From the very beginning, gaming has always been about competition. However, until recently, competitive gaming was considered more of a niche hobby than a legitimate profession. All of that has changed in recent years, as esports has gained a following that has surpassed that of many traditional sporting events. Record-breaking tournaments like The International (Dota 2) and the Fortnite World Cup have attracted millions of viewers and placed esports on the global stage.
The best players have walked away with life-changing prize pools and massive sponsorships, becoming worldwide celebrities in the esports community. But it’s not just about fame and fortune; as esports continues to grow, opportunities have opened up for people from all walks of life to pursue their gaming passion as coaches, content creators, and event managers. In this article, we look at how competitive gaming has become a viable, long-term profession.
The Growth of Esports and Its Impact on Professional Gaming
There’s no debating the fact that esports has come a long way since the early days of competitions like the 1990 Nintendo World Championships. Back then, the term esports hadn’t yet been coined, and people gathered to show off their skills without expecting large prizes. Modern esports tournaments would be unrecognizable to gamers from the 1980s and early 1990s. Today, tournaments like The International and the Esports World Cup feature prize pools reaching tens of millions of dollars, with the esports industry being valued at more than one billion dollars in total. Even major companies like Red Bull, Nike, and Logitech have gotten in on the action, sponsoring top players who earn millions in prize money and endorsement deals, much like their counterparts in traditional sports.
Pathways to Becoming a Professional Gamer
While video games are the first thing that comes to mind when most of us think of esports, as poker has moved online, it’s increasingly being included in the conversation. Poker is a mind sport that has a lot in common with what many would consider traditional esports, like Hearthstone and StarCraft, where strategy, quick decision-making, and reading opponents are key to success. To succeed in competitive poker online, players must understand the difference between online vs. live tournaments and the skills they need to use in each of them. The best poker players invest a lot of time learning their craft and practicing with players online and offline to prepare to achieve their goal of being one of the best.
For gamers who focus on esports titles like League of Legends, Fortnite, or Call of Duty, their path to becoming a professional gamer usually begins with mastering a specific game. These gamers don’t spread themselves by trying to master multiple genres and titles; instead, they hone in on one they like. Once they’re good enough, they’ll try joining a pro team or participating in an official league, like the Overwatch League or the League of Legends Championship Series.
These teams often recruit players through competitive circuits and online communities, so it’s important for gamers who are interested in joining one to keep an eye out for these announcements. The life of a gamer is like that of any other athlete and involves rigorous training regimens during most of the week. Players spend several hours a day practicing, studying strategies, and working to hone their skills. Since they often play in teams, they do team-building exercises as well.
Career Opportunities Beyond Playing
While competitive gaming gets the most attention, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make esports a success. That means being a professional gamer isn’t the only way to break into the industry. Esports coaches and managers are two of the most important jobs in competitive gaming. Just like in traditional sports like basketball and football, coaches and managers work with players to optimize their performance and develop winning strategies.
Content creation is also a popular career path within the esports industry, where platforms like Twitch and YouTube have made it possible for players to monetize their gameplay and build large followings. Esports journalism, event production, and broadcasting are career paths that are also growing due to the popularity of competitive gaming.
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