How to Become a Professional Gamer

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Updated: March 28, 2019

Explore this Article Exploring Different Games Honing Your Skills Going Pro Article Summary Questions & Answers Related Articles References

Professional gaming has exploded in the last decade and has now become a viable means of income for many people across the world. Professional gaming is hyper-competitive industry and not everyone can make the cut. While many of us enjoy playing games, becoming a professional gamer requires an intense level of skill, dedication, talent, and work. With dedication and the right approach, you can begin your journey to becoming one of the best gamers in the world.

Part 1
Exploring Different Games

  1. 1
    Play a multitude of games. Unless you already excel at a game, you'll have to find which types of games that you enjoy playing. Some of the most popular kinds of games that exist include first-person shooters (FPS), real-time strategies (RTS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), card games, and fighting games.[1] Try out different titles and determine which games you like the best.
    • Popular MOBAs include League of Legends, DOTA 2, and Heroes of the Storm.
    • A popular real-time strategy game is Starcraft 2.
    • Popular competitive FPS games include Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, and Overwatch.
  2. 2
    Choose a gaming platform. Certain games, like Super Smash Brothers and Counter-Strike, are only available for one gaming platform. Possible gaming platforms include the Wii U, Xbox, Playstation, or the PC. Decide if you like to use the controller or a mouse and keyboard. Look at various titles for different platforms and choose a game on a platform that you like to use.
  3. 3
    Determine a genre of game that you excel at. Once you've played a variety of games, you'll have a good understanding of which games that you're best at. If a game comes naturally to you, or if you really enjoy playing a particular style of game, continue to pursue that specific genre. If you're good at micro-managing a lot of units on the screen and have a strategic mindset, you should play an RTS. If you have really good game awareness and aim, try playing an FPS. Figure out what game genre suits you and pursue that game.
    • If you have a good understanding of sports strategy, you could play sports games professional like FIFA.
    • If you're really good at a control, look into different fighting games like Ultra Street Fighter IV and Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3.
  4. 4
    Determine if you will entertain or compete. While "professional gamer" typically refers to people who compete in tournaments for money, the term has evolved over the last decade. Some people now make a living broadcasting their gameplay and interacting with fans as streamers. While not a professional gamer in a traditional sense, being a streamer is a way that you can make money professionally by playing games. Consider being an entertainer or streamer rather than a professional competitive gamer if you can't find a game that you're good at.
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Part 1 Quiz

What kind of game should you play if you're good at strategy and managing a lot of different things at once?

Almost! A first-person shooter does require you to react to a lot of information in real time. However, you're still only managing a single character when you play an FPS, so if your talent lies in multi-tasking, an FPS won't make full use of your skill set. There’s a better option out there!

Try again! In a fighting game, though they can be very strategically deep, you and your opponent only control one character each. That means that your ability to manage a lot of different things at once wouldn't be put to full use in a fighting game. Try another answer...

Nice! Something that sets real-time strategy games apart from other genres is that each player is in control of multiple units at once, rather than just a single character. That makes RTS games a perfect fit for you if you have a strong ability to multitask in real time. Read on for another quiz question.

Close! Card games, as a video-game genre, are slower-paced than other types of games, because it's turn-based and you can take time to think on your turns. Strategy is definitely important in a card game, but if you're good at multitasking in real time, your talents fit better with a different genre. Choose another answer!

Nope! Adventure games are single-player experiences that only move as quickly as you're able to solve puzzles, so an ability to think fast about multiple things at once isn't necessary. Besides, they're not a viable genre for competitive play. Guess again!

