It’s just so obvious that esports has skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade, evolving from a niche interest into a global phenomenon.

With esports’ rapid rise, the skills needed to succeed in the esports industry are also changing fast. So, what’s next for those looking to make their mark in esports before 2030?

We’ve contacted some independent esports players and experts to discuss this matter today — so let’s do just that!

Skill 1: Strategic Thinking

At the core of every successful esports player is an in-depth understanding of their chosen game. However, of course, it's not just about knowing the rules or the basic strategies. Experts predict that the next wave of esports will demand even more specialized knowledge and advanced strategic thinking.

Why Strategic Thinking is Crucial

And why is it so important? Firstly, predicting opponents’ strategies allows you to counteract their moves before they even execute them. Secondly, games can update a few times a month with new patches and meta shifts, and that will require some hardcore adaptability from you. Any pro player will agree that being able to adjust your strategy on the fly is just so essential for maintaining a competitive edge.

The Constant Evolution of Games

These days, it seems like nearly every game receives an update that significantly changes everything pretty much every year. And if it's not the game mechanics being altered, it's the event qualification system or something similar.

Adaptability in Online Casinos

Just like in the dynamic world of esports, adaptability is also crucial in the realm of online casinos. Large international platforms (see the list of the best here https://onlinekasyno-polis.pl/wyplacalne-kasyna-internetowe/) guarantee a smooth and secure experience for players, offering frequent updates, new bonuses, and competitive offers. Just like esports players must stay ahead of the game, online casino enthusiasts need to stay informed to capitalize on the best deals and opportunities.

How to Improve Your Strategic Thinking

Improving your strategic thinking involves deliberate practice and continuous learning, and if you really care about consistent results, you should totally include these methods in your training:

1. Match Analysis. Regularly review your gameplay to identify strategic strengths and weaknesses. Tools like Mobalytics or Overwolf are increasingly popular among semi-pro players, and they can indeed provide valuable insights.
   
2. Scenario Training. Try to play out high-pressure scenarios to sharpen your ability to make quick decisions under stress. In fact, the more your nervous system adapts to a specific situation, the more consistently you can deliver results when it happens.
3. Collaborative Strategy Sessions. Work with your friends to create and fine-tune your game plans. This will help you all coordinate better while performing different strategies. As a result, your team will be more consistent and effective, leading to more wins and better ranks.

It’s just so obvious that teams with higher strategic planning and adaptability will always beat teams that rely solely on “mechanical skills.”

Skill 2: Brand Management

Your brand is your promise to your fans about what they can expect from you, both during and outside the game. This includes not just how you play, but also:

• how you talk;
• the causes you support;
• the partners you pick.

If you want to go big, having a brand is not an option anymore; it’s an absolute must-have (sorry to all the introverts out there).

Moreover, your personality and values need to remain consistent. And just know that you won’t achieve this with regular posts; you literally need to have the same tone and communication style on different platforms, whether it's Twitch, Twitter, or TikTok. Your online image should match your real-life behavior, providing a smooth experience for fans and followers.

This way, any potential partners and sponsors can invest in your brand more confidently and expect consistent results for themselves. It’s also a reason why so many players invest in a personal PR manager these days, as the lack of it can cause big problems.

Like, it only takes one “drama” to lose sponsors that pay you thousands of dollars; some of the most hardcore examples include:

• KQLY’S VAC ban — KQLY, a professional CS player, experienced a major scandal when he got a VAC ban from Valve Anti-Cheat for using banned software while competing. This not only led to him being kicked out of his team right away but also tarnished his reputation forever.
• Bwpio’s rage streams — Bwipo’s outburst before LoL Worlds 2024, which included offensive language, significantly damaged his relationship with fans and sponsors alike. It highlighted how emotional management is also part of brand management, especially when the cameras are rolling.
• Xxif’s cheating allegations — during a Fortnite World Cup qualifier, player Xxif was accused of breaking the rules, supposedly working together with friends to get easy eliminations. Although he made it to the tournament, the negative reactions from the community and close attention from the media were huge.

Proficiency in Working with Casinos and Gambling Platforms

And one thing that will help you build your brand as a professional esports player is working with online casinos. 

That’s right; as esports keeps connecting with fields outside gaming, an often ignored but important skill for people wanting to work in esports is having the skill to work with casinos and gambling platforms. 

Okay, but why? Well, as the line between esports tournaments and casinos blurs more and more every year, understanding the details of how these platforms operate can seriously boost your job opportunities. Here’s why learning this could be a major advantage:

• Sponsorship options. Yeah, this is a big one. Many esports teams and events are now supported by gambling companies. Understanding how these platforms work helps negotiate deals that are not only profitable but also follow different laws.
• Better engagement with fans. Gamblers are often passionate about the games they bet on, and it’s really visible in esports. By understanding how some online gambling games work, you can engage more deeply with fans who follow esports, not just as spectators but as active participants.
• Invitation to exclusive events. Companies associated with online casinos regularly host big gaming competitions and events. And if you are an aspiring professional, well, you want to be invited to these events, don’t you?
• Leveraging casino audiences. Casinos online have a varied and interested group of people, many of whom quickly become fans of all kinds of gaming. People working in esports who are good at how online casinos 2024 work can reach this audience, growing their fans and boosting their personal and team profiles.

Skill 3: Teamwork & Communication

Esports is rarely about individual talent — in most cases, it’s more about how well you work with your team. Moreover, teams are actually bigger and bigger every year; just look at Valorant, where teams can have even 10 players (5 main and 5 stand-ins) or even more.

However, improving teamwork and communication isn’t something that happens overnight. We asked a professional Counter-Strike coach (who preferred to be anonymous) about the reality of how hard it is to cover this matter:

“Building effective teamwork and communication in an esports context is a marathon, not a sprint, and not everyone wants to participate in it. When working with the most professional teams, we spend a lot of time reviewing game footage together, discussing each scenario, and making everyone understand their roles and the roles of their teammates. Plus, of course, we care about the good vibes within the team”.

It clearly requires deliberate practice, the right mindset, and sometimes months of work. And so, here are some strategies to help you and your team communicate more effectively:

• Regular practice sessions. Consistent team practice builds trust and understanding among members, making in-game communication more natural and intuitive.
• Reviewing past games and reflecting together. After each game, take time to review what worked and what didn’t. This reflection helps identify communication breakdowns and areas for improvement.
• Off-game time. Beyond the “sweat”, it's crucial to bond with your team in real-life settings. Whether it’s team-building activities, casual hangouts, or even remote virtual meetings, these interactions build camaraderie and strengthen team dynamics, ultimately enhancing coordination and understanding in high-pressure situations.

Applying Different Communication Styles

Adding to that, any aspiring professional gamer needs to understand and adapt the right communication styles in-game. It’s similar to selecting weapons in FPS games — you choose one based on the situation and your desired outcome. 

Like, you won’t usually rush with an AWP, right? Well, unless your nickname is simple; then you can do anything.

So, here’s a quick overview of the three most crucial communication styles you need to learn, created by an esports expert with experience working with five different international League of Legends teams:

By understanding and adapting to different communication styles, teams can improve their performance and unity. For example, direct communication is perfect for high-stakes moments when quick decisions are needed, whereas supportive can be good after a lost match or when your teammate is doubting themselves.