The British Army Esports team took third place in the first-ever Armed Forces Day Esports competition. Civilian Esports gamers were able to compete in Rocket League matches against army, navy and RAF teams in the inaugural event.
However, despite the technical advantage of being trained to kill real people for real, it was civilian team, Pixell Bars, who won the championship. After winning, the team thanked the British Army Esports Association for inviting them to compete in a tweet. (But were careful not to put the boot in too far, eh? Those guns are real, after all.)
Esports on the rise
Esports or electronic sports are video gaming competitions that usually centre around multi-player games in an industry quickly picking up speed. Hartlepool College of Further Education is now offering a degree in Esports. Additionally, Paramount+ recently released Players, a mockumentary about a fictional League of Legends Esports team on the road to winning the championship.
According to the Head of Army Esports, Major Tim Harcourt, the event allows military personnel to connect with civilians and opens lines of communication. Any member of the military is welcome to join the British Army Esports Club via Discord, where they can learn about upcoming events. The group is also open to military spouses and dependents.
“If The Army is to remain a modern and agile organization, it must understand and appeal to the modern, technologically minded population,” said Harcourt. “Esports is one of the few platforms that allows us to do this.”
Member of the British Army Esports group, Private Jonah Jupp, acted as Caster during the Esports competition, offering a running commentary of the matches. The 21-year-old Private analyzed player choices and outlined different moves they could have made.
“Esports allows an escape from real-life stresses and increases mental stamina and skills like quick decision making, communication and increased reaction time which are all beneficial to my job,” said Private Jupp.
Harcourt added, “Soldiers like Private Jupp are given a platform to demonstrate management and leadership qualities that might not often be appreciated in their day job. I’m consistently impressed by the dynamism and competence of our junior soldiers.”
Find out more via the team’s social links here: https://linktr.ee/BritishArmyEsports
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
