How to Start in Esports: A Beginner’s Guide

Esports can be daunting to get into. But with this guide, you’ll be ready to start your journey in no time. Learn about the different types of games, how to find the right one for you, and get started on your path to becoming an esports pro.

Introduction

Esports, also known as electronic sports, competitive gaming, or pro gaming, is a form of sport where players compete in video games. The first recorded esports competition took place in 1972 at Stanford University, where students played the game Spacewar.

Today, esports is a multi-million dollar industry, with competitive gaming leagues and tournaments being held all over the world. Some of the most popular games in esports include League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Overwatch.

If you’re interested in getting involved in esports, there are a few things you need to know. In this beginner’s guide to esports, we’ll cover everything from how to get started playing competitively to finding sponsorship and becoming an professional player.

What is Esports?

Esports, also known as electronic sports or competitive gaming, is a form of competition that is facilitated by electronic systems, typically video games. Esports often take the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players.

The Different Types of Esports

Not all esports are created equal. In fact, there are several different types of esports, each with their own unique characteristics. Here’s a quick overview of the most popular types of esports:

First-person shooter (FPS) games: These types of games are characterized by their first-person perspective and focus on gunplay. Some of the most popular FPS games in the esports world include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Halo 5, and Overwatch.

Real-time strategy (RTS) games: As the name suggests, RTS games require players to make split-second decisions in order to defeat their opponents. Popular RTS esports titles include StarCraft II and Warcraft III.

Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games: This type of game pits two teams against each other in a strategic battle for supremacy. League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm are all popular MOBA esports.

Fighting games: Fighting games have been a staple of the gaming world for decades, and they remain popular in the esports scene today. Some of the most popular fighting game esports include Street Fighter V, Mortal Kombat X, and Tekken 7.

The Different Tiers of Esports

Just like traditional sports, esports are separated into different tiers. There are amateurs who play for fun and at a lower level, semi-professionals who take the game more seriously but don’t necessarily earn a living from playing, and finally, professionals who compete at the highest level and make a career out of it.

The tier system is also important because it creates a path for aspiring esports athletes to follow. If you’re good enough, you can move up through the ranks until you reach the top. Of course, not everyone is cut out for professional esports, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy playing the game at a lower level.

Here’s a look at the different tiers of esports:

Amateur
The amateur tier is the entry-level for most players. If you’re just starting out in esports, you’ll likely be playing at this level. Amateur tournaments are typically open to everyone and anyone can sign up to compete. There is usually no prize pool associated with these tournaments.

Semi-professional
The semi-professional tier is one step up from amateur. These tournaments have a more serious tone and usually have some sort of prize pool associated with them. To compete in semi-professional tournaments, you often have to qualify by competing in amateur tournaments and achieving a high ranking. The barrier to entry is higher than it is for amateur tournaments but it’s still relatively low compared to professional competitions.

Professional
The professional tier is the highest level of competitive play. To compete professionally, you need to be signed to an organization (more on that later) and earn an invitation to compete in premier events. The competition is incredibly fierce at this level and only the very best players in the world stand a chance of winning. The prize pools for professional events are usually massive – sometimes reaching into the millions of dollars.

How to Get Started in Esports

There are a few things you need to know if you’re interested in getting started in esports. First, you need to be aware of the different types of games that are popular in esports. Second, you need to know how to get started in esports. And third, you need to know what to expect once you’re in esports.

Finding the Right Game

Choosing the game you want to play is the first step on your journey to becoming an esports star. There are a few things you should take into consideration when making your decision:
-Your level of interest in the game. Do you love playing it? Would you be willing to commit the time necessary to becoming one of the best players in the world?
-The level of competition. Is the game you’re interested in easy to pick up, or will it take hours upon hours of practice to reach a professional level? Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 require a lot of time and effort to master, while games like Overwatch and Rocket League are more forgiving and can be learned relatively quickly.
-The scene. Not all games have an active competitive scene. You might love playing a certain game, but if there’s no one else playing it at a high level, it’s going to be hard for you to find competition and improve your skills. Do some research on the game you’re considering playing to see if there is an active competitive scene before committing too much time to it.

Once you’ve chosen the game you want to play, it’s time to start practicing.

Finding the Right Team

The first step is to try and find an organization or a team that you want to try out for. A lot of people get scouted from online tournaments, but the most common way people get into the industry is by starting at the bottom of an organization and working their way up. There are a few ways you can do this. You can either look up teams in your region, join a team that is in a lower tier of competition, or start your own team.

If you want to try and get scouted, then compete in online tournaments and try to significantly outperform your opponents. If you consistently place in the top ranks of these tournaments, then organizations will eventually take notice and may offer you a spot on their team.

joining a team that is in a lower tier of competition is a good way to start your career without having too much pressure. If you are good enough, then you will quickly rise through the ranks and may even end up on one of the top teams. The drawback of this approach is that it may take longer to get noticed by organizations since you will be competing against other players who are not as well known.

Starting your own team is perhaps the most challenging option, but it can also be the most rewarding. If you can manage to build a successful team from scratch, then you will have accomplished something amazing. The downside is that it can be very difficult to find players who are willing to commit to your team, and it may take awhile before you see any results.

No matter what path you decide to take, remember that dedication and hard work are essential if you want to succeed in esports. If you are passionate about competitive gaming and put in the effort, then there is no reason why you can’t make it big in this industry.

Getting the Right Training

Whether you want to go pro or just improve your skills and enjoy playing more, you need the right training. Here are some things to think about as you decide how to get the training you need:

-How often do you want to play?
-Do you want to join a team or play in tournaments?
-Do you want to play casually with friends or take a more serious approach?
-Do you want to focus on one game or play several different games?
-What kind of schedule do you have for practicing and playing?
-What is your budget for training?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start looking into the different types of training available. If you’re looking for a more structured approach, there are online and offline bootcamps that can help you improve your skills. These typically involve working with a coach on specific strategies and practicing for several hours each day. If you’re looking for a less intense option, there are online communities and forums where players share tips and advice. You can also find educational videos on sites like YouTube and Twitch.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! We hope that this guide has helped you to better understand how to get started in the exciting world of esports. Remember, there are many different paths that you can take to becoming a professional gamer, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

One final piece of advice: don’t forget to have fun! Gaming is supposed to be enjoyable, so make sure that you are always enjoying yourself and playing the games that you love. If you can do that, then you’ll be on your way to a successful career in esports.