Make money playing: how do you become a cyber athlete?
The world of cybersport continues to grow, and this global industry is booming. Video game players are now competing in tournaments and championships. It may have started as a phenomenon happening in the basements for ‘computer people’, but it has since grown. The industry is bigger, the audience is global, and there are plenty of opportunities to make money.
What is eSports?
In its simplest sense, cybersport is video games in a competitive context. Cybersports combine several game elements, adding new components to create new locations. Like traditional games, they include consoles and games from largely established developers. However, they usually involve only humans, rather than game players and an observing audience.
A few games have been able to tap into this natural competitive fire of gamers and have reached astronomical heights. Call of Duty pits two teams against each other on a modern virtual battlefield, while games like League of Legends do the same but with a more idyllic fantasy-based virtual environment.
In cybersport, players can play one-on-one or as part of dedicated teams. In the latter category, teams can also have analysts and coaches to help bring out the best in each player. Games can be played on consoles or online via streaming platforms. There is also an element of fans who enjoy the games and the atmosphere the competitive nature creates. Some of these fans are passionate about the games they watch to master skills, while others love the adrenaline and tension.
Why cyber sport is so popular
Since the 70s and 80s, the eSports industry has experienced a significant increase in the number of players. However, many were considered amateurs. In the last 10 years, cybersport has become popular. The industry is the most dynamic and brings impressive results. In 2016, the League of Legends final (43 million viewers) was watched by more people than the NBA final with 31 million viewers. Business Insider data shows that the total number of cybersport viewers is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9% from 2019 to 2023, surpassing 646 million last year. The following factors have contributed to this increase:
1. Improved availability of games:
Increased availability of games has been the main reason for the popularity of cyber sports. One can access games from their mobile phone, console and various online streaming channels.
2. Better game quality:
Game developers have also improved their development skills over the past few years. More and more games are being released to new people, and the technology used to control these games, as well as the networks on which they are hosted, have improved their capabilities. All this has made them more appealing to gamers.
3. Variety of games:
Today, cybersport enthusiasts have a long list of games to choose from. You can choose from a wide range of games spanning several genres and from different developers. From war games to sports and fighting games, cybersport is becoming as extensive as traditional video games.
Profits from cybersports
While most opportunities to make money in cybersports require the player to develop skills and gain a large number of fans on streaming services, there are also several strategic forms in which you can monetise your passion for online gaming. This will require analytical and gaming skills. The main profit comes from winning competitions.