We’re living in a golden age for video games. Ninth-generation consoles are enabling developers to create narratives that compete with the best blockbusters and prestige television. Meanwhile, the market has never been better, with global video game revenues surpassing 282 billion in 2024. Worldwide, there are over 3 billion gamers, with tens of millions more waking up to the appeal of video games yearly.
Esports has also enjoyed a surge in popularity. While the competitive gaming scene has existed for over two decades, the sector has become a true spectator sport in recent years. There are more than 3,000 professional esports stars in the US, with even more in game-loving regions like East Asia. The arrival of esports has finally delivered a lucrative career path for those passionate about gaming. However, climbing the ranks as a rookie to become a serious contender isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
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Becoming a Professional Esports Player
If you’re eyeing up a career in esports, you’ll first need to decide which game is for you. Single-player titles are a good choice for lone wolves who don’t like depending on unreliable teammates. If you’re looking to go it alone, games like Fortnite are something to consider, with the Fortnite World Cup Solo regularly offering a pretty hefty prize pool. In 2019, 16-year-old Kyle Giersdorf, better known as “Bugha”, took home the top prize at the World Cup Solo, adding a cool $3 million to his bank balance.
However, team-based games like League of Legends do dominate the esports scene. If you want to rise to the top-flight of professional esports, there’s no getting around being a team player. Want to see what it takes to do well as a LoL player? Catch up on the latest LEC schedule at 1337PRO.
How To Stand Out in the Solo Queue
Do you dream of a career as a professional esports player? If you’re desperate to join the ranks of G2 Esports or become a firm fixture of Fnatic, you’ll need to work on your ranking first. The first step to getting noticed is becoming a serious solo queue threat.
Spending an age working on your rankings in the solo queue can be a frustrating experience. Firstly, there’s no guarantee you’ll be paired with reliable teammates. Without solid allies at your side, you’ll unlikely muster a win. However, winning isn’t everything. Rather than focusing solely on securing wins, approach each game as a learning experience. Learn lessons from your defeats and fine-tune your strategies and tactics accordingly.
You’ll also want to invest in becoming a versatile player. While you’ll want to develop a specialized role, versatility is a hallmark of any successful esports player. Focus on becoming proficient in a couple of roles, but take the time to experiment with all of them. This way, you can hold your own in any game, no matter your assigned role. Choosing your champions wisely is another essential. Go for champions with flexible builds that can be played in multiple roles. With champions like Kai’Sa and Varsus, you can perform in a respectable performance, regardless of your role.
Esports Alternatives
No matter which game you’re playing, you’ll first need to secure a place in the top 1% of gamers to stand a chance at going pro. Even then, you’ll still need to enlist the support of an experienced coach and nab a spot on a low-tier team. In short, becoming a leading light of esports isn’t a realistic prospect for many. That being said, there are other ways to secure a fortune and find fame through a love of video games.
Streaming is a popular alternative, with many die-hard gamers attracting legions of fans and securing lucrative income streams via platforms like YouTube Gaming and Twitch. Even established esports stars have leveraged these services’ potential, hosting live streams in tandem with their competitive careers.
