There are more competitive gamers in the world today than ever before. Many of them are eSports stars, competing on teams or working their way up in the hopes of making it onto a roster. Others are instead part of a learning academy, preparing diligently to go pro. And even more are building a career as a streamer, amassing followers in the hopes of a major sponsorship deal.
But what about casual gamers who never thought they’d seriously advance in the industry? After all, not everyone dreams of becoming a jungler in a battle royale game. Instead, the position pops up organically through the fan experience and casual online play. In these cases, it might be hard to know when is the right time to push for a competitive career.
For example, a poker player might decide to start tackling real money games. Based on their performance at the real money table, they might feel prepared to compete in an online qualifier or satellite. This tournament will decide whether they’re invited to an in-person event, such as an EPT tournament. Similarly, an FPS player might rise to a new ranking, hinting that they’re ready to start competing with the best. With a new platinum badge (or a similar accolade), they have the confidence to advance.
But what about the more subtle signs? Here are three key hints that you’re ready to pursue the next level of gaming chops.
You Have a Unique Style
One important element of becoming a more competitive gamer is feeling confident about your individual style of play. Every single gamer has a personal style, whether they’re motivated by personal achievements, want to make the coolest kill, or want to chip away at a challenge with teammates. If you’re going to advance in the gaming industry, you must know your own preferences.
Beyond knowing how you ‘tilt’ as a player (a term borrowed from the poker world), you must also be able to prevent yourself from sliding into a negative mindset. In other words, you should be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, along with what motivates you. Based on this, you should have a methodology in place to keep your mind focused when things don’t go according to plan.
You’re Staying One Step Ahead of the Game
Along with understanding your core style as a gamer, you should also feel incredibly familiar with the game you want to compete in. This is known as game proficiency or game IQ. It relates directly to the core mechanics and modes in a game, which will help you compete at a high level.
One solid signal that you’re ready to start competing with the best is your ability to read a game and forecast what will happen next. This type of foresight is based on your experience in a game. Only hours and hours of practice can help you develop this type of indispensable vision and ‘feel’ for a game. It’s also something that will make you an invaluable asset to a team in the future.
You Know How to Get in the Flow
This sign is similar to the first. Just like a gamer must know their own mind in order to compete at a high level, they should also be able to ‘get into the flow’ at a moment’s notice. This ability isn’t unique to gamers, either, but is a core feature of any type of competitor. From chess players to NBA stars, knowing how to tap into a flow state is a key element of success.
You should be able to notice this flow state as it happens. Usually, gamers lose a sense of reality as their minds focus entirely on the goal at-hand. Many also report feeling a greater sense of reflex and hand-eye coordination. However, the very best in eSports can willfully dive into this state in order to prepare themselves for an upcoming match. Some might use meditation, while other gamers might employ a mental coach—just like a pro athlete.
