Fortnite, Free Fire, PUBG Mobile, Valorant and Call of Duty: Mobile! The emergence of well-known games like these together with a millennial and Gen-Z population that is becoming more contemporary and technologically savvy with the launch of 5G and easier access to affordable internet has increased the Indian esports ecosystem’s workforce and revenue thereby propelling the country’s esports industry to greater heights.
Esports has acquired official recognition as a sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and India officially recognised esports as a multi-sport event on 23rd December 2022. Now, the prospects this offers to Indian youth are numerous as their interest develops from following it as a hobby or, as some could put it, a therapeutic activity to becoming a professional career. Although the sector is still young and has a lot of room for growth in terms of popularity, audience, and income potential, a career in esports is now one of the most sought-after careers among young people in India. Now, let’s have a look at the esports industry, India’s achievements, growing job roles etc.
What is esports?
Electronic sports, or “esports” is a kind of competitive gaming where players compete in virtual, online environments in particular video game genres. These esports video game titles are collaborative games where esports athletes engage in individual competition or form teams to participate. They are compatible with different electronic systems (Unmanned Vehicle, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, PC, Robot, Simulation, Mobile, Consoles etc.). Online and offline esports competitions are also possible. Virtual reality and augmented reality video games are also a part of esports. It’s important to note that esports are not social video games like Gambling, Poker, Fantasy, Betting, Rummy etc
The following video game genres are connected to esports:
- Real-time Strategy (RTS) games like Hearthstone
- Fighting games like Street Fighter, Dead or Alive , Soul Calibur VI etc
- Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games like DOTA2 and League of Legends
- Sports games like FIFA
- Racing FPS games like Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, and BGMI
ESports & India- Some Astonishing Facts & Numbers
- In the 2018 Asian Games, India won a bronze medal where esports was included as a demonstration title
- India won a bronze medal in the DOTA game title in the Commonwealth Esports Championship 2022, which was organised by the Commonwealth Games
- The Esports Federation of India oversees, organises, supports, trains, and promotes Esports in India
- One of the esports markets with the quickest growth is in India. EY estimates that by 2025, esports will have a total economic impact of over $100 billion, support more than 11,000 direct and indirect jobs, and generate additional revenues from in-app purchases and other sources
- According to a report by EY-FICCI 2022, the number of Esports players doubled from 3 lakhs in 2020 to 6 lakhs in 2021
- According to KPMG India and the Indian Federation of Sports Gaming (IFSG), esports will see a sharp increase in digital infrastructure by the financial year 2023 alone and would generate INR 11,900 crore in total income
Growing Job Roles
Since more and more positions are being created to keep up with the industry’s expansion, the esports business necessitates vocations that go far beyond those of professional players or video game developers. Apart from playing professionally, there are a wide variety of professions that you might consider to pursue careers in the industry, including host, coach, administrator, referee, social media manager, production crew, agent, etc. Let’s have a look at some of the popular esports job positions at present:
i. Esports Operations Manager
As an Esports Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day functions and management of an organization’s eSports team. You will be charged with overseeing the organizational side of things, including budgeting, player contracts, and marketing. The position is typically one that requires previous experience in the industry or extensive knowledge of digital marketing.
ii. Esports Business Development Director
With responsibilities that include creating content to increase brand awareness, securing sponsorship deals and maintaining partnerships with other organizations in the gaming industries, as an Esports Business Development Director you will be in charge of strategic planning, expanding revenue streams and increasing the brand’s exposure. This can involve public relations efforts, forming partnerships with other organizations or even finding new ways to grow revenue.
iii. Esports Broadcasting Executive/Senior Producer
As an Esports Broadcasting Executive or Senior Producer for a broadcast company, you will be responsible for the day-to-day production of live games, including on-site personnel management, budgeting and scheduling. You must also be adept at creating content that increases viewership and ratings so that the company can generate more revenue from sponsorships and advertisements.
