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8 Steps To Become A Successful Professional Gamer

Do you love playing video games and have you noticed that you’re actually very good at it? When you discover that there are multiple financial opportunities for serious gamers, it makes sense for you to consider turning your passion into a profession. And why not? Professional gaming is now a huge industry that can pay you good money once you play your cards well. Although the goal is to be number one in your craft, you can still earn while you work your way to the top. Additionally, don’t overlook the amount of flexibility and control that you have as a pro gamer; you dictate when to work, what genres you want, and other important decisions. You also don’t have to wait for major tournaments to display your skills – you can build a loyal fanbase on Twitch and other gaming streaming services. However, like any other job, gaming requires dedication and consistency, and you need to understand the steps to take to skyrocket your career. Here are a few practical ways to excel as a professional gamer. 

  • Find your motivation before you commit to the career 

Being a professional gamer is more than just sitting behind your computer and playing various games. With regular gaming, you can stop when you feel bored or need a break for a while. Pro gaming is your career, and you will always find yourself playing. You need to determine if you can do this long term; as stated earlier, you need extreme dedication. This is why finding your motivation is necessary. However, experts in this field have determined that fame, money, or quick success are not what you want to put in your mind, as you can lose hope once these don’t appear immediately. Instead, make sure you genuinely love the game and enjoy being in a community of like-minded people. Knowing that you will be doing what you adore daily is enough motivation to push you forward. 

  • Carve a niche by choosing your game 

Gaming is no small industry, as there are several video games and genres to satisfy your curiosity while entertaining you. However, this is not practical if you aim to be a pro in this field. With so many to choose from, you will soon discover that you haven’t mastered any, although you have a fair idea of them. Fans and investors only want the best, so you may not appeal to them if you choose this route. Instead, strategize by choosing a particular game where you excel. This way, you can soon carve a niche for yourself and become an authority figure, so keep this in mind. As a tip, consider what you love doing, as this can set the tone for your decisions. For example, you can play it safe with classic games many people know and love. Or, you can test the limits by opting for up-and-coming varieties. 

Each option has advantages and setbacks, so knowing what you want is crucial. With the classic games, getting sponsored tournaments is easier as they have an extremely high following and many competitive players. But you may find it challenging to break through as a newcomer. On the other hand, newer games are more friendly to new gamers, as there isn’t fierce competition. Rather, you will play a part in ensuring these new additions can find a place on the competitive front. This means you may have to wait a while before they also gather a large following and tournament sponsorships. If you are unsure what to choose, try a few to determine which tickles your fancy. 

  • Make practicing a regular habit 

Your love and passion for gaming may be commendable, but they won’t cut it if you aim to craft a career. This is because you will meet fierce gamers with years of experience and top-notch skills, and you may find it challenging to shine if you can’t match their prowess. And what better way to become excellent than by practicing regularly? Make it a point to build on your gaming skills at least daily to achieve the desired outcome. It is also important to conduct thorough research into various strategies and test them out to see which one can optimize your gameplay. Video tutorials and online guides can help you, so feel free to leverage them. You can also watch top gamers playing online to see how they handle different situations during the tournaments. Make it a point to record yourself while playing to scrutinize areas needing improvement. 

  • Be a part of a community 

Sure, you can ride solo, and no rule forbids that. However, being good at your craft alone cannot push you to the limelight. You will need people to notice yout gaming prowess, which is only possible when you join a community. This way, you can meet like-minded people willing to support you on your quest to become a professional gamer. The good thing about this is that you can meet them in person or online based on your preferences. You may be wondering which gaming community is for you. The trick is to join chatrooms and forums that focus on your games of interest. For example, if you are a Dark Souls fan, the Discord channel or Steam Forum may be your best bet. While at it, make it a point to play with random gamers- this is a great way to bond and make new friends who can quickly become loyal fans. They can also teach you about gaming strategies you aren’t familiar with, so feel free to consider this. However, smack talk is common when gaming; know when to draw the line if you feel bullied. Risking your mental health for a toxic community isn’t worth it. 

