[Column] The Solution to Generational Conflict May Be Found in Esports

A New Approach to Generational Conflict:
How e-Sports Can Bridge the Gap in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Hyuncheol Kim, Senior Advisor at the International eSports Promotion Agency.

According to the '2024 Generation Perception Survey' by Korea Research, 83% of respondents perceive generational conflict in our society as serious. Nearly half believe that generational conflict will become even more severe in the future. If we include those who think the level of conflict will remain the same (42%), 9 out of 10 people have a pessimistic outlook, expecting generational conflict to either persist at its current severity or worsen.

The term 'generation' refers to a specific age group that shares similar sentiments based on political, economic, social, and cultural experiences. Groups born and raised in similar periods share historical events and cultural trends, and tend to have similar values and behavioral patterns.

In Korea, there was once a generation and era that enjoyed guaranteed jobs and a growth-oriented economy due to unprecedented rapid and compressed development. However, the reality now is a time of economic uncertainty, low growth, and contraction, accompanied by various social problems resulting from compressed growth.

In particular, the technological advances known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution are bringing about significant changes in the job and labor markets, even replacing knowledge once thought to be a uniquely human domain, leading to social confusion. The problem is that, just as the industrial revolution that replaced human labor in the past led to the Luddite movement, these changes are also negatively affecting social communication among various classes and fueling generational conflict.

Issues such as how to distribute limited opportunities and resources due to aging, and how to foster empathy and communication among diverse coexisting generations, are coming to the forefront. Epoch-making technological advances like the Fourth Industrial Revolution can only become our future when combined with social communication, understanding, cooperation, coexistence, diversity, and inclusivity.

Utilizing sports to address these issues is also an excellent approach. Looking at examples such as soccer, baseball, and basketball, which have many fans worldwide, sports provide a space and time where different generations can share and understand experiences and emotions.

As an activity that allows generations to enjoy understanding and closeness, and as a platform for experienced generations to pass on knowledge to newer ones, sports offer teamwork, leadership, fair competition, as well as enjoyment and passion. Sports refer to competitive activities or games that require physical activity and skills.

What about future-oriented sports that combine these sports with technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution? For example, we can look at cases where virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are used to simulate sports experiences, or where artificial intelligence (AI) is used to improve athletes' training and game strategies.

The MZ and Alpha generations, who are more enthusiastic about e-sports than legacy sports, need to be able to relate. In the case of Finland's Assembly Festival, people of all generations gather to play the games they want, create games, and enjoy digital culture together all weekend. The highlight of this festival is said to be the 'Parent Game Tournament,' where parents participate in the tournament with coaching from their children.

e-sports, with its ability to overcome physical limitations, allows people with disabilities and non-disabled individuals to compete equally. This can contribute to fostering a social atmosphere that respects inclusivity and diversity by enabling participation from people of various social backgrounds.

e-sports is more than just games; it can be used as a tool to enhance communication and understanding between generations. With its accessibility and variety, e-sports can be enjoyed by all generations together. e-sports has many characteristics that make it a good solution to generational conflict.

First, it serves as a common interest where various generations can share experiences and form empathy. Second, through opportunities for social interaction both online and offline, communication between generations becomes more active, and a culture of understanding and respecting each other's values can be formed. Third, since e-sports requires teamwork and strategic thinking, it provides opportunities to enhance problem-solving and communication skills between generations. Through the experience of competing and cooperating together, different generations can alleviate conflict and promote mutual understanding.

Through the process of sharing wisdom and learning via e-sports, the younger generation, passionate and knowledgeable about e-sports, and the silver generation, with experience and wisdom, can achieve communication and understanding between generations. Online platforms and offline event communities also bring together people of various generations to communicate and interact.

e-sports, which combines sports and technology, is an excellent platform and culture for alleviating generational conflict and promoting social integration. Through this, we can build a more inclusive and diverse society and culture.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.