Even today, many people still underestimate the impact and value of esports. Aside from the money and career options in esports, I believe it can be tremendously fulfilling, rewarding, and satisfying. I personally am trying to become a professional player in a game called Valorant. I’ve reached the top 700 players in North America, and in my personal experience, it has been extremely fulfilling. I really enjoy having something that I can feel like I’m improving at every day, and I can be proud of myself for practicing and putting in the work. Moreover, as you’ll see in my collected data, the opportunities for careers, good money, and scholarships are extensive.
These points and resources are not ordered in any way; however, they are the top five most important in my opinion.
Market Value of Esports – The market value of the esports industry was $1.22 billion in 2023. This is expected to grow to almost $2 billion by 2030. People often undervalue the amount of opportunity for money there is in the industry. The total video game industry itself was worth $347 billion in 2022, which is roughly $300 billion more than both the film industry and the music industry.
Average Esports Salary – The mean salary of an esports player is $156,348. The opportunities are growing every day, and if we start treating esports careers as real and equal to traditional sports, the benefits will be extraordinary—from children acquiring new, feasible dreams to new career fields being opened and more easily accessible.
A Healthy Way to Socialize Children – At my last job, Valhallan Esports Training, I worked as a Valorant coach, teaching and encouraging children. I always saw it as a great way to socialize children who would otherwise be locked in their rooms. Speaking from experience, when I was a kid, I just wanted to play my video games in my dark room. But with places like Valhallan, at least those kids who aren’t into traditional sports will still have a community and a team where they can socialize with others who share their interests. Furthermore, at Valhallan, we started kids early on their journey to becoming professional players, much like being on a baseball or football team.
Emerging Opportunities for Scholarships and Collegiate Play – Almost every college in the U.S. has an esports team for one game or another, and every day more colleges are offering scholarships for esports. This makes children more hopeful and excited that they can make it. It makes esports useful in the eyes of parents, who can now see it as a way for their child to get into college. Finally, it makes esports more accessible for everyone.
The Satisfaction From Improvement – I have always felt that I am at my best when I am grinding Valorant. I feel satisfied that I am improving at something. I feel proud of myself for practicing for four hours a day, even when I don’t want to. People will always think that you are just having fun and playing. However, improving at a video game is no different than improving at anything else in life. It takes discipline. It takes willpower. It takes mental strength and perseverance. All of these things I have learned and implemented into my everyday life along my journey to improve at Valorant. Furthermore, I have learned valuable skills for how to improve at anything I choose. I have learned how to practice and learn efficiently.
Traditional sports require you to be in good shape and be a good athlete. Esports requires your brain to be in good shape. You are constantly thinking, calculating, and evolving. What do you gain by playing?
