Finding the Right Game for You
Choose a genre that works for you. There are many kinds of competitive video games. You should choose a game genre that you are already comfortable playing. More importantly, you should choose a game that you really love because you will be playing it a lot! There are many different genres of competitive games, but the most common are first-person shooters (FPS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), fighting games (FGC), real-time strategy (RTS), sports games, rhythm games, battle royale, collectable card games (CCG) and massive multiplayer online games (MMO).
Watch competitive gaming. All competitive video games have a wide variety of video content online, through gaming platforms, and on television. Take a look at some videos of professionals playing to get an idea of what game titles look interesting. If you plan on being a professional esports competitor, this will also give you an idea of the kind of content you will need to create. There are several of live-streaming websites that focus on competitive video games. The most widely used are Twitch, Azubu, and MLG. Individual esports competitors almost always have their own live-stream channel and YouTube channel. These are also great video resources you should check out.
Choose some games you want to play. You should pick between 1 and 3 game titles to sample. You want to make sure that you really enjoy the game and feel relatively confident in your skills before deciding which one you will start playing professionally. You can always get better at a game with more practice, but if you find you are getting bored, you should probably move on to a different game.
Pick your gaming platform. If the game you have picked is available on a variety of platforms, you will need to choose which one is best for you. Some games will only be available on certain platforms, or might be exclusive to a single console brand or personal computer. Budget matters when selecting your platform. Nintendo is generally the least expensive gaming platform to purchase. Xbox and PlayStation are typically similar in price. Building a personal computer can vary widely in price depending on the parts you want and if you are able to build it yourself.
Excelling at Your Game
Focus on a single game. To compete in esports at a professional level, most people need to focus on a single game. You will need to really know the mechanics, tactics, and player abilities in your game. Additionally, you will need to be an expert on the role you have chosen within the game that you play.
Practice your game often. If you are serious about esports, you should treat it like a full-time job. Playing your game for 40 hours a week is probably necessary for competing in esports. Scheduling your practice hours will help you stay committed and consistent. You should even write a list of areas you need to work on and pick specific times to focus on them. As you develop your skills, you should seek out other players who are skilled to play with and against. You won’t get much better by beating low-skill players, but you can learn a lot from losing to a highly skilled opponent.
Study other players’ tactics. Learning how other people play your game will help you prepare for competitions and develop your own strategies. You can easily identify top players in your game and watch their YouTube and live-stream channels.
Attend training camps and special events. Many areas offer esports camps where you can receive special coaching and connect with other players. These training camps and events can range from a casual meeting at a local game store to massive conventions with participants from around the world. Search online to find a camp or event for your game that fits your needs. Most training camps and events that are professionally organized will require you to purchase a ticket to attend.
Getting Your Name out There
Communicate with other players. Use the online forums for your game to meet other people who play your game. Many games also have text and voice chat so you can talk to people while you are all playing the game. Getting to know the other people who play your game is a great way to learn about the community and its culture. If you live near a local game store that features competitive play or hosts parties and events, you should stop by and try to get to know people. There may be fewer people that play your game, but it is still a great way to share your enthusiasm for esports and network.
Create an online presence. Using social media, live-streaming, and creating content online is essential for a successful career in esports. Gaining followers through the content you have created online is probably the most important part of making a living through esports. If a lot of people are watching your content, many sites will pay you and you might attract sponsors. Every esports game has a Twitter account and you can use this to help build your own brand and connect with other people who love the game you play. Having a live-stream channel on one of the major esports streaming sites is highly recommended. You should create a YouTube channel where you can post your video content. This will be an important source of revenue as you build a larger following. You should also ask for donations from your fans using a crowdfunding website. Many esports competitors and professional video gamers use Patreon to accept donations.
Join a team or league. Working with a team or an entire league of players will boost your skills and get you connected to other people who play your game. Regular competitive play is some of the best practice you can get. Working with others who share your passion for esports will help keep you motivated and will extend your esports network. Use online forums for your game to find people to play with regularly. Most games have their own official forums, multiple fan sites with forums, and usually have their own section in esport website forums. Many games feature guilds, clans, or similar in-game organizations to bring people together who play regularly. Seek out a group that is competitive and serious and ask to join them. If you have already built a reputation as a serious competitor, a team might contact you.
Volunteer to gain experience and connections. Many companies request paid and unpaid volunteer positions, especially at large events. Volunteering will give you valuable work experience in the esports industry. It is also a great opportunity to network with other people in esports. Check online if there are tournaments, parties, or other events in your local area. If they aren’t calling for volunteers on their website, contact the host or venue to see if they could use your help. Don’t forget to put your volunteer work on your resume. Potential employers will be impressed by your initiative and good reports from your references.
Making Money in Esports
Monetize your online presence. If you have enough followers, you can make money from advertising revenue if you have your content on websites like YouTube and Twitch. Some of these content hosting websites allow your followers to donate directly. If not, you can ask for donations to your Patreon account. To maximize your revenue from online sources, make sure that you have links that connect all of the sites where your content is hosted. For example, if you have a YouTube channel, provide links to your Patreon, Twitter, and live-stream site. The more clicks you get, the more money you can make!
Compete at tournaments. Once you feel confident in your abilities, you should enter into competitive tournaments. Tournaments happen all year, and you should try to participate in as many as you can. Winning at a tournament can get you attention and even prize money, but you will always get good experience just from participating. You should test your skills at as many local and online tournaments as you possibly can before entering a live event or the pro circuit. There are many ways to make money through esports, but most communities see competing and placing in tournaments as a mark of a true esports professional.
Attract and reach out to large sponsors. There is no single way to land a major sponsorship, but it will be easier if you have already created a significant following and have participated in competitive events. Ideally, a sponsor would contact you or your team with an offer. More often, you will need to reach out to potential sponsors with an introductory email. When contacting a potential sponsor, make sure you are polite and professional. Sponsors chief concern is their reputation. If you are offensive in public or private, you will likely discourage sponsorship. Obtaining a large sponsorship creates a steady stream of revenue that will allow you to practice, compete, and generate content at the highest competitive levels. Although winning prize money from tournaments may amount to more, sponsorship revenue is determined by your contract.
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