Breaking into the pro video gaming world is not as easy as it used to be! Sure, the winnings can be big, and the sponsorship deals can be lucrative, but you need to be ready to put in long hours building your followers on the streaming sites, honing your craft as a gamer, and building you physical gaming system so that you can win, and get recognized as one of the best. Wondering how to get started on turning pro? Keep reading!
1. Pick your game of choice and work at becoming the best at it, both single and team game modes
This is really step one. You have a game that you are pretty good at, maybe even the best among your friends. It needs to be a game you love to play, and one that you can play for hours and not get tried of! To really rise in the rankings, you need to be able to play as both an individual and as a team player. The best you are at both styles of play, the faster you will rise in ranking.
2. Stay motivated and focused, and have confidence in yourself
Not matter how hard it gets you need to be motivated. This is a dream and goal to work for. You do not get to just announce you are pro and get money rolling in … you have to earn it. If you stay motivated and focused, putting the time in to playing you can make it. That is if you remain confident in yourself and your ability to learn the needed skills!
3. Practise, practise, practise, and learn from the best players
Get in the habit of watching the other pros play. You need to do this not for entertainment, but to learn what they already know. You need to watch with an eye for details and habits that you will need to develop in the game play. The pros out there are pros, because they have the skills to do it. Learn from them, and then practise the good habits they have until you have them too!
4. Get the gaming set up that works for what you want and need.
Xbox, PlayStation, desk top laptop, it does not matter what you decided to focus on as long as the system can keep up, and as long as it is reliable. Whatever system you use, be ready to customize and upgrade and then once that is done, to do it over and over again. Gaming is always changing, and if you want to stay on top, your system will have to be the best!
5. Join the gaming community and build your reputation as a serious gamer
You can not become a pro in a bubble, join the communities! Get known, talk about gaming, learn, and have fun. Let people know you are not just passing time, but that you are serious about being a serious player.
6. Join a team and get competing.
As soon as you can, get on a team and start competing. This will help you to figure out where you stand and what you still have to learn. Competition is different that friends playing together for fun, you need to be in it to learn it. So, jump in both feet and get going.
7. Enter tournaments with the goal to break into the next level higher.
Every time you compete you are there to win. If you do not win, you had better learn and get better. This is the nature of the gaming world at the pro level. There is always someone who is better, and there is always someone coming after you … so get playing tournaments to move up the ranking system!
8. Get sponsored
As you play more and win more the chances to get sponsored are out there, sometimes for money, sometimes for gear. The faster you can get sponsored the better. This signals that you are the real deal, and it makes gaming cheaper for you!
9. Create a social network of supportive people
You need people away from the gaming console who you can hang out with. Family and friends need to help you refresh, relax and reset after a long day of gaming. Try not to retreat to the virtual world and never come out of it, we need people to stay focused, and mentally fit.
10. Find a paying job to fit your hopes and dreams while you work to be the best.
Try not to make the job right away, find work that gives a regular paycheck while you chase your dreams. This will make things like eating easier because in the early day, the quest to be a pro gamer will only cost you money!