Following your passion is the best way to ensure you live a happy and fulfilling life. As the saying goes, if you work at what you love, you’ll never need to work another day in your life.
People often think that your career needs to be focused on what’s acceptable or considered normal. Only a few years ago, the thought of being a professional gamer, youtuber, or even influencer was unthinkable. Now, most of these jobs are accessible on a wide scale and incredibly well paid as well.
Before we delve into the world of professional gaming and how you can become a leading competitor, let’s explore the industry in further detail.
Also known as Esports, the professional gaming industry is on track to generate around $1.5 billion by 2023. This form of enterprise, that many people underestimated, has quickly become a very lucrative sector.
So, what exactly is a professional gamer and what do they do? This profession involves full time competition in video game leagues and tournaments. Players are often partnered with sponsors or advertisers and, many times, they form part of teams too. Although esports started gaining traction in Asia, this industry is quickly becoming a global phenomenon
Similar to a professional gamer is a professional streamer. They too play video games for a living but instead of competing, they record themselves playing and stream this feed onto YouTube or Twitch. They can receive sizable checks from the ad revenue sustained by their audience and following.
So, now we’ve covered some of the basics of this industry, let’s get to the exciting part. Here are seven steps you can take to become a professional gamer.
Find a Niche
If you want to excel in this industry, it’s best that you find a niche and truly master it. It helps to find a specific game as well as type of console. For example, you could choose to become a professional team player in League of Legends for the PC or maybe a professional solo player on FIFA for PlayStation. The best way to find a niche is by picking something you really love. After all, you’ll spend many hours playing.
Practice Makes Perfect
No matter how passionate you are, unless you develop the necessary skills to become a professional, it’s unlikely that you will make it. Some individuals have a natural born talent when it comes to playing video games, others have a lot of potential, they simply need to unlock it. Don’t be afraid to look up walk throughs online and find advice from other gamers in your field. As with any activity, it’s important to find a balance between your passion and your lifestyle. Too many hours in front of a screen can seriously harm your vision, so don’t forget to take frequent breaks.
Join The Community
One of the best aspects of the gaming industry is the community you’ll encounter along the way. Whether you make friends online or in person, these are people you’ll carry in your heart forever. The great thing about the gaming community is that it knows no boundaries, so you can chat with your friends whilst you play in the same room or meet new people halfway across the world. Just remember to be safe whilst chatting to people online and never give out sensitive information to people you don’t know, as it can be easy to get carried away sometimes.
Invest In Gaming Gear
Just as with any other profession, gaming requires a set of tools. Of course, you’ll be able to get by with the basics, which include the console and game. However, having a few extra accessories can help you excel even further. We recommend purchasing some of the best Sony headphones for gaming alongside an ergonomic chair that can help you play for hours on end. Depending on how you like your set up and what console you are playing with, there are hundreds of gaming accessories you can invest in to make the experience more enjoyable,
Compete in Leagues and Tournaments
Even the most professional gamers had to start somewhere. Try your luck in the lower leagues and take any opportunity possible to show off your skills in a competitive environment. This is the best way to gain exposure and familiarise yourself with a relatively new environment. Many aspiring gamers often argue that there are no leagues or tournaments in their local area. However, you’re only ever a few clicks away from a new online gig. If you prefer physical tournaments and there are none in your area, why not decide to organise one yourself? This can teach you excellent first-hand knowledge about the professional gaming experience.
Attend Local Events and Conferences
If you want to become a professional gamer, we suggest you start practising and never stop networking. This industry is all about skill but also contacts, so make sure to combine the two in your efforts. Only the best gamers will rally enough support and those who are connected will have access to lucrative sponsorship opportunities. You can simply search on google to find some of the best gaming events and conferences in your area. Don’t forget to get involved too by buying tickets to competitions or tours even if you are just attending as a spectator. Take every opportunity to learn and develop your gaming knowledge.
Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams
If you already know what it is that you love doing, you’re halfway there. All you need is enough passion and determination to turn your dreams into reality. Make sure to set yourself goals and work your way to fulfilling them every day. You may find that it takes some time to build a reputation, but this is only normal! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your gaming
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