ABSTRACT
This chapter is an introduction to the book entitled Social Issues in Esports. It begins by describing the impact of technology and digitalisation on the development of sport and highlights esports as one of the most visible examples. The chapter clarifies the aim of the book, which is to provide empirical and theoretical explorations of how social issues related to gender, integrity and fairness, health, diversity, and social inclusion shape esports and to address how social issues commonly found in sport impact digitally mediated esports. In order to set the scene for these exploratory analyses, it describes how the growing esports research across academic disciplines lacks insights into social issues in esports environments. It also includes information about the book’s contents and provides brief descriptions of the 12 chapters included in it.
