, and on occasion, a DM.
Yet not all skill based activities are sport, so on we go.
D&D has rules and etiquette
The official rules of D&D is published and recognized internationally. There is a specific table etiquette that is generally observed at all tables, and failing to meet them could result in a player not participating anymore.
Though a Code of rules and etiquette is not the defining mark of a sport, so we move further afield.
D&D requires physical exertion
Surely sitting around a table rolling dice cannot be said to be physical exertion? Yet, as any D&D player knows, it is physically taxing to concentrate on a session for hours on end. After hours of playing, you'll have finished the session feeling drained of both mind and body. Mental exertion manifests itself physically - an intense session can elevate the heart-rate, raise blood pressure, and cause perspiration.
Surely the physical exertion can be said to be at least to be as great as, say, golf?
I therefore submit that based on the above considerations, D&D is a sport! And we are all athletes!
So it is high time that WotC gets the ball rolling, and apply to the International Olympic Committee to have D&D recognized as a sport!
(I'm assuming the players of the team that completes the IOC approved version of the Tomb of Horrors first would win the gold, but to each his own.)
D&D is a sport! I submit the following evidence:
D&D is competitive
Like sports, D&D is competitive. Not necessarily player vs player, or even player vs DM, but player vs (virtual) environment. The participating players (and their characters) feel the drive to win in a tough struggle.
Unfortunately, many activities that are competitive aren't sports, so we must continue.
D&D requires skill
Similarly, D&D requires skill. Just as the footballer must learn to master running, passing, tackling, and positional game sense, becoming adept at D&D requires deep study - of rules, rule interactions, manipulation of the (virtual) environment and social skills - manipulating NPC's, and on occasion, a DM.
Yet not all skill based activities are sport, so on we go.
D&D has rules and etiquette
The official rules of D&D is published and recognized internationally. There is a specific table etiquette that is generally observed at all tables, and failing to meet them could result in a player not participating anymore.
Though a Code of rules and etiquette is not the defining mark of a sport, so we move further afield.
D&D requires physical exertion
Surely sitting around a table rolling dice cannot be said to be physical exertion? Yet, as any D&D player knows, it is physically taxing to concentrate on a session for hours on end. After hours of playing, you'll have finished the session feeling drained of both mind and body. Mental exertion manifests itself physically - an intense session can elevate the heart-rate, raise blood pressure, and cause perspiration.
Surely the physical exertion can be said to be at least to be as great as, say, golf?
I therefore submit that based on the above considerations, D&D is a sport! And we are all athletes!
So it is high time that WotC gets the ball rolling, and apply to the International Olympic Committee to have D&D recognized as a sport!
(I'm assuming the players of the team that completes the IOC approved version of the Tomb of Horrors first would win the gold, but to each his own.)
