Vorwort der Herausgeber

Buer, Jürgen van; Deißinger, Thomas; Münk, Dieter

doi:10.2307/j.ctvddzs95.3

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Thus, the proclaimed productivity of panopticism might not exist (Foucault, 1977; Wolf, 2014). Although publishers and developers have similar functions like organizational structures from traditional sports, the mediation of the said values is not within their scope (Breuer, 2012; Julkunen et al, 2021). Therefore, introducing central governing bodies for esport could help implement and enforce overarching rules and codes of conduct for all organized leagues and tournaments from amateur to professional level (Abanazir, 2019; Abanazir, 2022).…”

Section: Theoretical and Practical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using panopticism to theorize the social role of the body in competitive gaming and electronic sport

Riatti

Thiel

2023

International Review for the Sociology of Sport

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The role of the body is a common topic for discussions concerning competitive gaming, also known as electronic sport (esport). In esport, the focus on the body shifts from its physical presence towards digitality and therefore differs significantly compared to traditional sports. It is therefore questionable whether disciplinary mechanisms typical for sport that originate from the physical body being surveyed can be observed in competitive gaming as well. This conceptual paper uses Michel Foucault's concept of panopticism to theorize what consequences of deviant or normative behaviour can be derived from a (partially) absent physical corporeality in esport. Our approach reveals that esport and competitive gaming are lacking disciplinary mechanisms typical for traditional sports. We introduce the term dysopticon as a concept where players are not exposed to surveillance like in traditional sports, because of a perceived absence of the players’ physical bodies while competing. This can result in arbitrariness and deviant behaviour but also be an opportunity for inclusion or self-expression regardless of hegemonic corporeal norms and standards. Stakeholders, including players, clubs, associations, and corporations, can build upon these insights to develop and promote esport beneficially for sport and society.

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