The gaming industry — which consists of developing, marketing, and the retail of video games and consoles — has seen tremendous growth over the last few years. Careers in eSports are expanding as well. The video game market in the United States is projected to surpass $65.49 billion in revenue in 2021. The world of eSports sits at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and technology. As a result, sponsorships and advertising opportunities within the industry have changed drastically, with corporate brands and luxury fashion labels seeking out and investing in partnerships.
Twitch, a streaming platform partnered with Warner Music Group, is the industry’s first deal of its kind. For example, collaborations between Balenciaga and Fortnite and Louis Vuitton and League of Legends have offered a glimpse at a level of marketing potential that could be truly innovative. As the gaming industry constantly evolves, careers in eSports and gaming are growing. Moreover, anyone can find a start in the gaming industry. Check out these eSports and gaming careers you don’t need a degree in.
eSports Producer
Producers coordinate eSports events and tournaments. From selecting venues to managing staff to arranging live streaming broadcasts, Producers play a vital part in every aspect of setting up a tournament. In addition, they may be responsible for securing partnerships in sponsorships and advertising if the tournament is new or on a smaller scale.
A Bit of Advice: Producers skilled in multitasking have a working knowledge of marketing, event planning, and budget management and are able to plan, manage, and execute eSports events. Enrolling in an online course like Yellowbrick’s Gaming and eSports Industry Essentials is a cost-effective and time-efficient option for learning these concepts.
Game Tester
Games Testers try out games that are in the initial development. They report technical bugs or glitches to developers to remediate before the game goes to market. They also provide feedback on general gameplay and the believability of the game’s narrative.
A Bit of Advice: It’s a common misconception that Game Testers have it easy and only play video games all day. However, the job requires a high level of attention to detail, gaming skills, and comprehensive written reports.
Community Manager
A gaming community is an online group of players and fans that have come together around a common interest in a specific game. Community Managers are responsible for building and growing that community. They liaison between the game’s development team and the fans to improve gameplay. The responsibility for engaging fans through social media lies with them, as well as representing the company in person at fan events and conventions.
A Bit of Advice: A degree isn’t a requirement this eSports job, but a passion for the community is. If you have a favorite game, be active on social media platforms — especially forums and subreddits.
Game Producer
Game Producers oversee the development, production, and release process of a video game.
They pitch games to publishers, determine budgets, hire staff, and ensure all departments are on schedule and within budget. In addition, game Producers monitor quality assurance testing and arrange focus groups.
A bit of advice: Game Producers should develop negotiation skills and be financial savvy. They raise money from investors and negotiate deals with publishers and retailers.
Game Writer
Game Writers design the overall narrative arc of video games by collaborating with designers to create video game storylines, backstories, and dialogue for game characters. They also produce in-game text and documentation such as instructions. In post-production, Game Writers work closely with voice actors during recording.
A Bit of Advice: Game Writing is still an evolving field. Much of the entry-level work is on a freelance, per-project basis.
Professional Gamer
A Professional Gamers is the ultimate career in eSports. They are full-time players who compete in eSports tournaments for prize money. Gamers usually belong to eSports teams that consist of five to six players.
A Bit of Advice: When Pro Gamers aren’t playing, they’re training. Be prepared to train for several hours a day.
eSports Referee
Like referees in traditional sports, eSports Referees monitor matches and gameplay to ensure all rules are followed. They penalize teams or players who are in violation and troubleshoot match disputes and IT issues. Referees set up competition matches and coordinate with teams and players to begin games on the schedule. They also record final match results and submit them to the tournament administrator to advance the competition to the next round.
A Bit of Advice: There are important qualities needed to succeed as an eSports Referee: decisiveness, knowledge of rules, and people management. However, a Referee should be a good show person as well. Regulations must be enforced, but it’s just as essential to make sure the game remains exciting to watch for an eSports audience.
Game Voice Actor
Game Voice Actors provide voiceovers for game characters. They should be skilled in pitch, different accents, and dialects. Voice Actors have to be able to take direction well and adapt quickly in recording sessions.
A Bit of Advice: You can find voice acting in different productions like animations, TV shows, movies, and commercials. It’s a versatile job that can open up opportunities across several industries.
Check out our Resources to access guides, learn more about careers in eSports or gaming, and industry terms you need to know.
