Abstract:
In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, esports has gradually evolved into a modern sporting activity characterized by competitiveness and standardization. As an emerging sports phenomenon, the social legitimacy of esports demands in-depth academic exploration from the dual perspectives of social formation and philosophical reflection. Through methods of documentary analysis and case studies, this study examines the sportization process of esports across dimensions of physicality, competitiveness, regulation, institutionalization, and gendering. The study reveals that novel bodily practices mediated by technology and the extension of digital avatars in virtual worlds enable esports to transcend the physical constraints inherent to traditional sports. The competitive structure of esports has evolved from spontaneous rivalry to institutionalized competition, with the commodification of gaming skills transforming players into professional athletes. Esports rules, shaped by the frequent interplay of technological iteration and commercial interests, harbor latent tendencies toward alienation amid dynamic development. The dual pressure of power and capital lead to the fragmentation of governance institutions. Gender barriers are reinforced through the overlapping of geek culture and athlete culture, yet the esports arena also provides space for reconfiguring gender norms. Moving forward, the sportization of esports should draw inspiration from Olympic ideals while preserving its unique identity, fostering constructive interaction with modern sports systems.