Rising Star: Tips & Tricks for Gamers Hoping to Break into Esports
Maksym YushytsynWant to become a professional gamer? It takes a special kind of dedication to break into the highly competitive world of esports, but it isn’t impossible. If you want to have a fighting chance in this industry, you’ll need to get smart. Luckily, we’re here to help you out with these killer tips and tricks for gamers hoping to make it big.
Pick Your Game Wisely
They say if you love your job, you never have to work a day in your life. We’re a bit skeptical of this age-old adage, but it does hold at least a little bit of water—especially if your job is gaming. If you want to enjoy being a professional, you need to pick a game you actually enjoy playing.
You also have to pick a game which pays well. The most lucrative esports games are skill-based and packed with action. However, the market is also pretty well saturated with players, and you need to train hard to break in. It could behoove you to pick a less popular and therefore less competitive game, especially during your early days.
Train Hard to Be the Best
The rise of esports means an economic boom for players, developers, and investors alike. If you want your piece of the pie, you need to train hard. After all, practice makes perfect, and you need all the practice you can get to be the best. Focus on your game and master the mechanics before you do anything else.
Once you’ve ingrained them in your muscle memory, you can start focusing on strategic moves and in-game decision-making in order to improve. Start simply and work your way up the ladder to advanced strategy to avoid getting frustrated and giving up.
You should also be aware that burnout is a real problem among esports professionals. In order to avoid this, you’ll need to switch it up during training sessions by using other games and different techniques. That way, you can still train your brain, but you won’t be subjected to the same long hours of repetition which cause burnout.
Players looking to enhance tactical skills need not focus on video games alone. Try pitting your wits against an opponent with a game of chess, or against several opponents simultaneously with a game of poker. Poker is a great way to sharpen your mind and practice anticipating your opponent’s moves when you can’t actually see their face, and there are a number of online poker rooms available for those hoping to get in on a battle of the brains.
Connect with Your Community
Wallflowers in the world of esports aren’t doing themselves any favors. You need to connect with your community here, getting to know other players and ideally becoming close with fellow gamers. Not only can you learn valuable things from them, you can also use them as business connections. We all know about the importance of networking, and professional gamers aren’t immune.
As with any industry, esports is only partly about what you know. It’s also about who you know, so remember that your current opponents could turn out to be your future teammates. They could help you learn the tricks of the trade or even break in to a certain team, so do your best to stay on good terms with them.
Think you have what it takes to become a professional gamer? Only time can tell, but you’re off to a great start already. Remember to follow these tips and tricks, and you’ll be on the road to achieving your dreams in no time flat.