Could you be the next pro-gamer?

February 12, 2020

For every kid whose parents warned them that spending hours on their Sega, Nintendo, PlayStation or Xbox wouldn’t amount to much, this article is for you.  

Once upon a time, parents of the world were warranted in standing at their kids’ bedroom doors, warning them that all those hours spent staring at a screen was a bad idea. But not anymore. With the rise of pro-gaming, playing your game of choice could actually earn you big bucks. 

So, what is pro-gaming? 

While it might sound fanciful, the title “pro-gamer” isn’t for the faint of heart. Pro-gamers are full-time, competitive players who are paid to play video games. Think of it like being an athlete who’s paid to play against other teams and players. Pro-gamers are paid by sponsors to compete in the biggest esports tournaments in the world.  

How much could I make? 

According to Esports Earnings, the top player in 2017 earned over $2M in prize money.  Meanwhile, the highest overall esports salary is currently over $3.5M.

Keep in mind that the average esports salary is around 60,000 USD a year. Still, that’s some fine money for doing something you love.

How do I make it happen? 

If this sounds like your dream career, you’re not alone. There are estimated to be 1.8 billion gamers in the world currently – and it’s safe to say many are vying to make it big.

As with any skill to be mastered, professional gaming takes extreme dedication. Just like training for a physical sport, you’ll need to spend countless hours on your craft. Here are a few other steps that the experts deem to be important:

• Select your console and game carefully
  Choose something that you’re naturally good at, and that you enjoy. It’s also worth researching which games are attracting sponsors and viewers.
• Stick at it!
  As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. But it’s not just endless hours in game play that will help. Research strategies on forums to get your head in the game, too.
• Stream away
  Watching others game is a key part of becoming a successful gamer. Head to YouTube and you’ll find countless channels dedicated to the profession. As well as watching others, you’ll need to set up your own channel – where you can publish recordings of your skills in action. This is your opportunity to attract sponsors.
• Show up IRL
  Attend local gaming events to show your face in the community. As with any profession, networking is a great way to open yourself up to opportunities. Even if it’s not your natural state, try to work the room!

Related courses: 

Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Game Design) - Curtin University

Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) in Games Design and Development – Murdoch University

Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture) - Curtin University

Bachelor of Digital Media – University of South Australia