Part 2
Honing Your Skills

  1. 1
    Research popular techniques and tactics. There is a multitude of different content on the internet that helps prospective pro gamers work on their techniques. Look on websites like YouTube for video tutorials on how to do popular techniques and read articles about different tactics or strategies that you can use. The more knowledge that you have over all aspects of the game that you play, the better you'll be at the game.
  2. 2
    Watch videos of professional games. A great resource for knowledge in professional gaming tactics exists in professional tournaments and games that you can watch online. Find recently recorded content and pay close attention to lead players in games from around the world. Watch their strategies and try to extrapolate what they do in your own play style.
  3. 3
    Talk to other players. Build your network of friends within the community that you're in. Talk to gamers that play the same game and try to pick their brain about skills and tactics that they use. If you're particularly impressed by a player, talk to them to get an understanding of their mentality and strategy and try to incorporate their tactics into your own gameplay. Be open to criticism so that you can improve.[2]
    • Use in-game chat and friend lists to communicate to players that you play with in the game.
    • You may also be able to contact other players via social media or on message boards.
  4. 4
    Practice playing the game. Becoming a professional gamer isn't a part-time hobby. Many players have reached the peak of efficiency and have played for thousands of hours. This often translates to muscle memory that can't be duplicated with natural skill. Professional gamers typically stay on a regimented schedule, practicing anywhere from 6 to 12 hours a day. In order to stay competitive, you'll have to be able to stick to a similar schedule.[3]
    • Challenge yourself and play against people who are at your skill level or above your skill level to improve.
    • Other than playing the main game, there are often mods for games that allow you to drill specific techniques. Take advantage of these mods when practicing.
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Part 2 Quiz

Why are gameplay videos of professional gamers a good resource when you're honing your own video game skills?

Nope! Gameplay videos show real games being played, which means that the people featured in them are concentrating on winning, not on showing how to execute their moves. If you want to learn how to perform a certain move, you're better off watching a tutorial video than a gameplay one. Choose another answer!

Yup! Gameplay videos are an unparalleled resource for showing what it's actually like to play a particular game. By watching them, you can see how professional gamers integrate strategies into their own play and extrapolate that into your own gaming. Read on for another quiz question.

Not exactly! Just watching other people play games won't help you build up a network of contacts in the professional gaming world. If you want to build your network, you need to talk to other gamers playing the same game you're interested in, whether via in-game chat or on social media. Choose another answer!

Part 3
Going Pro

  1. 1
    Join a team. If you plan on playing a team game, it's important that you begin to play with a set group of players. Look at online message boards or use chat programs to friend other players. Make sure to use a communication device like Discord, Teamspeak, or Skype so that you can talk about strategies and tactics. Start to play regularly with the same players so that you can get used to their play style. Sometimes individual skill matters less than good team chemistry.
    • Even if you are playing a single player game, like a fighting game, being able to converse and communicate with other players who want to help build your skills will help you improve dramatically.
    • Playing with a set team will help develop your communication skills and will give you valuable experience.
  2. 2
    Join a gaming league. Gaming leagues allow a team to compete in a seasonal competition that leads up to a tournament for a championship. There are also other features that some gaming leagues have, like the ability to find other teams to practice or "scrim" against. Look online for a gaming league that has a season for the game that you like to play and register for the upcoming season.
    • Popular leagues include KeSPA, ESL, ESEA, and MLG.
  3. 3
    Compete in online tournaments. The reward for winning an online tournament is recognition and sometimes a cash prize. Find tournaments for the game that you like to play online and follow the registration process. For some games, there will be an entry fee that you may have to pay to compete.
    • Popular gaming tournaments include the League of Legends World Championships, Intel Extreme Masters, and Heroes of the Dorm.[4]
  4. 4
    Go to LAN tournaments. Going to tournaments in-person is the next step in becoming a professional gamer. Once you consistently win online, the natural progression is to compete in live tournaments. Start off with smaller local tournaments until you increase your skill so that you can compete at a higher level.
    • Even if you don't qualify or can't register for LAN tournaments, attending them as a spectator can give you insight into the environment of a LAN tournament.
    • The largest gaming tournaments include The International, Smite World Championship, LoL World Championship, COD World Championship, and the WGL Grand Finals.[5]
  5. 5
    Try to get sponsorship. Getting sponsored by a company means that they will pay you a fee or give you free merchandise to advertise their product. Advertising could include having links to their products in video descriptions, live-stream feeds, or wearing their merchandise when you're in the public eye. Sponsors typically require a conversation or presentation about how you bring value to the brand, how many viewers or fans you have, and where and when you can advertise their brand for them. Contact different brands and talk about sponsorship opportunities to get started.
    • If you join an established gaming team, they will already have some sponsors for their players.
    • Great sponsors for professional gamers include clothing companies, energy drink companies, hardware companies, software companies, and computer accessory companies.
  6. 6
    Build up your online profile. The more that other players and fans of the game know you, the more likely your name will be thrown around in gaming conversations. Be available and present and build a profile online. Update your Twitter regularly and let people know when you're streaming your gameplay. Network with fans and other players via social media and be willing to do things like photo shoots and interviews.
    • Try to talk to popular players for the game you're trying to specialize in by reaching out to them on social media.
    • Meet with other players and fans at live tournaments and LANs.
  7. 7
    Stay respectful and centered. Being a professional gamer means being somewhat of a celebrity. That means that everything that you say or post on social media will most likely be saved forever. Bad comments or behavior like cheating could get you banned for life and ruin your career. Always stay humble and aim to learn as much as you can from your peers and competitors. Avoid getting overly angry when you lose and try to center yourself and concentrate even when you're under a lot of pressure.
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Part 3 Quiz

