The beginning of a career path can be bumpy or at least unclear. This is especially true in niche industries like esports, where it can be tough for enthusiasts to break in. Every expert has their own unique journey, so you may not find someone else’s experience relevant. Instead of focusing on individual stories or step-by-step guides, let’s take a broader look at the industry’s key features and how to leverage them to your advantage.
Nik Fert, a broadcast producer at WePlay Studios, began his esports career, as many do, with a passion for video games. Video games and esports are closely intertwined industries. Nik’s passion for Warcraft III opened the door to a broader world. As a huge fan, he followed everything related to the game—TCGs, comic books, and even fan-made cinematics. So naturally, from the moment Dota 2 emerged, he became deeply invested in its growing esports scene. In addition to the game itself, Nik was interested in teams, players, coaches, tournament operators, and the studios behind it all, learning each element’s intricacies.
Subsequently, he began experimenting with filmmaking, producing short films with friends and taking on editorial roles for gaming and esports websites. Once the chance arose, he joined WePlay as a GFX & Overlays Operator for its broadcast crew.
The start of Nik’s career path is just his personal experience, while you can have your own unique story. However, Nik knows some peculiarities of the industry and shares them.
Esports is a community-driven ecosystem
Networking is essential in many industries, but in esports, strong connections are priceless. In general, offline events like tournaments and conferences are a crucial part of the industry that you can use to get closer to your career start.
“Attend local LAN events, conventions, and industry conferences to connect with professionals and fans. These gatherings are ideal for sharing experiences, discovering new opportunities, and building valuable contacts that can open doors to your dream role. Take a closer look at broadcasting conventions and conferences too; esports personalities like game devs, tournament organizers, observers, and others often attend these events, frequently as speakers, shedding light on the rapidly growing esports scene,” advises Nik Fert.
There are many roles to fit in
Any fan of video games may dream of becoming an esports professional. However, there is more than one way to get into the industry. With the esports world being so massive, you don’t need to be at the top of your game to find a place. There are still plenty of ways to apply your talents in the field you love.
“Tournament organizers often seek local volunteer support for roles such as assistants, community managers, event admins, and IT specialists. These positions are always in demand and serve as excellent stepping stones for passionate individuals. Every volunteer experience during event preparation helps build your path toward becoming a full-time member of an event production or organization team.
If you excel at visual storytelling through media content, opportunities abound in esports. Motion Designers and Video Editors are among the most wanted positions in esports production. Tournament organizers and production studios are constantly on the lookout for creative professionals who can craft engaging content,” shares Nik.
You pick up along the way
As with any field, theoretical training is never enough. Much knowledge and skills come with hands-on experience, which is why volunteer roles, internships, and similar opportunities are crucial for a successful career.
“To succeed in live event production, particularly in esports, it’s essential to develop a combination of general experience and specialized knowledge. The first step is understanding the production pipeline and how chaotic things can become during a live event. Joining a film, commercial, or TV broadcast crew as an assistant to the coordination or organization unit is a great way to gain insight into how teams operate, handle pressure, and solve problems in real time.
Absorb knowledge from everyone around you—colleagues, mentors, and even competitors. You won’t be able to get this experience unless you are a part of the production crew. Learn from mistakes and keep an eye on other products and projects. Look beyond entertainment—analyze the details of transitions, graphics, in-game camera movements, and audio cues.
Esports production professionals are essentially multi-tools, and if you want to keep up with the industry, you’ll need to become one, too. This means going beyond the core responsibilities of your role. Dive into areas that may not seem directly related to your position but can enhance your understanding of the bigger picture,” sums up Nik.
There’s no shortage of resources, both free and paid, to help you learn. Dedicated forums and online communities, GitHub, free tutorials on YouTube or community-driven guides, and paid courses from platforms can help you. In most cases, a mix of self-learning, community resources, and hands-on practice is all you need to build the skills you’re after.
