How to Work in the Esports Industry

The esports industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re looking to get in on the action, here’s how to work in the esports industry.

Introduction to the Esports Industry

The esports industry is growing rapidly, with new opportunities opening up all the time. But what exactly is esports? And how can you break into the industry? This guide will give you an introduction to the esports industry, including its history, key terms, and an overview of the different types of jobs available.

What is esports?

Esports is a form of competitive gaming that is facilitated by online platforms and tournaments. Esports games are typically multiplayer games that can be played either individually or as part of a team. The most popular esports games include League of Legends, Dota 2,Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and Fortnite.

The esports industry has seen immense growth in recent years, with the global esports market valued at $1.1 billion in 2020. This figure is expected to rise to $1.8 billion by 2022. With such rapid growth, the esports industry offers plenty of opportunities for those looking to enter the field.

There are a number of different roles within the esports industry, from professional gamers and content creators to event organizers and marketing professionals. If you’re interested in working in esports, there’s sure to be a role that’s a perfect fit for you!

History of esports

The earliest known video game competition took place on 19 October 1972 at Stanford University for the game Spacewar. Stanford students were invited to an “Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics” whose grand prize was a year’s subscription for Rolling Stone, with Bruce Baumgart winning the five-man-free-for-all tournament and Tovar and Robert E. Maas winning the team competition. Richard Garriott’s 1974 Space Battle Tournament for the instruction set of his computer game Orion is generally accepted as the first recorded Esports tournament.

The popularity of esports in South Korea is attributed to the country’s mass construction of cable television systems in the 1980s which led to widespread connectivity and access to Internet in homes. In response to South Korea’s success in events such as StarCraft and League of Legends, Chinese authorities invested heavilyelementary, middle, and high school esports by opening more than 2,000 training centers nationwide as of 2017.

The history of professional gaming traces back to 1989 when it was first “broadcast” on television in 18 different countries. The games being played back then were arcade classics like Street Fighter II, Donkey Kong, and Double Dragon. The early 1990s saw tournaments being held at popular arcades such as Nintendo World Championships and Blockbuster WorldVideo Game Championships. The prize purse for these competitions were quite large consisting of cash, merchandise, and even cars! These early competitions helped pave the way for what we now call professional gaming or “esports”.

One of the earliest recognitions of esports came in 1992 when Cyberathelete Professional League (CPL) was founded by Mike Mellett and Johnathan Wendel. CPL was one of the first professional gaming leagues with a circuit consisting of multiple tournaments throughout North America with cash prizes totalling up to $50,000 by 1997. Counter Strike 1.6 was one of the first games played in CPL tournaments which is widely considered as one of if not THE most important fps game ever made giving rise to a whole new genre of games.

Growth of the esports industry

The esports industry is one of the fastest-growing in the world. It is expected to generate $1.1 billion in revenue by 2020, up from $696 million in 2017, according to a report by market research firm Newzoo.

There are a variety of reasons for the industry’s rapid growth. First, there is an increase in the number of people playing video games. In 2017, there were 2.2 billion gamers around the world, up from 1.4 billion in 2014, according to Newzoo.

Second, there is an increase in the amount of money that gamers are spending on games and gaming-related content. In 2017, global gaming revenue was $108.9 billion, up from $99.6 billion in 2016, according to Newzoo.

Third, there is an increase in the amount of money that businesses are investing in esports. In 2017, businesses invested $696 million in esports, up from $361 million in 2016, according to Newzoo.

Fourth, there is an increase in the number of people who are watching esports. In 2017, there were 380 million esports viewers around the world, up from just over 300 million in 2016, according to Newzoo.

Lastly, there is an increase in the number of businesses that are involved in the esports industry. In 2017, there were 1,490 esports businesses around the world, up from 1,285 in 2016, according to Newzoo

Career Opportunities in Esports

The esports industry is growing rapidly, and there are a variety of career opportunities available for those with the skills and passion for gaming. From content creation and marketing to event management and coaching, there is a role for everyone in esports. In this article, we will explore the different career paths available in esports and how to get started in the industry.

Game Developers

Game developers create the games that professional gamers play. They use software to design interactive 2D and 3D worlds, characters, obstacles, and challenges. Without game developers, there would be no esports!

Most game developers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Game development is a collaborative process, so it’s also important to be able to work well with other people. If you’re interested in becoming a game developer, start by taking some coding classes and making your own games. There are many online resources that can help you get started, including the website of the International Game Developers Association.

Tournament Organizers

Tournament organizers are responsible for putting together the logistics of an event, including finding a venue, inviting teams, and organizing the brackets. They also work with sponsors to secure prize money and other support for the event. Some tournament organizers also run leagues, which are ongoing competitions that teams can join and compete in over a period of time.

Event Managers

Event managers are responsible for the smooth running of esports events. This includes everything from planning and budgeting to organising travel and accommodation for players and staff, setting up the event venue, and managing on-site operations.

Event managers need to have experience in event management, as well as a good understanding of the esports industry. They should be organised and detail-oriented, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Broadcasters

As the industry continues to grow, so too does the need for quality broadcasters. If you have a background in broadcasting and are looking for a way to break into the esports industry, this could be the perfect role for you.

