Joshua Nsubuga, Esports Lecturer at Access Creative College in the UK, writes for Esports Insider to argue for the benefits of esports courses.
Esports is a constantly evolving industry that blends competition, entertainment & tech into one place. As a subject it contains aspects of both theoretical and practical study, leaving those who undertake it with a variety of skills they can take into a range of job opportunities.
Access Creative College offers a Level 3 in Esports at our Bristol, London and Plymouth campuses, set in bespoke, industry standard esports spaces with esports teams built into the curriculum that offer both frontline, competitor roles and behind the scenes, technical roles for you to take on. We launched this course to highlight that esports is more than competing, and that teams need a web of support staff to compete and be successful.
A common misconception I’ve found in my time teaching is that students often think an esports course is about learning to be a pro player. To do that all you need is to undertake some form of coaching; studying esports however, is an entirely different ball game. You will learn about the industry and the behind-the-scenes of your favourite teams, events, brands etc.
This is the constructive side of esports, or as I like to call it, under-the-hood. Some examples are:
- Game Design & Development: Learning the fundamentals of creating a competitive experience within a game. Understanding game cycles and how design choices can shape your competitive scene.
- Esports Management: Gaining knowledge into how businesses operate within esports. Learning about building/managing a team, sponsorships/partnerships and producing events.
- Esports Analytics: Using data to influence decisions geared towards improving team performance, strategy, and providing extra insight to engage viewers.
- Esports Marketing/Branding: Building functional marketing campaigns to capture and engage fans (both new & existing), sponsors and potential partners.
- Esports Media Production: Honing skills in live-streaming, video & content creating to produce high quality esports content.
Studying esports provides you with a variety of transferable skills that are highly valued in any professional settingm, including learning to think critically and solve problems, collaborate with diverse teams, and communicate effectively. You’ll also hone your time management and organisational skills, and develop the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
What about the events? There are professionals behind those as well (as mentioned above); a tournament organiser (TO) is nothing more than an Event Planner that most of the time also manages the tournament on the day, although this can be handled by an assistant Tournament Admin. Marketing is universal regardless of industry as the objective is the same: capture and engage users.
As with events, a lot of the jobs behind the scenes are transferable, because you learn skills that make you an option for many industries and thus, esports allows professionals to transition in and out quite easily should they suddenly gain or lose interest. This is important in a quickly evolving industry like esports, where roles constantly appear, disappear and change.
In all, the industry offers a wide range of career paths, from directly competing to behind-the-scenes roles. Aspiring professionals can consider becoming a professional player, representing top-tier organisations. Others may choose to mentor and guide aspiring players as a coach. Data-driven individuals can contribute as analysts, providing valuable insights for both broadcasters and teams.
For those interested in event production, roles like event producer are crucial in overseeing the planning and execution of esports events. Marketing managers are essential in attracting and engaging fans, while content creators produce engaging media to entertain and inform the community. Esports journalists report on the latest news and trends, keeping fans informed. Finally, team owners and managers play a crucial role in building and managing successful esports teams. These diverse roles highlight the multifaceted nature of the esports industry, offering numerous opportunities for individuals with a passion for gaming and technology.
Our previously mentioned Level 3 Esports aims to set you up to take on any of the above roles, with a widespread curriculum that is backed by industry expert knowledge and includes strategy and analysis, coaching, shoutcasting, marketing and branding and even game design. This wide range means you’re prepared to take on one of the roles listed above, and thrive in your new career.
Esports is a global phenomenon, and studying it gives you the advantage of being confident that wherever there is gaming in the world, you can find common ground and settle in easily with like-minded individuals. You’ll have the opportunity to network with industry professionals, attend esports events, and collaborate on exciting projects.
Having risen above the stereotypes placed on it by the nature of its inhabitants, esports has emerged as a legitimate and respected industry. By studying esports, you can contribute to its continued growth and help shape its path going forward. You’ll get to challenge misconceptions, contribute towards diversity and inclusion, and inspire the next generation of enthusiasts.
In conclusion, studying esports offers a unique and rewarding educational experience. It provides a solid foundation for a successful career in a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. Whether you aspire to be a professional player, a team owner, work in marketing, events, journalism and more, an esports education will equip you with the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals.
If you’re interested in studying Esports at Access Creative College, visit us at one of our open days.
