Everything You Need to Know [2024]" width="736" height="491" /> Everything You Need to Know [2024]" width="736" height="491" />
Attention, gamers! Do you want to become rich and famous simply by playing your favorite video games? Look no further than esports!
Today, esports is a multimillion-dollar industry that attracts countless fans. You can even get an esports degree and start a full-time career. Indeed, esports has unlimited potential!
This article by Ivy Panda experts will tell you all about playing esports in college. We will look at how to rise through the ranks in professional gaming, how to enter a college team, and much more. This comprehensive guide is a must-read for students, parents, teachers, and those interested in esports as a whole.
Table of contentsIn a nutshell, esports is competitive multiplayer gaming between two or more teams. It’s similar to soccer or any other sport. There are coaches, tournaments, and devoted fans. Esports even has its own “stadiums.” Instead of giant arenas, these competitions are streamed on platforms such as YouTube or Twitch.
Since its inception in the 20th century, gaming has become a major part of our culture. People play games and watch esports events even in the remotest places on our planet. Today, the video game industry is bigger than the music and movie industries combined. Think about it: there are movies and books based on games and games based on books and movies!
Statistics show that 400 million people worldwide are interested in esports and gaming. Since 2020, the global gaming market has grown by 23.1%. And it will only continue to gain momentum.
It’s no wonder many teens and young adults want to become professional gamers. Esports celebrities earn big money and become famous all over the world. Do you want to be one of them? Keep reading!
As you probably know, gaming refers to playing video games on a PC, console, or any other device. Is esports the same as gaming, then? Well, not exactly.
You see, esports is gaming, but not all gaming is esports. The main characteristic that distinguishes esports is competitiveness. It requires 2 or more people who play against each other, unlike the games you can play alone.
We can call esports a child of gaming. In the 1970s, video games first received a competitive mod, which kickstarted esports development. However, it was in the 2000s that more people got access to the Internet. That’s when the concept of enormous crowds and high prize pools gained appeal. And the rest is history.
Countless games fit for esports, but not all of them are popular enough to have their own big tournaments. If you plan to join a college team, you need to know which games and genres are trending. No worries: we studied them for you, and you can check them out below.
Here’s what games are played in college esports in 2024:
But that’s not all of it—there are also many benefits for schools:
With the rising popularity of esports, many colleges and universities are now offering esports programs, allowing students to hone their skills and compete at a collegiate level.
But getting into a college esports program can be challenging, especially if you’re unsure where to start. That’s where we come in. In this section, we’ll explore everything you need to know to kickstart your journey into college esports programs. Let’s dive in!
Enrolling in esports is not as easy as it may seem. Make sure to choose your future study program very carefully:
💡 Quick Tip
Sometimes esports teams look for a pro to fit a specific role. For example, they may agree to take you on if you’re an excellent healer or damage dealer. So, if you’re especially good at some roles, be sure to make it known!
The commission will analyze everything that you present them, so it’s good to know what they’re after in the first place. Here are the main qualities of an ideal candidate:
If you’re considering starting a professional esports career, check out what we have for you in this next segment.
Here’s a list of possible careers that are associated with esports. We’ve also included some jobs close to the industry but not directly connected to the gaming process. Which one sounds like the best fit for you?
💡 Quick Tip
If you’re a seasoned gamer, then make a list of your top 10 biggest achievements. Provide proof, such as screenshots or links to your gaming profiles. Visualize this data in a colorful presentation with explanatory comments.
The last thing we’d like to discuss is having a degree in esports. It’s a debatable topic among gamers, so it’s necessary to address it.
Many professional gamers have an esports degree. Alongside that, we also can’t deny that if you’re devoted and ambitious, you may surpass any of them in your skill without having any professional education. So, what should you do?
Well, your decision will ultimately depend on several factors. To see what’s best for you, try answering these questions:
| ❓ What are your career goals? | A degree may not be necessary if you want to become a professional player. However, if you’re thinking about a career in esports management, event production, or game design, a degree could definitely help. Besides, it will improve your chances of getting hired! |
| ❓ What do you want to learn? | Esports degrees can cover a range of topics, from game development to marketing. If you’re interested in some aspect of esports, having a degree may be a good option for you. |
| ❓ What are the costs and benefits? | Esports degrees can be expensive, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Think about the cost of tuition and the potential ROI (job prospects and earning potential.) |
| ❓ What other options are available? | If you’re not sure if an esports degree is right for you, consider other options, such as internships, online courses, or networking opportunities. These can be more affordable and flexible than a traditional degree program. |
All in all, the decision depends on your career goals and personal interests. A degree is worth having if you’re passionate about esports and want to pursue a career in the industry. It will provide valuable knowledge and skills and improve your chances of getting a job. However, make sure to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
If your school doesn’t have a strong gaming culture, or if other teams already have enough members, why not start your own team? It will give you a bunch of benefits, allow you to participate in tournaments, and potentially make your school famous in esports!
Here’s how to create an esports team from scratch:
| Step #1: Determine your goals and objectives. | Before gathering team members, visualize and articulate what your team wants to achieve. Telling the potential candidates about your goals will help them connect with your vision for the future team. |
| Step #2: Find those who are interested. | It can be anyone who wants to try their hand at competitive gaming. It can be your classmates, friends, or even co-workers. Ideally, you want a team that consists primarily of students from your school. |
| Step #3: Structure your team. | Determine the roles, choose a leader, and decide which games your team wants to play. Also, don’t forget to create a memorable logo and motto. |
| Step #4: Find the necessary gear. | Without this step, you won’t be able to start practicing. At the very least, you need fast PCs to run the games smoothly. |
| Step #5: Register for tournaments. | After you and your teammates have trained for a certain amount of time, you’re ready to sign up for any of your local competitions. It’s time to put your team on the map of the esports world. |
| Step #6: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. | Try to reach out to professional coaches. You may also send a few letters to colleges with esports programs. Look for any opportunity to further your team’s skills and knowledge. |
Now you know all about playing esports at college. We hope that you enjoyed our article! What are your thoughts on esports? Do you want to try it, or are you already a seasoned player? Tell us in the comments!
