Making it in esports can be a daunting task for many looking to enter the scene, with it requiring skills of its players to be honed and perfected to keep up with its fast-paced environment and level of competition. It’s an industry that asks a lot from the athlete and a lot of prospective competitors can struggle to make it out of their starting stages.







As Panda Global‘s David Wu puts it,







“Statistically speaking, someone is more likely to become an NBA pro than become an esports pro,”

But what does it take to get yourself out there and rise above the rest?

This group of players and esports management gathered at L.A. Comic Con to tell you what it takes to make it.





1. Becoming A Brand

In the esports industry, your identity online is almost as important as your ability to even play the game. Counter Logic Gaming’s Zachari “SFAT” Cordoni says that

“[In esports], you really need to pick up a brand,”

With the rise in popularity in sites like Twitch and esports reaching a broader more mainstream appeal, it’s now more important than ever for players to establish a brand to go alongside their gaming prowess. Cordoni also goes on to state that streaming is notably a good way for players to begin to build their brand and connect with their fanbase.







“I think streaming is a way to build your own platform and build an audience that you won’t get from another platform like Twitter,”

added FlyQuest Apex Legends player Zach Mazer. Citing that one social media platform can only get you so far when it comes to the rise of a future pro’s brand.

2. Be A Team Player

While this can be self-explanatory in the esports field with its almost inherent need for teamwork, it can be harder than it seems.

“[Getting into a team environment] is a whole new world as a new player in esports,”

says Daniel “Tafokints” Lee, pointing out the need for players to learn to adjust to being in a team. Teammates who were all normally used to being dominant performers by themselves now have to get used to now sharing the spotlight with their peers, and getting along with each other as well. League of Legends professional Raymond “Wiggily” Griffin also mentions that,

“For League [of Legends], the best teams are practicing all the time,”

This concept, however, doesn’t only apply to team-based games, as David Wu of Panda Global states

“Even in the solo disciplines, having training partners can be very advantageous,”

Finding pseudo-teammates to help you improve your game in solo games is a solid method of player growth and can help both competitors improve as a result of consistent training.

3. Play What You Want

“If I didn’t love playing the game, I wouldn’t be doing it. You really have to love what you’re doing,” -Raymond “Wiggiliy” Griffin

Esports is a draining career and competitors need to be ready to put in the time and to be committed to their game of choice. Even if their preferred game happens to die out, one team manager states to,

“Play the games that resonate with your talent,”

Not every game you play will stick around or have a stable competitive scene. Being able to adapt to the fast-paced and quickly changing environment in esports will put you a step ahead of your competition.

4. Closing Thoughts

To make it in the esports industry you need to have an identity, you have to be motivated, you’ll need to cooperate, and you’ll need a little bit of luck. It’s a challenging career path to make work, but it’s possible with enough work.

“Looking back, there’s no way I’d imagine I’d be sitting here right now. It’s kind of surreal to think that I’d be making money playing video games.” – Zach Mazer

So stay concentrated and work hard and you too may have the chance of becoming a professional gamer, just remember to enjoy what you do.

or as SFAT puts it,

“Just have fun with it,”