How to Become an eSports Pro

The popularity of esports has exploded over the last few years in the United States and all over the world. What used to be a niche hobby has launched an entire industry, and there are a number of opportunities available for gamers who have the skills to win.

Outside of the competitive world, online streaming and social media have turned players into semi-celebrities, enabling players to make money by building their brand and their following as well. For gamers who want to go pro, it can be tricky to know what you need or where to start. If you’re interested in getting involved in professional gaming, keep reading to learn more about how you can become an esports pro.

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What Do You Need to Compete in eSports?

It may seem obvious, but you need the right equipment if you want to make money as a gamer or an esports pro. A high-end gaming PC is one of the best investments you can make, though you may need to invest in consoles as well depending on which games you play and which competitions you intend to participate in. In tournaments, you will occasionally need to bring your own controller or your own game system (especially if you play on the Nintendo Switch). Ensuring that you have competition-legal equipment that hasn’t been modified is a must if you want to play at the highest level.

It’s also necessary for you to stay up to date on all the latest news within the community. Not only do you need to stay aware of competitions and tournaments you can enter, but you also need to be updated on the meta of the games you play and informed about any changes that may be on the way. Websites like hotspawn.com can be invaluable for gamers who want to make sure they don’t miss any of the biggest headlines.

How Can You Become More Successful in the eSports World?

The most important part of success as a gamer is also the most obvious. Winning competitions is the most effective way to become more well-known in the community and to make money since the prizes can be into the millions of dollars for certain tournaments. More popular competitions like Overwatch League’s Summer Showdown offer the best opportunities for exposure and cash prizes.

Raising your profile and growing a larger following on social media are essential parts of finding success as a pro gamer. It can be a good idea to put together some clips and videos of your best plays and biggest tournament wins to advertise your channels. While you may have some video editing skills, it’s a better idea to have an expert in webvideo production help you create something that looks polished and professional.

Streaming on Twitch or YouTube is also a great way to build and maintain an audience when you aren’t competing. Streaming often requires a different skill set than competing, so it’s a good idea to work on your ability to be personable in front of the camera and engage with viewer questions and comments. While being good at games is a part of gaining viewers, being entertaining is just as if not more important.

The rise of esports in the United States has created a number of new opportunities for players to make money and even a career out of their lifelong love of gaming. While it isn’t easy to achieve the level of success that’s required to be a professional gamer, it’s possible for those who have the talent to win and the ability to build an audience online. Even if you don’t have the skills to win in the highest level competitions, if you’re personable and entertaining, you can also make money as a gamer by streaming or making videos online on platforms like YouTube. Treat professional gaming the same way you would treat any other job, and you’ll find that a little talent and a lot of work can help you build a career in any industry.

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