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I think that in almost all cases trying to build an esports career (as a player, coach, analyst, or commentator) is a poor decision; the competition is unreal,

I think that in almost all cases trying to build an esports career (as a player, coach, analyst, or commentator) is a poor decision; the competition is unreal, the payoff is low, the overall landscape is unpredictable, burnout is absurdly common, and exit strategies are virtually non-existent. The only time I would encourage someone's esports aspirations is if they have a decent chance of establishing themselves and if they are so passionate that they can't see themselves doing anything else.

abalaji 4y ago
A lot of this applies to traditional sports too, in fact more so since nearly every high school has a sports program. It's very rare for a high school to have an esports team.
danielmarkbruce 4y ago
replace "an esports career" with "a startup" ?
- akshatmittal108 4y ago
  With starting a startup, some of the skills which you learn or demonstrate would be transferable I think. It depends on the type of startup for sure, but talking to prospective customers, design thinking for the product and getting the product to the market is something which is useful in many industries and something which companies will look for in a resume. Can't say the same thing about esports since I am not familiar with the space.
  - jrh206 4y ago
    Certainly some esports skills are transferable. There are (for instance): surface level things, low-level mechanics (e.g. CSing in MOBAs); larger strategies (e.g. team play, map movements, game sense); and meta-learning things, like how to learn games efficiently, take care of yourself, work with a team in the physical world, manage a career, etc.
  - danielmarkbruce 4y ago
    it was tongue in cheek
- Ekaros 4y ago
  Startup is relevant and marketable work experience. So usually accepted in other places in huge industry. Same skills doesn't necessarily carry from role to role inside a game or cross games. And spots for supporting personnel are less and have also other competition.
Beta-7 4y ago
So you're saying that "I wanna be an esports player" is the new "I wanna be a gaming youtuber"
- LanceH 4y ago
  The gaming youtuber is more common and pays better.

abalaji 4y ago

A lot of this applies to traditional sports too, in fact more so since nearly every high school has a sports program. It's very rare for a high school to have an esports team.

danielmarkbruce 4y ago

replace "an esports career" with "a startup" ?

akshatmittal108 4y ago
With starting a startup, some of the skills which you learn or demonstrate would be transferable I think. It depends on the type of startup for sure, but talking to prospective customers, design thinking for the product and getting the product to the market is something which is useful in many industries and something which companies will look for in a resume. Can't say the same thing about esports since I am not familiar with the space.
- jrh206 4y ago
  Certainly some esports skills are transferable. There are (for instance): surface level things, low-level mechanics (e.g. CSing in MOBAs); larger strategies (e.g. team play, map movements, game sense); and meta-learning things, like how to learn games efficiently, take care of yourself, work with a team in the physical world, manage a career, etc.
- danielmarkbruce 4y ago
  it was tongue in cheek
Ekaros 4y ago
Startup is relevant and marketable work experience. So usually accepted in other places in huge industry. Same skills doesn't necessarily carry from role to role inside a game or cross games. And spots for supporting personnel are less and have also other competition.

Beta-7 4y ago

So you're saying that "I wanna be an esports player" is the new "I wanna be a gaming youtuber"

LanceH 4y ago
The gaming youtuber is more common and pays better.