Esports has already been recognized as an actual career, in line with other professional sports. Because of this, it has also become one of the dreams among younger people since they think they will be playing for a living.
According to Statista, a leading online platform for data gathering and visualization, the Esports industry worldwide is projected to have a revenue of $3.8 billion in 2023, with an expected annual growth of 8.62% from 2023 to 2028.
This means it is potentially a huge opportunity for people to work in the esports industry. However, not everyone can become a professional esports player, so if you still want to pursue your career in the realm of esports, here are some career paths you can follow.
1. Professional Esports Player
The first and most targeted career path for esports players is to become a professional and compete in the top and most recognized competitions around the world because of its potential to earn a lot.
For instance, Dota 2’s The International 2021 reached a prize pool of over $40 million, split among the top competitors. Other examples are the Fortnite World Cup Finals 2019, which reached over $15.2 million, and League of Legends World Championship 2018, which reached $6.4 million in total prizes.
These high grand prizes are what attract the best of the best players around the world, including the Philippines, to try their luck with the game, especially because converting these dollar amounts would quickly bring anyone to multimillionaire status.
So, suppose you want to work as a professional esports player. In that case, one advantage is that you are young because esports players should have the endurance and reaction speed needed while playing like any other professional sport.
2. Shoutcaster/Host
Shoutcasters are esports versions of game commentators comparable to those who give commentaries during basketball or volleyball games on TV and radio.
Shoutcasters are also usually employed to give live commentaries and bring life and color to what’s happening in the game by carefully analyzing gameplay, providing important stats and match-ups, and clearing other intricacies of the game.
You don’t need to be an ex-professional gamer if you want to work as a shoutcaster. However, you must know the gameplay (like maps and characters), current meta, players and their backgrounds, and a little network if you want to join the big leagues.
3. Esports Team Manager
Esports team managers are usually at the frontline of a professional team, ensuring every aspect of the team is taken care of.
For instance, esports team managers handle sports partnerships, searching for competitions, training, and ensuring the team has the best equipment necessary to succeed.
Team managers are usually great leaders and have excellent organizational, communication, and negotiation skills to succeed.
4. Game Coach
Like any other sport, including esports, all professional players have a coach to guide them in their training, help them strategize for the games, create new gameplays, and motivate their team to win.
To be an effective esports coach, they must possess a deep understanding of the game and its mechanics. They must also be great leaders who can uplift their teams during challenging games and tournaments while providing flexibility and adaptability during matches.
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5. Esports Streamer
Aside from playing esports professionally, you can earn a living while playing as a game streamer on various sites, like Twitch, Facebook Gaming, and YouTube.
A streamer’s job is relatively straightforward. You play an online game, like Mobile Legends or LoL, and then you live stream or upload the game to any top streaming sites, hoping you can build an audience.
One of the best advantages of being a streamer is you don’t have to be excellent at playing, but you must be entertaining. You’ll notice that not every player who streams, even good ones, doesn’t always establish a substantial following on social media and streaming sites.
6. Esports Journalist/Writer
Think of your regular newspaper sportswriter, covering news, games, and stories around various sports like football, basketball, baseball, and more. Then, translate that job description to someone covering esports, like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS: GO. Now, you have an esports journalist.
Esports journalists cover events, players and teams, leagues, tournaments, games, and more to create articles and narratives that bring esports fans worldwide closer to as accurate information as possible.
As an esports writer, you must know how to write compelling, credible write-ups to build trust among the community of esports enthusiasts.
7. Video Game Referee
It may sound weird, but esports also has a referee who oversees games and ensures integrity and fairness between players and teams.
Esports referees are also responsible for ensuring that players commit to professionalism and managing every stakeholder to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Since these referees are also at the frontline of games, they should know the rules and ensure no side is breaking them.
8. Esports Event Organizer
Esports event organizers are the prominent people responsible for handling particular esports events and seeing them from start to finish. They coordinate with various parties, like the players and coaches, journalists, referees, shoutcasters, and other staff, to ensure the event succeeds.
Event organizers must also be great at planning, organizing, and looking for sponsorships. So, to venture into the event organizers field, you must know how to multitask.
9. Esports Community Manager
Community managers are crucial to the esports industry because they bridge the gap between fans and management.
Some of the day-to-day tasks of an esports community manager revolve around organizing social media pages and interacting with people, attending events, writing articles and copies, and occasionally dealing with negative sentiments about the game.
People aiming to start an esports community manager career must possess excellent social and organizational skills.
10. Esports Teacher
Esports have finally been integrated into one of the unlikely places – education. Institutions have also started offering bachelor’s degrees in esports, like the Lyceum of the Philippines – Manila.
In other places, there have been academies and activities that focus on esports as a prospective career while also including different paths you can venture into related to esports.
Since there is a growing demand in the esports education sector, it’s only natural for the number of esports teachers to continue to rise.
Esports is no longer just a hobby. Instead, it has become a lucrative venture with many possibilities to start a full-time career. In fact, plenty of people are already making money doing what they love.
What can you say about the esports career field? Share your thoughts in the comments.