Esports at Ball State

Analytics and Research

Career Overview:

It is important to understand the behaviors and needs of players and content consumers. To learn these data is collected and researched to analyze how to improve games and make the experience more enjoyable for the audience.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Gaming analysts and researchers are scientists who must collect and analyze available data to make educated decisions.

Job Opportunities:

• Data Analyst/Scientist
• Computer Graphics
• Game Statitician
• Financial Analyst
• Mathematician
• Marketing Professional
• Consumer Analyst
• Business Analyst

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Pick a game that interests you.
2. Pay attention to current analytics and follow experts.
3. Do your research.
4. Complete certificate program(s) for video game design, or earn an associates or bachelors in a mathematical or scientific field.
5. Apply to many different employers.

Projected Job Growth: 25%

Median Annual Income in U.S.: $60,000-$90,000

More information:

Each day, read about ways to use gaming analytics to promote a product to a customer. Start with this article.

Community, Marketing and Communications

Career Overview:

Community manager or a marketing and communications manager works internally for either a gaming company or team/agency representing players. This career path takes into account marketing and advertising tactics to promote the team or game.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Promote games and team to journalists.
• Run press events.
• Arrange interviews.
• Develop and manage communication plans.
• Create and run social media content plans.

Job Opportunities:

• Social Media Coordinator
• Brand Manager
• Public Relations Manager
• Sales Manager

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Become familiar with the esports world by watching streams and participate in gaming.
2. Take classes in communications, sales, and event- and project-management.
3. Participate in activities to gain leadership skills.
4. Apply for entry-level jobs in esports Marketing and Communications departments.

Projected Job Growth:

10% from 2020-2030  

Median Annual Income in U.S.:

• Product Marketing: $145,500
• Social Media Manager: $46,500
• Media Sales & Brand Partnerships: $125,000
• Community Manager: $43,000

Designer

Career Overview:

Creating the visual aesthetic of a game in a variety of ways—such as writing the story line, making the soundtrack, developing the animation and more. Video game design is about making the game compelling.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Game designers use computer programming and software development to create a video game’s art, style and story.

Job Opportunities:

• Sound Design Engineer
• World and Level Designer
• Technical Writing/Designer
• Creative/Narrative Writer    

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Get creative and experiment! Design art styles and stories.
2. Get an internship in video game design.
3. Build your portfolio.
4. Get a bachelor’s degree in multimedia or graphic design.
5. Apply for entry-level jobs.

Projected Job Growth: 9.3%

Median Annual Income in U.S.: $78,000-$113,000

Manager

Career Overview:

Every great esports team is led by a manager who takes care of the logistics. Managers may find themselves representing an entire team as a coach or team manager. They could also work at agencies to represent players trying to join a team or earn more money. Managers organize gaming events and handle the team’s travel arrangements. They also may also bring in money by finding sponsorships for the team.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Organize and Manage the Team
• Schedule Practices and Events
• Scout/Recruit New Players
• Manage Player Needs
• Schedule and Manage Travel Plans for Teams or Players

Job Opportunities:

• Event Planning Coordinator
• Travel Agent
• Coach
• Team Manager
• Player Agent
• Sponsorship/Partnership Manager

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Stream gaming competitions and familiarize yourself with the process.
2. Network with players by joining online communities.
3. Obtain a bachelor’s degree in esports or a similar field.
4. Apply for jobs, ranging from big gaming corporations to smaller start-ups looking for assistance.
5. Use your networking to begin managing and organizing a team or event.

Projected Job Growth:

• Team Manager: 87% from 2018-2019
• Recruiter: 151%
• Business Development Professional: 51%
• Coaching: 30%
• Events Professional: 70%

Median Annual Income in U.S.: $66,798

More information:

Media Reporting

Career Overview:

The esports industry needs journalists to share the news about competitions with the public. Media reporting for esports includes announcing during competitions, writing articles and reviews on new games or up-and-coming teams. This career involves storytelling, and is chosen by people passionate about watching and discussing the esports world.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Attain and maintain a Wide Knowledge about Esports
• Write Articles and Blogs - Discover, Report and Tell New Esports Stories
• Critique New Video Games
• Esports Game Announcer
• Edit Video Content to be distributed to the media

Job Opportunities:

• Esports Writer/Journalist
• Esports Announcer
• Broadcast Production Staffer
• Video Editor    

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Pursue additional education and/or credentials.
2. Start your blog or portfolio with written content about esports topics.
3. Begin networking with players, coaches and other journalists in-person and through social media platforms.
4. Begin freelance writing stories or video reporting for larger publications.
5. Join an esports news organization full-time.

Projected Job Growth:  39%

Median Annual Income in U.S.:

• Media Writer: $42,091
• Broadcast Producer: $83,872

More information:

Learn more about what it takes to be an esports journalist. Start with this article, which goes into more detail about the job and skills needed to excel in this career.

Operations and Technology Development

Career Overview:

When working in operations and video game technology, you create the infrastructure and engineer the game world. Expect to work with complex codes that translate into an easy-to-use game for players.        

Roles and Responsibilities:

Gaming developers are expected to work on large teams to bring the concepts of a video game to life by creating multiple frameworks and platforms.

Job Opportunities:

• Software Engineer
• Computer Science Specialist
• Technician
• Security Engineer
• Computer Programming Specialist

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Develop video games and experiment with what interests you.
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree, at minimum, in computer science or computer engineering.
3. Build a portfolio with internships and volunteer opportunities.
4. Get an entry-level position.

Projected Job Growth: 9.3%

Median Annual Income in U.S.: $74,000-$111,000

More information:

Unreal Engine is a very popular tool of video game developers. Using it can help you gain more insight into a future career.

Professional Gaming: Player/Competitor

Career Overview:

Professional esports players are similar to professional physical sports players. However, instead of a field, court, or stadium, professional esports athletes play within a digital video game platform.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop an expert understanding of the game you’re playing
• Play, practice, and perfect competitive video games full-time
• Compete in tournaments, including those with cash rewards for winners

Job Opportunities:

• Player
• Coach
• Sponsorship Management
• Social Media Management

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Determine which games you’re best at.
2. Choose one game.
3. Practice as if the game is your full-time job.
4. Network with other players.
5. Join an amateur esports team and participate in increasingly more challenging competitions.
6. Search for and acquire sponsorships.

Median Annual Income in U.S.: $44,000-$55,000

Projected Job Growth: Jobs in the esports industry grew 87.03% in 2019

More Information:

Despite still being in its early phase, the esports industry has seen major growth in revenue, viewership and sponsorships.

Professional Gaming: Streamer/Content Creator

Career Overview:

Play video games for views. The focus is mainly on how fun it is to watch individual players than how talented they are against one another.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Create professional and consistent gaming-related content for a fan base, while promoting company products in videos/streams.

Job Opportunities:

• Graphic Design
• Sound Design
• Sponsorship Management
• Copy Editing
• Video Editing
• Social Media Management
• Marketing
• Content Management
• Advertising

Steps to Become a Professional:

1. Create a YouTube and a Twitch channel.
2. Develop a brand for your channels.
3. Stay current with popular trends within esports and tailor your content to your audience.
4. Establish a schedule for video releases.
5. Develop a strong social media presence.
6. Network with other content creators.
7. Research and pursue sponsorships.

Median Annual Income in U.S.: $25,000-$47,000

More Information:

To be a successful content creator, you should understand the algorithms that dictate what content gets seen on social media. Read more the algorithms them here.