Most of us dream of having careers that tap into our passions and make us want to get up in the morning to go to work. A lucky few find just that, and others find themselves toiling away day after day in jobs that aren’t as fulfilling as they’d hoped. For many gamers, a career in the gaming industry is a ticket to a lifetime of happiness, whether that means climbing to the heights of esports glory or designing the next big game. While these goals may seem like nothing more than a pipe dream, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
While most people won’t become world-renowned professional gamers, there are several carers in the gaming industry that are accessible to anyone who’s willing to put in the work and hone their skills to turn their passions into a rewarding career. You don’t need a highly technical background in programming or a degree in computer science to break into these professions, either. Instead, a love of gaming and specialized knowledge will help you get there. In this article, we take a look at a few of the unexpected careers in gaming.
Esports Athletes and Coaches
Knowing a game in and out is key to becoming an esport athlete or coach, and if you have a special talent for gaming, these are careers worth pursuing. You have to be the best at what you do to get to the top, and only a few will achieve this feat. However, if you know you’re good, there’s no need to hold yourself back.
One of the best examples comes from the world of poker, where online gaming has opened up the world-famous card game to an entirely new audience. While there’s still some debate about whether poker should be classified as an esport or not, one thing is certain: many people want to learn the game and play it at a professional level. Without a doubt, one of the most popular variants is Texas holdem poker, where players must know how to strategize, read their opponents, and make calculated decisions to outplay their opponents and win the pot. If you have experience in poker and a deep knowledge of the game, depending on your goals, you could become a coach or work towards a goal of competing professionally.
The same is true of any game. If you want to be a Fortnite coach, you’ll need to have a deep knowledge of the game and know it better than the players. That’s why many retired esports athletes eventually become coaches, just as you see in professional sports. If your goal is to become an esport athlete, you’ll need to prepare yourself to dedicate countless hours to honing your craft and mastering the title or genre you’ll specialize in. The demand for these roles is so high that academic programs are available at universities for those who want to specialize in esports psychology and coaching.
Content Creators and Influencers
Another way to make a career out of gaming is to become a content creator or influencer. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch have made this career accessible to the masses. However, it’s not an easy ascent to the top. You need to know all about gaming and prepare content that will keep your audience engaged, including tutorials and walkthroughs. If you succeed as a creator, you’ll have the opportunity to influence gaming culture and brand marketing through collaborations with some of the biggest names in the gaming industry. There are all types of careers available in content creation, including live-streamers, gaming commentators, and Youtubers who produce game reviews.
Community Managers and Social Media Specialists
If you spend any time on social media, you’ve seen the work of community managers and social media specialists. These are the people who get information about new game releases in front of the public and help plan ad campaigns to ensure the greatest reach. They also engage with players, gather feedback, and build strong gamer communities. You can think of them as liaisons between developers and the gaming community. These roles help game studios maintain a positive image and grow a loyal following.
