How To Become A Professional Gamer In Australia?

Are you enthusiastic about video games, have a competitive mentality, and constant drive? Then, a pro-gamer career can be a great way to pursue your love of video games.

Professional gamers play online games in competitions or to entertain audiences. Their main objective is to win tournaments to achieve pro status and big sponsorship deals.

You don't need any formal qualifications to start a gaming career. However, completing a qualification in computer science, computer programming, marketing, graphic design, media, and games design, can boost your job prospects.

In this blog, you will learn about the pro-gamer profession, personal requirements, job prospects, and a blueprint to launch a career in the professional gaming industry.

1. Who Are Professional Gamers?

Professional gamers are highly skilled professionals who play video games to earn a salary or prize money. They participate in various online competitions and tournaments to compete with the highest-ranking gamers in the world.

Professional gamers are natural at games and have fast reflexes. They spend several hours repeating the same level till they master it. Their intense skill level, talent, dedication, and hard-working attitude differentiate them from hobbyists.

They influence countless sports fans and followers all over the world. While most gamers consider it a part-time gig, others make a full-time living by playing and endorsing products. These include energy drinks, merchandise, sports gear, sponsorship, and brand-building.

2. What Does A Professional Gamer Do?

If you desire to become a pro gamer, you must know the duties and tasks involved in this role:

• Deeply study the game to achieve excellence in it. This enables them to compete in Esports leagues or play to entertain viewers on a live-streaming service like "Twitch".

• Play the same game throughout the day to achieve excellence. 

• Compete professionally in digital game competitions in big arenas.

• They talk face-to-face with teammates from time to time to discuss performance and game strategies and work on improving team bonding. This helps them make better decisions and thrive in their sport.

• The life of a professional gamer isn't just fun and games. They have to work long hours studying, practising, and playing professional video games in various tournaments. They train for 6 to 8 hours daily to keep their reflexes in the best condition.

• Streamers put immense effort into developing their community by posting regular content and creating engagement. They analyse the community to learn about their interests and likes. Based on the valuable insights, they form targeted strategies to entertain their audience and build a huge fan following.

3. Essential Skills For A Professional Gamer

To become a pro gamer and achieve success in online gaming, you need to have the following skills:

• Good communication skills

• Mental strength

• Commitment

• Professionalism

• Competitive

• Resilience

• Interpersonal skills

• Teamwork

• Active listening

• Good Problem-solving and Conflict resolution skills

• Emotional control

• Able to make better decisions

• Passion for games

• Concentration

• Able to handle pressure

• Play Win approach

• Continuous learner

• Perseverance

• Quick reflexes

• Quick at processing information

• Good decision-making

• Normal eyesight

• Good technical skills

• Thorough understanding of different gaming platforms

• Social media savvy

4. Qualifications To Become A Professional Gamer In Australia

Looking at the craze of esports among teens and youths, several colleges have started offering degree courses in e-sports. At present, over 170 Australian colleges and universities sponsor e-sports teams.

You do not need a formal education to become a pro gamer in Australia. However, studying computer science, graphic design/ games design, digital media, management, computer programming, and marketing can improve your chances of getting into the gaming industry.

5. Steps To Becoming A Professional Gamer In Australia

Do you fantasise about quitting your 9 to 5 job and living your passion for games? If yes, here is how to get into esports in Australia and gain excellence in it:

Step 1: Decide On Your Game

Start by playing different games to identify what you like playing the most. It should be the one that doesn't bore you even if you play it endless times. Stick to the one you truly love, as you will play it daily to achieve perfection.

Some of the popular pro gaming games include:

• First-Person Shooters (Counterstrike, Overwatch, and Call of Duty)

• Real-Time Strategies like StarCraft 2

• Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas such as League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, and DOTA 2

• Fighting games (Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 and Ultra Street Fighter IV)

• Card games

Step 2: Identify Your Motivation

Identify the correct reason that drives you to become a Pro-gamer. It could be a love of competition, fulfilment of evolving as a player, and the sense to contribute to a community or a team.

This step is essential, as positive drives will keep players engaged in the long run. Identify Your Type (Professional Competitive Gamer or Entertainer/Streamer)

Determine whether you would want to play to compete in championships for money or to broadcast your gameplay as a streamer and entertain an audience. Both are good ways to earn income professionally while playing games.

Step 3: Choose Your Platform

Based on the game you choose, decide on the competitive gaming platform.

