Both SC2 and LoL offer plenty of deeper strategy and planning, aspects that may not be immediately apparent to the newly-initiated but provide a more enduring appreciation of the game.

FORBES: Connect

"I really do believe that, based on the talent on display this weekend that I have seen we are in a golden age of basketball, that the appreciation of our game is really as high as it has been in recent memory, " said Stern, who has now run the NBA for 25 years.

BBC: Basketball's golden era

Even the Department of Defense is getting in the game with a mobile application that helps young children gain a stronger appreciation for science by guiding them to resources and answers, and debunking common misconceptions that stymie interest and progress in STEM.

FORBES: How We Can Use Technology To Transform The Classroom

Scouts who work on the Game Design merit badge will likely look at the games they play differently and with a new level of appreciation.

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