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Doping in eSports: FAQ

December 12, 2019
  • 1,138
  • 4 min

ESports have become quite a thing over the past years, and we often hear there are Olympic ambitions involved behind the scene. Some major international sports tournaments have already introduced eSports into their programs. 

Another major sports-related topic of the past few years is, of course, doping. Major scandals involving banned substances have significantly shaken up the Olympic community all over the world ahead of next year’s 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Have you ever wondered if these two topics have anything in common? Is there doping in eSports and, if so, how does it work? Check out our FAQ to learn more. 

What kind of doping might be used in eSports?

Unlike in traditional sports, conventional steroids and other physical performance enhancers won’t help much when it comes to video games. However, there are certain chemicals that help you stay sharp and react quickly. These substances can be particularly tempting for those involved in long hours of online battles, as they help players stay on top of their game despite fatigue. The most popular drugs in eSports are products like Ritalin and Adderall, which help improve concentration and reflex speed.

Are there any doping controls in eSports today?

The issue has only been on the radar for a few years, since one of the best-known professional Counter-Strike players, Kory “Semphis” Friesen, publicly admitted using Adderall at major competitions. As a result, the Electronic Sports League began introducing stricter anti-doping rules into the industry. Consequently, the organization released a list of banned substances verified by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency). The ESL One event in Cologne back in 2015 was the first competition that involved testing players for performance-enhancing drugs. Once pro-gamers started qualifying as athletes in 2017, comprehensive drug tests were introduced at other competitions as well. In 2018, the FIFA eWorld Cup introduced compulsory drug tests for their championship. 

As of today, anti-doping controls in eSports remain fairly disorganized, as there is no single authority. Getting banned at one competition does not automatically exclude a player from others, and requirements may vary a lot. 

What is e-doping?

Remember that eSports involves both human beings and computers. Various cheat codes and cracks constitute what we now call e-doping – anything that breaches the rules of fair play in eSports. In the case of e-doping, however, there are different mechanisms involved. Technically, breaking into a program code is a breach of copyright law, as the program itself is a piece of creative work and requires the author’s consent to be altered. Therefore, being caught at digital cheating will lead to clear economic and legal procedures against the infringer. 

OK, let’s get back to conventional doping. How about steroids?

The current list of prohibited substances includes pretty much everything that has already been banned in other sports: hormone and metabolic modulators, anabolic agents, narcotics, cannabinoids, gene doping – you name it. So even your seemingly harmless after-workout protein shake could potentially harm your gaming career. This can primarily be explained by the fact that the list was created in collaboration with WADA, which has simply applied its well-established policy to a new arena. The rationale here remains questionable. 

What should I do to avoid trouble if I want to become a professional eSport player?

If you’re looking for a win-win strategy, you might have to review everything you ingest – including the food and drinks you consume on a regular basis. Review all the relevant anti-doping policy documents and check for updates frequently. Never take an unknown pill unless you have checked whether it is in the list. And – it goes without saying, doesn’t it? – stay away from drugs. 

Any other advice?

Yes – don’t miss out on the fun – that’s what eSports are all about!

We suggest trying Gecata by Movavi – a simple game recorder created especially for those who are new to game recording.

And on that topic, we have a little gift for you. You can get this software at a 25% discount – just use the promo code 25gecatablog when purchasing Gecata by Movavi.

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