Pro video gaming has slowly been growing in popularity thanks to the numerous profitable video game competitions taking place. Players sign up to play as individuals or teams and in some cases, their endeavors have been so lucrative that pro gaming has become their career of choice!
If you are a passionate video gamer and possess the agility, patience, determination for success, and practice, read on about pro gaming to understand more about it as a career.
Who Is A Pro Gamer?
A pro gamer is a person who plays any kind of video game in a professional capacity in competitions. Professional video game competitions (known as e-sports competitions) have awarded prizes worth up to millions of U.S. dollars!
This is the main source of earnings for pro gamers, as these competitions happen all over the world. It should be noted that it could take a lot of time and practice to join the winners in these games; however, it is not impossible to perform well!
This will require the right combination of talent, selected game, practice, and the selected team. Whenever there is downtime between competitions, pro gamers tend to spend their time practicing the gaming skills they have, programming their bodies to allow them to successfully carry out marathon gaming sessions, planning, and practice strategies amongst teammates, and even practicing other games to develop other skills and strengths. Interested in pro gaming? Read on!
How To Start A Pro Gaming Career?
This is one of the few fields where no prior relevant education is needed. All you need is a passion for a game and the dedication to make it work. Start by:
1. Choosing your game niche
Review which games have competitions in your area and select the ones you would like to compete in. Professional pro gamers select and stick to one game as it allows them to hone their skills in the particular game. It is possible to select more than one game but is not ideally advised. A few factors to keep in mind when selecting a game are:
- Would you like a classic and reliable game with an established competition history
- Or a new and upcoming game that would have lesser professional players
Each of these options comes with its pros and cons: a classic game will have more competitions in the future while having a higher number of pro gamers amongst the contestants. A new game will have lesser competition but also lesser people who are pro gamers and you can be at the top of the game!
2. Finding the right equipment
The whole gaming industry is proud of the individually customizable setup, which can be done for each game and player! Some prefer consoles that come with different controllers and setups; others prefer computers that come with a wide array of options in terms of monitors, pc speed, keyboards, and even laptop options. However, a vital aspect is an internet connection that is lag-free and has a low ping.
We would recommend Optimum Internet Service as one of the best options for this level of service, as it provides superior service and excellent support.
But each gamer has a personally unique setup which needs to be amended to cater to pro gaming and this can take time and money. Having a community helps in allowing you to test out new equipment on loan before jumping in and purchasing them!
3. Getting active in the gaming community
Becoming a pro gamer requires a strong established community behind you. And since most of the competitions are team-based, making friends and colleagues in the gaming community is key. Having a team allows you to enter competitions and also helps in increasing skills, making connections, and understanding each competition from those who have already played.
4. Practice often
To become a pro gamer, you need to practice, practice, and practice! As with any other sport, studying your plays and practicing while keeping the feedback in mind helps gamers improve. The practice may comprise of:
- Specific techniques and/or skills, which are new to you.
- Understanding and discovering new strategies via the community and applying them in the game.
- Watching competition videos of pro gamers to see their reactions to various situations.
- Watching yourself to understand the points of improvement.
5. Understanding the science behind competitions
Each game has different levels, which start from game store-based leagues to arena competitions. The bigger the competition, the higher the prizes! It is a smart option to start small, understand how the game works, practice, and then aim for the bigger leagues!
6. Personal health
Being a sedentary activity, gaming can cause a different style of wear and tear on your body. For their physical well-being, pro gamers make use of frequent stretching breaks, eye breaks, exercising, and ensuring they do not get repetitive strain injuries.
On the mental health front, having a robust social life with frequent interactions has been known to be highly beneficial for pro gamers. Some pro gamers also choose to go to therapy, which helps them work through the tough nature of their career and competitions.
Do you think you have what it takes to be a pro gamer? Follow this guide and you just might be unaware of your true potential in pro gaming.
References:
- cyberathletiks.com: How To Become A Pro Gamer – What No One Ever Tells You
- cyberathletiks.com: How to Become a Pro Gamer – ULTIMATE Guide
- dubsnatch.com: 15 + Tips to Become a pro gamer
- indeed.com: How To Become a Pro Video Gamer: 10 Steps for Success
- forbes.com: Four Keys To Success In Esports And Gaming PR