How to Start a Competitive Gaming Career in 2023
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to get paid for doing what you love? Well, put down that TV remote and grab your controller, because we’re diving headfirst into the exciting world of competitive gaming! Buckle up, because your dream career might just be a few headshots away.
What is a Professional Gamer?
So, you’ve heard the term “professional gamer” thrown around, but what does it really mean? It’s not just about winning all the chicken dinners in PUBG or being the ultimate wall-smashing Reinhardt in Overwatch. A professional gamer is someone who takes their love for gaming to the next level, turning it into a career that involves competition, strategy, and sometimes even some mad button-mashing skills.
How to Become a Professional Gamer?
There are several ways to become a professional gamer, but the two most common ways are either start streaming your gameplay on Twitch or YouTube, or try to join a competitive team and play through the ranks.
Start Streaming Your Gameplay
Imagine playing your favorite game and having a rapt audience cheering you on – and no, we’re not talking about your pet cat. Streaming your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube can put you in the spotlight. Plus, you get to show off your impressive gaming skills and charm the virtual socks off your viewers.
The best part about this method is, that you can start already today. All you need is a decent gaming setup, maybe some streaming lights, and a camera, and you are good to go!
Join a Competitive Team
Joining a competitive gaming team can open doors to a world of tournaments and sponsorships. It’s like having a second family, except they all speak fluent gaming lingo. Finding a competitive team can be a bit harder though. It’s a great idea to check local communities to see if they are looking for gamers with your magnificent skill.
A competitive team can also be found online, which in many cases are the way to go. Try to stand-in on occasions for great teams to challenge yourself and show your true gaming skills, and maybe you’ll be rewarded in the future.
Start Your Competitive Gaming Career – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Find Your Game
Not all heroes wear capes, and not all gamers play the same games. Explore different genres until you find the one that makes your fingers dance on the keyboard or controller.
Counter-Strike, VALORANT, and League of Legends might sound fun and rewarding, but remember that the most popular games also comes with a higher competition for the professional spots. The most essential is, that you find a game you can see yourself playing for thousands of hours.
Step 2: Buy Gaming Equipment
A keyboard with more neon lights than a 90s disco? Check. A mouse with more buttons than your grandma’s TV remote? Check. Seriously though, investing in good gaming equipment can be the difference between “Game Over” and “You Win!”. Make sure you have a decent gaming computer and a great gaming monitor to make it easier for you to click heads when you are practicing.
Step 3: Keep Practicing
Talking about practicing! Remember, even Mario fell into a pit a few times before he mastered that jump. Practice, practice, and then practice some more. Hours of practice might sound daunting, but just think of it as leveling up in real life. Being a professional gamer takes countless hours of gaming so make sure you have fun with it.
Step 4: Decide What Kind of Gaming Career You Want
Do you want to be a competitive player, a streamer, a content creator, or maybe the person who designs those epic game characters? Figure out what part of the gaming universe floats your boat. It’s a good idea to pick one of the other and place all your energy in to that. Do you want to win trophies? Find a competitive team! Do you want to create and community to have fun with? Start streaming!
Step 5: Join Gaming Communities
Join online communities where gamers discuss tactics, strategies, and whether pineapple belongs on pizza (it doesn’t, by the way). Networking with fellow gamers can help you learn the ropes faster than Sonic on Red Bull. And, maybe you find your next gaming team in one of these communities, who knows?
Step 6: Attend LAN Events
Who needs a sofa when you can carry your whole gaming setup to a LAN event? These local gaming gatherings are perfect for meeting like-minded gamers and showing off your skills and getting to know like-minded people. It’s not only a great time, but can also be the golden way to finding your next gaming path.
Step 7: Search for a Team
As they say, teamwork makes the dream work. Joining a gaming team not only sharpens your skills but also introduces you to the art of coordination, communication, and maybe even a bit of playful trash talk. You can either find that online, join up with your friends, and apply for one of those competitive teams you watch online. Make sure you have the skill, and maybe start at the lower ranks and work your way up, you have to prove yourself before you can be the best.
Step 8: Start Competing
This is it, the moment you’ve been waiting for! Whether you’re in a virtual battle royale or a nail-biting MOBA match, give it your all. Remember, every “GG” gets you closer to your gaming dreams. Competing against others who want to lift trophies is also the best way to hone your craft.
Wrapping Up
Becoming a professional gamer might not be as easy as finding a hidden warp zone, but with determination, passion, and dedication, you can make it happen. So, go forth, conquer those virtual realms, and who knows? The next time someone asks what you do for a living, you can flash them your epic victory dance and say, “I’m a professional gamer, baby!”
