Chapter 1: Understanding Expertise in the Digital Realm

To delve into the nature of expertise, psychologist Anders Ericsson and his team at the University of Berlin initiated a groundbreaking study with violinists at the prestigious Academy of Music in Berlin. They categorized the students into three distinct groups: those who excelled, those who were competent, and those who were likely to pursue teaching careers.

Notably, despite similar ages when they began playing the violin, a stark difference emerged in the hours each group committed to practice. By the age of 20, the top performers averaged over 10,000 hours, while good performers logged around 8,000 hours, and aspiring music teachers had only 4,000 hours. This observation led to the formulation of the "10,000 hours rule," which posits that achieving high-level performance in any field hinges on dedicating about 10,000 hours to practice rather than relying solely on innate talent.

While this principle can be applied to various skills, it is often overlooked in less apparent domains. We easily recognize the extensive practice athletes, musicians, and actors undergo to hone their abilities. However, the same commitment is frequently unnoticed in roles like custodians, teachers, and even doctors.

One of the most underrated professions in this context is professional gaming. The combination of "professional" and "gaming" might raise eyebrows among some readers, prompting questions like, "What’s so professional about mastering a sniper role in Call of Duty?"

Although realistic war games may not appeal to everyone, the level of skill required to achieve professionalism in any game, even those often dismissed by society, is significant. The commitment needed to become a top speedrunner in a video game is comparable to that of elite athletes in their respective sports, yet it's a commitment that remains largely misunderstood.

As with sports, experiencing an activity firsthand often leads to a deeper appreciation of its intricacies. For instance, Olympic gymnasts often make their routines appear effortless, but those familiar with gymnastics recognize the immense skill required to execute such precise maneuvers. Similarly, violinists may glide through their performances gracefully, but achieving that level of expertise demands years of dedicated practice.

In our digital age, video games have become integral to our culture. Following the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, interest in gaming surged. With the success of shows and films like "The Last of Us," "Uncharted," and "The Mario Brothers Movie," the popularity of gaming has become increasingly undeniable. As the variety of games has expanded and their complexity has grown, many individuals have devoted substantial portions of their lives to these online experiences.

The gaming community is vast, encompassing streamers, reviewers, creators, speedrunners, glitch finders, and YouTubers. Despite its size, this community is often misunderstood. The most skilled gamers remain largely unknown, not because they lack talent, but due to a lack of recognition similar to that received by top performers in other fields.

As a casual gamer, I’m continually amazed by the achievements within these virtual environments. Many accomplishments in gaming parallel those of recognized heroes in society. For example, becoming the top speedrunner in a Mario game demands an intimate knowledge of every corner of each level, requiring an almost perfect execution that rivals professional sports.

Just like track and field, speedrunning categorizes games based on specific criteria. Categories often include runs completed under normal conditions, 100% completions, and runs that exploit glitches, known as "any %" speedruns.

With ongoing game updates and regional variations, categories continue to evolve, and moderators diligently oversee leaderboards, tracking the ever-changing records. This well-organized system remains largely unrecognized, yet the dedication, skill, and knowledge required for mastery in speedrunning mirrors that of any other discipline.

To undertake a 100% speedrun of "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," for instance, one must memorize over a thousand locations, solve countless puzzles, and determine the most efficient travel routes for every objective and quest. Accomplishing this in record time demands nearly flawless execution over a grueling 24-hour period at a computer. It’s not for the faint-hearted, especially with the recently released sequel offering even greater challenges.

In "Breath of the Wild," players must utilize glitches that require extraordinary hand-eye coordination, often surpassing what is considered humanly possible. Studies have shown that athletes, pilots, and musicians frequently perform at levels that defy conventional human perception. Thus, a gamer’s ability to achieve similar feats of exceptionalism should not come as a surprise.

The speedrun record for the iconic "Super Mario Brothers" game provides a striking example of the limits gamers can push. The current record stands at 4 minutes and 54.798 seconds, set by a gamer named "Niftski," who narrowly broke his previous record by just 83 milliseconds or 5 frames. To fully appreciate this accomplishment, it’s essential to grasp what a computer can achieve when tasked with completing the same game.

A computer can analyze the game internally and determine the optimal run, executing button presses every millisecond without error. It could theoretically complete the game in 4:54.260. This means that the best possible human time is only milliseconds away from the computer’s potential.

In a game running at 60 frames per second, Niftski had mere frames left to improve his performance. To put it another way, out of 17,700 frames during his intense playthrough, he successfully pressed the correct button configuration without error in over 17,650 of those frames.

The record in "Super Mario Brothers" stands as an extraordinary testament to human achievement. Yet, when these feats occur in dimly lit rooms, surrounded by energy drink cans, the magnitude of these accomplishments can easily be overlooked.

The dedication required to excel in video gaming, both in performance and production, seldom receives the recognition it warrants. These games are masterpieces that transport us to alternate realities. While some popular gaming franchises may lean toward violence, this does not diminish the artistic endeavor involved in creating them. From sound design to animation and narrative, video games are timeless, interactive art forms, and those who push their boundaries are skilled performers.

Although a stigma still surrounds the community of gamers often associated with basement dwelling and snack consumption, this perception is gradually shifting. As more individuals discover the gaming universe, some of these circles are beginning to earn the acknowledgment they deserve.

While we are still far from gamers receiving the acclaim typical of professional athletes, the world of E-Sports may soon see its well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Whether this recognition will come before or after professions like teaching, janitorial work, and medicine remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that more people should take the time to recognize the talent surrounding them.

Chapter 2: The Future of Professional Gaming

As society continues to evolve, the perception of professional gaming is slowly changing. The dedication and skill involved in gaming deserve recognition alongside traditional sports and professions. With the rise of E-Sports and a growing audience, the time is ripe for gamers to step into the limelight they have long deserved.