The recognition of E-Sports is steadily growing in international events. The digital discipline has been listed at the current Asian Games and will become an official medal sport at the 2022 edition in China. This is considered the boldest step yet toward mainstream acceptance of competitive gaming. Timothy Ulrich has the details.

The Asian Games are recognized by the International Olympic Committee and billed as the world's second largest multi-sport event after the Olympics. E-sports are part of this continental showpiece, and its inclusion has been cheered by millions of gamers in Asia.

KENNETH FOK PRESIDENT OF ASIAN E-SPORTS FEDERATION "But how we take it through the Asian Games to a more mainstream, main stage? I think that is a very important deal. It's also an important step towards being accepted by society and also being accepted by the Olympic movement."

The future for E-sports is brighter than before, and its incorporation into the Asian Games will offer a highly visible testing ground. It also represents the sport's biggest step yet towards continental recognition, even though it was an exhibition event.

KENNETH FOK PRESIDENT OF ASIAN E-SPORTS FEDERATION "Of course the red line is different for everyone. We are talking about an issue that is subjective. Everyone has a different view or a different definition of violence. I don't want to go into what is violent or what is not. That is a much longer debate. We have to be able to work together as a federation, as publishers, as gamers and as a community to define this space and, you know, to move it forward and I think the Asian Games is the first step."

While initially popular as a spectator sport in Asia, more than 40,000 people attended the 2014 League of Legends World Championship finals in Seoul. Competitive gaming now draws tens of millions of spectators to online platforms and real-world venues, so acceptance by the top sports events in the world may not be far off. CGTN.