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What it takes to become a pro gamer
Through these stories, aspiring pro-gamers will realize that it takes a high level of maturity before they can become a “pro”.
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Game on: Players compete during the Mavrick eSport PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) competition in Jakarta on June 28, 2019. PUBG has become one of the world's most popular mobile games. (AFP/Bay Ismoyo)
I
t may still seem surreal today that being a gamer can be considered a profession at all. In fact, if you gather 10 children in a room and ask them what they would consider to be their dream profession, there is a big chance that several of them will say, “A professional gamer”.
This shows how the esports industry has experienced a giant leap of growth in the past two years, especially during the pandemic.
This significant growth can only happen after years of hard work, raising awareness of the potential of building a professional career in this industry, specifically among parents. We invested in educating the market on this during our early years and our patience has paid off. Based on our recent report, the Indonesia Esports Industry Outlook 2021, more than 50 percent of gamers in Indonesia are below 18 years old.
The government has also taken notice of the positive growth in esports with the inclusion of esports in the ongoing National Games (PON) in Papua. It has become clear that parents welcome this sentiment and give them greater confidence in allowing their children to make gaming as their professional career.
However, the rising support from the government as well as the brand sponsors and endorsements is like a two-edged sword as it makes everything look easy. Not to mention the fame and fortune that comes with being a pro gamer. But nothing can be further than the truth, as the life of a pro gamer requires discipline and perseverance.
At EVOS Esports, we have a strict schedule and a well-thought-out practice duration for our players. Majority of our division or teams training starts from 1 p.m. and finishes 10 p.m. and after that they do review and all ranked games add another 2 to 4 hours.
The rigorous journey in acquiring the title of a “pro” gamer has to be told. Gamers have to understand that it takes dedication and serious commitment to become a “pro”.
The popularity of digital platforms and social media among the younger generation is being embraced by the gaming and esports industry. We see that these mediums can help us get our story out there, and at the same time educate would-be gamers on what it takes to be a pro gamer.
Recently, we collaborated with one of the leading digital platforms, TikTok Indonesia, to organize The Greatest Gamer competition. It is reality show that captures the daily activities of participants over four weeks, documenting their journey to become a pro gamer.
When we were initially approached for this, we jumped at the opportunity without hesitation because it would give valuable insight of what it takes to become a pro gamer and an esports athlete. They need to go through painstaking training to achieve a high level of concentration while at the same time remain physically and mentally fit. This would become apparent with this competition through the daily activities of participants. As you can see, digital platforms play a pivotal role in getting the stories out there.
Through these stories, aspiring pro-gamers will realize that it takes a high level of maturity before they can become a “pro”. They will see that they need to be passionate and dedicated enough to this profession to endure this tough journey. In the end, professional gaming is a passion industry. It can bring wealth and recognition to a select few, but the majority of people would most likely do it as an awesome and fulfilling hobby.
For pro gamers, esports is the purest form of competition and the best of us convey a true sense of achievement and failure with every move we make.
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The writer is head of esports, and a professional gamer for years, now focusing his time to build the team under EVOS Esports.
