Gaming as a Career: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions

At one time, video games were largely something that was played purely for entertainment, mostly by younger people. However, things have changed these days. Now, the first generation of video game players are middle-aged, and there are several gaming career paths that can be highly lucrative. Yet, as coaches in the exciting world of Esports and drone racing, Fenworks still encounters a number of myths about gaming that just won’t die. Let’s debunk some of them now.

Myth 1: Gaming is not a Real Career

For as long as there have been video games, there have been careers in making them. But in the early days, it was fair for parents to tell their kids they couldn’t earn a living with a gaming career. However, that’s no longer the case. Esports is a $1 billion-a-year industry, with the largest live events bringing in over 100,000 spectators.

Like traditional sports, a large amount of that money goes to the players themselves. They are, after all, the ones drawing the crowd. Some of it goes to coaches, analysts, and other roles that also require one to be an experienced player.

While it still may be fair to argue that making it to the big leagues takes a lot of talent and dedication, with the help of professional coaches like the ones at Fenworks, it is absolutely possible to make a career out of playing video games now. Anyone who would support their child’s dream of becoming a pro athlete should be equally willing to support their dream of becoming a pro gamer.

Myth 2: Gaming is a Waste of Time

You’ll often hear parents lament that their child spends too much time in front of a video game and not enough time outside exercise. While exercise is a vital part of staying healthy, parents should overlook the benefits that gaming brings to a person’s development. Let’s look at just a few of them:

• Enhanced Problem-Solving: Games frequently have scenarios that help to build problem-solving skills.
• Improved Memory: Many games require remembering complex scenarios or sequences.
• Better Attention and Concentration: Extreme focus is often required to succeed in gaming.
• Improved Teamwork: Multiplayer games are often designed to require coordinated teamwork to achieve goals.
• Developing Empathy: Story-driven games can help players understand and empathize with different perspectives.
• Improved Coordination: Action games can enhance hand-eye coordination.
• Fine Motor Skills: Managing game controls can enhance fine motor skills.

While kids should still go out and play, they also gain a wealth of benefits from the time they spend with a controller in their hand.

Myth 3: Gaming is Only for “Gamers”

This myth could be an article in itself. To start, the stereotype of what it means to be a gamer is often wrong. Many think of gamers as poor, slovenly souls locked away in their basements playing video games all day. But this stereotype doesn’t hold. Billionaire Elon Musk recently streamed himself playing Diablo IV. Hollywood star Henry Cavill is well known for his love of gaming. Megan Fox is a huge Mortal Kombat fan. Olivia Munn has talked about her own love for gaming. None of these people fit that stereotype.

There’s also the idea that you have to be a certain age or play a certain type of game. Almost everyone knows someone whose grandmother was addicted to Farmville. Gaming transcends every identity group you could try to put on it. It’s a highly inclusive environment that has something that will appeal to anyone of any age or background. Indeed, it often brings all of those people together with shared interests. 

Fenworks: Unlocking Your Potential in the Gaming Industry

With Esports and Drone racing programs, Fenworks teaches students the essential tools to make it in the gaming industry. Many of these skills also align with real-world life skills. In addition to the ones we’ve seen, students who take advantage of Fenworks programs at their schools typically experience an increase in GPA. To learn more about how Fenworks can help students make their dreams of a gaming career come true, contact us today.