双语：电竞热潮的兴起

The Rise of Esports

There are many ways we can enjoy sport — watching it on TV or a smartphone, attending an event at a stadium or even playing the game.

我们有很多方式来享受体育运动——在电视或智能手机上观看，去体育场参加活动，甚至亲自参与比赛。

But for those who enjoy getting competitive with their computer gaming, there are realistic - looking games with lifelike graphics to be played without leaving home.

但对于那些喜欢在电脑游戏中竞争的人来说，有一些画面逼真、栩栩如生的游戏可以足不出户就玩到。

It's this type of sport that has become big business. And interest in it has gone to a new level.

正是这种运动已经成为了一项大生意。而且人们对它的兴趣已经达到了一个新的高度。

Initially, grabbing a joystick or controller and playing a game was a solitary activity.

最初，拿起操纵杆或控制器玩游戏是一项独自进行的活动。

But around 20 years ago computers became cheaper and the internet became faster, which made it much easier for more people to get involved with computer gaming.

但大约20年前，电脑变得更便宜，互联网速度也更快了，这使得更多人更容易参与到电脑游戏中。

This led to gamers connecting with each other around the world, so they could go head - to - head online. It also became a spectator sport, with people watching others play.

这使得世界各地的游戏玩家能够相互联系，这样他们就可以在网上进行对决。它也变成了一项观赏性运动，人们会观看其他人玩游戏。

The whole experience has been given the name "esports" — electronic sports.

整个这种体验被赋予了“电子竞技”这个名字——即电子运动。

Now, huge esports tournaments take place all over the world in big arenas with large crowds.

现在，世界各地的大型场馆都会举办大型电子竞技锦标赛，吸引大量观众。

Some die - hard enthusiasts play together in teams. Its top stars can earn millions of dollars a year, without even breaking into a sweat!

一些铁杆爱好者会组队一起玩。电子竞技的顶级明星每年能赚数百万美元，甚至都不用出汗（喻指轻松）！

And fans from around the world tune in to watch the action online. The global audience is now estimated at more than 200 million and growing.

世界各地的粉丝会在线观看比赛。现在全球观众估计超过2亿，而且还在不断增加。

Annual revenues from esports, currently around 650 million dollars for events, continue to rise with billions more generated through video games sales.

电子竞技的年收入，目前赛事收入约为6.5亿美元，随着视频游戏销售带来的数十亿美元收入，其收入还在继续增长。

Famous football clubs are now trying to get in on the action. England's Football Association for example launched its first esports team this year, known as the eLions.

著名的足球俱乐部现在也试图参与其中。例如，英格兰足球协会今年推出了其第一支电子竞技队，名为“电子狮队”。

It recruited Fifa 19 players to represent them at the inaugural Fifa eNations Cup.

它招募了《FIFA 19》的玩家代表他们参加首届国际足联电子国家杯。

Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief commercial and football development officer, said, "The FA prides itself on being a modern, innovative organisation that strives to engage and inspire all generations of football fans."

英足总的首席商务和足球发展官马克·布林汉姆说：“英足总以自己是一个现代的、创新的组织而自豪，它努力吸引并激励着历代足球球迷。”

But while this virtual version of football might give aspiring footballers a chance to get closer to the real game, some might argue the lack of physical activity means it shouldn't be called a sport — and the biggest winners are the companies who promote and sell esports.

但是，尽管这种虚拟足球可能会给有抱负的足球运动员一个更接近真实比赛的机会，但有些人可能会认为，缺乏体力活动意味着它不应该被称为一项运动——而最大的赢家是推广和销售电子竞技的公司。

翻译：豆包

整理：2025年5月8日于马军场