Professional Gamer

Professional Gamer

the Ryanator

Clemson, SC

Male, 23

I played two entirely different video games professionally for multiple years. That is, I traveled around the country often on a sponsor's dollar and competed in video game tournaments for money. I believe I can provide good insights into professional gaming. If you want to know more just ask!

I'm now lead developer at LiveNinja an internet startup that I will shamelessly promote here.

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97 Questions

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Last Answer on February 12, 2015

Best Rated

Do Asians still dominate gaming tournaments?

Asked by SlickWillSon! almost 13 years ago

Asians definitely are over-represented and do well. The exact level of Asian domination varies a lot depending on the game.

Why does it seem like 9 out of 10 new video games are first-person shooters? Doesn't that get old at some point?

Asked by qwerty almost 13 years ago

There are other games out there but, the first person shooters do seem to be the big budgets with lots of advertising lately. I guess they are just selling well.

How do gamers get sponsors?

Asked by brikhaus about 12 years ago

There are a few methods, I'll list the ones I've seen work there are probably more I don't know about. 1) Get a local sponsor. I've seen a few lan centers throw a tournament with the prize being a trip to a major tournament, tickets and some other expenses covered. This isn't exactly the best sponsor, but if you aren't that good they are a reasonable stepping stone. The main problem being that they are unlikely to stick with you. 2) Join a sponsored organization. This really depends on what game you play, but if you are good enough or noteworthy enough you can join a top team and they'll likely sponsor tournaments. These often come with a group to practice with and most of the top players in will know the organizations that sponsor lots of players for their games, so you get some reputation although, it's not always good reputation. 3) Get a corporate sponsor. Companies like to sponsor people in everything competitive. Again you'll have to be noteworthy and good but, if you reach these thresholds perhaps win an online tournament or something else of note it is possible to get a corporation to directly sponsor you or your team.

Isn't there a little part of you who misses the days when controllers were no more than A / B + directional arrows? I gave up on videogames once they added 15 different buttons + a rumbling gyroscope or whatever that thing is.

Asked by etubrutus almost 13 years ago

I didn't play many games when the controllers were that simple so I'm missing out on the nostalgia.

Do gamers frequently get carpal tunnel or other hand/wrist injuries because of prolonged play? Does wearing a brace or something help prevent that?

Asked by aaronA almost 13 years ago

Carpal tunnel is pretty common among PC players. I think the general plan for preventing it is just good posture. For the players who get carpal tunnel there is a surgery that allows for pretty quick recovery.

Assuming you no longer compete professionally, what do you do for work now? Do you work in a gaming-related area?

Asked by Krautman almost 13 years ago

I'm currently finishing my Master's degree in Computer Science. Once I graduate gaming-related work area is a real possibility.

I'm a huge gamer, but never competed formally. How do I get myself into these gaming tournaments?

Asked by rudy95 almost 13 years ago

It varies depending on what game you play but, googling something like "[your game name] tournaments" will probably get you the information you are looking for. Most tournaments have an open session so you can start playing competitively with no connections then if you do well in a popular game you can look for sponsors.