It could be PC, Nintendo, PS4, Microsoft, Wii U, and Xbox. Decide whether you want to use the keyboard, mouse, or controller to play the game.

Step 4: Select Your Genre

The next important step is genre selection. Delve into the complexities of different genres. Pick the genre that motivates you the most. You should have the natural skills, good understanding, committed to becoming the best in that genre.

People with a strategic mindset should choose to play an RTS. If you understand sports strategy well, you can consider playing FIFA. People with good controlling skills should opt for fighting games such as Ultra Street Fighter IV and Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3.

If you possess good aim and awareness, then go for an FPS.

Step 5: Build Your Professional Network

Start a gaming YouTube channel and update your Twitter periodically. Inform your fans and followers of the upcoming streaming of your gameplay. Use social media to make professional connections with other players and fans.

Participate in live tournaments to widen your network of players and fans. Joining dedicated professional-gaming communities, including message boards, YouTube channels, and forums, can help immensely.

Step 6: Research Game Strategies and Techniques

To step up your game and play like a pro, you must find new strategies and techniques to optimise your game. Many learning guides, articles, and YouTube video tutorials are available online to get tips on specific games.

Upskilling and refining your gameplay will give you a competitive edge. Watch live competitions and pro streamers to learn different tactics to improve your game.

Step 7: Invest In The Right Gears

Ensure that you play in the right gear. You can buy an efficient and high-precision mechanical keyboard and a gaming mouse as a beginner. A gaming monitor, high-end processor, and storage space form a significant part of your gaming setup.

The gaming monitor should be a 144Hz monitor with a one-millisecond response time to get the best gaming experience.

Step 8: Join A Team

Do you want to know how to get noticed by esports teams? As you keep playing and actively participating in social groups, you come across several other players in the industry. You become a part of the game's community, and more and more people get to know about your talent.

The connections you make may land you a position in the team. Alternatively, you can group with players of solo games to make your group. Playing with a steady pool of players is an excellent way to develop knowledge and keep improving. This way, you progress much faster than you could have done on your own.

Step 9: Compete In Tournaments And Leagues

Do you want to know about becoming a pro gamer and how to join esports? This requires you to acquaint yourself with the hierarchy of the gaming competition. Progress from public games to matchmaking and leagues and tournaments. 

Players can establish their place in the industry by taking progressive steps and may get a chance to join professional esports teams.

Leagues and Tournaments are organised throughout Australia and worldwide regularly. Playing in gaming tournaments in Australia will help you level up your profile as a player and become part of the game's community.

Gaming leagues enable a team to participate in seasonal competitions, taking it to a championship or tournament. Some popular gaming leagues you can aim for are KeSPA, ESEA, MLG, and ESL.

Step 10: Find a Sponsorship Deal

We work to get paid. Besides earning by playing in tournaments, you can also make money through sponsorship programs.

Top brands in the esports industry pay players to use their gear and wear their merchandise when competing in live events. It is a great promotional stunt that helps them get their name out and increase sales.

One way to get sponsorship deals is to contact various brands and find sponsorship opportunities. Besides this, you can become part of an established gaming team with some sponsors for its players.

Now that you know how to become a professional gamer and get paid, it is time to implement these steps and start your dream career.

6. Professional Gamer Relevant Courses In Australia

Professional gaming is a highly competitive industry that has gained enormous admiration and recognition worldwide. Its growing popularity has made it a viable source of income for many people. 

Completing the relevant courses in professional gaming makes launching a career in the industry easier and faster.

• Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Game Design) - Curtin University

• Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) in Games Design and Development – Murdoch University

• Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture) - Curtin University

• Bachelor of Digital Media – University of South Australia

• Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Games - TAFE NSW

• Games & Interactive Design Courses - TAFE Queensland

7. How To Prepare Your Child For Video Games?

My son wants to be a professional gamer, but how do I know it is for him? Kids have become obsessed with popular video game consoles such as Sega, PlayStation, Xbox, Fortnite, and Nintendo. Watching children spend several hours playing video games has become a serious concern among parents.

How should a parent react to the growing interest of their kids in video games? Should they encourage and support their passion or divert their attention to other activities, such as music and writing.?

Video games have indeed become an addictive interest among kids. It is taking children away from other healthy activities and posing unique challenges for parents.

Parents should monitor the children's interest and keenness to work hard in this area. It will help them know if they may develop a lifelong interest and a thriving career in professional gaming.

