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Esports may seem like a wild, new phenomenon, but the story of competitive gaming starts in 1972. Sure, they weren't filling arenas or handing out scholarships 50 years ago, but these proto-esports paved the way for the modern industry. From the first women to be called "professional gamers," to the release of Quake in 1996, to the rise and fall of the Overwatch League, strap in for the story of modern esports!

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Music for Debate This! is provided by composer Ozzed under a creative commons license. Check out more of their 8-bit bops at www.ozzed.net!