Games are fun, no doubt, but you’re wondering if you can make enough money playing them. Hence, the question: is esports a good career?

The short answer is yes. Esports can be a good and viable career for gamers who are talented and hardworking.

Esports offers an exciting and potentially rewarding career path, but it’s not without its challenges.

Starting out, you might not earn much and the competition is fierce. However, with the right resources, ambition, and a strategic approach, it’s possible to carve out a successful career.

Let’s find out if an esports career is for you. This article will reveal all of the facts you need to know before you take that big step! ​

The Career Development of an Esports Gamer

Check out our basic framework for an esports player’s career path. We’ll be revealing the common factors that help them succeed at each stage and the challenges they tend to face.

1. Initiation Stage

The journey begins in childhood, where kids engage with computers, consoles, and games. Access to technology in developed countries makes it easy for children to get involved with gaming.

Success Aspects:

• Developing a strong foundation in various games.
• Cultivating a genuine passion for gaming.
• Building basic skills and understanding of game mechanics.

Challenges:

• Limited access to gaming resources in less developed areas.
• Balancing gaming with academic and social responsibilities.
• Overcoming the stigma sometimes associated with gaming.

2. Development Stage

Gamers devote more time and effort to specific games, refining their skills. This is where the foundation for a professional career is laid, with players starting to understand game mechanics and strategies deeply.

Success Aspects:

• Specializing in specific games and mastering advanced strategies.
• Establishing a routine for regular practice and improvement.
• Beginning to participate in local and online tournaments to gain experience.

Challenges:

• Finding the right balance between practice and burnout.
• Handling the pressure of competitive gaming.
• Navigating the gaming community and building a positive reputation.

3. Mastery Stage

At this level, gamers have honed their skills to a professional level. They participate in major tournaments, gain recognition, and start earning significant income. This is where they become known in the esports community.

Success Aspects:

• Achieving consistent high performance in competitive settings.
• Gaining recognition in the esports community and building a personal brand.
• Networking with other players, teams, and industry professionals.

Challenges:

• Maintaining consistent performance in high-stakes tournaments.
• Managing financial and contractual aspects of professional gaming.
• Coping with public scrutiny and maintaining a public image.

4. Discontinuation Stage

Eventually, professional gamers may decide to retire from active competition. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including the intense demands of the profession or a desire to pursue other interests within the industry.

We discussed the issue at length in our blog post on why esports gamers have short careers. Feel free to check it out.

Success Aspects:

• Making a strategic decision about when to transition away from active play.
• Reflecting on career achievements and lessons learned.
• Planning for future roles within the esports industry.

Challenges:

• Deciding the right time to retire from active competition.
• Adjusting to life outside the competitive gaming scene.
• Finding new career paths within or outside the esports industry.

5. Beyond Active Gaming

Post-retirement, many esports professionals remain in the industry, taking on roles such as coaching, team management, or content creation. Their experience and knowledge become valuable for the next generation of gamers.

Established esports professionals often contribute to the growth of the industry by engaging in activities like game development, event management, or esports journalism.

Success Aspects:

• Leveraging gaming experience into coaching, team management, or content creation.
• Staying updated with industry trends and developments.
• Using influence to mentor and guide emerging talent.

Challenges:

• Transitioning skills from gaming to coaching or management.
• Staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Building a new identity beyond being a competitive gamer.

Is Esports a Viable Career?

Esports as a career is viable, supported by significant growth in the industry. Here are signs in the last few years backed by real data:

1. Rapid Market Growth: The esports market has seen tremendous growth, with global revenues reaching $1.1 billion in 2020 and a fan base of over 496 million people worldwide​​.

2. Growing Awareness and Participation: As of 2023, over 2 billion people are aware of esports, a significant increase from 800,000 in 2015. The industry is expected to grow by 6% between 2020 and 2025, with individuals aged 20-24 performing the best in esports tournaments​​.

3. Market Value and Forecast: The global esports market was valued at $1.45 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $6.75 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5% during this period.

This growth is driven by factors such as the following:

• the rise in live streaming of games
• gaming investments
• increasing viewership
• engagement activities​​.

4. Career Opportunities and Revenue Growth: While esports currently offers limited career development opportunities, the total number of jobs in the industry grew by 87% in 2019.

