Cyber Sportsman: How to Become One and What Are the Risks?

Also called eSports, cybersport has been around since 1997, although the first video game tournament featuring 24 students took place at a Stanford University laboratory in 1972. One of the earliest eSports tournaments took place in 1978, featuring Atari’s Space Invaders. 

The competitiveness of electronic games began in 1976 when Sea Wolf introduced permanent high-score lists. Players could then focus on beating the highest levels of others. Asteroids and Starfire enabled players to immortalize their personal code names on high-score lists. 

Today, cybersport takes video game competition to new levels, with players competing for prizes that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, in yearly income. Individual and team competitions exist based on the game. Cybersport has become a career encompassing many disciplines, including simulators, strategies, racing games, shooters, multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs), and more. 

Along with a stream of income from game wins, cyberathletes can receive sponsorships from companies that sponsor traditional athletes. Career opportunities for teenagers and young adults, including analysts, coaches, panelists, journalists, reviewers, interviewers, commentators, and event hosts, are growing as the profession expands. 

Professional gamers have more opportunities today than ever before. Children who grew up learning their ABCs with computer video games are finding new paths towards financial freedom, decades later, through multi-million dollar tournaments online and off. Today’s teenagers are transforming their passions into careers. It is no longer true that playing video games is a dead end to the future, as cybersport is now a full-fledged sport. 

While not all gamers will become eSports stars, for those who excel, the world of pro gaming will pave new roads for generations to come.

The Most Popular Modern Cybersports Games 

The music and film industries have been pushed aside as there is another area that generates more revenue – eSports. In 2016, Nasdaq reported that total revenue for video games topped $23.5 billion. A few years later, the COVID pandemic propelled the industry even further to nearly $180 billion in 2020 as people quarantined and looked for other ways to keep busy. 

With new gaming consoles entering the market, innovative changes, virtual reality, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and computers, people can play games anywhere – and at any time. 

While not all games provide opportunities for big prize money, those that do draw faithful followers. Cyberathletes “train” hours a day, competing in online and live organized tournaments. 

It is also important to note that there is a difference between regular video games and eSports games. Only specific games fall under the eSports category, providing prize money and other rewards for those who win their competitions. 

While some games have the highest popularity, others may come in first for prize money. The chart below features the Top 10 Games of 2023, their prize money ranking, competitive player number ranking (those who qualify for tournaments), and tournament number ranking as reported by Esports Earnings.

These numbers reflect only one reporting agency. Another shows League of Legends with over $20 million, Dota 2 over $40 million, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive over $27 million. 

How to Become a Cyberathlete

The sad truth for many adults looking to make it big in eSports competitions is that this is a field for the quick reflexes of youth. Teenagers and young adults excel in cybersports, devoting countless hours to honing their skills. Cyberathletes train 8 to 12 hours a day in their chosen games. They require discipline, commitment, tactical analysis, perseverance, and analytical thinking. Mental attitude and cognitive abilities are crucial. Unlike traditional sports, eSports is a field that provides identical opportunities for all genders to participate at the same time and level. 

In addition to the ongoing practice of the chosen game, regular physical exercise, sleep, and outside activities can help ensure a well-rounded life to avoid burnout. 

Participants must be able to travel, as competitions are held worldwide. Most of the tournaments are run by the game developers. 

Colleges have recognized eSports as a varsity sport, with many creating specialized programs and offering scholarships. Here are some of the leading schools to check out in the US:

• University of California, Irvine, CA 
• Miami University, Oxford, OH 
• University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 
• Maryville University, St. Louis, MO 
• Boise State University, Boise, ID 
• Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL 
• Georgia Southern University 
• University of Akron, Akron, OH 
• University of California, Berkeley, CA 
• University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX 
• Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, Harrisburg, PA 
• Winthrop University, Winthrop, SC
• Illinois State University, Normal, IL
• University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Many schools in Canada and overseas offer eSports programs and scholarships for those looking to travel farther from home.

Health Risks of Cybersports

While many of the injuries we see with athletes do not apply to cybersports, there are still some health risks to understand before embarking on this path. Research into many of the health risks associated with cybersports is still lacking. While it is unlikely that a gamer will suffer a broken bone or concussion, other concerns exist.

Here are some of the potential health risks of cybersports:

• Health problems associated with too much sitting 

Because gamers may sit for 8 to 12 hours a day or more, their muscles can weaken. Lack of physical exercise and poor dietary habits can contribute to weight gain. Increases in cholesterol levels and poor circulation can lead to heart disease. The body’s ability to absorb and utilize glucose decreases, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These risks increase with sitting for six hours a day during a two-week period. Ongoing sedentary actions further increase the risk. 

Long-term sitting without movement can lead to blood clots in the legs, which can detach and move to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke. 

• Poor sleep patterns 

Along with the long hours of practice necessary to excel, which can interfere with sleep, late-night use of electronics keeps melatonin levels low and cortisol levels high. It becomes harder to fall asleep. 

• Physically and intellectually demanding 

Cyberathletes coordinate up to 400 – 600 movements per minute, and hand-eye coordination is crucial. With rising heart rates of up to 180 beats per minute, the cortisol (stress hormone) level in the body can rise exponentially. The repetitive movements can take a toll on the body, leading to problems that include:

• Eye fatigue: excessive computer screen viewing increases exposure to LED lighting and can cause retinal and photoreceptor damage. Too much exposure can interfere with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, affecting sleep. 

• Wrist, hand, and arm pain: repetitive actions can strain all areas of the hand and arm, leading to problems such as tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome. 

• Neck and back pain: poor sitting positions and lack of stretching and muscle building can lead to postural problems. 

Resting any part of the body that feels strained is crucial to avoid worsening problems. 

• Mentally traumatizing 

As with any competitive sport, the mental pressure and fear of failure can significantly impact a person’s psychological state. Gamers train for so long, giving so much of themselves over to the game, that failing can take quite a toll on their mental well-being. 

Another problem that could occur in both older adults and younger ones who lead a sedentary lifestyle and make poor dietary choices is a worsening of hormone levels. HGH deficiency is one such hormonal imbalance that can lead to anxiety and depression. Find out how to get an HGH prescription online quickly and easily.

Conclusion

Cybersports offer a lucrative way for the top players to earn income. However, getting to that point takes diligence, ongoing practice, and a commitment to excel. Today’s youth have the fast decision-making power and reaction speed many older adults no longer have. While there are still some people in their thirties and beyond excelling at eSports, they are the exceptions rather than the majority. 

Many teams look for a mix of experience and youth to round out their rosters. It takes extreme dedication and practice to get to the competitive level, but the rewards can be life-changing for those who do.