For some, video games are a hobby, but others might be looking to get into the competitive side of things. The idea of challenging yourself and becoming good can be the main driving force. On the other hand, there are those who dream of pursuing a career in esports. What might have been a fantasy years ago is becoming a common reality. Video games are huge, and there are plenty of people who make money playing, managing teams, covering esports news, organizing events, and so on.
Of course, if you decide to take the route of becoming a player, then there are certain things you have to work on. The purpose of this article is to give you an idea of what the focal points are so that you know what to emphasize.
1. The Right Schedule
Let’s start with a schedule. The idea of pursuing a professional career will not go anywhere unless you stick to a routine. Similar to having a job or going to school, each thing you do throughout the day should have a dedicated time slot. Sure, there will be exceptions, so some flexibility is a must, but for the most part, you need a routine.
The majority of your time will likely be dedicated to playing games. Take out the hours you spend sleeping, and there is hardly anything left, especially if you plan to play video games a lot.
A regular training schedule is a must, especially if you play a team-oriented video game. You need to be on the same schedule as your teammates. Ideally, a Bootcamp where you are with one another in person makes it easier to work out schedules.
2. Gaming Setup and Equipment
Creating a proper gaming setup is another necessary step. If you have to compete against others, do not put yourself at a disadvantage of having lackluster equipment.
For example, it is recommended to play on a custom-built PC or a gaming laptop. If you were to try certain games on an iMac, for example, the odds are that you will have a lackluster experience. And it is not because of the iMac running slow due to technical issues.
No, such an idea is not recommended because macOS is not really optimized for video games, particularly those of competitive nature. And it is not just the operating system. If you want to use gaming accessories, there will likely be compatibility issues.
As a gamer, you want a gaming mouse and keyboard, to name a couple of examples. A gaming chair and a monitor stand are also something to consider. The former in particular, because it is great for your back and posture.
Further down the line, you might also consider modifying your computer. If a video game requires more powerful hardware, it makes sense to upgrade components, particularly when individual upgrades are cheaper than a new complete computer.
Finally, do not neglect to ensure that you have reliable internet connection. Playing video games competitively requires low latency, ping, and packet loss. And unless your internet connection is up to par, expect to run into various problems.
3. Competitive Environment
There is only so far you can get by practicing alone. If you want to compete and learn from the best, you need to look for opportunities to play with good players.
Even simple online tournaments are better than public games if we are talking about the competitive side of things. And if there is a LAN tournament happening near that you can participate in, then going to one should be a no-brainer.
Playing in tournaments does more than just introduce you to higher-end gameplay. You also get to meet other players who might turn out to be regular practice partners or teammates.
4. Gameplay of Your Opponents and Yourself
Many video games have a replay system that players can use to study their own gameplay or the gameplay of other players. If you are playing a video game without such a feature, you will need to come up with a solution. Recording the gameplay is one of the options as you can view the video later.
The goal of studying the gameplay should be pretty clear. You are bound to make mistakes when playing, and noticing them in real-time is a challenge. Meanwhile, when you focus on the replay, it becomes much easier to spot things that you can improve.
5. Opportunities to Take Breaks
The last bit of advice is about taking regular breaks. Do not let yourself get to the place where you spend nothing but playing video games.
If you do that, it will not take too long before there are significant issues with your health. No, what you need is to take some time and get a break. Finding another hobby, such as sports, is a great suggestion as it offers a change of pace and helps you stay in shape.