The esports industry has seen tremendous growth over the years, both in terms of viewership and revenue. The industry’s newly found popularity has contributed to establishing lucrative career paths for many top players including Johnathan Sundstein who has accumulated a net worth of 6.8 million playing Dota 2.
However, securing the bag does not solely depend on how good you are but it also depends on the type of game you choose to become good at. Yes, unfortunately not all prize funds are made equal with some small games only having a few thousand dollars up for grabs at their biggest tournaments, while the multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legions offers millions.
No doubt taking on the profession of a streamer can bring home the money, and it’s not a job just limited to those who love esports. Even gamers who love to play online slots have taken the plunge and turned their passion into a daily activity that generates a regular and steady income. Done properly, with the right amount of time and energy invested, you can really make a living from it.
As the competitive industry continues to grow with esports viewers estimated to reach 34.8 million in 2026, the opportunities to earn big not solely from competitions but from sponsorships as well are endless. Becoming a successful esports streamer can also help to open the door to other gaming careers within the industry such as host, planning gaming events, coaching, and commentating.
Sounds interesting right? So where do you begin? First things first, keep on reading to discover how you can become a successful esports streamer and cash in.
Pick A Game
So you want to be a successful esports streamer? Well, you need to start off by picking the type of game you want to master. The majority of the most popular esports games tend to fall within three categories MOBAs, Shooters, and Fighting Games.
MOBA
MOBA stands for a multiplayer online battle arena game such as League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, and Dota 2. These games primarily focus on two teams of players battling it out, with each participating player controlling a single character that has a defined role and contributes to the team’s strategy.
Shooters
Shooter games refer to both first-person and third-person shooter games where the focus is on using weapons to defeat enemies. First-person games are games like Halo and Call of Duty where as third-person games are more along the lines of Counter-Strike Global Offensive.
From large teams to individual free-for-alls, these games are largely characterized by their viewpoint; with first-person shooters (FPS) being from the character’s point of view, and third-person shooters displaying the player’s character within the surroundings of the world.
Fighting Games
Fighting Games generally center around a one on one combat, focusing on technical prowess, and allowing players to get creative to come up with different fighting combos and strategies to beat their opponents. Some of the most well-known games in this category include Tekken and Street Fighter. One of the greatest fighting game players of all time Daigo “The Beast” Umehara has a world record for the “Most Consecutive Tournament Wins.”
Practice Makes Perfect
The pro gaming industry is highly skill-based so just like a professional athlete you are going to need to put in the time and effort to hone your skills to cater to the different games. The gaming industry is also continuously evolving with new variations of games being released constantly, just like Dota 2 which launches new heroes and updates character skills regularly. As such it’s important to stay ahead of the game and learn how to quickly adapt to any changes necessary.
Build A Following
Successful esports gamers need audiences, especially if they want to earn big. Start off by building a community of streaming platforms like Twitch. Don’t be afraid to interact with fellow gamers and garner more attention. Attending competitive gaming events will also help put your name out there in the community as a pro gamer to watch. You can start off by going to small local gatherings before heading to large arena events like The International. The more of a following you will build will make you more attractive to teams looking to expand and add a new member.
<H2> Hit The Big Leagues </H2>
So you’ve picked your game, honed in your skills and built up a following, all there is left to do now is win. In order to compete in large-scale tournaments and be in the chance to earn a crazy cash pool prize, you will need to reach top rankings on global leaderboards. This will come with time, don’t forget you need to learn to walk before you can run. With hard work and determination, you can become the next esports champion and join an official team.
