How to become a professional gamer: a 7-step guide

1. Have the right foundation (passion, determination, and motivation)

Becoming a professional gamer is far from always being a walk in the park. Gone are the days of gaming just for fun; you’ll need to stay motivated and give it your all to break into the world of esports. Making money from your passion may seem like a dream at first glance, but you need to realize that the video game industry is extremely competitive and tough.

In fact, the video game industry has 1.8 billion fans worldwide.

To put it in perspective, soccer has 265 million players worldwide and is the most popular sport. From a purely numerical standpoint, there is much more competition in video games.

Before you set out to build a career as a professional gamer, you need to be certain that you’re choosing this path for the right reasons. You must have a passion for your favorite video game and be certain that you’ll still love it after 100,000 hours of practice. You must also be aware of the sacrifices required to break into the world of professional gaming and the time it takes to get there. You won’t be making millions right away. It’s a long road, which is why it’s important to start your career while you’re still young.

2. Choosing the right esports video game

Choosing a game to become a professional gamer involves many factors to consider. The first criterion is, of course, your personal preferences and passion. Choosing a type of video game that you enjoy is key to maintaining the motivation and discipline needed to become a professional gamer and join an esports organization.

Your skills and skill level are also key factors in landing your first professional gaming contract.

In fact, some esports games require extremely quick reflexes, while others demand excellent team strategy. Find a type of video game that suits your natural talents, whether it’s a first-person shooter (FPS) like Counter-Strike, a strategy game like League of Legends or Dota 2, or a sports game like FIFA.

The popularity of the video game is also a factor to consider. Successful video games offer numerous prize opportunities and frequent competitions and tournaments. But the competition is much fiercer. It is therefore very difficult to make a name for yourself today in League of Legends or Dota 2, as all the top players and pro gamers started competing at a very young age.

Also consider the game’s future potential. Fast-growing new video games, such as Valorant, Rocket League, and Apex Legends, offer opportunities for new players to break into the scene and become professional gamers.

So, to make sure you don’t miss a game that suits your tastes and skill level, keep an eye on emerging trends and new video game releases. To do this, you have several options, such as specialized video game blogs or videos by gaming enthusiasts.

3. Join the game community and build your brand

Immerse yourself in your game’s community by actively participating in forums and following top professional players on social media. This is a great way to dive deeper into the game’s world and universe and gain valuable knowledge and skills to improve your gaming skills.

To become the best player, also look for ways to gain visibility and build your gaming brand. Try to gain popularity on social media, on Twitch or YouTube, on your blog, and on all streaming platforms.

Stream your gaming sessions live, participate in podcasts, appear on other channels, attend video game events and competitions, and share your experience to reach a wider audience. All these options and tips are valuable and will help you build your brand. Creating a unique and original gamer persona is essential in today’s gaming world, where the social aspect is just as important as performance if you want to turn gaming into a career.

4. Get the right gear and exercise regularly

To turn your passion for video games into a career, it’s important to enjoy the best possible gaming experience every day. The monitor is undoubtedly the most essential component. For the most immersive experience, a 32-inch monitor is perfect. 27-inch monitors, with their higher resolution, are ideal for action games.

A good gaming PC is essential for better performance. Look for a computer with a Core i5 or i7 processor, a compatible motherboard, at least 16 GB of RAM, and a GTX 1060 graphics card or higher. Also opt for SSDs for faster load times.

A mechanical keyboard will greatly influence the precision and responsiveness of your gaming sessions, as will a gaming mouse and mouse pad. Finally, invest in an ergonomic gaming chair and a high-quality headset for greater comfort and total immersion.

Equipment is great, but to improve, you also need regular practice.

To develop your skills and improve your gameplay, as well as refine your strategies, you need to devote between 35 and 50 hours a week to your favorite video game.

But regular, intensive practice isn’t everything. You also need to focus on the physical and mental aspects of training. Even in esports, there is a risk of injury, and it’s possible to develop health issues related to your profession and your daily life as a pro gamer (vision problems, muscle and joint pain). You must therefore protect yourself against these risks with a strict and balanced lifestyle if you want to have a long career in esports.

5. Find an esports team and win competitions

Finding a professional gaming team and winning competitions is every aspiring gamer’s dream. Choose teammates who share your goals and have a skill level similar to yours. Effective communication and good team dynamics are also essential. At that point, your team could even become a business. It’s up to you to choose the best legal structure for setting it up.

Next, to advance to a professional level, you must frequently participate in gaming tournaments. Tournaments allow you to test your skills, measure yourself against other gamers, and get feedback on your performance. Tournaments are also a great way to establish a presence in the gaming scene, gain visibility on your favorite social media platform, and create career opportunities in the esports industry.

6. Living like a professional gamer

The best professional gamers make a living by competing in high-level competitions, winning prestigious tournaments, and signing lucrative sponsorship deals with companies. These contracts provide a steady source of income, freeing up time and energy to continue advancing their careers as professional gamers.

To sign this type of legal and professional contract, you need to surround yourself with a strong team, including a manager. The manager must handle all logistical and practical aspects (tournament participation, contracts, sponsor relations, public communication on social media, and the legal aspects of your business). This way, you’ll have all the time you need to focus solely on your training and your growth as a professional gamer. Of course, finding a manager can be difficult at first. But it’s an essential step toward making a living from your passion for video games.

7. Maintain a healthy work-life balance

Finally, to be a professional in the video game and esports industry, you need to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Competition, long hours of gameplay, tournaments, and frequent travel can take a toll on your health. To look after yourself, take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, exercise, and maintain a balanced diet. Tips for managing stress and anxiety are also essential for finding a balance between competition and quality of life; this is the key to ensuring a long-lasting and fulfilling career as a pro gamer.