How can you learn about the eSports industry?

Subscribe to people like SBJ/The Esports Observer, Esports Insider, The Jacob Wolff Report, The Esports Advocate, Dexerto, Richard Lewis, IGN, Polygon, Kotaku, Gamespot, Nathan Grayson, Alessandro Fillari, Rod Bresleau aka Slasher, Travis Gafford, Sjokz, Ashley Kang, Emily Rand, Tyler Erzberger, LCS_Eevee etc. Watch esports matches on Twitch from different game titles. Read up about game metas/strategies. Talk to prominent folks in the esports space from teams, leagues, tournament organizers, broadcast talent, marketing and sponsorship personnel, etc to learn more about the business side of esports.

In a nutshell, esports is a combination of traditional sport and digital marketing. It has sport pillars like teams, leagues, sponsors, media rights and it rely heavly on brand investment and sponsorship, very similar to digital marketing and social media campaign and KPI. Once you realize this foundation you move next step to follow the news about major teams participating in major leagues and understand why brands invested there. There are several news websites and Linkedin group that cover pretty good. To go deeper in a topic try Reddit and Twitter. If anything else not clear, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to answer from a top level prespective.

Step 1. Buy a new game. Step 2. Play game online. Step 3. Talk with other players who are creators. Step 4. Buy $2k worth of stuff you don't need for streaming. Step 5. Start streaming on Twitch or YouTube. Step 6. Realize you're not meant to be an entertainer after you've amassed 66 followers over 6 months. Step 7. By this time, you should have a good grasp on eSports. Hope this helps the 1.75 people who want to know.

It is important to recognize the unique positioning of Esports in the digital cosmos as potential trendsetters. This advantage primarily stems from its inherent infrastructure: the playground is digital. Unlike traditional sports, which are currently in the process of bridging the gap to the digital world, Esports naturally exists in this realm. While the digital environment is not an absolute requirement for the emergence of new trends, it is particularly conducive to them, especially in an era where fundamental shifts are already occurring due to advancements in artificial intelligence. And how to keep track of new innovations? Keep watching Esports tournaments. You will see new innovations the moment they arise on the battle field.

- Regularly visit esports news websites such as ESPN Esports, Dot Esports, and The Esports Advocate for the latest updates, interviews, and analyses. - Look for annual reports and market analyses from firms like Newzoo and SuperData - Follow esports teams, players, influencers, and organizations on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. - Join esports communities on platforms like Reddit (r/esports), Discord servers, and dedicated game forums. - Gaining practical experience by volunteering or interning with esports organizations, event organizers, or related companies can provide valuable hands-on learning and professional connections.

Learning the basic components of what esports is, is a must if you want to understand. Here's an easy explanation: Think of an esports team as if Manchester United would compete in several different sports - Football, NFL, Basketball and participate in both nation and club competitions related to that, except here it's different genres of video games that's beeing competed in. Some are first-person-shooters, some are strategy games, and some are fighting games. The circuit in those games, is a mash-up of many different sports, as esports is very new still. But there are world championships in everything, and the excitement is as fun as traditional sports.

Esports in short is the competitive part of the game and most of the time, it also meant that the game itself has matured and survived the test of time and usually have a decent/large number of audience/fans that follows the game updates and movements. There are many different genres which I will help to further break it down. MOBA = Massive Online Battle Arena Dota 2, League of Legends. FPS = First Person Shooter CounterStrike Global Offense or CS2 now Valorant, Call of Duty, Rainbow 6 Siege. RTS = Real Time Strategy Starcraft, Command & Conquer. FGC = Fighting Games Community Streetfighter, Tekken, Marvel vs Capcom. These are some of the games that fall under the above category, hope this helps!

In my experience, learning the basics of esports can be achieved by following the major industry leaders and eSports operators, such as Turtle Entertainment, Major League Gaming (MLG), and Dreamhack. Activision Blizzard. You learn more about the global community

To truly dive into the Esports industry, attending offline events is essential, despite the digital nature of Esports. Contrary to what one might assume, the real magic happens in person. Live tournaments and Esports conferences offer unique opportunities to experience the vibrant, welcoming community of fans and industry stakeholders. These face-to-face interactions at offline events provide a warmth and openness that's unparalleled, fostering deeper connections and networking opportunities. While online platforms are useful, the key to truly understanding and integrating into the Esports world lies in actively participating in these offline gatherings.

I'd really recommend to visit live events. It gives you a clear view into the live experience and passion that esports fans love. It will also remove a bit of the mystery - you will see that events are events - people cheer, laugh, drink, buy merch...it's just fun.

