The idea of ‘gaming professionally’ hasn’t existed for very long. Overwhelmingly, gaming in its various forms has been associated with recreation and socialization more than the workforce. While UK-based video game developers like Rockstar Games (responsible for the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series) have thousands of employees on their directory, the idea of playing games to earn money remains novel.
But that is changing rapidly. Across the UK, dozens of universities have started to offer eSports-centric degrees and programs. These are designed to introduce students to the world of eSports, from league infrastructure to team management. Additionally, the UK hosts some of the world’s most popular eSports leagues, including the Call of Duty League (CDL). But in reality, Brits have been interested in gaming professionally for a lot longer than the last five to ten years.
Let’s explore the realm of professional gaming, starting with the fad that preceded the eSports craze: professional poker.
The Professional Poker Player: All-In on the Lifestyle
Back in the 1990s, poker saw an uptick in popularity thanks to the invention of the hole camera. The hole cam allowed film crews to broadcast every player’s cards as games unfolded live, offering remote viewers unprecedented visibility into the game. Shortly after, the internet boom helped foster even more interest in poker as it moved into online territory—suddenly, everyone could learn the ins and outs of Texas Hold’em, then get started competing against other players straight from a computer.
Twenty years later, the trend hasn’t slowed down. In fact, more players than ever before are entering satellite competitions that offer them a chance to compete live at the European Poker Tour and similar regional tournaments. The goal? To start raking in official tournament earnings, getting their name out there, and jumping up on the all-time money list.
The Streamer: All About Entertainment
Before we dive into the world of professional eSports, it’s worth pointing out that not all ‘pro’ gamers go the route of eSports. Instead, professional-caliber gamers have the option of choosing to launch their own livestream accounts (usually on Twitch and/or YouTube). Back in the early 2010s, game streamers on Twitch helped catapult interest in eSports and official leagues.
But some gamers have preferred to keep things casual. By interacting with their subscribers and building their following, they can attract big-money sponsorships and advertising deals. In fact, the top streamers on Twitch are by far the highest-earning gamers in the world, dwarfing the salaries earned by eSports competitors.
The Professional eSports Player: Enter the e-Athlete
Clearly, Twitch and YouTube streamers can make huge sums from their followings. However, some gamers have the urge to dominate rather than build their subscriber lists—and their professional trajectory will look a lot more similar to regular athletes than Twitch streamers. Just like a professional footballer, top gamers are now being recruited to academies (or more informal establishments) and trained at the highest level.
Organizations like Team Liquid, G2, Fnatic, and FaZe Clan are on the radar for millions of prospective gamers worldwide. But to make the cut, gamers must excel in their preferred game and be able to communicate with others—just like any real-world athlete. Most importantly, just like any professional poker player, the main ingredient for success is a hunger to win and copious amounts of practice.
Gaming Adjacent: Trainers, Managers, & More
Let’s round off this list with an emerging branch of professional gaming: gaming infrastructure. As outlined above, modern eSports teams and organizations closely mirror traditional sports. In fact, eSports benefitted in the late 2010s from massive investments from some of the world’s top athletes. The salient nature of these two semi-related industries means that modern teams aren’t totally unfamiliar to Premier League or Rugby League fans.
As with athletic teams, gamers need physical trainers, managers, accountants, medical professionals, and much more to give their team an edge. While some universities are focused on training the next generation of eSports pros, many programs instead focus on offering experience and education related to these types of eSports-adjacent positions. In fact, the number of these positions has consistently been on the rise over the last decade.
