How to Be Professional eSports Player - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 19, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The rise of professional eSports has caused a surge in interest in competitive gaming. As eSports has become more popular, more people are drawn to it, and the number of professional players has increased significantly. This, in turn, has caused the prize pools to grow larger, as more money is available for tournaments and events.

The increased financial rewards have allowed professional players to make a living from playing games, and this has led to the creation of dedicated eSports teams and organizations that provide training and coaching to help players improve their skills. This, in turn, has further increased the popularity of eSports and made it even more attractive to potential players.

Steps How to Become

Choose a game. Before you can become an eSports Professional, you need to decide which game you want to specialize in. Choose a game that you enjoy playing, and that has a thriving eSports scene.
Get good. Once youve chosen the game you want to focus on, its time to get serious about improving your skills. Youll need to practice a lot and develop your mental and physical abilities. Learn strategies, watch tutorials, and study the playstyles of top players.
Join a team. Joining a team is the best way to get noticed in the eSports scene. Look for teams that are actively competing in tournaments and leagues, as this will give you the best chance at success.
Compete. Once you join a team, start competing in tournaments and leagues. This is where youll prove your skills and gain recognition in the eSports world.
Build an online presence. As an eSports Professional, youll need to build an online presence. Create social media accounts, stream your gameplay on Twitch or YouTube, and interact with other players. This will help you become more visible and increase your chances of signing with a professional team.
Get sponsored. As you start gaining traction in the eSports world, you may be able to attract sponsorships from gaming companies. This can provide you with additional income and help you transition into a professional eSports career.

The path to becoming a successful professional eSports player requires a combination of skill and dedication. A player must possess a high level of gaming proficiency, as well as the drive to continually improve their abilities through practice and repetition. Training and practice are essential for success, as they allow a player to become comfortable with the game mechanics, sharpen their reflexes, and develop strategies for overcoming opponents.

Furthermore, strong communication and teamwork are paramount in competitive gaming, as they can be the difference between victory and defeat. Lastly, networking and staying up to date on the latest trends within the gaming industry can help improve a player's chances of success. With these elements combined, a player can become a highly skilled and competent professional eSports player.

You may want to check Gaming Software Engineer, Online Gaming Programmer, and Gaming Community Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Professional eSports Team Player: Responsible for playing video games competitively as part of a team. Must be able to practice, strategize, and compete against other teams in tournaments and leagues.
Professional eSports Streamer: Responsible for streaming video games on streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. Must be able to commentate and engage with viewers while playing games.
Professional eSports Coach: Responsible for leading and training a professional eSports team. Must be able to prepare the team for competitions, analyze strategies, and develop strategies for the team.
Professional eSports Analyst: Responsible for providing analysis and commentary on professional eSports events, teams, and players. Must be well-versed in the competitive scene and be able to provide insightful analysis.
Professional eSports Content Creator: Responsible for creating content related to professional eSports such as videos, articles, podcasts, etc. Must be able to create content that is both engaging and informative.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strategic Planning
Hand-Eye Coordination
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Teamwork
Mental Toughness
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Dedication to Training and Practice
Knowledge of the Game and Rules
Technical Skills
Analytical Thinking
Quick Reaction Time

Competitive gaming, or eSports, is a rapidly growing industry that requires a wide range of skills to be successful. The most important skill for an eSports player to possess is the ability to stay focused and motivated. This skill can be developed through practice and dedication, as well as a commitment to learning new strategies and tactics.

Focusing on the task at hand and having the drive to succeed are essential for any successful eSports player. A good team mentality and communication are also important, as players must work together to achieve success. a good understanding of the game is necessary, as well as the ability to react quickly and make decisions under pressure.

Finally, strong analytical skills are needed to identify weaknesses in opponents and formulate strategies to defeat them. All of these skills together create a strong foundation for an eSports player, one that is necessary for success in competitive gaming.

Gaming Platforms Developer, Console Gamer, and Gaming Editor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the eSports industry?
What trends in the eSports industry do you feel are most important for success?
How do you stay motivated when competing in professional tournaments?
What strategies do you employ to maximize your performance during tournaments?
How do you handle the stress and pressure of professional gaming?
What style of game play do you prefer?
How do you balance practice and tournament commitments?
How have you contributed to the growth of the eSports industry?
Are you comfortable using streaming platforms to broadcast your gaming?
What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Common Tools in Industry

Monitor. Allows players to view their performance in real time (eg: BenQ XL2411P 24-Inch LED Monitor).
Keyboard. A gaming keyboard is designed to provide faster and more accurate inputs (eg: Logitech G413 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard).
Mouse. A gaming mouse has extra buttons for quick access to in-game commands (eg: Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB Tunable Gaming Mouse).
Headset. A gaming headset helps to provide enhanced audio capabilities (eg: SteelSeries Arctis 5 7. 1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset).
Gamepad. A gamepad allows players to control the game with physical buttons and analog sticks (eg: Xbox One Wireless Controller).
Streaming Software. Allows players to broadcast their gameplay to the world (eg: OBS Studio).
Streaming Platform. Streamers can upload their content to a streaming platform such as Twitch (Twitch).
Communication Software. Allows players to communicate with teammates/opponents through voice or text (eg: Discord).

Professional Organizations to Know

Major League Gaming (MLG)
Electronic Sports League (ESL)
World Gaming Network (WGN)
International eSports Federation (IeSF)
International Video Game Federation (IVGF)
Professional eSports Association (PEA)
G-League (G-L)
World Cyber Games (WCG)
DreamHack
Intel Extreme Masters (IEM)

We also have PC Gamer, Video Game Moderator, and Online Gaming Moderator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

eSports. A form of competitive video gaming where professional players compete against each other for monetary prizes.
Professional Gamer. A player who is professionally paid to compete in eSports tournaments.
Tournament. An organized competition between multiple eSports teams or players.
Prize Money. Money awarded to the winning team or individual in an eSports tournament.
Streaming. Broadcasting live video of an eSports tournament or match.
Meta. Refers to the current strategies and tactics used by professional players during an eSports tournament or match.
Twitch. A popular streaming platform used by professional gamers to broadcast their matches and tournaments.
LAN Party. An event where multiple people bring their computers to a single location and play games together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do professional eSports players make?

Professional eSports players can make anywhere from $10,000 to over $1 million annually depending on the game, tournament winnings, sponsorships and other sources of income.

What type of skills are required for professional eSports players?

Professional eSports players typically require a high level of skill in strategy, reflexes, communication, and teamwork. Many professional players also have a deep knowledge of the game and have excellent problem solving and analytical skills.

How many professional eSports players are there?

According to Statista, there are over 854,000 professional eSports players globally.

What is the most popular game for professional eSports players?

The most popular game for professional eSports players is League of Legends, with over 11 million players participating in professional tournaments in 2020.

What are the most successful professional eSports teams?

The most successful professional eSports teams include Team Liquid, OG, Evil Geniuses, Fnatic, and G2 Esports. These teams have earned millions of dollars in prize money and have achieved international recognition.