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Esports is a growing arena that has all the potential to offer several viable career options to people, though it may not yet be common knowledge to everyone. There is still a misconception held by some that playing video games is a waste of time and not constructive or valuable to a person’s development or career. But eSports actually presents job seekers with genuine opportunities.
According to a joint report by search giant Google and consultancy firm KPMG, India’s online gaming industry is expected to reach more than Rs 1000 crore by 2021, growing at a brisk 20 per cent per annum. As more and more steps are taken to make eSports the part of Olympic games 2020, it is now considered a professional career to build on.
People are spending their day and night playing eSports and make a living out of it. If you see that gaming works best for you, why not consider a career in eSports?
What is eSports?
Esports are organised competitions where players—often referred to as ‘athletes’—face off against each other in multiplayer video games. In some form or other, eSports themselves have been around for as long as multiplayer video games have. However, improvements in knowledge, internet connectivity and online streaming services have seen them surge in popularity.
A variety of games are played on the eSports circuit, but the most popular are first-person shooters (FPS) like the Call of Duty franchise, real-time strategy games like Starcraft II and sports sims like FIFA and Madden NFL.
The biggest discipline in eSports right now, however, involves multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games such as Dota 2 and CS: GO, which draw the biggest crowds and offer the highest prize purses for competitors.
Also Read: Future in Indian Sports – Career and Opportunities
How to get into eSports
Be clear about something. Much like other sports leagues, eSports has two types of careers. Those who actually play and those who are part of the infrastructure that supports them. You need to find out which types of games you like most and choose one where you’re most confident as a player.
Some of the most popular game types are first-person shooters (FPS) such as Counter-Strike, real-time strategies (RTS) such as StarCraft, multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA) such as DOTA, card games, and fighting games.
Techniques and tactics can be achieved by watching video tutorials or live streams online and learning from experienced gamers. Build your own network of friends that play the same game. This can be easily achieved with the help of in-game chats, specialised forums or social networks. Winning an online tournament can result in recognition of the team and sometimes a cash prize. One can attend a seminar on eSports.
Degree in eSports
Lokesh Suji, the director of the Esports federation of India speaks to Patriot regarding the esports scene in India and how it can be pursued as a career // @dAwesomeNinja // @esfindiahttps://t.co/APWEWbZb9z
— Patriot (@Patriot_Talks) March 6, 2019
A degree in eSports can be a huge factor in the individual’s success in the eSports industry. Statistics show that the eSports market will continue to grow. This booming industry will also continue to open enormous opportunities for talents and experts. Robert Morris University (USA), Staffordshire University (United Kingdom), Informatics Academy (Singapore) are some of the top institutes for eSports courses. Asian Institute of Gaming and Animation is one of the renowned in India.
Esports Federation of India (ESFI) is a non- profit organisation which promote, encourage, educate, train and control Electronic Sports (eSports) in India. It is not limited to organising league but also helps to provide, conceptualising, managing, developing and promoting all areas of eSports and to provide all other possible and related form of eSports.
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Career in eSports
There are plenty of careers in eSports and gaming to choose from. If you love gaming, then you have a unique chance to pursue a career in the gaming industry.
Game designer: This is one of the most popular and competitive gaming industry jobs. A video game designer creates the game concept and designs the environment for interaction among players. Some of the typical tasks include the development of character biographies, storylines, role-play mechanics, missions, puzzles, challenges and more.
Software developer: A software developer in the gaming industry works closely with designers to convert their ideas into code and ensure the seamless performance of the video game. This position also requires experience with video games as a player, in order to have a solid understanding of the game structure and working principles.
Content writer: There are several types of writing jobs in gaming. Game content writers create scripts and stories as well as write speeches for the characters and dialogues between them. Technical writers are responsible for the game documentation and instructions. In some cases, they also write and edit user interface texts and labels.
Market researcher: The purpose of this position is to collect data that helps decide which products and services to sell, where and how to sell them, and how much to charge for them. The researchers conduct surveys among potential buyers in order to define their buying preferences and habits.
eSports athlete: An esports athlete is a professional gamer who signs a contract with an esports league team and participates in tournaments. A pro gamer should have extensive experience with the chosen game and train since childhood.
The Big Plan for India
The gaming boom in India is not limited to gamers. India has more than 250 game companies involved in the development process. Many of them are already developing games for major game studios. The gaming industry in India has benefited a lot from growing smartphone penetration and availability of 4G speeds.
The popularity of eSports has even been recognised by some of the world’s biggest governing bodies. Indeed, competitive gaming is a medal event from 2022 Asian Games and the Olympic organizing committee has also revealed that it is considering including eSports as a demonstration event in time for Paris 2024.
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FAQ
eSports refers to competitive video gaming, where professional players compete in organized tournaments. It offers various career opportunities such as becoming a professional player, coach, team manager, content creator, event organizer, or even working in eSports marketing and management.
While being a top-tier player is one pathway, there are numerous other career options in eSports. You can contribute to the industry through skills like content creation, casting, team management, marketing, or even becoming a coach.
To start building a career in eSports, you can begin by practicing and improving your gaming skills, participating in local tournaments, networking with professionals in the industry, creating content to showcase your expertise, and seeking opportunities to gain experience and exposure.
