The eSports (electronic sports) business is rapidly expanding, creating new job possibilities in the digital sports industry. Is eSports a legitimate business? or Can eSports be a Career? When it comes to traditional sports like football and cricket, eSports has yet to break through into popular society. Many individuals are still unfamiliar with the gaming business and see it as a recreational activity or a pastime. However, the gaming industry has developed significantly in recent years, with worldwide sales exceeding $1.1 billion in 2019.
Online games such as PUBG, Minecraft, Fortnite, CO: GO (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive), and others are attracting a lot of attention, and businesses are eager to spend more in this burgeoning sector. However, before entering this business, it is important to realize that eSports is more than just gaming. Professional gamers, as well as other jobs such as casters, commentators, and other support staffs appointed by eSport tournaments such as producers, editors, analysts, product manager, game tester, referee, production crew members, event managers, social media managers, and others, have a lot of opportunities in the digital sports industry.
Still, have reservations? Here's a step-by-step approach to getting your gaming profession off the ground.
Six Ways to Break Into the eSports Industry
Jump to:
- 1. Enroll in gaming courses
- 2. Determine your niche
- 3. Keep an eye out for opportunities
- 4. Rehearse
- 5. Participate in contests
- 6. Maintain your concentration
- Top 5 eSports Careers
- Journalists that cover eSports
- Professional Gamers
- Managers of Products
- Game/Quality Assurance Testers
- Referee/Administrator in eSports
1. Enroll in gaming courses
Those interested in pursuing a career in eSports may enroll in degree programs such as BA (Hons) in eSports, certificate programs, or even scholarship programs provided by reputable institutions across the globe. Several gaming courses with eSports specialty are available on online education sites such as Coursera and Udemy. Apart from focusing on gaming skills and game theory, these courses also assist in the management of the eSports industry's commercial aspects, such as:
- Organizing team activities.
- Learning about the eSports ecosystem's ethical and legal framework.
- Designing a game.
- eSports marketing is a term that refers to the promotion of eSport
- Marketing on social media.
- Coaching.
- Promotion of the event.
- Communication.
- Management of the league.
- Accounting.
- Streaming in real-time.
2. Determine your niche
Are you a professional gamer or a casual gamer? Choose a game that suits your abilities, experience, and interests. In well-established games, newcomers may struggle to survive. Future games will assist you in navigating the resources and honing your play styles. Getting into professional levels is considerably simpler for well-trained pro gamers, and it helps them establish a name for themselves in the business. Others with strong communication and public relations abilities, as well as marketing expertise, could consider moving into other areas of the eSports business.
3. Keep an eye out for opportunities
You must, like any other profession, go out and search for new possibilities. Contact tournament organizers and broadcasters, or apply to work for a business and get the necessary experience. Another method to get hands-on experience in this area is to volunteer. Sign up for unpaid volunteer positions like event manager or technical support staff to learn the fundamentals of running a tournament, hosting events, and assisting guests. Internships add value to your CV and may help you get a job with a potential employer.
4. Rehearse
It's all about practice when it comes to gaming. If you want to be a professional gamer, you must put in a lot of practice time and understand the game mechanics. Look for new players and learn their strategies by watching live-streaming footage. Replay and look through your matches to find out where you went wrong. Study how professional players play the game to enhance your own game tactics.
5. Participate in contests
Climbing the success ladder requires more than just practice. Go out there and compete against actual people to see where you stand. Make contact with top players and see how they approach the game. Form a squad of professional athletes and master a variety of skills. This will offer you an edge in the eSports scene and help you get recognition.
6. Maintain your concentration
Take your vacation very seriously. If you want to be a professional gamer, you must concentrate on your work and practice frequently, but not to the point of exhaustion. It's easy to get addicted to video games and spending hours in front of a computer. Maintain your equilibrium. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, take regular breaks, stay motivated, and learn about your field.
Top 5 eSports Careers
Aside from becoming a professional player, the eSports business offers a wide range of employment possibilities. Let's have a look at it.
Journalists that cover eSports
For individuals interested in writing news stories, opinion pieces, features, and articles on star players, tournaments, and general eSports news, eSports journalism is an interesting career option. An eSports journalist must be perceptive and passionate, as well as maintain a positive connection inside the industry, in order to obtain intriguing scoops and articles. He or she is in charge of selecting tales for publication, editing and proofreading them, and delegating duties to team members. Above all, work ethics must be considered while deciding which tale to publish so that the player's or company's image is not harmed.
Professional Gamers
One of the most interesting professions in the eSports sector is professional gaming. They are experts in their fields and represent teams in leagues and eSports businesses. They must go to other places and compete in competitions. Professional gamers should conduct themselves professionally and collaborate extensively with their coaches, teammates, and management. Interviews and fan meet-ups are required of legend players.
Managers of Products
In the industry, product managers play an important role. They create business and social media strategies, handle PR marketing efforts, create specialized goods and services, do market research, and organize eSports events. They work with other divisions and sponsors, as well as creating new applications and accessories for the company.
Game/Quality Assurance Testers
Game testers, often known as QA (Quality Assurance) testers, are specialists who verify that games run smoothly and identify problems or malfunctions. They work throughout the early stages of the game's debut to guarantee that all of the levels are operational. They have excellent analytical and technical skills, as well as a keen eye for detail. Game testers are required to spend long hours and keep meticulous records of the games' performance.
Referee/Administrator in eSports
An eSports tournament referee or administrator oversees the competition, ensuring that all rules are followed and resolving any disagreements. He should have excellent interpersonal skills and be observant when it comes to resolving conflicts and making appropriate decisions. Admins should be familiar with the regulations and guarantee that the game is played ethically and within the time limit.
Read also: Electronic Sports League (ESL)