How to Get Into Esports: A Beginner’s Guide to Competing Professionally
Esports is no longer just a niche hobby; it has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry with professional players, teams, and tournaments watched by millions worldwide. For anyone interested in competing professionally in esports, the journey may seem daunting, but with the right approach, dedication, and strategy, anyone can carve out a path to success.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the essential steps to get started in esports, from understanding the basics of competitive gaming to joining tournaments and eventually becoming a professional player.
1. Choose Your Game
The first and most important step in getting into esports is selecting the right game. Not all games have a competitive scene that could lead to professional play, so it’s crucial to pick one that has a well-established esports ecosystem.
Popular Esports Titles
- League of Legends (LoL) – One of the most established and competitive games, known for its strategic depth and massive tournaments like the League of Legends World Championship.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) – A tactical first-person shooter (FPS) with a long history of professional tournaments, perfect for those who enjoy strategy and quick reflexes.
- Valorant – Riot Games’ tactical FPS that combines precision shooting with unique agent abilities, rapidly gaining popularity in competitive esports.
- Dota 2 – A real-time strategy game known for its steep learning curve and high-stakes international tournaments, such as The International.
- Fortnite – Known for its battle royale format, Fortnite offers a fast-paced and high-reward competitive scene with substantial prize pools.
- Rocket League – A unique blend of soccer and driving, Rocket League has a quickly growing esports scene focused on teamwork and strategy.
2. Master the Basics and Improve Your Skills
Once you’ve chosen your game, it’s time to put in the hours. Every successful professional player has one thing in common: they put in a tremendous amount of practice to hone their skills. Here’s how you can improve:
Learn the Game Inside Out
- Understand the Mechanics: Before even thinking about competing, take the time to learn the fundamental mechanics of your chosen game. Whether it’s learning the champions in LoL or mastering the weapons in CS:GO, every game has a specific set of rules, abilities, and mechanics that are essential to understand.
- Study the Meta: In esports, “meta” refers to the most effective strategies or tactics currently dominating the competitive scene. Stay up to date with the latest patches, updates, and strategies, as the competitive environment can shift quickly.
- Develop Game Sense: Beyond mechanics, it’s crucial to understand the strategy behind the game. This includes map knowledge, timing, positioning, and game flow. Watch professional streams and study how top players approach the game.
Focus on Consistency and Time Management
- Practice regularly, but focus on quality over quantity. It’s better to practice for a focused, intense 2-hour session than mindlessly grind for 5 hours. Consistency and the ability to improve over time are key.
Train Physically and Mentally
- Competitive gaming requires long hours of focus and quick reflexes. It’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition, exercise, and sufficient sleep. Mental health is also vital, so work on building resilience and handling stress during high-pressure situations.
3. Join Online Communities and Play Competitively
Esports isn’t just about playing well; it’s about being part of a community. Finding and joining competitive communities can help you gain exposure and experience.
Start with Ranked Play
Most games have a ranked mode, which allows you to play against others at your skill level. By playing ranked, you’ll start building a reputation and identify areas where you need improvement.
Participate in Online Tournaments
After you’re comfortable with ranked play, try your hand at online tournaments. Many gaming platforms and third-party sites like Battlefy, Toornament, and Faceit host frequent tournaments for players of all skill levels. These tournaments can help you gain experience and exposure, even if they’re not as prestigious as top-tier events.
Join a Team or Clan
Building relationships within a team environment is vital in esports. Many esports games feature clan or team systems, and you can find like-minded players to practice with and eventually compete together. Playing with a team helps you understand teamwork and strategies, which is crucial for moving up in the esports world.
4. Build Your Personal Brand and Network
One of the most significant aspects of professional esports is building a personal brand and growing a following. Here’s how to stand out from the crowd:
Stream on Platforms Like Twitch or YouTube
- Streaming: Streaming your gameplay is a fantastic way to build a fanbase and showcase your skills. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube allow you to broadcast your gameplay to the world. Engaging with viewers, demonstrating excellent gameplay, and sharing your unique personality can help attract followers.
- Consistency: Keep a consistent streaming schedule and interact with your audience. Consistent content will help you grow and maintain a following.
Social Media Presence
- Use Social Media: Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are valuable tools for promoting yourself and connecting with other players, fans, and teams. Share clips of your gameplay, interact with fans, and build a network within the gaming community.
- Engage with Esports Organizations: Follow and interact with esports organizations, players, and teams on social media. Being involved in the community can help you get noticed by teams or sponsors.
Create High-Quality Content
Content creation goes beyond just streaming. You can build a reputation by producing guides, gameplay tutorials, highlights, or commentary videos that demonstrate your expertise. These types of videos are often shared and appreciated by the community, boosting your visibility.
5. Try Out for Local and Regional Esports Teams
Once you feel confident in your skills and have gained some visibility, start looking for opportunities to compete in more structured environments.
Join Amateur and Semi-Professional Leagues
- Many esports games have local or regional leagues that you can join, even if you aren’t yet at the professional level. These leagues are an excellent way to experience team competition and make a name for yourself.
- Participate in Open Tryouts: Many esports organizations regularly hold open tryouts for players to join their teams. If you feel ready, applying for these opportunities is a great way to break into the scene.
Get Recognized by Esports Scouts
- Esports teams, especially the larger ones, have scouts who keep an eye out for promising players. Having a good stream following, strong tournament performances, or a reputation in the community can help get the attention of these scouts.
- Leverage Your Network: Building relationships with fellow players, streamers, and even coaches can open up more opportunities for you. Networking is vital in any professional industry, and esports is no exception.
6. Participate in High-Level Tournaments
Once you’ve gained enough experience, it’s time to compete in higher-level events that could launch your esports career.
Compete in Major Tournaments
- Tournaments like The International (Dota 2), CS:GO Majors, League of Legends Worlds, and Valorant Champions are the pinnacle of esports competition. These events attract top-tier talent, sponsorships, and millions of viewers. Even if you don’t make it to the professional leagues immediately, participating in qualifying events is the next step toward gaining recognition.
- Continue to Improve: Stay committed to improving your gameplay. Watch replays of top players, analyze your performance, and always seek to push yourself beyond your current skill level.
Sign with an Esports Organization
- If you’ve shown enough skill and have performed well in local, regional, or even online tournaments, esports teams may start scouting you for potential contracts. Being signed by an organization provides support in terms of coaching, sponsorships, and resources, helping you grow your career as a professional player.
7. Stay Committed to Growth
Becoming a professional esports player is a long and challenging journey. It’s not just about winning tournaments—it’s about staying persistent, continuing to improve, and handling the mental and physical demands of competitive gaming.
Embrace Feedback and Learn from Defeat
- Learn from losses, as they are opportunities to improve. Professional esports players are constantly critiquing their performance to better themselves. Take constructive criticism seriously and use it to grow.
Maintain a Healthy Balance
- Professional gaming can be demanding, and burnout is a real risk. It’s important to have a balance between gaming and other activities, such as maintaining a social life, exercising, and relaxing. This balance will keep you sharp and focused for the long haul.