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Video gaming is one of the biggest cultural movements of the modern world, being an accessible and fun way for people to enjoy themselves. However, playing games can also be done professionally, which is why many gamers sharpened their skills and became legends, such as the case of Faker, arguably the greatest player in the history of League of Legends.
Faker has shown how playing games can be an art and a job as well since he’s achieved ten League of Legends Champions Korea titles and many other recognitions for his hard work in the esports industry. But we shouldn’t see this as a new thing. A Statista survey shows how young people wish to become professional gamers in the future, as it can turn into a long-term career starting from a hobby.
However, too much in-game pressure and a lack of physical activity can negatively affect one’s health. Let’s investigate the problem further and learn more about the risks of gaming.
How can you become a professional gamer?
The million dollar question. Like in any other industry, you need to have incredible skill, and be in that small percentage of players at the top of the leaderboards. You also need a bit of luck to get spotted and land that initial break. It’s good to be thinking about how you can constantly tweak and improve your gaming skills, such as concentration, pattern recognition, and multitasking. Many games also require strategic planning and teamwork of course, and perseverance can go a long way.
But what’s sure is that you’ll need to spend a lot of time playing to learn the ins and outs of the game. Some games are more complex than others, with some team-based ones like LoL constantly changing and challenging to master. However, playing too much can affect one’s health, potentially leading to Carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injuries, and more.
In the long-term, professional players might be exposed to accidents at work, such as severe neck or shoulder injuries, but they shouldn’t be followed due to pressure from playing, which accounts for a personal injury claim. When orgs ― the major esports organisations breach their duty of care toward gamers, they can consult advisors on https://www.personalinjuryclaimsuk.org.uk/ to claim compensation.
What about the benefits of being a professional gamer?
Becoming a professional gamer can be difficult but not useless. If you work hard and reach unbeatable levels, you can earn a good salary and numerous sponsorships. Faker has worked with Nike, Razer, and Red Bull, as these companies understand his power in the industry and leveraged his fame to promote their products.
A few universities have also started offering scholarships for esports programs, so you should check if there’s such an opportunity in your area. For example, the University of Sunderland Esports Scholarship supports their students’ learning progress while helping them fulfil their passion for gaming.
Moreover, being a professional gamer keeps your mind sharp, as you’re actively working on skills such as strategic planning, fast reflexes, and quick thinking. Having a sharp mind is healthy, regardless of your field of work.
Is being a professional gamer lonely?
It depends. Some players on teams can build friendships with one another and their peers, and enjoy socialising. But time outside of the game is usually limited. So it might be lonely to pursue this profession, depending on which type of game you play. Team-based games still allow people to communicate with others and be in touch with friends, for example, but there are many other games, such as survival-based, or 1v1s, where you may spend a lot of time alone, especially if you aren’t signed to an organisation.
It’s possible for people to experience social isolation when playing too many games casually, too, which can possibly contribute, in time, to enhancing depression symptoms. That’s why it’s recommended for gamers to spend regular time connecting with friends and family and counteract any potential negative effects of long-term gaming.
Streaming can also be helpful, in moderation, as you’re interacting with a bunch of people online. At the same time, live streaming helps you, as a beginner, gain more significant audience potential and build trust when engaging with others.
Like everything, doing things in moderation, getting a good balanced lifestyle with a decent amount of sleep, exercise, socialising and a healthy diet, can work wonders.
Is it worrying that young people choose gaming instead of a more important job?
Some fear that the young generation doesn’t understand the importance of having a stable career, and that some see gaming as a passing thing, unnecessary to society in the future. However, it’s predicted by some that the job market will change in the following five to ten years, with several jobs disappearing as technology evolves, such as the following:
- Data entry and data processing will be automatised by AI
- Manual software testing will turn to AI-powered automated testing tools
- Routine customer support roles will use advanced chatbots and virtual assistants
- Even drivers might be replaced with autonomous vehicles
Therefore, the future brings new challenges and unexpected demand for app and software development, cybersecurity, and digital and content marketing. Of course, healthcare, construction, and education remain the pillars on which society will evolve, but they’ll also improve through technology. And AI will affect esports in various ways.
What kind of games propel you to being professional?
There is no hard and fast rule. Some say the best games to learn to become closer to fame include team-based sports because these are the most popular with big World Championships or Major contests. League of Legends, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 are some of the most well-known games in the industry, with millions of players worldwide, making them accessible to everyone.
The 2025 Esports World Cup will also hold a chess contest, so you don’t have to be solely good at online games or video games. This shows the industry’s unpredictability, and it also offers many opportunities for those with an array of skills and interests.
So, besides working on your skills and making yourself observable on social media by streaming, you’ll also need the courage and self-belief to participate and succeed in such events. We know how overwhelming it is to get out there in the world and be competitive with something that was once a hobby, but pro gamers have proven it can pay off in the future.
Ready to become a professional player?
As computers became accessible and games were more varied and interesting, young people started having different dreams than their parents’ ―becoming professional gamers. After Faker’s success in playing League of Legends and numerous successful gaming streamers, many young people are keen to learn the ins and outs of video games and become reputable players. Unfortunately, too many hours played can be detrimental to the body, so they must adopt a healthy lifestyle to avoid issues like Carpal tunnel syndrome.
