Esports as a mechanism for social change

Social change in the context of esports has nuanced dimensions compared to traditional sporting activities and outcomes. Esports provides opportunities for cross-cultural communication and opportunities for social change interventions that span global contexts and populations. The broad concept of social change is multi-faceted and goes beyond the assumption that social interaction results in social change outcomes. In simple terms, sport (esports and mainstream) can bring people together but how can this lead to behaviour change, heightened awareness of civic responsibility, education and skill development, and community building? In this regard, this chapter highlights that social interaction is simply the initial step in creating and strengthening social change impacts and that esports can add to traditional social change offerings via innovative and virtually driven theories of change.