  • Start your career in a team 

Like finding a community, you will also want to start your career in a team. This is because many tournaments make this a requirement. Depending on the specifications, you can join an existing one or create one from scratch. However, you need to be strategic in both scenarios, as the goal is to dominate and win. As a tip, make sure your team members support each other, as that is the only way to be a formidable opponent. This may require determining each member’s strengths and weaknesses to see how well you can work together. Communication and similar gameplay are necessary for success, so feel free to consider this. 

  • Your gaming gear is very important 

Your gaming skills are just as important as your gear, so investing in the right ones is very important. In fact, your success is dependent on your equipment. The last thing you want is for your PC to give up on you when on the verge of a huge win or for your controls to take your character in the wrong direction. If you already have the gear, ensure that they are functioning properly. If you are now getting yours, ensure you have a gaming PC, mechanical keyboard, gaming mouse, LED monitor, headset, a good webcam, and microphone. Another thing to consider is the quality of your video when streaming your live gaming sessions. Fortunately, a good HD streaming encoder lets you post videos online without stress. And the good thing is that it doesn’t alter your live streaming, so your viewers won’t miss anything.

  • Attend local gaming events 

Granted, the goal is to secure your spot in global gaming tournaments. But even champions start from somewhere. In this case, local gaming events will be the best place to begin your professional journey. These competitions aren’t as strict as the major tournaments, so casual gamers can join and have fun. Beginners can also use them as platforms to develop their gaming skills and learn from their mistakes. Because of their relaxed nature, local gaming events can help newbies do what they love without pressure or fear of judgment. Seeing these benefits, you will find it helpful to research and register for local events near you. Another thing is that you can quickly meet and form good friendships and even create a formidable team from these events, so feel free to consider this. You don’t always have to play if you don’t want to. Sometimes, being a spectator can help you observe things more keenly. If you do play, make sure to try your hands on many games to determine which one you excel at. 

  • Don’t neglect your health 

You can’t be a good professional gamer if your health is in shambles, so make it a point to take care of yourself. Your career will require you to sit down for a very long time, and a sedentary lifestyle isn’t what you want if your well-being is your priority. Therefore, always look for ways to be active when you aren’t in front of your PC. This can include jogging, walking, or even yoga. Don’t leave anything to chance; if you feel chronic pain creeping up, give your doctor a prompt visit. Your mental health is also another aspect you shouldn’t neglect. Have an active social life and go for therapy if necessary.

Sarah Goldstone Announces Debut Album ‘Waving’, Shares New Song ‘Athens 1975’

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Sarah Goldstone, who has been playing with boygenius, Lucy Dacus, and Hurray for the Riff Raff on tour over the past few years, has announced her debut full-length. Waving, which was produced by Adam Schatz, arrives on December 1 via Ruination Records. Check out a video for the first single, ‘Athens 1975’, and find the album cover and tracklist below.

Waving Cover Artwork:

Waving Tracklist:

1. Athens 1975
2. I Know My Way Around
3. Honda Battery
4. Love & Loneliness
5. Waving
6. Imaginary Conversations
7. Three Hours
8. Find Your Home

Special Interest Announce ‘Endure Remixed’, Share Machine Girl Remix of ‘Concerning Peace’

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Special Interest have announced Endure Remixed, which features six remixes of songs from their 2022 album Endure. Out November 10 via Rough Trade Records, the EP features contributions from Marie Davidson, Container, and more. Today, the band has shared Machine Girl’s remix of ‘Concerning Peace’, which you can hear below.

Check out our Artist Spotlight interview with Special Interest.

Massive Attack Guitarist Angelo Bruschini Dead From Lung Cancer

Massive Attack guitarist Angelo Bruschini has died after a battle with lung cancer. Massive Attack shared the news on social media, writing, “RIP Angelo. A singularly brilliant & eccentric talent. Impossible to quantify your contribution to the Massive Attack canon. How lucky we were to share such a life together.”

