“Playing video games is just a time pass.” This is the phrase we were all accustomed to hearing. But the scenario has changed now; what once was considered just a hobby is now turning people’s lives around. Earlier, a career in esports was a far-reaching prospect, but now it is one of the most talked-about careers in the country. This new tide of esports is a result of the accessibility of affordable internet, the arrival of 5G, and hefty investments pouring into this sector. According to a report by FICCI-EY, there were almost 65 million online gamers in 2019, and this number is expected to reach 440 million by 2022. The potential in this industry cannot be disputed, especially with the tech-savvy millennial and generation Z populations turning what used to be their hobbies into lucrative careers.
Before we get into the various career possibilities in esports, it’s important to know that esports is not just players and games. Many fresh opportunities come under the shed of this sector. So, let’s take a look at some of the potential careers for esports enthusiasts!
Game Streamer
Game streamers are people who live stream themselves while playing video games. One can use various platforms to stream, like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Gaming. In India, the esports landscape is heavily influenced by streaming. Streamers like Dynamo Gaming, Shreeman Legend, started their esports journey through streaming and have made successful careers out of it.
Read more: Top 5 Female Streamers Conquering The Gaming Industry in India
Game Tester
Game testers are required to play games and report any bugs that they find. They are techies who make sure that the game is glitch-free and has smooth gameplay. This job gives you access to the latest unreleased games. You can play games for hours on end and earn a living for yourself.
Esports Journalist
As an esports journalist, you will provide information about all the happenings in the esports industry. You can use a variety of mediums, from web articles to video or streaming. If you are an esports fanatic, then esports can be your beat.
Team Coach
The job of a team coach entails working closely with esports players and training them to develop skills for competitive games. They help in managing individual players or teams to develop teamwork, gameplay, and strategic abilities. They are responsible for honing the overall performance of the team and the players. One of India’s most popular esports coaches is Ghatak. He’s currently a coach to Godlike esports and is amongst the most skilled and versatile BGMI players in the country.
Game developer
Game developers convert an idea for a game into reality. They are involved in many stages of developing a game, like the creation and design of the game’s visuals, gameplay, creating storyline, animating the characters, creating audio, testing, editing, and producing. So, if you have a knack for coding and want to create a world for people to escape into, this is the path for you.
Content creators
Esports content creators or influencers generate engaging content on various platforms across social media. They create content keeping in mind current trends and examine their audience closely. With that, brands also approach the influencers to collaborate with them. To name a few content creators in India, we have Payal Dhare, Dynamo Gaming, and Ankit Panth.
Esports host
Esports hosts and casters provide commentary on esports tournaments. The host basically presents the tournament on stage and keeps the audience engaged through various activities.
As a caster, you are required to provide play-by-play commentary during the match, share statistics, and give an analysis of the game. Like Ocean Sharma, who started off as a casual gamer and now is one of the most popular esports casters in India.
Video Editor
A video editor edits and assembles raw footage into a refined product using the software. Right now, video editing is a viable career option, since they are the ones who convert raw material into the content.
Esports has spawned an entire network of opportunities and career pathways. According to a report, the gaming industry in India employs about 40,000 people across the country. Esports is an ever-growing market, so this number is expected to increase massively. Although India is the largest esports market in South Asia, with almost 111 million US dollars, it is still far behind countries like China and the United States. The creation of history with the Commonwealth Games and entry into the upcoming Asian Games will also give this industry the required boost. Esports fantasy is on the rise with the emergence of platforms like FanClash and is expected to generate great revenues. Emerging talents, increasing viewership, and investments from major brands are also essential factors for catalyzing the growth of the industry. This sector has tremendous potential and will experience unstoppable progress in the years to come.
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