Gamification of Digital Gaming – Video Game Competitions and High Score Tables as Prehistory of E-Sports in Finland in the 1980s and Early 1990s

Abstract

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The aim of this paper is to examine the “prehistory” of E-sports from the Finnish perspective. In the<br>context of the GamiFIN conference, we approach E-sports as a gamified form of video gaming. In particular, we<br>study the early Finnish game championships of the 1980s and the early 1990s as well as the high score lists of<br>Finnish computer and video game magazines. We ask the question: how did these publications and activities<br>construct video gaming as a socially-experienced competitive practice? In addition, we seek answers to the<br>following questions: Who were the early video game contestants? How was competitive gaming presented in<br>media? What kind of rules were defined for the contests? How was cheating dealt with?</p><p><br>Keywords: Competitive gaming, game history, e-sports, high score tables, Pac-Man</p>