The Blue Aeroplanes, another band Bruschini was in, confirmed the news in a Facebook post yesterday. “We’re devastated to announce the passing of our brother Angelo Bruschini,” the post read. “Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Rest In Peace Ange.” Bruschini’s wife, Jessica, wrote in a Facebook post that he died on October 23 at 12:15 a.m. “from a rare and aggressive cancer — pleomorphic carcinoma.”

Bruschini announced his lung cancer diagnosis back in July, writing on Facebook: “Twice now I have been told ‘Good luck’ by specialist’s at the hospital over lung cancer, I think I’m fucked! Had a great life, seen the world many many times, met lots of wonderful people, but the door is closing, think I will write a book.”

Raised in Bristol, Bruschini joined Massive Attack in the 1990s and played on records such as 1998’s Mezzanine and 2003’s 100th Window. He was also a member of bands including the Numbers and Rimshots, produced Strangelove’s self-titled album in 1997, and played on Jane Taylor’s 2005 single ‘Blowing This Candle Out’.

The Kills Release New Single ‘Wasterpiece’

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The Kills have dropped a new single, ‘Wasterpiece’, ahead of the release of their new album God Games this Friday (October 27). It follows previous cuts ‘New York’, ‘LA Hex’, and ‘103’. Today, the band has also announced 30-date tour across North America. Check out a video for the new song find the list of tour dates below.

The Kills 2024 Tour Dates:

Feb 2 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
Feb 3 Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
Feb 5 Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
Feb 6 Vancouver, British Columbia – The Commodore Ballroom
Feb 7 Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Feb 9 Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center
Feb 10 Denver, CO – Summit
Feb 12 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Feb 13 Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
Feb 14 Chicago, IL – The Riviera Theatre
Feb 16 Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
Feb 17 Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
Feb 18 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
Feb 20 Toronto, Ontario – Danforth Music Hall
Feb 21 Montreal, Quebec – M Telus
Feb 23 Boston, MA – Royale
Feb 24 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Feb 26 New York, NY – Webster Hall
Mar 1 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
Mar 2 Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Mar 4 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Mar 5 Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
Mar 7 Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston
Mar 8 Austin, TX – Stubb’s
Mar 9 Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas
Mar 11 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
Mar 12 Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
Mar 14 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Mar 15 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
Mar 16 Oakland, CA – Fox Theater

Watch Arlo Parks Perform ‘Weightless’ on ‘Colbert’

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Arlo Parks appeared on last night’s episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where she performed the song ‘Weightless’. Watch a replay of the performance below.

‘Weightless’ is lifted from Arlo Parks’ sophomore LP, My Soft Machine, which came out in May. In September, the singer-songwriter published her debut book, The Magic Border: Poetry and Fragments From My Soft Machine.

Charly Bliss Share Video for New Single ‘I Need a New Boyfriend’

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Charly Bliss have dropped a new single, ‘I Need a New Boyfriend’. Following previous single ‘You Don’t Even Know Me Anymore’, the track comes paired with a video directed by the band’s Dan Shure, as well as the Bliss Finder website, a dating profile generator that fans can play around with. Check it out below.

“I think the best breakup songs are celebratory. Thankfully, decades of dating the wrong people has prepared me to write the emo, palm-muted breakup song of my dreams,” Eva Hendricks explained in a statement. “I was in Australia when Dan had the idea for this video, so we had to create a fictional Bliss Bar where we could all be together for Speed Dating Night. I bought the entire clay aisle of our local craft store and had a lot of fun creating a miniature version of the set that we could all be green screened into. Dan is the world’s best director and editor and did an incredible job pulling everything together. Please contact CB Worldwide if you believe you may be entitled to a new boyfriend.”

Water From Your Eyes Announce ‘Crushed By Everyone’, Share Mandy, Indiana Remix of ‘Remember Not My Name’

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Water From Your Eyes have announced Crushed By Everyone, a song-by-song rework of the duo’s latest album Everyone’s Crushed. It’s out November 17 via Matador. Today, they’ve shared Mandy, Indiana’s remix of ‘Remember Not My Name’, Sword II’s take on ‘Open’, and fantasy of a broken heart’s version of ‘Buy My Product’, as well as their own reimagining of ‘Barley’. Take a listen below.

