It’s easy to think that becoming a professional gamer is as simple as being good at online games. Instead, being a pro gamer is more like having your own small business. You need to consider plenty of other factors. This includes having a sales team for your merchandise, a support team for multiplayer online games, and some dedicated server solutions so you never experience downtime when you’re streaming to your fans.
So, how do you get started as a professional gamer? Here are a few tips that can help you out.
Think about a dedicated server.
A dedicated host allows a web server to remain online 24/7 without any interruptions. Dedicated server hosting often depends on a high-bandwidth internet connection. Depending on your specific needs, you can consider add-ons and additional charges as opposed to the cheapest plan possible. Many dedicated servers are also virtual servers that are hosted in data centers. This means that the web hosts handle the hardware and custom configurations and you don’t have to find storage space.
If you’re considering a dedicated server, you’re going to want to look for several features, even if you’re going with the cheapest plan. Your dedicated server hosts should offer free DDOS protection, to start. A DDOS can easily take you offline and compromise your sensitive information. While your IP address is easily accessible, a DDOS can go deeper. Most VPS services offer these protections but it’s still good to ask. Second, you want to see how readily available the dedicated hosting provider’s customer service team is. Round-the-clock service is best as you may be playing at different hours every day.
If you’re interested in branding yourself, you may want to inquire about a free domain. While this likely won’t be included in the cheapest plan, you may be able to get this add-on at a higher price point. Assistive technology is also beneficial but this can depend on the web hosts as well as your bandwidth.
Find your niche.
Many pro gamers suffer from a case of “trying to do too much.” Some, like Videogamedunkey, succeed in this regard because they’ve built it into their brand. Others, like Ninja, are known primarily for sticking to one particular type of game and excelling at it. Are you going to be a gamer that plays every single new release? Upgrade your disk space and be prepared for large downloads. Are you going to stick to third-person shooters and action games? Find where the traffic is and stake your claim.
It’s important to remember that you can succeed with virtually any genre of game as long as you have the presence to back it up. Whether you’re looking at the eSports side of things with popular games like Fortnite and League of Legends or you want to be a more relaxed streamer, fans gravitate toward strong personalities. You could be funny and attract viewers with your humor. Or, you could use your deep knowledge of gaming to develop informational videos that explain certain topics. Some professional gamers even make a living off of debating the different themes present in popular games.
Be patient.
Nobody becomes a star overnight. You need to put in the time and effort if you want to see your gaming career succeed. Your first videos might be rough. You may not be able to afford a VPS or dedicated hosting provider yet. That’s okay. What’s important is that you keep trying. Many would-be gamers see that they aren’t succeeding immediately and give up. Those who stick with it often find their footing.
Between finding a dedicated hosting provider and finding your point of view, a pro gaming career is more achievable than you might think.