It was once a game, a fun interlude and a childish approach. But today it is a real economic issue, a social phenomenon and a sector where you can make a career. These are video games which, with the evolution of technology, have become real simulators bringing together actors from around the world in real time through the magic of the interplanetary connection. Competitions were created with high stakes. MotoGP has its virtual space stamped with the seal of E. A true generational identification. Does this make “real” pilots subjects likely to hear an “OK Boomer” stigmatizing them as relics of an ancient time? They answer…
Le E-Sports first became known for the astonishing realism of its virtuality, before becoming organized and truly appearing as a sport. An incongruity because the player remains seated and takes no physical risk, unlike the real cloned competitors for the occasion. And yet, we no longer laugh in the industry. The competition is fierce and the MotoGP riders who went to probe the protagonists of the MotoGP eSports were indeed forced to get rid of the matrix of their prejudices...
First of all, it is not possible to simply enter a professional E-Racing championship and ride there by proxy without extensive training. It takes a lot of skill, experience and a huge amount of track time to survive in the virtual world. Marc Márquez commented on an official championship race MotoGP eSports. He tells : " it was like a real race. For the participants, it was also a real race because the pressure was there . »
The eight-time World Champion was impressed not only by the mental stress, but also by the skills of the “drivers”: “ I also like to play on the Playstation from time to time, but what they do is amazing. They were so precise and they tuned the bikes perfectly. This will be important in the future. »
Danilo Petrucci also looked at this environment which is becoming more and more professional from year to year: “ When you play video games with a friend, you laugh and have fun. But in virtual races, they are precise like us to win. There were no jokes! »
Petrux adds: “ that's why playing is not the right term, they drove during the races. It was crazy because I thought I was good even though I didn't play much. I know all the turns on the slopes. But they were a few seconds faster than me and very precise. I think that it's good ! »
Valentino Rossi belongs to the older generation and didn't grow up with simulation and online racing. He's joking : " I grew up with video games. First I had a Commodore, then the Amiga with floppy disks. Then I had a console where the module had to be inserted at the top. »
The Doctor, however, makes a serious assessment of the E-course: “ there are real championships and we didn't expect them five or six years ago. They are fast and precise. They train a lot and put a lot of time into it. It's also much safer. »
