So, You Want to Become a Pro Gamer?


Are you a die-hard gaming enthusiast looking to turn pro? Well, you’re not alone! There are hundreds of thousands of gamers out there who would love to make a living playing their all-time favourite games. Theoretically, as long as you can access a connected PC, games console or mobile, you can compete in eSports too. But the reality is often a lot tricker.  

Being a successful pro gamer requires immense dedication, commitment and communication. Even if you’re consistently rocking the high scores in Apex Legends, making the transition to being a full-time gamer requires a lot more than your prowess in a specific game.  

At the very least, you should already be regularly playing a popular eSports title. If you’re not, then pick a game from the list below and return to this post once you’ve developed some sort of mastery over it. If you are already doing well in Call of Duty or PUBG, keep reading for our best tips to help you make the transition from hobbyist to pro gamer.  

Pick a Game 

Are you completely new to the eSports scene and can’t decide which game to play? Here are the ten most popular eSports titles in the world right now; we’re pretty sure you’ll find some inspiration here! 

Choose one that you truly like playing and get really good at it by practising regularly and even playing against gamers who are way better than you. Playing against more advanced gamers is particularly good for the ego, especially if you find that you have become quite adept at your chosen game.  

  • Dota 2 
  • PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile 
  • Arena of Valor 
  • League of Legends 
  • Fortnite 
  • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive 
  • Rocket League 
  • Rainbow Six Siege 
  • Call of Duty: Vanguard 
  • Apex Legends  

Play More than One Game  

This may sound counter-intuitive and at odds with our first tip above, but you do need to branch out a little and play more than one type of game. Now, we’re not suggesting that you try to turn pro in all the games in your library, but you should learn to diversify the type of games you’re playing.  

Yes, if one day your dream is to battle it out with Johan “N0tail” Sundstein to earn the trophy in The International, you should focus the majority of your practice sessions on that particular game. However, much like professional athletes will cross-train in several complimentary disciplines, playing a range of different games as an aspiring pro gamer will help you strengthen weaknesses you didn’t even know you had.

As for the type of games to play, that’s entirely up to you, but don’t be afraid to mix things up. Getting to grips with some strategic games will sharpen your cognitive skillset; classic casino card games like blackjack can be a good way to develop your decision-making abilities. Plus, the wealth of digital platforms available that offer blackjack online means you don’t even need to make a trip to the casino to play. 

There’s also a lot to be said for playing games that you enjoy but don’t necessarily have any ambitions to compete in. Or, maybe the games themselves don’t feature any competitive or multiplayer elements. While you are trying to turn your passion for gaming into a full-time career, it’s important not to lose your love for it along the way. Playing games purely for the joy they bring is a great way to keep the fun and frivolity alive.  

Take Advantage of Digital Resources 

In eSports, like most competitive disciplines, practice really does make perfect. But it’s not just the time in front of the screen that counts when it comes to turning pro; what you do outside of your game of choice matters too.  

One of the most effective ways to transform how you play is to take full advantage of the wealth of digital resources that are out there to help you develop as a gamer. This post, for instance, is just one resource in a minefield of written resources you can find online. Even better are the video resources you can get your hands on via content-streaming platforms that you might have come across in your gaming journey.  

YouTube and Twitch can connect you with a strong global community of esports players of all levels, from fellow aspiring beginners right the way through to the world’s best. Want to know the secrets to Tyler “Ninja” Blevins’ phenomenal success in Fornite? Thanks to Twitch, you can.  

Nick Sinclair

Nick Sinclair, a gaming aficionado since the Commodore 64 era, studied Creative Computer Games Design in university before founding his own gaming company. Discovering a passion for content creation, Nick now helps gamers squeeze every drop of fun out of their favorite gaming hardware

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