The industry’s total revenue is also increasing by an average of 23% annually, indicating a potential growth in opportunities, demands, and salaries until about 2025​​.

Top 10 Career Jobs in Esports Other than Gaming

What if you decide not to be an active esports gamer but still want to have a career in the industry? Here are the best opportunities that have nothing to do with actual gaming.

1. Marketing Executive

Marketing executives play a pivotal role in brand building and audience engagement.

They strategize campaigns, analyze market trends, and work on brand promotions to enhance the visibility of teams, players, and events in the esports ecosystem.

2. Journalist

Esports journalists bring the stories of this vibrant industry to life. They cover tournaments, profile players, and report on industry trends.

Their work involves investigative reporting, interviewing key figures, and crafting compelling narratives for a diverse audience.

3. Web Content Specialist

These specialists focus on creating engaging online content. This includes writing blogs, articles, and social media posts that are informative and SEO-friendly.

They play a key role in the online presence of esports entities.

4. Referee

Esports referees are critical to maintaining the integrity of competitions. They ensure fair play, make real-time decisions on rule violations, and manage player conduct during matches.

Their role requires a deep understanding of the specific game, its rules, and a keen eye for detail.

5. Booking Agent

Booking agents are useful in managing the careers of esports athletes and personalities.

They secure lucrative opportunities, manage schedules, and often act as intermediaries between players and event organizers. Their expertise lies in networking and contract negotiations.

6. Sales Manager

Sales managers drive revenue generation in esports. They work on merchandising, sponsorship deals, and partnership opportunities.

Their skills in sales strategy and customer relationship management are crucial for the financial success of esports organizations.

7. Product Manager

Product managers in esports work on launching and managing gaming products or related services.

They oversee market research, product development, and marketing strategies. Their role is vital in ensuring that products meet consumer needs and achieve business objectives.

8. Event Planner

Event planners in esports orchestrate major gaming tournaments and events.

From logistics to vendor management and audience engagement, they ensure that events run smoothly and leave a lasting impact on both participants and spectators.

9. Social Media Manager

Social media managers are the voice of esports brands online. They create and curate content, engage with the community, and manage the online reputation of teams or organizations.

Their role is crucial in building a loyal fan base and maintaining active engagement on various social platforms.

10. Broadcaster

Broadcasters in esports bring live action to the audience. They comment on games, present analysis, and often become the face of esports broadcasting.

Their job requires a mix of game knowledge, presentation skills, and the ability to engage viewers in real-time.

Is Streaming Games a Good Career?

Streaming games as a career has become increasingly popular, with significant growth in the community and available platforms.

In 2023, Twitch alone boasts over 8 million active streamers, highlighting the expansive reach and potential of game streaming as a career choice​​. This is according to a report by inStreamly.

Twitch, being the largest platform, accounts for 76% of all streamed gaming content, demonstrating the platform’s dominance in the market​​.

According to the report, the path to monetization on platforms like Twitch can be challenging. The majority of streamers on Twitch, unless they reach Affiliate or Partner status, face a 50/50 revenue split on subscriptions.

This means that for a €5 subscription, both Twitch and the creator receive €2.50. The revenue model is even more favorable for the platform in the case of top creators, who are offered a 70/30 split in favor of Twitch​​.

The report also showed that platforms such as Trovo, Kick, or YouTube are identified as paying more than Twitch, though Twitch remains the most popular with the most diverse audience.

The rise of these alternative platforms suggests a shift towards more streamer-centric models, potentially offering better monetization opportunities for streamers​​.

In summary, while game streaming can be a viable career, success depends on various factors like platform choice, audience reach, and the ability to navigate the monetization models of these platforms.

The industry is dynamic, with newer platforms emerging to offer potentially more lucrative opportunities for streamers.

Final Thoughts On Esports as a Career

Esports can be a good career, but it’s not easy. It’s more than just playing games; you need to work hard and be dedicated.

You can do many things in esports, like coaching or creating esports courses. The industry is growing fast, so there are more jobs. But remember, it’s very competitive.

You need to be really into gaming and ready to put in a lot of effort to succeed. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to start an esports career to get the best path to success. Good luck!