iv. Esports Hosts & Casters
Esports Hosts and Casters offer commentary during on-stage or online tournaments and present events. As a Caster, you will commentate on games from a desk or studio and as a Host, you will present events on stage.
v. Esports Coach
When it comes to training players both physically and intellectually, Esports Coaches perform a similar role to traditional coaches. Depending on the specific game, you will employ different coaching techniques.
vi. Esports Social media managers
As an Esports Social Media Manager, you will run marketing efforts for your teams, organisations, or leagues across all social media platforms. You will also develop and handle brand promotions.
vii. Esports Referee
As an Esports Referee, you will monitor the outcomes, uphold the regulations, and administer fines as necessary.
viii. Esports Production roles
Esports Production roles can include cameraperson, production manager, crew members, and others when it comes to presenting and streaming events in the esports industry.
Some lucrative esports career opportunities that you might take into consideration include the following in addition to the ones already mentioned:
- Game Graphic & VFX Designer
- Esports Team Manager
- Head of Operations
- Influencer Manager
- Agency Manager
- Esports Streaming and Chat Moderators
- Esports Community Manager
- Event Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Bootcamp Manager
- League Operations
Average Earnings
The earnings of eSports players and professionals vary depending on the level of expertise, game type, platform etc. The average earnings of some esports job roles are as follows:
- Top-tier PC Esports Players-₹3,00,000/yr to ₹9,60,000/yr
- Esports Manager, League Operations- ₹3,65,783/yr
- Regional Esports Manager – ₹18,39,887/yr
- Associate Esports Manager – ₹4,00,000/yr
- Esports Marketing Manager- ₹3,60,000/yr
Education and Skills
In terms of education requirements for esports players, most of them have at least a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. Some may even have college degrees in related fields such as computer science or game design. However, having a degree is not always necessary for success in this field as experience can be just as important as formal education when it comes to landing an eSports job. The top skills you will require to excel in this field are:
- Communication and public speaking skills
- Deductive reasoning skills
- Research and analytical skills
- Systems engineering and coding skills
- Team-building and leadership abilities
- Deep understanding of game strategy
- Typing speed and accuracy
- Visual motor coordination (e.g., mouse movements)
- Knowledge of gaming hardware, software and game mechanics
Emerging courses
- Many major universities across the world have put a focus on the eSports industry
- In India, the first eSports arena will be built by the eSports company MOGO in partnership with an Indian university to give students a platform to choose Esports as a career path.
- Hero Vired is offering a Certificate Program in Gaming and Esports for those wishing to upskill themselves. https://herovired.com/courses/game-desiging-esports-course-certification/
- Global Esports has declared its intention to open up access to India and the rest of Asia to Harrisburg University’s Esports Degree, including its instructors, lectures, support with the curriculum, masterclasses, and workshops. The group would follow this up with esports competitions and activities held for the university throughout India
- The University of California, Irvine, hosts the world’s first esports undergraduate degree program. The university has also achieved an industry partnership with Riot Games to publish learning materials and offers professional development programs for League of Legends players.
- Other well-known universities that have partnered with the eSports industry include MIT and Stanford University.
Conclusion
With an estimated 120 million online gamers, the esports market is constantly expanding, especially with recent cash infusions of millions of dollars from major international players like Tencent, Apus, and Yoozoo Games. The burgeoning sport is thought to have 495 million supporters worldwide, with the bulk of them hailing from developed nations like the United States, Brazil, China, and most recently, India. As a result, in addition to the eSports competitors themselves, there are now more career prospects in the eSports industry for game developers, programmers, network administrators, data operators, team managers, trainers, and other professionals.
Undoubtedly, there is a lot of room for growth in the Indian eSports business and among young people interested in eSports as a vocation. Given the eSports industry’s quick development, rising popularity, and the global reach of online gaming and broadcasting, it won’t be long before India leaves a lasting impression on the world by producing more esports athletes as well as diverse job opportunities within the industry.