In the digital age, video games have transcended their status as mere entertainment to become a global phenomenon. Today, competitive esports can turn into a professional career with serious prize money on the line for those who are at the top of their game.
For many enthusiasts, the question arises: how many hours does it take to become proficient at a computer game and compete as an athlete in the digital arena? The answer is multifaceted, influenced by factors such as the game’s complexity, individual aptitude, and the level of mastery you want to achieve.
Why It Takes Time to Become A Competitive Player – And Why The Training Is Good For You
Mastering a computer game is akin to learning a new skill or sport. It requires an understanding of game mechanics, developing your strategic thinking, and honing your reflexes to a whole new level.
The process has a number of facets and ususally involves:
- Learning Mechanics: Understanding the rules of the game, the controls, and the game’s objectives.
- Strategic Development: Formulating tactics, understanding winning strategies, as well as being able to adapt to opponents based on their choices.
- Skill Refinement: Improving your reaction times, your accuracy, and the speed of your decision-making.
A study by Oxford University that used actual play time from from Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville and Animal Crossing: New Horizons found that time spent playing games is positively associated with player well-being.
The researchers found that video games tap into a number of psychological factors that have a significant effect on the player’s well-being. Removing the players from the gaming experience had a similar negative effect. Perhaps unsurprisingly, players that experienced genuine joy from playing experienced more positive well-being. In other words, playing computer games is actually good for your mental health.
Tell that to your parents the next time they tell you to go outside and get some sunshine.
So How Much Do Esports Athletes Actually Train?
Much like being a regular athlete, a professional esports athlete also has a training regime. And if you are looking to join their ranks, I hope you like spending a lot of hours at your screen.
Why? Well there are a few things to consider:
- Daily Practice: To get to a high level players train approximately 5.5 hours every day throughout the year. That’s a lot of hours at the keyboard building muscle memory and memorizing maps.
- Structured Training: If you are in a team, there will be team scrimmages, strategy sessions, and individual skill development. Each player often has a role to fill, and you need to know what you should be doing at any moment to best help your team members.
- Physical and Mental Health: You will also need to incorporate exercise and psychological support to handle stress and prevent burnout. Playing games at a competitive level, just like physical athletes, can take a lot out of you. So keeping your mental and physical well-being in balance is important.
So What Games Offer Career Opportunities?
If you are going to go pro, you probably want to invest your time and skills into games that have a good competitive scene. These games offer you the best option to build a career.
- Dota 2: This game is well known for its substantial prize pools and huge events. Top players can earn millions playing this game.
- League of Legends: Features a global competitive circuit and significant sponsorship opportunities. This is a good option for budding athletes.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: Offers consistent tournaments and a dedicated fan base. It has been around for a while, so expect competitive levels to be very high.
- Fortnite: Gained attention for its large-scale competitions and crossover appeal. You’ll need to put in some work here as Fortnite constantly evolves with new weapons and maps.
- Valorant: A newer title with growing competitive infrastructure that could offer opportunities to newer athletes.
These games provide platforms for players to showcase their skills and attract sponsorships, streaming opportunities, and team contracts – all of which are valuable to those looking to maker a name for themselves.
So What Could I Earn As An Esports Athlete?
It’s an important question. If you are going to invest an enormous amount of time, you want to know that you are going to get some return on that investment. ?
But what kind of money can you expect to earn in esports?
The good news is that the numbers are big:
- Top Players: For instance, Johan “N0tail” Sundstein has earned over $7 million from Dota 2 tournaments.
- Team Earnings: Organizations like G2 Esports have accumulated over $18 million in prize money.
- Country Statistics: The United States has seen 28,480 esports players awarded a total of approximately $290 million across 22,577 tournaments.
The bad news?
You’ll have to work damn hard to get into the top tier and see that kind of earning potential. But then that’s true of any sport.
In Conclusion
Becoming proficient at a computer game is a journey that requires dedication, strategic practice, and continuous learning. While the number of hours needed varies, consistent and focused practice is key. For those aspiring to enter the professional realm, understanding the demands and opportunities within esports is crucial. With the right approach, passion for gaming can translate into both personal fulfillment and professional success.