Insight in Esports: How Do Gamers Prepare for Tournaments
Maksym YushytsynThe eSports market is growing by giant steps, particularly quickly in the USA and Asia. The number of eSports events, as well as the prize money, is increasing. Esports teams fill entire arenas with cheering fans who actively support the professional players. They ensure a special atmosphere at every event, which is far away from the times when gamers played alone in their room. The fans and the energy in the arena make this sport so lively and tangible that thousands of spectators come to competitions and regularly ensure that the arenas are sold out.
Even football players couldn’t stay immune to such popularity of eGames. FIFA can measure up with some of the most played eSports games, such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike, or DOTA2, both in terms of popularity and prize money. There are now many successful FIFA professionals who have fulfilled their dream of being pro gamers and who earn their living playing FIFA games.
Some pro footballers decided to take a different road and try themselves out in commenting eSports first. The West Ham trio Robert Snodgrass, Ryan Fredericks, and Andriy Yarmolenko got the privilege to peek inside the world of the ultra-popular game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. They were invited to the studio in London that broadcast Spring 2020 regular season of BLAST Premier CS:GO league. They had the best possible teacher for commenting games, the presenter Auguste “Semmler” Massonnat, also known as “SemmlerTheRiot”, one of the most recognizable faces in the CS:GO scene. Snodgrass’ and Fredericks’ casting of iconic Counter-Strike plays were so hilarious that the laughter was heard across the studio. You can see the video by Betway below:
Mental Preparation of Gamers
Now, given that gamers turned their hobby into a profession, it’s only a matter of time when eSports will get an umbrella organization like FIFA in football. However, the professional level that gamers have reached over the years requires having preparation for tournaments the same as professional athletes in other sports. The topics of mental performance, regeneration, and nutrition are becoming increasingly important. Most of the professional teams have their own team managers, sports psychologists, and nutritionists.
Maintaining focus and being fully concentrated is extremely important for success in eSports. Professional gamers prepare for competitions by training several hours a day, working out an iron discipline, and investing all of their time and energy in the game. It becomes clear how important the mental attitude and mindset are.
If you first look at their preparation for an important game, it’s no different than any other professional sport: This includes hard, daily training that takes several hours. In addition, discipline and adherence to certain routines. Before a game, the pro gamers are exposed to a lot of stress and, as in any competition, there’s immense pressure to win.
In the match, it’s important to be focused on the victory, to block out the noise of the audience and to make game decisions every second. Pro gamers have to make and execute more than 300 decisions and movements per minute over several hours. This means maximum mental performance. For this purpose, factors such as strategy, fast response times, the processing of information in a matter of seconds, and reflexes for the appropriate coordination are the keys.
In order to be able to use all these, the eAthletes must be able to call up their mental potential over the entire course of the game. This is of course associated with a great effort and challenge for the players and, in addition to active training, emphasizes the importance of regeneration.
What Do Gamers Eat?
Of course, one more thing is crucial: How does an eAthlete eat? Given that pressure might cause digestive problems, they rely on well-tolerated food for the stomach such as fresh smoothies. So, very balanced food and no fast food at all. Every team has lists of fruits and vegetables that the guys particularly like.
Given that games are mostly held in the evening, eGamers usually eat two hours before the game. At that moment, food with an anti-inflammatory effect, such as broccoli, ginger, and onions is important in order to counteract stress and stay mentally fit. Meat? Only easily digestible kinds, or fish. As for side dishes that are easy on the stomach, gamers intake sweet potatoes or rice in most cases.
Shortly before the game, quick energy is important. So mostly smoothies with berries or bananas are included, as well as energy bars and caffeine capsules. A 15-minute break between the game and the game analysis is filled with eating carbohydrates, usually rice cakes or fruit, to regain energy.
Another extremely important factor in eSports is emotional balance. A good sense of wellbeing and a good mood, which is crucial with such a cognitive effort, is required. Melatonin and magnesium are very important for the guys, as well as the use of blue light glasses to have a good night’s sleep. When gamers go to the gym, of course, important proteins go into the diet. Usually, one day a week is a cheat day when guys can eat whatever they want.
Conclusion
The success of eSports will continue rapidly and the professionalization will develop with it. Since the Asian Olympic Committee included eSports for the 2022 Asian Games, it will only be a matter of time before this sport is included in the Olympic Games program.