What is a Professional Gamer?

You might be scratching your head wondering what a “professional gamer” is if you’ve never heard the word before. A professional gamer is someone who makes a living competing in video game tournaments. A professional gamer’s income is not limited to the salary they get from their employer; they may also receive compensation from sponsors or advertisers while they compete.

Pro gamers, in contrast to persons who work in the gaming industry as designers or game testers, are paid to play games rather than make them. Hours upon hours are spent by professional gamers studying and playing their chosen game in order to reach a level of expertise necessary to compete at the highest levels. They put in a lot of time at the practise sessions and get the benefits in the form of improved hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and the ability to think on their feet.

If you think this could be something you’d enjoy doing, research what it takes to join the ranks of professional gamers.

Should You Be a Pro Gamer or a Streamer?

If you’ve been inspired to become a professional gamer after seeing others succeed in this field on YouTube and other platforms, you should know that professional gamers are distinct from professional streamers.

Professional streamers use services like YouTube and Twitch to broadcast live videos and increase their subscriber base. Streamers, in contrast to professional gamers, earn money by broadcasting video games online in exchange for a cut of the advertising revenue generated by their viewers.

Because of the low barrier to entry into the industry, anyone can become a professional streamer if they build up a large enough audience. Another perk of being a streamer is that you get to work when it’s convenient for you because you’re your own boss.

However, the income of professional gamers typically exceeds that of broadcasters.

How to Become a Professional Gamer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let us help you get started in the gaming community if you have no idea how or where to begin. In reality, it takes a lot of time and energy, as well as dedication and consistency, despite appearances to the contrary.

Step 1: Choose Your Game, Platform, and Genre

When you first start out in the competitive gaming scene, it’s best to focus on only one game, platform, or genre. It’s difficult to become an expert at every game and every location where you can play it since there are simply too many possibilities.

Pick a primary gameplay focus, such as strategy or racing. You’re free to target a broader spectrum of styles, but remember that narrowing your focus increases your odds of being noticed.

The next step is to decide on a gaming platform, such as a personal computer (the standard for competitive play) or a console system like the PlayStation 4.

Then, narrow your focus to a handful of games. Dota 2, League of Legends, Fortnite, StarCraft II, and countless others are just a few of the most well-known esports.

Step 2: Practice Makes Perfect

If you want to make it as a professional gamer, you need to be as good as possible, which means not being perfect. Pay attention to how other pro gamers and streamers play, spend time learning and testing new methods, and put forth genuine effort to improve your gaming experience.

If you want to get better at a game, look online for strategies, walkthroughs, and guides written by other players.

Step 3: Join a Gaming Community

Mastering the skills necessary to succeed is only half the battle. You must also stand out. The most effective strategy for accomplishing this is to become a part of a gaming group, be it virtual or real.

In addition to expanding your professional gaming network, joining a community introduces you to a group of people who share your interests and goals, and who may provide invaluable encouragement and feedback along the way. Together, you’ll be able to hone your abilities via practise and mutual teaching and learning.

Step 4: Invest in Good Gaming Gear

To succeed in gaming, you need the proper equipment, which may sound like stating the obvious. You don’t have to go out and buy everything at once, especially if you’re just starting out, but you should make sure that your equipment doesn’t get in the way of your gameplay.

Here are some of the things you should consider buying or upgrading:

• A gaming PC or laptop
• Headset
• Mechanical keyboard
• LED monitor
• Gaming mouse
• High-quality webcam and microphone
• Comfortable gaming chair
• Surround-sound speakers

No one ever claimed becoming a professional gamer would be cheap, but practising with these products at home will help you feel more at ease when utilising them at tournaments.

Step 5: Attend Local Gaming Events

When you become part of a group, you’ll get access to a wealth of gaming gatherings. Participating as a member of the community means showing up to local gaming events, whether as a spectator or a participant. In order to get experience and make a name for oneself, it’s important to start at the bottom and work your way up through smaller, local events.

Step 6: Find a Team

If you can prove your mettle by dominating regional or local tournaments, you’ll stand out as a player and be recruited by professional teams. To be invited to join a team, you’ll need first-rate abilities and a solid social circle. To find out if a team has an opening, you can contact them either virtually or in person. There is no such thing as too much practise or preparation since the better you are at your game, the more likely you are to be invited to join a team.

Step 7: Compete in Leagues and Tournaments

It’s time to take your gaming skills to the next level after years of competing in local tournaments. If you want to see how other gamers operate, attending some professional tournaments is a great idea; then, when you’re ready, you may enter a tournament of your own. These tournaments, which can be found both online and in person, are a great place to gain exposure and build your reputation as a gamer. Maintain a winning mindset if you want to continue competing in challenging competitions.

Step 8: Get Sponsored

Granted, it’s easier said than done, but a professional always has sponsors. It’s great when you win a tournament, but if such tournaments are one-offs, you can’t count on the money you take home as a reliable source of income.

Professional gamers, on the other hand, make their living through endorsement deals with companies that pay them to use and promote their products. It’s time to start making money off your gaming skills after all the effort and expense you’ve put into developing them.

The Bottom Line

To become a professional gamer, you now have the knowledge you need to get started. Having a genuine interest in the game is crucial, as the road to the professional ranks is lengthy and winding.

After reading this, you may decide that you don’t want to pursue a career as a professional gamer after all; in that case, you may want to look into game design or production as an alternative. You’re going to need a degree for this, and we recommend getting your feet wet with a free, online computer science degree from University of the People (UoPeople).