To become a master of your chosen game requires dedication and time. Hobby gamers will be able to see how fast time passes when they spend an evening in front of their screen after work. So to become a professional gamer, you'll need to put even more time in (oh no! What a shame! we hear you cry). Being a master in one genre will make it much easier. Also, consider the genre that you have spent the majority of your gaming time on. If you have played a lot of CSGO, it will be an advantage if your goal is to become a professional gamer.
You can optimize your game by researching strategies and techniquesIt's a great idea to improve your game, from novice to expert, by always looking for new strategies and techniques that will optimize your game. You can find a lot of tutorials and guides online that will give you tips for specific games. Even things that seem small and maybe insignificant can help give you a competitive edge, such streamingliveacademy.com/malding-meaning-the-twitch-term/ as knowing rifle spray patterns in CS:GO, or how to counter various champions when playing LOL. Read interviews and content from the esports elite and swap ideas with others in your network (more on that later).
Watch Professional Competitions and Streamers
The advent of streaming allows amateur gamers to see the pros in action and get close to the action. This is a great way to learn important tips and tricks that will help you master your game, and get on your way towards becoming a professional gamer. In your pursuit of becoming the best, you can't just have a one-track vision of the game. Esports pros often use 'out-of-the-box' strategies to beat their opponents and win. Those techniques could be more mental things such as a strategy you might never have thought of, or something more physical like a quick wrist or finger movement, or seeing how their gear is set up and configured, that allows them to have the competitive edge. Watching pro streamers and live competitions will help you discover what the meta of the game is.
Network With Other Gamers
Yes it's corny, but as with most ways to make a living, you gotta network. You don't have to think about networking at corporate conferences if you are passionate about gaming. It will be more enjoyable to connect with other gamers who share your passion. It's crucial to find the right gaming communities and meet other gamers to practice with. Not only will you get real-life gaming experience, which is essential to become a pro gamer, but you'll also learn from other gamers. Having a solid network of people who love gaming as much as you will also keep you motivated. As we've mentioned, this is really important when you need to dedicate so much time to master your game, and work towards becoming a pro esports gamer.
Invest in the Best Gear
Honing your strategy skills will only get you so far if you want to become a professional gamer. If your gear doesn't match up, you're never going to have the competitive edge over your opponents. See your gear as your teammate - you need to work in harmony together for the best results. If you're gaming on PC, you should invest in a mouse that has the ultimate precision that can handle rapid fire movements and works with pinpoint accuracy. Always choose a mouse that fits your grip style so you'll feel comfortable after hours and hours of gameplay, and enables you to make quick-fire movements when you need to. SteelSeries has a variety of gaming mice that are professional-grade and have won multiple awards. The Rival range from SteelSeries features the first true 1-1 tracking system for pinpoint precision, and a state-of the-art liftoff detection system. This is due to TrueMove optical sensor that is world-class and approved by professional gamers. The movements are extremely precise with zero acceleration or lag and virtually no tracking errors. There's no point in practising hour after hour if your gear can't keep up with you and you're at risk of tracking lags. The SteelSeries Rival 650 Wireless is the most precise wireless mouse on the market - so you don't need to let a wire get in your way. The Quantum Wireless(tm), 1ms lossless performance, and the most precise gaming sensor have been added to this mouse.
Your monitor is also a super important part of your gaming setup. Your gaming gear must work together to keep up with your game and be at your best. For the best gaming experience, your monitor should have a resolution of 144Hz and a response time of 1 millisecond. Your PC itself also should be top spec so it can handle any game without lag or stuttering.
It doesn't matter if you prefer a console or a PC, immersion in the sound effects of your game will help you play like a pro. Especially if you are playing CS:GO, Call of Duty or other similar games, you will need a 360-degree soundscape to be able hear every sound. These sounds will be your audio clues about where your enemies might be coming from. The Arctis line of tournament grade gaming headsets by SteelSeries has all the world class specifications you need to help you become a professional gamer. Each Arctis is equipped with hi-res audio drivers that allow you to hear every sound clearly. SteelSeries Arctis Pro can reproduce high-res audio at 40,000 Hz. This is almost twice the rate of standard headsets. It's important to buy gaming gear. The headsets in the Arctis range also feature ClearCast mics, which pick up your voice with absolute crystal clear precision and they deliver studio-quality voice clarity. This is super important if you pick a game to become pro in that's team based - your teammates need to be able to hear you loud and clear. ClearCast mics expertly cancel background noise too, so your teammates can hear your instructions without any without distractions. Many of the SteelSeries gaming headsets loved by esports pros are compatible with PC and console, so you can get the best gear on the market no matter what platform you pick.
3. Join a Team and Go Pro
Joining a team is the next step on your path to becoming a professional player and aspiring to esports stardom. You will need to be a pro at your game, have a good reputation in the esports world, and have a great record of playing. You could also try reaching out to teams and other esports enthusiasts via online forums. By building a sound reputation within your gaming community, you might even be approached by a team and asked to join - but this privilege really is reserved for the best of the best - which is why step 2 of how to become a professional gamer is crucial.
Participate in Gaming Leagues or Competitions
After you have mastered your game, there are many tournaments and competitions that you can participate in as a player or part of a team. You can start with online leagues like MLG, ESL, and ESEA. Keep an eye out for local competitions in esports. Keep winning and working hard to become a professional player. It's here that your status as a true pro esports gamer is made, and it's only here where you can earn the big bucks and make a solid career out of pro gaming.
Participate in tournaments
The key difference between an esports league and a tournament, just with other more traditional sports, is that a league is generally played over a longer period of time, and players gain or lose points or rank in each game played with the goal of working their way to the top of the league. Esports tournaments are played in a shorter time span and are more of a last-man standing competition. Once you lose, you're out. Some games lend themselves more to this type of competition, such as Fortnite or Counter Strike. You can start by participating in smaller tournaments online. Once you have smashed those and built up your reputation, you can join the big guns at tournaments like the League of Legends World Championships or Intel Extreme Masters. The next step is to compete in live events - there's always something going on around the world that you can get involved in at this level. You can expect thousands of fans to attend a venue to see you play, and you will have the chance to earn those huge pay cheques that you have been dreaming about. But you must be there to win it.
The Final Step in Becoming Fully Pro - Get a Sponsorship
It's safe to say that winning live events will earn you a hella big cheque, but it's not a guaranteed way of earning a steady income. The answer to this? Sign up for a sponsorship deal. Sponsorship deals are offered by big brands in the esports world. You can use their gear when you compete, especially in live events. They get to promote their brand and are associated with top esports professionals around the globe.
Still Want to Be a Pro Gamer?
Although it sounds easy, this guide will show you how to become professional gaming professionals in just a few steps. However, it is not easy to break into the industry or make a living out of it. Only the most exceptional players will ever make it. But that's not to say it's impossible - many have turned their dreams of playing full-time into a reality with some hard work, dedication, and a ton of hours of practice in the bank - as if we need an excuse to play more. We look forward to seeing you on the field.