What's the benefit of maintaining an active online profile when you're trying to become a professional gamer?

Not necessarily! Using social media to trade tips and strategies with other players could well improve your gameplay, but having an online presence won't automatically make you a better player. While being active on social media will help you build your brand, you can't neglect actually playing games. Click on another answer to find the right one...

Absolutely! If you just start a Twitch stream and never advertise it or yourself, the odds of anyone noticing you are slim to none, and that makes it harder to go pro. Putting yourself out there via social media is an important component in becoming a pro gamer. Read on for another quiz question.

Not quite! If you want to pursue a career as a pro gamer, you need to be ready to eat, sleep, and breathe video games. Because your online presence is essentially marketing for your gaming career, it should be primarily focused on gaming, though you can talk about other things too. There’s a better option out there!

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Question
    Is it necessary to have a specific nationality?
    Community Answer
    No, professional gamers can come from anywhere.
  • Question
    Can I use a headset instead of a microphone?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but choose a good-quality headset.
  • Question
    Can I be a professional gamer if I don't like sports games?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Pro gamers typically focus on one single game, though some branch out and play multiple games within the same genre. You can enter gaming tournaments that are exclusive to a certain genre or even a single game. Pick your favorite kind of game and do some research to find out what kind of tournaments are available in your area.
  • Question
    I'm not yet 13, can I still be a pro gamer?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the league or tournament regulations. Some leagues require players to be a certain age while others don't have an age restriction. Either way, you can start practicing to become a pro gamer right now.
  • Question
    What if I can't buy the things that are needed?
    Community Answer
    Just use normal accessories until you can buy. Many people have become pro with normal Logitech stuffs.
  • Question
    What are some games that have a really good market for streaming, and how do I get started on streaming?
    Community Answer
    Games such as League Of Legends and Dota 2 are very popular for live streaming. You can get started on live streaming on, which is a streaming service for gamers. That should help you build an audience.
  • Question
    Are there college courses available for those wanting to be a professional gamer?
    Community Answer
    Not really. There are software courses called gaming, but it has not been recognized as an official sport or professional activity by the education board as it is an acquired skill by practice and method instead of varying methods implicating interpretation such as in Art or English. Yes, there is complexity within the games regarding strategy, such as game theory in mathematics and sports, but playing games for an extended period is considered unhealthy by the educational board. The best way is to practice or find a game that you excel at and then enter into contests.
  • Question
    Which are the top 10 countries to become a Pro Gamer?
    Community Answer
    Sweden, Russia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, USA, UK and India.
  • Question
    Can you name some specific equipment for gaming like mouse, keyboard, headphone, microphine, webcam, etc. but I really can't aford things which are too expensive.
    Community Answer
    Logitech, Steel Series, Razer, Plantronics, and Mad Catz all have affordable product lines.
  • Question
    Can I be a gamer with a low end PC?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but in that case, you have to select appropriate games for it (like those without high system requirements) that you enjoy playing.
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    Article SummaryX

    To become a professional gamer, start by finding a game that you excel at and commit to practicing daily to hone your skills. Next, look at online message boards or chat rooms dedicated to your game and join a team to help you build your skills. Then, start competing by joining a gaming league like KeSPA or ESEA and signing up to compete in online tournaments like Intel Extreme Masters. Once you consistently win online, start competing in small, local LAN tournaments and work your way up to the larger gaming tournaments. For more tips, like how to get sponsors, read on!

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