Gathering intel and meeting people is a must when you want to learn a new industry. Esports is an incredibly welcoming environment, and reaching out to people you find giving valuable insights will usually yield positive response and a passion for knowledge sharing. Furthermore, there are tons of industry events such as Esports Insider, which is a natural place for likeminded people to meet. Finally, attending the tournaments and engaging in every single networking opportunity and mixers which pops up, is another great way of getting into it.

There is tons of stuff online about the esports scene, but nothing beats chatting with other passionate fellow gamers. And guess what? Events are the perfect place to do just that! So, you're curious and want to learn more? Sweet! Just remember, this isn't a lecture hall. Knowledge is a two-way street, so don't be afraid to share your own insights and experiences. You may not have been following the esports scene for years, but that doesn't mean you don't have a story to tell. Everyone has unique experiences and perspectives, and a good story can leave a long-lasting impression. So, what's your story?

One thing I have found helpful is to go to esports events and network with people. If you can't make it to events, use social media platforms like LinkedIn to find other esports enthusiasts. Once you reach out to the people you want to network with, ask questions. Be clear with what you're looking for and what you have done so far so they know if and how they can help you (I noticed that people are extremely busy and have limited time). Hopefully, they can answer your questions or point you in the right direction of a person or resource. However, finding people who are willing to help may be challenging and you may have to reach out to a few people. Don't get discouraged if you get rejected or ignored at first and contact someone else.

Gaining experience in esports as a career, can be a tough task, but not as much as you think. A common misconception is that you need deep game experience or know how to play the games to get a job. Outside of a few very specific performance positions, the skills needed are the same as traditional sectors; sales, marketing, project management, finance, operations etc. Taking an entry level position or part-time position is an excellent way to get involved in a company, and if you are skilled outside of esports, you for sure will be in esports as well. It's about working hard and showing your worth, and trusting the bigger reward to come later. Esports is still a small industry, and it needs passionate people to continue the growth.

For those not inherently drawn to gaming, Esports provides a fresh perspective on various non-industry specific roles. From marketing, event planning, to software development, the skills required are diverse and inclusive. This makes Esports an ideal platform for professionals seeking to apply their expertise in a dynamic and innovative environment. Conversely, for gaming fans, Esports is the ultimate career destination. It's a realm where passion for gaming converges with professional aspirations, allowing individuals to engage with what they love on a daily basis. This blend of personal interest and professional development is rare and valuable, making careers in Esports particularly fulfilling for enthusiasts.

There's a wealth of "normal" jobs available in esports. The classic mistake is looking at the big brands as "esports". The ecosystem around the top-tier teams playing games is huge. It needs stakeholders of all capacities. Agencies, infrastructure, sponsorship delivery, technical, publishers, marketing - and much much more. There's an abundance of ways to work with esports, and it's a large ecosystem of important stakeholders that make esports what it is today. Check out gaming relevant job sites, follow thought leaders in the space and stay alert to any opportunities - and don't limit your thinking. There are many exciting esports companies!

From a passionate fan in 2012, I took a leap into the then-unknown world of Chinese esports. Risky? Absolutely! But I was hooked. My passion fueled my writing. Volunteering for an esports website, I became the unofficial "voice of China" in the west, interviewing pro gamers and writing nonstop about the Dota 2 scene. But writing was just the beginning. I explored event planning, team management, media rights, and even business development. It was a wild ride, showing me the incredible diversity and dynamism of esports. So, aspiring esports pioneers, forge your own path! Experiment, find your passion, and explore. But remember, nothing worth having comes easy.

Esports is only 1-3% of the entire GAMING portion. The industry no doubt is growing but has been oversold by some trying to make a quick buck out of it. To really understand what gaming is and what is esports, you would have to at least talk to the following people. - Game developers & publishers - Game Community managers - Brand & Marketing managers - and many more Gaming = having fun with friends. Having a session of Football/Soccer = a fun game of 5/11 aside with your friends/grassroot level. Esports = high stakes, big prize pool, LIVE broadcast, professional players, marketing/branding/sponsors, hundreds or thousands of audiences in a Stadium/Venue EPL/UEFA/Competitive = the above There is a difference between gaming and esports.

If you try to speak to people using the title of this article and spelling eSports, you will trigger a lot of people who work in esports. First of all start with the correct way to spell it when reaching out to people in the industry.

It is worthy to note that esports overtime has become a lucrative industry, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. This popularity has allowed it to function much like other professional sports leagues: players are paid by the operators in exchange for their participation.

Don't let the vastness of esports overwhelm you! It's like tackling a new sport. Start by choosing one or two games, preferably from different genres, and dive deep. Become the go-to expert others turn to for answers. Remember, even in traditional sports, few people master every game. Like a dedicated football and basketball fan, focus on your chosen esports titles. Remember, mastering an entire industry is impossible. So, become the guru of your chosen games and let your expertise shine!