If you are someone who believes in a career playing video games, then the time to pursue this idea is nigh.
Esports is one of those industries that are not super mainstream quite yet, but it is growing thanks to so many popular titles. DOTA 2, League of Legends, Valorant, Tekken, and Counter-Strike are a few notable examples of popular video games with healthy and thriving competitive scenes.
Of course, there are other, more niche video games, but it is no secret that most players dream of making it big in one of the most recognized titles if they can.
So, the question is, how can you become a professional gamer? This article will give you some ideas.
Emphasis on Schedule
The first thing you want to focus on is rhythm. You need to treat gaming as a job, and that starts with a routine.
Unless you establish a schedule, you will have a hard time. There has to be time for training, sleeping, doing other things, and so on. The key takeaway is that you need to know what you should be doing during this or that time of the day.
There are plenty of other players who are dedicated enough to get up extra early and spend that time practicing or taking care of other matters so that they can dedicate the rest of their day to playing video games.
If you need help getting into the rhythm, set your clock alarm early or get in the habit of avoiding late nights too much.
Gaming Equipment Optimization
There is a good reason why brands like Razer and Steelseries are so popular among gamers. They manufacture the best video game accessories.
From computer mice and mousepads to headsets and keyboards, you want to make sure that you have the best possible gear. Otherwise, it will not be too long before you struggle to find motivation for gaming due to technical issues.
Optimizing a computer’s performance is also a must. Even if you have the right accessories, it will be hard to play well if there are constant FPS drops, random crashes, or scuffed sound quality.
You might also find a link between too much dust inside the device and constant overheating, meaning that you will need to clean the dust regularly.
Finally, you will need to get a reliable internet connection. Low latency and no packet loss are some of the key things that you want to have when playing video games online.
Keep in mind, however, that gaming accessories or the computer itself will not last forever. Sooner or later, you will encounter problems with it, and when that happens, you will need to solve them quickly or find someone to help you. Otherwise, you will not be able to practice.
Study of Replays
Speaking of practice, there are ways to improve other than just playing non-stop. You can also learn a lot by studying your own replays or going through the gameplay of other players.
Most video games, particularly those with a competitive scene, have plenty of streamers and content creators who share and discuss strategies. As for your own replays, there should also be a feature that records games individually and lets you view them after.
It is easy to miss certain things when you are playing, and it is natural given the concentration you have at the time. However, once you step back and can study the gameplay after, you will have a much better time identifying your errors and creating a strategy to improve.
Studying replays can be boring, but it is part of the business. If you become a competitive player, you will also have to learn about your opponents, and what better way to do that than by looking at replays.
Competitive Environment
Early on, it can be difficult to find a competitive environment for yourself. As a new player, you are unlikely to get invited to good teams or even tournaments. First, you will need to prove yourself and maybe get a little bit of luck.
Having said that, you should seek opportunities to taste what it is like to play competitively. The sooner you start, the sooner you can get to feel what it is like.
And remember that an amateur tournament will still offer a much bigger opportunity to learn and experience the competitive side of games than public matches will do.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, if you have your gaming accessories and computer ready, do not hesitate and go on the journey to become a professional gamer. Since the future of esports looks pretty bright, you can make something out of yourself and establish yourself as a player recognized by peers and loved by fans.