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

Jan 30, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Playing video games professionally can be a lucrative career choice, but it requires a tremendous amount of dedication and discipline. Professional gamers must be well versed in the game they are playing, have intense practice and training schedules, and possess a strong competitive spirit. They also need to be able to think critically and react quickly under pressure.

The payoff for their hard work can be a successful career as a professional gamer, with potential earnings from tournament winnings, sponsorship deals, and streaming services. It can also open up other opportunities such as coaching, hosting tournaments, and developing esports strategies. the dedication and discipline of a professional gamer can lead to a rewarding career in the rapidly growing field of esports.

Steps How to Become

Choose a game. Before anything else, you need to decide which game you want to focus on and become a professional in. Consider playing different genres of games and find the one that interests you and that youre good at.
Get the right equipment. Invest in a good gaming PC or console, a quality headset, and the best peripherals you can afford. This will help you get the most out of your gaming experience.
Learn the game. Once youve chosen the game you want to focus on, its time to learn it. Learn all the mechanics, strategies, maps, and characters. Watch videos of professional players and observe their strategies and techniques.
Improve your skills. Practice makes perfect. Play the game regularly and practice different strategies. Try to get better and better every day.
Participate in tournaments. Start with small tournaments or leagues and work your way up to larger events with bigger prizes. This is a great way to meet other gamers and showcase your skills.
Network. Interact with other gamers in your scene and build relationships with them. Attend events and make contacts with tournament organizers, streamers, sponsors, and other professionals in the industry.
Get sponsored. Once you have established yourself as a professional gamer, its time to look for sponsorships. Reach out to companies and make them aware of your accomplishments as a professional gamer.
Stream your game. Streaming your game is a great way to show off your skills, interact with your fans, and make money. You can also offer coaching sessions for other gamers who are looking to improve their skills.

The path to becoming a reliable and qualified professional gamer is one that requires dedication and hard work. First, it is essential to become familiar with the game, as it will allow players to understand the mechanics, strategies, and techniques necessary to succeed. After gaining a good understanding of the game, it is important to develop skills such as hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and problem-solving.

the ability to work in teams and collaborate with other players is a must. Finally, knowledge of the games meta-game, such as patches and updates, can help players stay ahead of their competition. All of these skills are necessary for becoming a reliable and qualified professional gamer.

You may want to check Virtual Reality Gamer, Competitive Gamer, and Gaming Community Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Champion Player: A professional gamer who competes in tournaments and leagues to win prizes and awards.
Streamer: A professional gamer who streams their gameplay online for an audience.
Professional Coach: A professional gamer who provides coaching and analysis to players in order to improve their gameplay.
Community Manager: A professional gamer who engages with the gaming community through social media, forums, and other online media.
Content Creator: A professional gamer who creates videos, articles, and other content for gaming websites and social media channels.
Esports Analyst: A professional gamer who provides insight and analysis of professional gaming events and teams.
Tournament Organizer: A professional gamer who plans, organizes, and runs tournaments and leagues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Fast reaction time
Good hand-eye coordination
Problem solving skills
Ability to quickly learn and master new games
Strategic thinking
Good communication and teamwork skills
Attention to detail
Analytical and creative thinking
Ability to handle stress and work under pressure
Knowledge of gaming industry and gaming trends

Good communication skills are essential for any professional gamer. This is because without proper communication, players won't be able to effectively plan and strategize with their team to achieve victory. Its also important to have a good sense of game knowledge and understanding, such as knowing how to use the different weapons and classes to the best of their ability.

Furthermore, quick reflexes and decision making are key to reacting quickly to changes in the game environment. Finally, having a good understanding of the game mechanics, such as map layout and spawn points, can help players make the right decisions when it matters most. All these skills are essential for success in professional gaming and can determine the outcome of a match.

Online Gaming Designer, 3D Game Artist, and Console Gaming Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have playing competitively?
What strategies do you use when playing games?
How do you stay motivated and focused during long gaming sessions?
What do you think makes a great professional gamer?
What are your greatest strengths or weaknesses when it comes to gaming?
Tell me about a time you had to adapt to a new game quickly.
What is your experience with streaming or broadcasting your gameplay?
How do you handle criticism or losses in a professional gaming environment?
What techniques do you use to improve the performance of your team?
How do you interact with other players during tournaments?

Common Tools in Industry

Gaming Mouse. A gaming mouse is a computer mouse specially designed for playing video games. (eg: Razer DeathAdder Elite)
Mechanical Keyboard. A mechanical keyboard is a keyboard built with individual switches beneath the keys for improved performance and durability. (eg: Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum)
Headphones. Headphones are used to listen to audio, usually from a computer, phone or gaming console. (eg: HyperX Cloud Revolver)
Monitor. A monitor is a display device that shows the output of a computer or other electronic device. (eg: Acer Predator XB271HU)
Streaming Software. Streaming software is software used to capture, encode and stream audio and video content in real time over the web. (eg: OBS Studio)
Microphone. A microphone is an input device that captures audio for use in recording, streaming or broadcasting. (eg: Blue Yeti USB Microphone)
Controller. A controller is an input device used to control a video game by sending inputs to the game console. (eg: Xbox One Wireless Controller)

Professional Organizations to Know

World Esports Association (WESA)
Electronic Sports League (ESL)
Major League Gaming (MLG)
World Cyber Games (WCG)
Intel Extreme Masters (IEM)
International e-Sports Federation (IeSF)
Professional Esports Association (PEA)
World Gaming Federation (WGF)
Esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC)
StarLadder

We also have Gaming Software Programmer, Gaming Systems Analyst, and Competitive Video Gamer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

eSports. Competitive gaming on a professional or semi-professional level, involving organized tournaments and often livestreamed events.
LAN Party. A gathering of gamers who connect their computers directly to each other, instead of through the Internet, to play video games together.
Twitch. A popular streaming platform owned by Amazon, used by millions of gamers to broadcast and watch live gaming content.
Streamer. A person who streams video game content on Twitch or other streaming services.
Professional Gamer. A person who earns money through playing video games competitively or streaming them on Twitch.
GamerTag. An online handle used to identify a player in a game or on social media.
Game Server. A computer or application that enables players to connect to each other and play a game online.
Fanbase. A community of fans who follow a particular streamer or professional gamer.
Tournaments. Organized competitions in which professional gamers compete for a prize, usually in the form of money or other rewards.
Matchmaking. The process of connecting players of similar skills together to compete in an online game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the average income of a Professional Gamer? A1: Professional Gamers can earn an average income of $60,000 to $100,000 per year depending on their skill level and the tournaments they participate in. Q2: What types of games are Professional Gamers typically involved in? A2: Professional Gamers typically compete in eSports titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Dota 2 and Overwatch. Q3: What kind of sponsorships do Professional Gamers have? A3: Professional Gamers can have sponsorships from companies such as computer hardware or gaming companies. They can also have endorsements from streamers or other influencers. Q4: How often do Professional Gamers compete? A4: Professional Gamers typically compete in major tournaments on a regular basis. These tournaments usually range from once a month to once a year, depending on the game and the tournament series. Q5: What skills are important for Professional Gamers? A5: Professional Gamers need to have a good combination of skill, knowledge, strategy, and mental acuity. They must also keep up with the latest trends in gaming and stay ahead of the competition.