As the line between the physical and digital worlds blur, so does the line between real-world and virtual sports. Reframing our understanding of competition, data-driven technologist James Hodge explains how far esports (like virtual Formula 1 race car driving) have come in replicating the conditions of physical sports, making elite competition more accessible than ever before. “This really is the new era for play — and it’s open to everyone,” he says.
Follow TED!
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
Watch more: go.ted.com/jameshodge
TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at
SAGAR KALURA
June 9, 2022 at 4:02 pm
😍
Aisadal
June 9, 2022 at 4:04 pm
I’m glad esports is slowly getting more recognition every year!
Farid Bouakline
June 9, 2022 at 4:20 pm
In Asia, this is huge
Sam
June 9, 2022 at 4:05 pm
A formula one Ted talk wow
Lolicon AoQuadrado
June 9, 2022 at 4:07 pm
I think sports are so boring.. im weird?
André Van der Linden
June 9, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Nope! To each their own. Everyone finds joy in different areas in their life.
James 4:8
June 10, 2022 at 12:49 am
No, you’re just not interested. simple.
You-Know-Who
June 9, 2022 at 4:12 pm
100 percent made up story no way did you play on a laptop.
YoungWolf 567
June 9, 2022 at 6:04 pm
Not everyone had a potato laptop.
You-Know-Who
June 10, 2022 at 12:15 am
@YoungWolf 567 in 95?
Thankful Lally
June 9, 2022 at 4:16 pm
Thanks for sharing. God bless all.
Confused Lee
June 9, 2022 at 4:20 pm
E sports gives people a lot opportunities to showcase their skills and might make a job out of it. especially f1. who knows you might become a real driver someday !
TC Candler
June 9, 2022 at 4:22 pm
Strange TED Talk… Seems like a nice guy, but I am not sure that he said anything in those 11 minutes that isn’t common knowledge of anyone over the age of 3.
Edward Cranium
June 9, 2022 at 5:05 pm
You didn’t pay attention.
That Man Melvin
June 9, 2022 at 5:18 pm
I agree. It felt like he was trying to make 3 or 4 different points, but never really came to a conclusion on any of his points. Constantly bringing up the “having a shared experience”, but it never was a key part of the point of the talk which (i think?) was “esports is the future of sports”.
Thomas Voloshen
June 9, 2022 at 4:23 pm
So spend the rest of your life in the basement…and do drugs.
Blackcat
June 9, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Amazing TED talk especially considering the relevancy
Escape the Matrix
June 9, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Very interesting.
Black Rose
June 9, 2022 at 4:55 pm
Ted is great. I am a fan of your program. Please put Persian subtitles as well. Thank you
WHATSAPP✚①②⓪②⑦⓪①①⓪⑤⑨
June 12, 2022 at 9:51 am
Thanks for Watching…⬆
👆Endeavor to reach out now via WhatsApp line above for more Updates and Info on profitable Investments!
Maria Steve James
June 9, 2022 at 5:06 pm
I’m done sitting tight for the award advance since i acquire $23,000 every 12 days of my investment.
Rick Gooch
June 9, 2022 at 7:09 pm
@Hot Donna 🔥 Thanks I just called him now and he picked up, told him you referred me to him
Luckily Cruz Valdes
June 9, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Hey guys thanks a lot, you just saved me from crypto loss by recommending such a successful and a legit broker in the United States.
PatoramboXL
June 9, 2022 at 7:12 pm
This man has really change the life of many people from different countries and I’m a testimony of he’s trading platform.
Alicia Turcan
June 9, 2022 at 10:18 pm
This is the kind of information that we don’t get from most Youtubers I will get in touch with him right now.
Peter Peace
June 9, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Count me in because I’m placing my trades with Expert Mr George ASAP
Don prociw
June 9, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Count me in because I’m placing my trades with Expert Mr George ASAP
Husyen
June 9, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Amazing TED never got out of animation !!!
