How to Be Esports Referee - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 13, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Esports referees have an important role in the industry, as they must ensure fair play and enforce rules. Their presence helps to keep players and teams in check, ensuring that all participants are abiding by the rules and regulations of the game. Without referees, the industry could easily become chaotic and disorganized, leading to a lack of trust within the community, as well as a decrease in player satisfaction and viewership.

Referees also help to ensure that players are playing at their full potential, while at the same time ensuring that the game is being played fairly and without any cheating or unsportsmanlike conduct. As a result, having a referee present can lead to increased competitiveness, increased viewership, and an overall better gaming experience for everyone involved.

Steps How to Become

Become a Fan. Develop an understanding of the Esports industry and its different games by watching professional matches and tournaments. Become familiar with the rules, regulations, and strategies associated with each game.
Take a Referee Course. Enroll in an accredited course to gain a comprehensive understanding of the rules and regulations applicable to Esports. Many courses also cover topics like tournament management, game mechanics, and sportsmanship.
Gain Experience. Get practical experience by volunteering as a referee at local tournaments or in online leagues. This will help you develop your skills and build your resume.
Get Certified. Once you have enough experience, you can apply to become an official Esports referee. You will need to pass an exam to receive your certification.
Stay Up-to-Date. Keep up with the latest developments in the Esports industry to ensure you are knowledgeable about the latest rules and regulations.

Esports referees are a critical component of competitive gaming, ensuring fair play and consistent outcomes. To become a skilled and qualified referee, one must possess the right combination of knowledge, experience, and skill. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, and etiquette of the game being played is essential for any referee.

experience with both playing and observing the game being refereed is required. Finally, referees must possess the skill to interpret the rules and regulations accurately, as well as make timely decisions. Together, these traits help create a successful esports referee who can ensure fair play and consistent outcomes for all participants.

You may want to check Esports Promoter, Esports Analyst, and Esports Producer for alternative.

Job Description

Tournament Administrator: Responsible for organizing, scheduling, and running tournament events, including setting rules and regulations.
Broadcast Referee: Responsible for enforcing rules on a live broadcast and communicating with the players, casters, and tournament organizers.
Rules Advisor: Responsible for developing and interpreting official rules for esports tournaments, clarifying rules to players and teams, and providing guidance to tournament organizers.
Technical Referee: Responsible for monitoring gameplay, identifying issues with technical equipment, and resolving problems related to game setups.
Anti-Cheating Referee: Responsible for monitoring gameplay for any signs of cheating or other rule violations, issuing warnings or punishments as necessary.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the game.
Understanding of game strategy and tactics.
Ability to remain impartial and fair.
Ability to make quick decisions in highly stressful situations.
Ability to recognize cheating or rule violations.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to remain focused for long periods of time.
Familiarity with the game mechanics and user interfaces.
Ability to provide feedback and coaching to players and teams.
Knowledge of the history of the game and its competitive scene.

Being an Esports Referee requires a variety of skills, but the most important one is objectivity. It is essential that referees remain unbiased and impartial so that they can make decisions without favouring any particular team or player. This means that referees must be knowledgeable and experienced in the rules of the game and have the ability to make quick, fair, and accurate judgments.

Furthermore, referees must be able to remain calm and composed when dealing with difficult situations, such as disputes between teams or players. This quality allows referees to control the game and ensure that it is played in a safe, respectful, and sportsmanlike manner. Finally, referees must be able to clearly communicate their decisions to players, teams, and other stakeholders in a professional manner.

These skills are essential for effective refereeing in Esports and are necessary for fair and successful competitions.

Esports Public Relations Specialist, Esports Operations Manager, and Esports Administrator are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the esports industry?
What rules do you think are essential for referees in esports?
How do you handle disagreements between players during a competition?
What strategies do you use to stay impartial during refereeing?
What methods do you use to ensure that rules are applied consistently and fairly?
How do you handle situations when the players or spectators become unruly during a match?
How do you handle situations where there is ambiguity regarding the rules or regulations?
How do you keep up with the latest changes in the esports industry?
What skills do you have that make you an effective esports referee?
How do you ensure that all involved parties are satisfied with the outcome of a match?

Common Tools in Industry

Online Arbitration Platform. Allows referees to manage and coordinate disputes in an automated way. (eg: Battlefy)
Stream Management Software. Helps referees monitor and review streams for rule violations. (eg: Moobot)
Communication Tools. Provides a secure way for referees to communicate with players. (eg: Discord)
Match Scheduling Software. Allows referees to manage and organize matches. (eg: Toornament)
Anti-Cheat Software. Helps referees detect cheating in tournaments. (eg: VAC)
Videoconferencing Software. Allows referees to conduct remote interviews with players. (eg: Zoom)
Referee Scorecard System. Tracks referee performance and helps referees improve their decision making. (eg: MatchAnalytics)

Professional Organizations to Know

World Esports Association (WESA)
Electronic Sports League (ESL)
Professional Esports Association (PEA)
International Esports Federation (IESF)
Esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC)
World Gaming Executive Summit (WGES)
Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA)
National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE)
World Cyber Games (WCG)
British Esports Association (BEA)

We also have Esports Video Editor, Esports Moderator, and Esports Social Media Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Match Official. A person appointed to enforce the rules of an esports match and make sure the game is conducted fairly.
Referee. An individual who presides over an esports match, ensuring that the rules of the game are followed and the match is conducted fairly.
Judge. An individual who is responsible for adjudicating disputes between players or teams during an esports match.
Game Master. A person in charge of overseeing an esports match and making sure it runs smoothly and fairly.
Tournament Operator. An individual responsible for organizing and managing an esports tournament.
Ruleset. A set of written rules that govern an esports match or tournament.
Player Code of Conduct. A set of rules that players must abide by while participating in an esports event.
Disciplinary Action. Punishment imposed on a player or team for violating the rules or code of conduct during an esports match or tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Esports Referee? A1: Esports Referee is a profession that involves officiating competitive video gaming events. Q2: What qualifications are needed to become an Esports Referee? A2: To become an Esports Referee, one should possess strong knowledge of the competitive gaming scene, have excellent communication skills, and demonstrate proficiency in game rules and regulations. Q3: How many types of Esports Referees are there? A3: There are three different types of Esports Referees: Tournament Referees, Professional Referees, and Amateur Referees. Q4: What is the role of an Esports Referee? A4: The role of an Esports Referee is to ensure fair play, enforce rules, and maintain the integrity of the competition. Q5: What type of gamers do Esports Referees typically work with? A5: Esports Referees typically work with professional gamers who compete in tournaments and leagues for prize money.