The first international gaming (eSports) tournament in which participants represented their country took place during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The tournament was organized by The International eGames Committee (IEGC), which is fully independent and not associated with the IOC or the Olympic Games.

These inaugural eGames took the form of a two-day pop up event during the Olympic Games, at British House, Parque Lage, Rio, Brazil. It was planned to then hold this event every two years. The next event was planned to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018, though this never eventuated.

Eight eTeams participated in the eGames: Argentina, Brazil, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA. The competition game played was Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, won by Ally from Canada.