Want to know what it takes to become a professional esports player? Having fun and making money at the same time? Dream job, isn’t it? Well, stay tuned because in this article we will describe what exactly it takes to become part of the esports gaming community.
What is eSport?
ESports is a special form of competition in video games. It is a multiplayer video games competition where teams composed of professional players compete. Only in the last few decades or so, esports competitions have become so well-known that they are broadcast online worldwide. The video game industry has improved, so now there are various jobs that did not exist before, such as professional video game players or professional broadcasters (or shoutcasters) who earn large sums of money.
Some of the most famous games within the esports community are Dota, Super Smash Bros, Valorant, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, etc. Tournaments in playing these games are a top-rated event in the gaming community. It is a great honor to play in this type of competition, which is why many players want to reach a high rank so that they can try to be a part of these franchises.
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How Can I Get Into eSports?
Right at the beginning, a warning. It may seem easy to play games and earn large sums of money, but that is not the case. Entering the world of professional gaming requires work, effort, and sacrifice. Even then, it is not guaranteed that you will succeed. It takes hours and hours of practice and learning about the game, and after that follows the most challenging step – getting into eSports or not getting into eSports. The first step is to decide what kind of game you want to compete in. Try a few games before you find the one that suits you best, and then start practicing.
Within eSports, games are arranged by genre so that you can choose between multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), fighting, collectible card games (CCG), real-time strategy (RTS), and first-person shooters. Choose carefully because if you reach a professional level, you will play that game for a long time. Watching professional players play can also help you choose. Professional gamers often stream their content on platforms such as Discord, Twitch, Youtube, Azubu, or others.
By watching and absorbing knowledge, you can see at the same time what the game is like and whether you like gameplay. Researching the game you are interested in can save you a lot of time when you decide to play alone, so choose a few professional gamers and watch a few of their videos.
Also, choose the platform on which you want to play games. Some games come in versions for different game consoles, so you can choose what you like best. Whether it’s an Xbox, Nintendo, or a classic PC, choose for yourself.
1. Improve Your Gaming skill
When choosing the game you want to play, it is important to focus on your own gameplay. You have to learn the rules of the game, the champions’ tactics, and everything related to the game you are playing. Only then can you become an expert and try to make a professional career out of gaming. Since you want to pursue a gaming career, you have to be very dedicated to the hours you need to practice.
You have to learn to win and lose at the same time, learn how to communicate with the team (if you have chosen a team game), keep your nerves, and work out a strategy for gameplay. Pay attention to game research. New updates appear regularly, and you need to know what each update carries and how it will affect your gameplay. Also, google your opponents. Investigate who uses what tactics and how these tactics can benefit your gameplay. Find top-ranked players on Twitch or Discord and start writing those tips and tricks.
Furthermore, if you have the opportunity to participate in local gaming tournaments, if you live in a city or state where the gaming community is active, you can often come across tournaments where you can try your luck. Rewards are often in cash, so in addition to gaining experience, you can also earn cash prizes if you are motivated enough.
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2. Build a Network in a Gaming Community
Creating a circle of friends in the gaming community is a must-have step towards fame. Use online forums, write gameplay tips, get to know other players also. If you know that there is an active local game community in your place, take the opportunity to go there and meet the real players. Who knows, maybe that’s where you’ll find your new team to go hunting for eSports.
Also, if you are brave enough and confident, start your own streaming channel. Choose a Discord, YouTube, or Twitch platform, and start streaming your own games. This way, you can gather followers and become famous enough for your name to spread in gaming communities. This is an excellent way to get feedback from other players, some players may praise you, and some may criticize you.
In any case, it is a good exercise for the path to professional gaming. This is also a side job because your channel can receive donations from followers, and you can also earn from sponsors who will pay you if you publish their content.
3. Be up to Date
Find an eSports calendar available online and check the dates of important events such as tournaments, qualifiers, or local events. If you are up to date with events, then you will not miss any important event that can be significant for you to enter the world of Esports. That way, you can get ready for qualifying or just follow professional players and practice your gaming skill simultaneously. Don’t rush, and it’s better to spend more time perfecting your gaming skill than to be unprepared to approach the qualifications and thus risk failure.
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Final Thoughts
Don’t be fooled that becoming a professional eSports player is easy. In addition to being ready for hours and hours of practice, you need to be well prepared. That means you have to invest in quality gaming equipment, for starters. After that, you have to choose which game you want to perfect – do you prefer fighting games or collectible card games? When you decide, you have to learn the rules of the game and the strategies that lead to victory.
You can do this by studying professional players who play and stream their gameplay on platforms like Discord, Twitch, or good old YouTube. In addition, try it yourself with your own streaming channel. Create a streaming channel on one of these platforms and start playing for the public. This will increase your popularity, and you can make money, depending on the popularity of your streaming channel.
Don’t forget to make acquaintances within gaming communities. Those acquaintances will help you, trust me. You can register on the online forums of your favorite games, or you can visit local tournaments (or even online ones) where you can meet real players who share a love for eSports like you. Good luck and don’t forget to have fun on this journey!