Anyone who plays esports can thank mini gambling games and the early games consoles for the existence of esports today. Although early video games introduced the world to the concept of two players playing against each, it was in the 1980s that one of the most popular competitive gaming tournaments, a “Space Invaders” tournament, was recorded. Competitive gaming began to gently materialize in the 1990s, but then really started to establish itself in the 21st century as broadband internet and new services allowed people to play online, and gaming tournaments attracted sponsors.
Today, esports are so popular that some gamers want to make a living from them. Some might try by playing games at online casino Ontario. Others may attempt it by playing traditional console games. Below is a look at whether esports are a viable career, why people might want to become professionals, what jobs are out there in the industry and the benefits of working in it.
Should you turn pro?
It’s perfectly possible to make a living from gaming, but if the dream is to become a professional player, be aware this is a short-term career option. Often, players retire from gaming professionally by their late twenties. Some will go into other jobs in the esports industry or pursue a living in areas that intersect with esports, such as finance, cryptocurrency or content creation. To make it in esports, it pays to be versatile and have a broad skillset.
Turning pro is risky financially, but if you’re going to follow the pro gamer path, be willing to dedicate yourself to it. That means putting in hours and hours of practice to compete at the very highest level. You don’t necessarily have to turn into a professional gamer to work in esports, however. There are lots of other potential jobs:
- Games development
- Events work
- PR and marketing
- Sales and partnerships management
- Team management or ownership
- Tournament administration / refereeing
- Caster
- Community / social media management
- Journalism
- Agent
- Finance
When pursuing a career in esports, reality doesn’t always live up to the fantasy. It’s always best to ask yourself whether a specific job is a good match for you.
Why do people become professionals
Of course, winning big money is one of the big attractions of gaming professionally. As sponsors gravitate more and more towards esports sponsorship, prize money is growing, and top gamers are making millions from winning. The only way to big money in professional gaming, however, is to build your skills and then keep chalking up the wins, enough so talent spotters will notice you and invite you to join a team.
Some people become professional gamers or professionals in the wider esports industry because they spend a lot of their time playing video games and become good at it. They also love gaming, which is important because esports as an industry and as a community is one full of immensely passionate people about video gaming.
Although a love of gaming helps in the field, it’s not essential. The esports industry is booming, and many industries are looking to get involved with esports, which means having expertise in an area or having a passion for anything can help. For instance, esports teams have their own healthcare teams and chefs.
The benefits of working in esports
Esports was once a niche industry, but now it’s boomed into a multi-billion dollar one, one that boasts a wide range of career opportunities. Working in esports can put you on the path to careers in management, events, business development and more. Not only this, but the skills you develop in roles in the esports industry are transferrable to roles in other industries, including digital, STEM and tech.
The opportunities don’t exist only once you’re in the field, however. If you’re good enough to get noticed, you might even be offered a scholarship. Some university teams have created esports teams, which are a superb way to catch the eye of talent scouts if you’re considering pro gaming as a career option.
Being part of the esports industry means being part of an industry having a powerful positive impact on society. Esports are breaking down barriers and opening doors for people from all backgrounds, promoting diversity and inclusion.
It’s also an industry that boosts mental health. The competition, victory and lessons learned from defeat all work toward relieving stress and bolstering self-esteem. The of camaraderie between team members creates a sense of belonging, further improving wellbeing.
The esports industry has grown so much that now it’s possible to consider making a living from working in the industry. Although you can turn pro as a gamer, it takes a lot of dedication and there’s no guarantee of success, so form a backup plan and build your skills as much as possible so that you can continue working within the industry and make the most of the many opportunities esports present.
