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

Nov 13, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Esports Software Developers create the software necessary to support the growing esports industry. This software provides the necessary tools and platforms for players to compete online, allowing them to participate in tournaments, leagues, and other gaming activities. As a result, the success of esports has grown exponentially, with more and more players, teams, and sponsors becoming involved in the industry.

This has led to an increase in demand for software developers, as they are needed to create new and innovative solutions to keep up with the ever-evolving esports landscape. To meet this demand, Esports Software Developers must possess skills such as coding, game development, and project management. They must also be able to work collaboratively with other developers, designers, and stakeholders to ensure that their software meets the needs of the esports community.

Steps How to Become

Start by getting a degree in computer science. You should strive to get the best grades possible to increase your chances of getting into a good school. You can also specialize in game development or game design.
Take classes in programming and game development, focusing on languages and platforms that are commonly used in the esports industry.
Gain experience by creating games in your free time and participating in game development competitions.
Network with people in the esports industry, including software developers and game designers.
Look for internships or entry-level positions at companies involved in esports software development.
Build a portfolio of your work to demonstrate your experience and skills.
Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in esports software development and technologies.
Continue to build your network and experience in the industry to remain competitive.

Esports software development is a complex task, requiring the skill and expertise of both developers and stakeholders to ensure a successful end product. To be ideal and capable in this field, developers need to have an in-depth knowledge of the game, its mechanics, and the competitive scene. they must possess strong problem-solving skills, be well-versed in game engine programming, and have a good understanding of the user interface.

Stakeholders need to be able to effectively communicate their vision to the developer and provide clear direction on how to achieve it. By working together with a shared goal of creating the best competitive gaming experience possible, both developers and stakeholders can create a product that will stand out in the Esports space.

You may want to check Esports Coach, Esports Programmer, and Esports Content Creator for alternative.

Job Description

Design and develop software applications for esports tournaments
Develop and deploy esports tournament management systems
Design, implement and maintain esports tournament tools
Develop and debug esports software components
Develop data-driven visualizations for esports tournaments
Create content-rich websites for esports tournaments
Design and develop custom user interfaces for esports tournament systems
Develop automated data analysis algorithms for esports tournaments
Collaborate with game developers to ensure compatibility of esports software
Maintain and troubleshoot esports software systems

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of software development principles and practices, including object-oriented design, software testing, debugging, and refactoring.
Proficient in programming languages such as C#, Java, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Ability to write clear, concise, and well-documented code.
Knowledge of game engines such as Unity or Unreal.
Experience developing interactive applications for mobile and web platforms.
Ability to develop user-friendly UI/UX for esports applications.
Understanding of networking protocols and client-server systems.
Ability to optimize game performance and ensure scalability of applications.
Experience with databases such as SQL, MongoDB, and NoSQL.
Knowledge of version control systems such as Git or SVN.
Ability to work in a distributed team environment with remote colleagues.
Excellent problem solving and communication skills.

A successful Esports Software Developer needs to have a strong technical background in programming and software engineering. This includes a deep understanding of coding languages, data structures, algorithms, and software design principles. A good knowledge of the game engines and tools used to create esports games is also essential.

In addition, a successful Esports Software Developer should have good communication and collaboration skills, as they will often be working with other developers, designers, and testers. Lastly, they must be creative and able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems. These skills all contribute to the success of an Esports Software Developer, as they are crucial for creating immersive, engaging, and competitive gaming experiences.

Esports Broadcast Announcer, Esports Lead Developer, and Esports Video Editor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have developing software specifically for Esports?
Describe a project you have worked on that you are particularly proud of.
How would you go about debugging a complex problem in an Esports software environment?
What challenges have you faced developing software for Esports?
What strategies do you use to ensure quality control in the software development process?
What Esports platforms do you have experience developing for?
How familiar are you with creating user-friendly interfaces for Esports software?
What methods do you use to collaborate with other developers when creating Esports software?
What would be your approach to quickly releasing a patch for a bug in an Esports software?
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies for Esports software development?

Common Tools in Industry

Unreal Engine. A game engine developed by Epic Games that enables users to create games and interactive experiences. (Example: Fortnite)
Unity. A cross-platform game engine used to create games, simulations and other interactive experiences. (Example: Pokémon Go)
Autodesk Maya. 3D animation, modeling, simulation and rendering software used to create interactive 3D content. (Example: World of Warcraft)
Adobe Photoshop. Image editing and graphics software used to create and manipulate images. (Example: Overwatch)
C#. A programming language used to develop applications across multiple platforms. (Example: League of Legends)
Javascript. A scripting language that enables developers to create interactive websites and applications. (Example: Dota 2)
HTML/CSS. HyperText Markup Language and Cascading Style Sheets used to create webpages and applications. (Example: Call of Duty)
Node. js. An open source server environment used to develop server-side applications. (Example: Smite)
Apache Tomcat. An open source web server for Java-based applications. (Example: Heroes of the Storm)
MongoDB. A document-oriented NoSQL database used to store and retrieve data from databases. (Example: Rainbow Six Siege)

Professional Organizations to Know

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
The Esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC)
The World Esports Association (WESA)
The Esports Professional Players Association (EPPA)
The Professional Esports Association (PEA)
The Esports Federation (eSF)
The Global Esports Federation (GEF)
The Electronic Sports League (ESL)
The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE)

We also have Esports Event Coordinator, Esports Statistician, and Esports Brand Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

API (Application Programming Interface). A set of programming instructions and standards for accessing a web-based software application or web tool.
SDK (Software Development Kit). A set of software development tools used to create applications for a specific platform.
Source Code. The human-readable language of a program.
Compiler. A program that translates source code into machine code for the computer to execute.
Debugger. A program used to identify and fix errors in the source code.
Version Control System. A system used to manage changes to source code over time.
Game Engines. A set of tools used to develop video games, typically including a game engine, scripting language, and editors.
Gameplay Mechanics. The rules and systems that govern how a player interacts with a game.
Networking Protocols. The set of rules used to communicate over a network.
User Interface. The design of a products input and output screens, menus, and control elements, which allow users to interact with the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an Esports Software Developer do?

An Esports Software Developer designs, creates, and maintains software for Esports platforms and applications. They develop code that allows players to interact in online gaming competitions, often creating an immersive experience.

What skills do Esports Software Developers need?

Esports Software Developers need strong coding skills in multiple languages such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and C++. They should also be familiar with gaming engines such as Unity and Unreal. Additionally, they must have knowledge of game design principles, audio/video streaming technologies, and game user interface design.

What is the job outlook for Esports Software Developers?

The job outlook for Esports Software Developers is expected to grow by 14% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing demand for online gaming platforms as well as the growing popularity of eSports competitions.

What type of salary can an Esports Software Developer expect?

The median annual salary of an Esports Software Developer is $62,000. This can vary depending on experience level and the specific company or organization they are working for.

What types of companies hire Esports Software Developers?

Companies that specialize in gaming or eSports often hire Esports Software Developers. These include video game publishers, gaming studios, streaming platforms, and eSports tournament organizers. Additionally, some non-gaming companies that are looking to expand into the gaming industry may also hire Esports Software Developers.

Web Resources

Esports - Fisher College www.fisher.edu
What is Esports? - University of Oklahoma www.ou.edu
Esports Part 1: What are Esports? - Harvard International Review hir.harvard.edu