“It’s amazing to live at a time in which so many incredible musicians have the ability not only to inspire us, but to envision our existing works in their own unique practices,” Water From Your Eyes said in a statement. “We are so grateful that all of these talented artists spent their invaluable time and energy on this project. We hope that you enjoy listening to these remixes as much as we have.”

Check out our Artist Spotlight interviews with Water from Your Eyes and Mandy, Indiana.

Crushed By Everyone Cover Artwork:

Crushed By Everyone Tracklist:

1. Structure (The Cradle Version)
2. Crushed Barley
3. Out There (The Dare Version)
4. Open (Sword II Version)
5. Everyone’s Crushed (Kassie Krut Version)
6. True Life (Nourished by Time Version)
7. Remember Not My Name (Mandy, Indiana Version)
8. 14 (Jute Gyte Version)
9. Buy My Product (fantasy of a broken heart Version)

Coco Announce New Album, Unveil Video for New Song ‘Mythological Man’

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Coco – the project of Maia Friedman (Dirty Projectors), Oliver Hill (Pavo Pavo), and Dan Molad (Lucius) – have announced their new LP, 2, which is out March 1 via First City Artists. The follow-up to the band’s 2021 self-titled debut is led by the single ‘Mythological Man’, which comes with a self-directed video. Check it out below, and scroll down for the album cover, tracklist, and Coco’s upcoming tour dates.

“This song sprang from nothing while we were cooking dinner in Joshua Tree,” the band said of ‘Mythological Man’ in a statement. “Danny was playing a little eight-note tongue twister on the piano, and we were joking about a familiar archetype: the man who projects consummate togetherness. He carefully self-curates and jumps through all the proper hoops to receive affirmation, but his deepest desire, companionship, is tragically elusive. With delight we realized that the piano melody mapped neatly onto the lyric ʻsee the mythological man,ʼ and the rest of the story and music quickly snowballed.”

Talking about 2, the band explained: “When we started, we were all either single or in old relationships, living in different places, with different haircuts, priorities and perspectives. Though it’s only been a few years, the band has seen us through fundamental transformations in each of our lives, which we are fortunate enough to process together.”

Cover Artwork:

Tracklist:

1. Any Other Way
2. Moodrings
3. For George
4. Mythological Man
5. Precious Things
6. Wheel
7. The Swimmer
8. Cora Lu
9. Do This Right

Coco 2024 Tour Dates:

Tue Apr 9 – Boston, MA – 939 Cafe
Wed Apr 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy
Fri Apr 12 – Washington, DC – Atlantis
Sat Apr 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Babyʼs All Right
Thu Apr 18 – Chicago, IL – The Hideout
Sat Apr 20 – Davenport, IA – Racoon Motel
Sun Apr 21 – Minneapolis, MN – Turf Club
Tue Apr 30 – Seattle, WA – Sunset
Wed May 1 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
Fri May 3 – San Francisco, CA – Cafe Du Nord
Sat May 4 – Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge

Green Day Announce New Album, Release New Song ‘The American Dream Is Killing Me’

Green Day are back with news of their next album, Saviors. The follow-up to 2020’s Father of All… is due to arrive on January 19 via Reprise/Warner. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the new song ‘The American Dream Is Killing Me’, alongside a video featuring the band in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. It was directed by Brendan Walter and Ryan Baxley and shot in Los Angeles. Check it out below, and scroll down for Saviors‘ details.

‘The American Dream Is Killing Me’ was one of the last songs Green Day wrote and recorded for Saviors, according to a press release. “As soon we cut it, we said, ‘Okay, that’s going first,” Billie Joe Armstrong said in a statement, describing the song as “a look at the way the traditional American Dream doesn’t work for a lot of people – in fact, it’s hurting a lot of people.”

Green Day recorded Saviors with producer Rob Cavallo, who produced 1994’s Dookie and 2004’s American Idiot.

Saviors Cover Artwork: