The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has officially included esports in the official program for the 2022 Asian Games in China. This is a follow-up event to the Olympic Games. This is a huge step forward for esports, and a huge boost for the Chinese gaming industry. However, there are many challenges for players in the esports world. In this article, we will examine the motivations of professional esport players, the characteristics of a successful player, and the challenges of competing in esports.
Motivations of professional esport players
Motivations of professional esport players vary considerably from those of amateurs and casual gamers. According to a study by Martoncik (2015), professional gamers are motivated by altruism, affiliation, and power. In contrast, amateurs and casual gamers are driven by social and recreational reasons.
Several previous studies have shown that the core motivations of professional esport players differ significantly from those of casual players. Moreover, the differences in motivations are observed even at early stages of their career. In order to find out the reasons for the differences, the present study focused on the motivations of the professional esport players as determinants of their career plans.
Characteristics of esport players
Esports players are often highly motivated individuals. Their motivation is often linked to their passion for the game. As a result, they have a strong desire to play well and compete at the highest level. This type of gaming requires more than just technical proficiency, as players must have social and team-building skills to succeed.
Esport players may experience intense psychological stress during their professional careers. They may also have difficulties dealing with the pressures of competition, expectations of coaches and sponsors, and the demands of a competitive gaming community. Similarly to traditional athletes, esport players must be socially and competitively oriented, and be willing to invest time into developing their skills.
Career planning for esport players
Career planning among esport players is influenced by various factors. These factors include competition, self-development, fame, and community membership. Players have a wide range of experience in competitive gaming, ranging from 0 to 18 years. Further research should focus on the role of each of these factors and use more sophisticated methods to understand the determinants of career planning.
Networking is also essential for esport careers. While esports jobs rarely show up on traditional job sites, if you have strong connections in the industry, you may be able to land a job. To network effectively, create a professional LinkedIn profile and attend industry events. Moreover, make connections with people in the industry through social media such as Twitter.
Challenges in esports
Despite the rapid growth of esports, the industry faces several challenges, including security and fraud. Because there are a variety of gaming platforms, choosing a trusted source for a game can be difficult. But if esports players are concerned about the security of their information, they can take steps to protect themselves by making sure that their data is protected.
One challenge in esports is a lack of diversity and representation in the sport. Many esports players are not considered athletes and are often subject to negative social stigmas. This means that they need more support to become successful.
