Esports, or competitive gaming, is a growing phenomenon that’s sweeping the country. The burgeoning industry is making an impression on college campuses and K-12 schools, offering students a unique opportunity to build technical skills while learning about teamwork and leadership.
Unlike traditional sports, esports require dedicated regional servers to make games playable, as well as high latency (a lag time that renders games unplayable) – which is why professional matches are paused when there’s any significant lag. This helps reduce the likelihood of injury, and enables players to compete without disrupting their lives.
There are many different types of esports. Some are more popular than others, and it’s important to find the right game for you. Here are some tips to help you decide:
Choose a Game That’s Established as an Esport
If you’re looking to get involved in esports, it’s important to start with a game that has already established itself as an esport. This will give you a headstart in the industry and, most importantly, will ensure that you’re playing against other people who have a similar skill level.
Rocket League, for example, has grown from a casual party game to one of today’s most popular esports titles, thanks to its thriving player base and high-volume tournament schedule. It also offers the kind of high-value prize pools that can entice even the most discerning esports fan.
In addition, longstanding esports titles like League of Legends and CounterStrike: Global Offensive have large dedicated player bases and regularly sponsor tournaments with lucrative prizes. These titles are typically harder to break into, but can be an excellent way to hone your game.
Watching Top Pros
If you’re new to esports, it’s essential to learn from the best. You can do this by watching live streams and videos of pro games. This will help you understand the overall strategy of the game and develop your own strategies for specific situations.
It’s also helpful to watch professional teams at different stages of the competition, from pre-tournament to finals. This will help you learn what strategies are effective and what aren’t.
Join an Esports Community
There are a number of different esports communities that exist for most games. These communities are a great way to connect with other gamers and share your passion for the game you love. You can also meet other like-minded people and organize tournaments with them.
Embrace Teamwork and Leadership
When it comes to esports, the team element is just as important as the individual aspect. In fact, the best teams practice and focus on complementary skills sets to maximize their potential.
Taking on a role as a leader in an esports team can be challenging and stressful at times, but it’s a great way to learn how to work together with others and overcome challenges. It can also help players develop leadership and communication skills, a critical part of achieving success in any field.
Esports are a rapidly expanding industry, with major companies hiring professional esports players and opening up pathways to career opportunities for aspiring gamers. These opportunities can open up a wide range of careers for students, from content creation to event coordination.
