Electronic sports, also are known as esports, are part of the video game industry along with the development field, being, in this case, the space dedicated to competitions in the original games of the market. In the electronic sports, different figures form the staff in the teams as players, coaches, managers, and psychologists, among others, being the players the most visible faces of the clubs in the different competitions in which they participate and also for the public.
To be able to take the first steps in video game competitions, it is necessary to bear in mind that there are several ways to enter. One of them is participating in tournaments of amateur / semi-professional character in which you start to measure how is your level within the competitions and also have the possibility that some team is looking at you to be part of its staff.
In recent years the concept of quarry is emerging within electronic sports as a method for some teams to form a series of players from scratch and help them reach a high competitive level, respectful of competition. One of the most nationally recognized teams, such as Movistar Riders, states that they are the spearhead in the professional training of players.
For some years now, academies dedicated to training the youngest players have been appearing little by little so that they end up being part of this industry that is growing little by little in our country. They are based on teaching in different age ranges, which seeks to train young people from the fundamentals of the game and optimal strategies to use in their games to also help in their games. Training and personal growth so that they learn to work in a team, learn from mistakes, and respect for their opponent.
When and Where to Start
In the first instance, what should prevail when indicating the appropriate age to play a title should be the qualification of the game. If we do not reach the recommended age, it is best to look for alternatives. For example, an excellent way to train in shooters without having to worry about the recommended age is Wii U’s Splatoon. Although the controls are different, they help the player learn to aim and move quickly, and it’s not a title with a high age rating (PEGI 7+).
Overwatch is also a good option, although here we would be talking about players over 12 years old. It’s a title that, in addition to being fun, can help users get started in the genre. Simpler in PC than in console if it is your first shooter, its design and color makes games more enjoyable, and the game modes help to dominate the basic mechanics of the genre. In MOBA, the most popular genre of esports, we have a large number of titles that do not have a high age restriction either, being Riot Games one of the best options. The problem in the case of League of Legends is its community (toxic and offensive) not being suitable for minors.
The Problems of Getting Started Early
Esports are first and foremost video games. They can be taught, you can find a way to academize them, but they are still video games. The best thing is to access them from your own free will. If you don’t enjoy them, it doesn’t make sense to play them. In that sense, we wouldn’t have a minimum age to start playing. But you would have to set the minimum age to start playing professionally. If there is a junior team in the professional teams, it is appropriate to enter at 17. Minors can’t compete in most tournaments with cash prizes, such as the Orange Super League. Even Riot Games has had problems in League of Legends and its official competitions. There have been teams that have had to replace some of their players at the last minute because they are underage, so in most cases, the underage cannot compete. However, they can form in clubs that prepare them for it.
A year of preparation and training before launching into the purest professional field is the most appropriate, after having played in an amateur way. Imagine that you spend two years training in a game, you come of age and suddenly the game, as an esports phenomenon, begins to be in a downward spiral. It can happen, and not everyone can have it for a while, like League of Legends or FIFA.
How to Access Professional Competition?
How to make the transition from amateur to professional play is a mystery for many players. Luckily, there are many opportunities in each country. We have a very stable competitive structure that makes things easier for players and teams, classifying them by categories and levels. An excellent way to gain experience and climb the ladder is to access the opportunities offered by the Professional Video Game League.
To begin with, registration on the Arena GG website is entirely free. Here you can find different titles, each with its tournaments: League of Legends, Clash Royale, and Hearthstone. Overwatch, CS: GO, and Battlerite competitions will be added soon. In addition to daily competitions and tournaments, the website has different draws. What should be your first big challenge?
On the other hand, we have the PlayStation League. Through it, we can compete with Call of Duty, FIFA 17, Rocket League, or Street Fighter V. To access the Orange Super League, in the case of League of Legends, you must be promoted from the Second Division through three qualifiers and two wildcards. If you are most interested in the competitive Call of Duty, it will be possible through four qualifiers, which will be open to all players. He thinks this competition is only for teams, so he looks for the best teammates. Also, the LVP has the El Corte Inglés Cup, which is broadcast through Twitch and Neox.
The vital attraction and audience that esports competitions are generating turn them into a new market full of opportunities for a new model of entrepreneurs and for the development of new traditional business models that have adapted to this market. What do you think, will you seek to get involved in esports now?
