Back in the day, parents often got mad at their children who played a lot of video games. “Wala ka naman mapapala sa kaka-computer mo,” they would say. While it’s true that anything in excess is bad for you, the concept that there’s nothing to be gained in playing video games is a thing of the past. In fact, gaming can actually be a viable career these days!
If you’re a gamer who wants to be a pro someday, whether in solo or team games, here are some tips that can help you:
Pick a Game
To be a professional gamer, well, you first have to play a video game. There are two ways to go about this. The first is to choose a new game with a lot of potential (read up on gaming news!), which allows you to grow with it. It’s also easier to establish yourself in freshly released titles, not to mention engage with the community. The downside is that a new game might not last or at least take some time before it gets stable.
The second choice is to pick a well-established esports title, like Dota 2 or CounterStrike: Global Offensive. With big-name sponsors, international-level tournaments, and active fan bases, these games can be your ticket to a skyrocketing career. However, you need to be patient. Again, these esports-ready games already have solid communities so it can be tough for a newcomer to make a name for themselves.
Establish Your Identity
When it comes to gaming, it’s important to have your own brand and identity. This is especially crucial if you’re playing a solo game, but it’s also a good thing even if you’re a member of the team. One way to establish your gaming identity is to customize your avatar if the game has that feature. This way, other players and fans can recognize you.
If you’re still starting out, you can buy gaming pins and make in-game purchases to get new heroes and hero skins. Sometimes, you can also buy certain equipment and other in-game items that can help you make your avatar as distinct as possible.
Get the Right Gear
As a professional gamer, you need professional equipment. For mobile games like Mobile Legends, you need a gaming phone with enough processing power and good graphics quality. For console games, you’re going to need a high-definition TV for excellent visuals, along with a headset or headphones. Meanwhile, for PC gaming, you’re going to need a high-speed, high-graphics CPU, a gaming mouse, and a mechanical keyboard, a headset, as well as a monitor with a high refresh rate. These are just a few of the things you need to invest in to help build your gaming career.
If you want a benchmark, try to find out what set-ups professional gaming organizers have and then try to match those. Do note that it will cost quite a bit of money to purchase all this equipment, particularly for PC, so be prepared to save up or use some of your savings to set up your rig.
Practice, Practice, Practice
After setting up your gaming equipment, it’s time to get some practice. You really need to put in the time so you can hone your skills, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Aside from practicing on the game you want to be a pro at, you should also test out similar games in the same genre. This is particularly true for FPS games.
Aside from practicing, you should also research techniques and strategies online. Read gaming forums and participate in groups, where other players can give you advice. If you can, record your own games and watch them later so you can take note of what you need to improve. You should also add professional streamers and players to your to-watch list so you can learn from their gameplay.
Build Your Network
Just like any other job, being a professional gamer requires a lot of networking. You need to get in touch with gaming managers, esports teams, and other gamers. The last one is crucial because you need to practice against other gamers to get better. Being in a community with the pros also helps you learn the ropes of gaming as a profession.
Your network also includes your own community. By continuously engaging with your fans (for lack of a better word), you can also establish yourself as a name in the industry. Sponsors might also be more willing to work with you if you have an active base.
Last but certainly not least, to be a professional gamer, you need to love what you’re doing. Despite the stereotype, going “pro” in this industry isn’t simply about playing games 24/7. There’s also a lot of planning involved, not to mention training and studying tactics. If you’re only looking for fame and a quick way to make money, you won’t last long. Instead, you have to really love a game, appreciate the process of getting better, and being a part of a big, global community.