At its core, broadcasting is all about entertainment. A good broadcaster will not only be knowledgeable about the game they are commentating on, but will also be able to engage with the audience and make the broadcast fun to watch. In addition to Commentators, Broadcasters also need Analysts and Interviewers to round out their casts.

If you think you have what it takes to be a broadcaster in esports, there are a few things you can do to make your application more successful. First, start by creating a portfolio of your work. This can include highlight reels, an audio reel, or even just videos of you commentating on games. Next, reach out to esports organizations and see if they have any openings for broadcasters. Finally, stay up to date on industry news and trends so that you can hit the ground running if you do land a job in esports broadcasting!

Marketing and Advertising

Marketing and advertising in esports is very similar to traditional sports. There are team sponsorships, product placements, and advertisements during events. But there are also unique opportunities, like creating digital content, that can only be found in esports.

Team sponsorships are the most common form of marketing in esports. Teams are sponsored by companies that want to advertise their brand to the team’s fans. Product placements are another common form of marketing. Companies will pay to have their products featured in an event or on a team’s gear.

Digital content is a new form of marketing that is exclusive to esports. Companies can create digital content, like videos or social media posts, that feature their products being used by gamers. This type of content is often shared by esports fans and can reach a wide audience.

How to Get Started in Esports

The esports industry is growing rapidly, and there are many opportunities for those looking to get involved. Whether you’re interested in playing professionally, working in esports media, or becoming a tournament organizer, there’s a place for you in esports. In this article, we’ll be covering the basics of how to get started in esports.

Finding a job in esports

The esports industry is booming and there are a number of ways to get involved, whether you’re a professional gamer, journalist, marketer, or something else entirely.

The first step is finding a job that’s a good fit for your skills and interests. You can look for open positions on job boards like Indeed or Glassdoor, or directly on company websites.

There are also a number of Esports-specific job boards, like Hitmarker and Esports Jobs List. These can be a great resource for finding jobs in the industry, as they’re updated regularly with new openings.

Once you’ve found a few potential positions, the next step is to apply. When putting together your application, be sure to highlight any relevant experience or skills that you have that would make you a good fit for the role.

If you don’t have any direct experience in esports, that’s okay – there are still plenty of ways to get your foot in the door. Many companies are looking for people with transferable skills who are passionate about gaming and willing to learn. So if you have relevant experience in marketing, sales, event management, or another field, be sure to highlight that on your application.

Once you’ve submitted your application, the next step is typically an interview. This can either be done in person or remotely (over Skype or another video call service). During the interview, be prepared to talk about your experience and why you’re interested in working in esports. The interviewer will also likely ask about your knowledge of specific games or esports scenes.

If you don’t have any direct experience in esports, that’s okay – there are still plenty of ways to get your foot in the door

Creating your own esports organization

Getting started in esports can be a daunting task, but there are a few key things you can do to increase your chances of success.

One option is to create your own esports organization. This is a more time-consuming and expensive option, but it gives you more control over your team and your brand. You’ll need to choose a game or games to focus on, find players, and then build a brand around your team. You’ll also need to create a website and social media accounts, and market your team to potential fans.

If you’re interested in this option, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you’ll need to decide which game or games you want to focus on. There are dozens of popular esports games, so it’s important to choose ones that you’re familiar with and that have a large enough player base to support an entire league or tournament. You’ll also need to find players who are talented and dedicated enough to compete at a high level. Finally, you’ll need to create a brand for your team that will appeal to fans and sponsors.

Another option for getting started in esports is to work for an existing organization. This could be an esport team, league, tournament organizer, or gaming company. There are many different roles you could fill within an organization, from coaching and player management to marketing and event operations. If you’re interested in this option, it’s important to research the different organizations in the esports industry and find one that aligns with your skills and goals. Once you’ve found an organization you’re interested in working for, reach out and express your interest in working with them.

Becoming a professional esports player

The journey to becoming a professional esports player is not an easy one. It takes a lot of dedication, passion, and hard work to make it to the top.

There are no set rules or guaranteed path to becoming a professional esports player. However, here are some tips that might help you on your journey:

1) Find your game: There are many different games in the world of esports. Find the one that you’re most passionate about and focus on becoming the best at it.

2) Train hard: Like any sport, becoming a professional esports player requires a lot of practice and training. Make sure to put in the time and effort if you want to stand a chance against the best in the world.

3) Join a team: Once you’ve gotten good enough, consider joining an esports team. This will help you improve even further and also give you a chance to compete in tournaments and other events.

4) Stay motivated: The path to becoming a professional esports player is long and difficult. It’s important to stay motivated and keep your eye on the prize if you want to make it all the way to the top.

Conclusion

The esports industry is still growing, and there are many opportunities for those looking to get involved. While it may be a challenge to break into the industry, working in esports can be a very rewarding experience.

There are a number of different roles that need to be filled in order for an esports organization to function properly. Whether you’re interested in working in event management, marketing, or even coaching, there’s a place for you in esports.

If you’re passionate about video games and want to work in an industry that is constantly evolving, then working in esports might just be the perfect career for you.