Vincent Fischer
June 9, 2022 at 6:27 pm
I spend many hours playing Super Mario back then. Recently I wanted to connect my dishwasher but realized I suck as a plumber 😕
M7. inc
June 9, 2022 at 6:38 pm
The elite players shown are not actually very elite
ClockworkAvatar
June 9, 2022 at 9:13 pm
esports are just as boring as real sports and are a cultural step in the wrong direction. we should be trying to get the money out of sports not create a whole other industry to exploit.
James 4:8
June 10, 2022 at 12:41 am
you’re right, in fact i thinkvwe should get momey out of all forms of entertainment.
The Chaosis
June 9, 2022 at 9:41 pm
Funny how he doesn’t mentioned the millions of microtransactions and loot boxes and how they affect children because thats the best thing about esports…pointless
James 4:8
June 10, 2022 at 12:49 am
the monotization of free-to-play models and mobile games have nothing to do with esports. separate conversation.
WolfeCanada
June 9, 2022 at 11:02 pm
Glad F1 has 20 decent drivers this year, not 19 decent drivers and Mazepin
Capp Blanks
June 10, 2022 at 12:07 am
Cool!
Dmitry Mishanin
June 10, 2022 at 5:31 am
Thank you
H1Z1 Forever
June 10, 2022 at 7:59 am
No, I cant connect people from China 😂
CHIT CHALK CHAT
June 10, 2022 at 9:57 am
THIS IS THE SQUID GAME
Jz McGriggs
June 10, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Don’t you love video games too. Then listen to this most boring endeavor.
Joky Satria
June 10, 2022 at 1:45 pm
Esports connect everybody!
Bob Schouten
June 10, 2022 at 10:15 pm
should have used better quality ingame clips
BearClaw Esports
June 10, 2022 at 11:00 pm
This is a much needed to be talked about topic. Kudos Ted!
Vladimir
June 11, 2022 at 9:42 am
Who knows what possibilities eSports will bring to us in future..🔥
Wittier
June 11, 2022 at 1:58 pm
a good start to the conversation and i really appreciate it for the older folks who haven’t caught up. but it’s a bit outdated for today’s world? League of Legends, FIFA, NBA2K, DotA’s TI, Overwatch League, Valorant’s VCT, Counter-Strike, StarCraft, Fortnite, PUBG… The landscape is huge and so much has been left unsaid. Not to mention the hype about mobile gaming
WHATSAPP✚①②⓪②⑦⓪①①⓪⑤⑨
June 12, 2022 at 9:47 am
Thanks for Watching⬆
👆Endeavor to reach out now via WhatsApp line above for more Updates and Info on profitable Investments!
Nemesis Brzeczyszczykiewicz
June 11, 2022 at 9:58 pm
Don’t be fooled. Not real.
xxx xxx
June 12, 2022 at 11:04 am
I’m not anti computer games, far from it, but it’s a sad life if on top of being addicted to social media kids are now doing all their playing and spectating online.
GetFuzed !
June 12, 2022 at 10:57 pm
Yeah basically I am a full trained and studied farmer, architect and city planner all in one… Just call me
Noukz
June 13, 2022 at 9:58 am
Being a car and racing enthusiast since I was five, of course my dream of becoming a racer didn’t pan out… But in sim-racing, there’s always a chance! Aside from saving lots of money by sim-racing, I now feel less guilty about my carbon footprint. Even compared to Extreme E
Internet and life hacks
June 13, 2022 at 5:47 pm
Fascinating talk, thank you!👏
Michele Ploeser
June 14, 2022 at 1:01 am
Video gaming is the most violent & misogynistic brain cancer for our children, nothing good about it!!!!
Tamara Fass
June 14, 2022 at 2:38 pm
I felt like a bad parent allowing my kids to spend so much time on YouTube watching gamers. Now I get it. It is to them was music is to me. I can’t help but wonder if I’m being more like an adult from “Footloose” than I care to admit…And I see now that actual real life experiences aren’t superior, it’s become part of a bigger picture of play! it’s more about balance and healthy integration. I never got the memo that virtual experience a new form or creative expression, really a form of learning. Perhaps my role isn’t to regulate it (arbitrarily mind you… who says an hour is better than two?) but to ask them to include me. Not unlike a 90’s mom at the Backstreet Boys concert. How meaningful an experience would it be to have my kids teach me about what they love? I’m so in!