The world of digital gaming holds plenty of learning opportunities for kids. Starting a YouTube channel and writing a video storyline will make them creative. The act of regularly uploading videos on the channel will teach them discipline.

Creating better videos each time to expand their fan following will make them continuous learners. These vital skills will benefit them in all facets of their professional and personal life. 

Understanding the kid's fascination with e-sports gaming and supporting them in their interests can help to prepare them for the profession. 

Parents should inspire their children to develop their interests into hobbies that can transform into full-fledged careers. Constant supervision and encouragement on this relatively new path may require much effort, but it is certainly doable.

8. How Hard Is It To Get Into Esports?

Watching favourite gamers performing on YouTube thrills and inspires countless teens and tweens to become professional gamers. But is this career path as easy, attainable, and glamorous as it seems online? 

The simple answer is No. The reality is very different. There is a lot that goes behind the scenes that the kids aren't aware of. Getting paid to play video games online requires hard work, an unwavering mind, and enormous dedication.

Reaching a position where you earn some serious dollars and recognition requires earning a high standard and reputation. You must participate, win numerous tournaments, and demonstrate your expertise to get your name out there.

Showing your physical and mental strength to cope with all the competition is vital to gain and maintaining such status. However, accomplishing success can be challenging. You must be self-motivated, committed, and determined to make that happen.

Though the profession doesn't guarantee success, you must focus on practice, improvement, and networking to make a sustainable long-term career.

9. Where Does A Professional Gamer Work?

Professional gaming is a rapidly evolving industry. It presents numerous career opportunities to aspiring professional gamers in Australia and worldwide.

Affordable, faster internet access and the introduction of free-to-play games have attracted people to pursue competitive gaming as their career. There is a steady demand for skilled pro gamers in the following roles in Australia.

• Coaches

• Player agents

• Social media experts

• Event directors

• Managers

After retiring from the pro-gaming profession, players may explore opportunities in game design, game development, game programming, graphic design, or game art. Several Australian universities and training schools offer courses in these areas.

10. Job Prospects Of A Professional Gamer In Australia

The video gaming industry is in the budding stage, with plenty of scope to grow and advance. Its popularity is evident by the statistics that show that nearly 70 million viewers watch tournament events on TV or online.

Close to 1 million people watch Twitch streams at a given point in time. The industry generates more revenue than the music industry.

The growing popularity of gaming, and the development of new leagues, tournaments, and esports events in Australia, will result in more career opportunities in the coming years. Thus, the future of the professional gaming industry is quite promising.

Considering ample work opportunities for the development and legitimacy of e-sports to work, several colleges now run degree esports courses and sponsor e-sports teams. All this indicates favourable chances of becoming a professional gamer and thriving in this profession.

Several Australian pro gamers consistently win tournaments and earn handsome salaries and big-money rewards. The key factors driving the sector's future outlook are consumer interest and technological developments.

Aspiring pro gamers should know that the average age of major league gamers is around 22, with very few gamers in their 30s. Thus, it is a short-term career where you must start early and put serious effort into accomplishing your professional goals by the mid-'20s.

11. How Much Can You Earn As A Professional Gamer?

Pro gamers are competitive players who get paid to play video games and play against other players and teams. Where most of them work full-time, some gamers take it as a part-time gig.

The major earnings of a pro gamer come from competing in leading global-level esports tournaments. Based on their performance, they earn contract fees from owners or investors of the team. 

Their secondary sources of income include: 

• Winnings from personal sponsorships by top companies and sponsored tournaments. 

• "Live streaming" their gameplay on sites like Twitch and earn subscription and ad revenue. 

• Selling their merchandise or accepting payoffs to assess or advertise specific products during their stream

• Helping companies to create a brand.

The professional gamer's salary varies based on the skillset, experience, performance, and sponsorships they acquire. High-earning Twitch streamers often have a high skill level or an engaging personality.

Innate skills, loads of practice, and a bit of luck are what one needs to earn big bucks in professional gaming. The salary range of a pro gamer is between$12,000 (lowest) to $1.1 million per year.

Top games that can earn you the highest salary are Dota 2, Global Offensive, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and StarCraft II.

12. Conclusion

The professional gaming industry presents endless possibilities for those who have the commitment, skills, and drive to immerse in the ocean of video games. 

Though it can be challenging to break into the industry, you can undoubtedly become the top pro gamer with dedication, continuous upskilling, and the right approach.

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