AROUND half of all Brits play video games in some form, though the vast majority do it just for fun. It’s become one of the most popular hobbies in the country, with some enjoying the opportunity to spend time with their friends, blow off some steam, or test their skills.
Others dream of turning this passion into a profession.
There are plenty of ways that you can channel your love of gaming into a career, such as game design, project management, games testing, or even working in a video retail shop. The path to getting into one of these jobs involves you making an application, just like any other traditional role like those for the Commonwealth Games.
More recently, however, a new line of work has opened up for the most talented players – esports.
But is playing video games professionally really a viable career option, especially for people here in Solihull?
What Are Esports?
Esports are competitions that operate in a similar fashion to any traditional sport like football, golf, or tennis.
However, instead of involving physical activity on a field, course, or court, esports players compete inside a video game.
Some of the most popular esports include online poker, League of Legends, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Dota 2, and Rocket League.
They sometimes take the form of a league, running over several weeks or months, while other times they’re run as a knockout tournament that’s scheduled over just a few days.
Players who take part in esports events compete for a prize, which may be cash, a physical item, or something else of value.
How do Esports Players Differ From Normal Game Play
Esports players almost always compete on retail versions of video games.
Though there may be certain rules in place to ensure fair gameplay and/or to create.
This is because developers and publishers want their esport titles to reflect the games that consumers can buy as it works as a form of advertising for them.
Players may compete online or on a bank of computers or consoles at a venue.
The largest esports events take place inside large arenas where you’d expect to watch a basketball game or attend a concert.
Therefore, normal video games and esports are essentially the same, only for the fact that the latter usually has a prize and attracts an audience.
Who Can Take Part in Esports?
Some esports events are open to anyone.
For example, in online poker, it’s possible for most players to enjoy online events like Spin & Go Max, Sunday Warm-Up, and Zoom.
They just need to have an account with the poker site hosting the event and to meet the entry criteria.
Other esport events have a public qualification round before the closed main event.
This is the case in the F1 Esports Series, where, in October 2021, entries opened for players to compete in a scenario where they’d start in 5th place towards the end of a Grand Prix and try to gain as many places as possible.
Anyone could enter, provided they had the F1 2021 video game and either a PSN, Xbox Live, or Steam account.
However, the majority of the elite esports events are invitation-only.
Successful teams have grown into large businesses and attracted many of the best players in the world.
This allows them to earn spots in many of the most prestigious and highest-paying competitions.
How Can You Build a Career in Esports?
Getting a career in esports requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.
The percentage of people that become successful is similar to that of other professional sports like football or basketball.
This is because there are so many people competing for so few positions, so only the absolute best earn a spot.
If you’re prepared to commit, then you’ll need to spend a lot of time practising on your chosen video game(s).
At the same time, you’ll need to build a reputation in the esports community, joining social media groups, taking part in discussions, and sharing your playing footage online.
It’s also a good idea to enter open events to build your experience.
Many esports teams offer tryouts, again, similar to how professional sports teams work.
Once you feel your abilities are up to scratch, then you could throw your hat into the ring of one of these.
Is it a Viable Path?
Being a professional esports player is the dream of many gamers. But like with football, there are far fewer places than people wanting to fill them.
So it absolutely is a viable path for gamers who are immensely talented, but it will be important to remain realistic about your chances.
Article written by Ryan Medalla.
