Essential esports terminology for job seekers and professionals. Understand the language of competitive gaming to succeed in your esports career.
Competitive video gaming at a professional level, where players and teams compete in organised tournaments for prizes and recognition.
Understanding esports fundamentals is essential for any role in the industry, from marketing to operations.
A professional who trains and develops esports players and teams, focusing on strategy, gameplay improvement, mental performance, and team dynamics.
Coaching is one of the fastest-growing career paths in esports, with demand across all major titles.
A specialist who studies gameplay, statistics, and opponent strategies to provide insights and recommendations for competitive teams.
Analyst roles combine gaming knowledge with data skills, offering paths from junior to head analyst positions.
A commentator who provides live play-by-play and analysis during esports matches, similar to sports broadcasters.
Casting is a visible role requiring game knowledge, communication skills, and on-camera presence.
Local Area Network - refers to in-person esports events where players compete on the same network, eliminating online latency.
LAN events require event managers, production staff, and technical crews, creating numerous job opportunities.
Short for 'scrimmage' - practice matches between professional teams to prepare for official competitions.
Scrim schedules are managed by team managers and coaches, making it core knowledge for operations roles.
The current most effective strategies, team compositions, or character picks in a competitive game at any given time.
Understanding meta is crucial for analysts, coaches, and content creators covering competitive scenes.
A league structure where teams buy permanent spots (franchises) rather than qualifying through performance, providing stability.
Franchise leagues offer more stable employment as teams have guaranteed participation.
Individuals who produce gaming-related content across platforms like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and social media.
Content creation skills are valued across esports, from in-house teams to influencer partnerships.
Intensive training periods where teams live and practice together, often before major tournaments.
Bootcamps require logistical coordination, making them relevant for operations and team management roles.
The highest level of professional esports competition, featuring the best teams and largest prize pools.
Tier 1 organisations typically offer the best salaries and most professional working environments.
Lower levels of professional competition, often serving as development leagues for emerging talent.
Lower tiers offer entry points for new professionals, with opportunities to grow alongside organisations.
A representative who negotiates contracts, sponsorships, and career opportunities on behalf of professional players.
Talent management is a growing field as player contracts and sponsorships become more valuable.
The technical and creative work involved in producing live esports broadcasts, including video, audio, and graphics.
Production roles span technical (observers, directors) to creative (graphics, music) positions.
A specialist who controls the in-game camera during broadcasts, following action and creating compelling viewing experiences.
Observers require deep game knowledge and technical skill, making it a specialised career path.
Companies or individuals who plan, execute, and manage esports tournaments and competitions.
TOs hire across events, production, marketing, and operations for each tournament.
Brands directly related to gaming (peripherals, hardware, energy drinks) that sponsor esports teams and events.
Partnership and sponsorship roles involve working with endemic brands on activations and campaigns.
Brands outside the gaming industry (automotive, finance, fashion) that invest in esports for audience reach.
Non-endemic sponsorships require bridging gaming culture with mainstream marketing strategies.
Community-level esports including amateur tournaments, local events, and university competitions.
Grassroots is often where careers begin, with opportunities to gain experience before going pro.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena - a genre including games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Mobile Legends.
MOBA esports has some of the largest teams and budgets, offering diverse career opportunities.
First-Person Shooter - a genre including games like CS2, Valorant, Call of Duty, and Overwatch.
FPS titles dominate esports viewership and offer numerous professional opportunities.
A genre where many players compete until one remains, including Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends.
Battle royale esports brings unique production challenges and team management requirements.
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