How to become a pro gamer in one day

Being a professional gamer would be a dream come true for a lot of video game enthusiasts. You get to play your favorite games and get paid for it while enjoying fame and traveling the world. But going from your home desk to esports tournaments isn’t as easy as one might believe.

If you’ve daydreamed about turning pro, here are eight steps to get you started.

1. Try Out a Bunch of Games

Unless you’ve already made up your mind when it comes to which game will get you into the Esports Hall of Fame, you should try several games. Here are a few game types that are currently played in professional tournaments:

• Multiplayer online battle arenas. Dota 2, League of Legends, Smite, and Heroes of the Storm are popular choices amongst professional players.
• First-person shooters. The first game that comes to mind is Counter-Strike, but you can give Special Force II or Call of Duty a shot. Also, third-person shooter games have their own tournaments.
• Real-time strategy: Starcraft and Starcraft II, or Warcraft III.
• Fighting games. These were part of the earliest gaming tournaments and are still popular with games like Tekken, Street Fighter, and Killer Instinct.
• Card games. Magic: The Gathering Arena.

Old vs New

Picking a game that’s already established in the esports community is the safe way to go. There are a lot of resources to help you and the infrastructure is already established.

Games such as Counter-Strike or Dota 2 have a large fan base, so their tournaments have some of the biggest prizes. However, the competition is fierce, and it may be difficult for a new player to climb up the ranks.

On the other hand, picking a game that’s promising can boost your career in a short time. But there’s the risk the game will not catch on and will not make it to the esports scene.

These are just guidelines that should help you make a choice. Nevertheless, there’s a criterion that should outweigh them all: pick a game that you enjoy playing. You’ll have to train a lot by yourself and with your teammates, and if you don’t love what you’re doing, your career as a professional gamer will come to a sudden stop.

2. Level Up Your Game

There’s no chance of turning pro if you can’t keep up with the competition. But aimlessly playing for endless hours isn’t enough. To get on the biggest esports tournaments, you should add strategy to your training sessions.

Fortunately, there are plenty of available resources. You can find tutorials online and learn how to incorporate the most popular and efficient techniques, to improve your aim in FPS games, for example.

Also, watch professional tournaments online and take notes on the best players’ strategies. Another alternative is to watch players while they stream their gameplay.

3. Pressure Test Your Skills

Competing in the largest professional tournaments is often stressful, and it may impact your performance. This is why you should get accustomed to playing in the public eye and under pressure.

If there are no available tournaments for a while, start small and stream your playing sessions with a second PC. Then, join online tournaments. These will help you build up your reputation, and you might get a cash prize for winning.

The next step is to compete in LAN tournaments. These will give you a closer sense of what it feels like to participate in large, live tournaments. You can start with local tournaments and work your way up.

4. Invest in High-Quality Gear

Your gear should match your skills as no one will believe you lost the game because you didn't fix your faulty mouse or keyboard. This is why you should buy high-quality gear right from the start. There are a lot of options to choose from, and these peripherals are often pricey, so make sure you get something that fulfills your needs.

Once you get your gear, use it every time. No matter if you’re playing for fun or want to start a five-hour training session, use the same equipment. Becoming familiar with your gear will improve muscle memory, giving you an edge over your competitors.

5. Build a Network

While participating in tournaments or researching the best tactics, you’ll come across players that are ranking better than you. Try to connect with them and discuss game strategy, training methods, or how they mentally prepare themselves for a tournament.

You can even set up playing sessions and invite higher-ranked players. Use Discord or a similar app to learn about their strategies in real-time. Building relationships with players that have already turned pro can give your career a boost. You might get invited to private sessions or get recommended to other teams or sponsors.

6. Join a Team

If you play a team game, finding other players that you can play with regularly is crucial. It will help you get used to how different people play the game, and it will develop your communication skills.

If you’ve made yourself noticed during online or LAN tournaments, there’s a chance your future team will find you. So make sure you’re always behaving professionally when competing.

You can use sites such as Seek Team to try out for teams. Even if you’re not making the team, there's a chance they’ll still want to train with you if you’re a high-quality opponent.

While this isn’t imperative for your professional gamer career, it will relieve some financial pressure, so you can focus more on honing your skills.

If you get sponsored, you’ll have to wear their merchandise when competing, mention their site in your video's description, or attend their events. Some sponsors even offer a bonus if you win a tournament.

If you join an already-formed team, chances are they already have a sponsor, so you don’t have to market yourself.

8. Act Like a Pro

Being a pro gamer takes a lot of effort, so you need proper nutrition, rest, and mental health. A balanced life is key if you’re planning for a long career.

Keep in mind that people might think of you as a celebrity so always be respectful and stay away from controversy. Reckless behavior might get you banned so keep a good attitude even if you’re losing.

Are You Going Pro?

Being a professional gamer seems like a dream job, but there’s a lot of hard work involved before lifting an esports trophy. Most players train for six to 12 hours a day to gain experience and advance their careers.

Even if you haven’t joined a team or won any tournaments, you can still earn a check as a gamer.