Are you a serious player who has dreamed of standing in the spotlight? Or maybe, you’re just a beginner who really likes playing a specific game. The competitive gaming field is available to anyone. Whether you’re aiming for world champion or casual goer, you all have to start somewhere.

Choosing a Game

Though there are many games to choose from, it is best to single one out. I would recommend choosing the one you enjoy the most, as you will have to play a lot of it. Other considerations could include, the popularity of the game, if the game has any competitive directions, and how far you’d like to go competitively with the game. Most games have the potential to be played competitively, such as speed running, but lack an established community or team; this makes it much harder to get into the competitive field.

In my experience, games like Hearthstone, League of Legends, and Smash Bros. are great places to start when looking for competitivley succesful games. 

Putting in the Time

Most professional players spend a minimum of 6 hours a day practicing their game. If you fail to practice continually your skill will suffer, and you may lose your competitive edge. Think of the game as a full-time job, in order to get payed or be successful, you need to contribute your hours. The process could take months, even years, but it’s important to stay vigilant.

The Importance of a Community

The next step is finding, or developing, your game’s community. Follow teams, Facebook groups, websites, and friends that share an interest in your game. These groups can be a great resource for information: The groups often share, tips and tricks to preforming better, discussion on changes and updates, information on local events, and upcoming tournaments, which brings us to the next step.

Getting Your Foot in the Door

Local events and tournaments are an increasing occurrence in cities and towns. The tournaments provide prizes and experience for both new and established players. If you are hoping to become a professional player, this is the place to start. Local tournaments give players a chance to experience a competitive field on a smaller scale, providing you with some confidence when you hit the big stage. Some events require you to obtain competitive points before you are eligible to enter, local tournaments and events are a great resource for accumulating status, and points towards the larger scenes.

Establishing a Reputation

Once you’ve achieved the necessary experience or points to enter larger scale events, it’s important for you to preform well. Not only do these events provide some publicity for fans, but could qualify you for championship events. Enter tournaments prepared and often. Put in the time to research your opponents and develop strategies to counter them, if possible watch other professional players to see how they play, these are all important steps in preparing for a tournament in order to get results.

Achievement Unlocked

Once you’ve achieved a reputation, sponsorships will become easier to obtain, and your career as a professional player will start. The best option at this point is to continue entering championship tournaments, and to start streaming. Streaming not only provides you with another source of income, but makes tournament invites and event opportunities more likely, while also boosting sponsorship interest.

Best of luck in your journey to becoming a professional gamer.   

Shawn Bosnjak is a student in the Professional Writing program at Algonquin College. He is an avid writer, reader, gamer, and drummer, with a passion for anything fantasy or rock.