eSports and gaming have faced uphill battles regarding public perception and misconceptions. For the longest time, gaming has been seen as a “waste of time” or even a “lazy activity” regardless of its platform. eSports, on the other hand, has come under fire for not being “sporty” enough and a “sedentary” activity. However, in recent years, scientific research has shown that gaming helps with mental acuity and interpersonal skills. More and more research has been pointing to gaming and eSports being as intense as regular sports.
Goodday – yes, the milk company – is looking to help deliver this message to Boomers and those with these common misconceptions. To do that, they are looking to form Malaysia’s first senior esports team. For the first time, you’ll need to be at least 50 years old to take part in this gaming competition. You simply have to submit your application at the Goodday Charge website. (psst…. if you’re under 50 years old, just submit an application for your Boomer!) Once the application goes through, there will be a round of interviews after which 10 successful applicants will undergo a comprehensive gaming crash course. They will also be able to win their share of RM20,000 worth of prizes.
Those of us who follow esports will be familiar with the rigours and training that esports athletes go through. Well, the 10 Boomers who make it into the team will be put through a 3-day boot camp. During this boot camp, they will be put through the same training that the athletes go through. Of course, they won’t be doing those Karate Kid runs and exercises but they will be getting a taste of the rigours of an esports athlete. Their course will cover five essential pillars: Trained Skill, Strategy, Exercise, Diet and Sleet, Teamwork and Communication. The competition will culminate in a three-day training and preparation period with a 5v5 competition of Counter Strike 2.
“We hope through this experience, the older generation will come to understand and appreciate the
effort, skill and dedication displayed by esports professionals and move towards accepting that it is in
fact a sport on par with others. I look forward to gamers and enthusiasts using this as an opportunity to
share their world and experiences with their elders by signing them up for the search.”
The competition comes on the heels of Goodday sponsoring the development of the National eSport Development Guideline (NESDEG). The guideline was launched in partnership with Hannah Yeoh and the Ministry of Youth and Sport. It is designed to protect esports athletes and ensure the development of the esports industry in Malaysia. Goodday has also appointed xNova, Malaysia’s most successful esports athlete, as the face of its Goodday Charge revamped packaging. Goodday Charge is a specially formulated chocolate milk that contains vitamin B complex and essential nutrients and is touted to help esports athletes with sustained energy for better concentration and performance.
Submissions for the competition are ongoing and will end on April 8, 2024. If you’re a gamer, help your boomer understand your passion for gaming by submitting an entry for them.