Ep 4. This is War

This is War is the fourth episode of season 1 of High Score. In this episode, the focus is on the rise of competitive gaming and the birth of esports.

The episode starts with the story of Walter Day, a man who started keeping track of arcade game high scores in 1982. Day's High Score organization eventually led to the creation of the Twin Galaxies arcade. From there, the episode focuses on the competitive gaming scene in the mid to late 90s with games such as Street Fighter II and Quake.

The episode explores the early days of esports with interviews from professional gamers who were around at the time. They discuss the excitement of being a part of something new and how it brought people together. The games were not just about winning, but also about the social connections made through shared interests.

The episode also covers the controversy surrounding cheating in gaming, with the infamous Billy Mitchell being a major topic of discussion. Mitchell was known for achieving high scores in arcade games, but it was later revealed that he had cheated in various ways. This led to a backlash against him and the realization that high scores may not always be legitimate.

As the episode progresses, it highlights the evolution of esports. From small events and local tournaments, the scene grew to large-scale competitions with thousands of people in attendance. The documentary also discusses the introduction of corporate sponsorships and how this has changed the nature of competition in esports.

The episode features interviews with industry leaders, such as Mike Sepso, co-founder of Major League Gaming (MLG), and Ryan Wyatt, the head of gaming at YouTube. They discuss the growth of esports and how it has become a billion-dollar industry.

Finally, the episode dives into the current state of esports and looks at what the future may hold. With traditional sports networks like ESPN now broadcasting esports events, it is clear that competitive gaming is here to stay. The episode discusses the potential for esports to become even bigger and potentially even become a part of the Olympic Games.

Overall, This is War is an exciting episode that highlights the rise of competitive gaming and the birth of esports. It covers the controversy and excitement surrounding the early days of competition and shows how it has evolved into the massive industry it is today. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in esports or competitive gaming.