• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 01:09
CEST 07:09
KST 14:09
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies18Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview2herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026)5Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO4 & Finals Preview5[ASL21] Ro4 Preview: On Course12
Community News
Weekly Cups (May 11-17): Classic wins double0Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results2Weekly Cups (May 4-10): Clem, MaxPax, herO win1Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !18Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple0
StarCraft 2
General
herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview Weekly Cups (May 11-17): Classic wins double Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO4 & Finals Preview Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists
Tourneys
Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League GSL Code S Season 2 (2026) GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 527 Hell Train The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 526 Rubber and Glue Mutation # 525 Wheel of Misfortune
Brood War
General
vespene.gg — BW replays in browser 25 Years Since Brood War Patch 1.08 (Spoiler) ASL21 Winner's Interview [ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies UA StarCraft: Mawin (T) vs hanniGan (P) Showmatch
Tourneys
[ASL21] Grand Finals Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0
Strategy
Any training maps people recommend? Muta micro map competition [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Dawn of War IV ZeroSpace Megathread Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Trading/Investing Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
streaming software Strange computer issues (software)
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Esports Organizations: Raisi…
TrAiDoS
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1329 users

Pro-gaming a sustainable career? - Page 2

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
Prev 1 2 All
KeksX
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Germany3634 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-04 14:07:30
July 04 2011 13:58 GMT
#21
You should ask someone that actually is a progamer instead of people that are clearly not there, because all you will get is
"I don't know but it sounds utterly stupid to be a progamer. Yea sure I cheer for them and I watch SC2 24/7 but I still think they are stupid lol, I mean they just play all day long n stuff" or other uneducated stuff.

You won't get good answers if you randomly ask people that aren't involved.
Why should you ask a secretary if it's worthwile writing books? You either get a stupid answer or no answer.
Don't tink that just because you're on teamliquid and watch starcraft all day you know what's behind the curtains, especially moneywise.
Someone like SirScoots or IdrA(for western) or Bisu/Flash(for Koreans) etc could give you a solid answer, but someone like RandomGuyPlayer4201 or KeksX can't.

So I don't get why you would open a thread instead of approaching these people directly.
pedrotrv
Profile Joined August 2010
Brazil117 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-04 17:03:35
July 04 2011 14:02 GMT
#22
As tyCe said, it's not a wise career choice. You have to give up so much of your life to be a progamer that you won't have any work experience/formation to go on for the rest of your life with tranquility.

@Greatness
R$ 500,00 is not near good. With this pay you will have to live in a shack, in a bad neighborhood, with no broadband and no practice environment near you. Especially to be a programer, that you have to give ups lots to achieve.

Let's remeber that 99% of the progamer population in the post career won't be employed by sponsor or by the game developers, won't be coaches or will found a team, and must find another means to live. It's just not viable unless you are the best (Flash, Jaedong, rly good Counter Strike players).

Unfortunetly, as trancey said you do it because you are passionate about it, but it is not profitable.

When I was 16 I had the dream of becoming a CS pro. I am sure any teenager that likes SC2 wants to be a pro, but we must face reality.
woot.
Ryder.
Profile Joined January 2011
1117 Posts
July 04 2011 14:12 GMT
#23
On July 04 2011 22:58 KeksX wrote:
You should ask someone that actually is a progamer instead of people that are clearly not there, because all you will get is
"I don't know but it sounds utterly stupid to be a progamer. Yea sure I cheer for them and I watch SC2 24/7 but I still think they are stupid lol, I mean they just play all day long n stuff" or other uneducated stuff.

You won't get good answers if you randomly ask people that aren't involved.
Why should you ask a secretary if it's worthwile writing books? You either get a stupid answer or no answer.
Don't tink that just because you're on teamliquid and watch starcraft all day you know what's behind the curtains, especially moneywise.
Someone like SirScoots or IdrA(for western) or Bisu/Flash(for Koreans) etc could give you a solid answer, but someone like RandomGuyPlayer4201 or KeksX can't.

So I don't get why you would open a thread instead of approaching these people directly.

They probably have better things to do than answer my questions, and even if they did bother noticing they may take it as an insult. Just because people on these forums aren't progamers doesn't mean they know absolutely nothing about it...
ballasdontcry
Profile Joined January 2011
Canada595 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-04 14:31:22
July 04 2011 14:30 GMT
#24
Slim to no chance of sustaining a good career off progaming for all the reasons stated.

The money's so top heavy in most cases that being an average pro nets you nearly nothing to live on. You have to be good for a team to sign you, be good to win tourneys, be good to rack up sponsors, so it's just one vicious circle: you win or you fade into obscurity.

Post-career wise, I guess if you really put in the effort you can go through some sort of continuing education program? Not everyone is of desirable quality to be picked up back in the industry after they retire. Some progamers just don't make good commentator material, for instance. But you'll definitely be behind the curve, and I'd think putting video gaming on a resume is just asking to be stigmatized in most cases.
bubblegumbo
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Taiwan1296 Posts
July 04 2011 14:36 GMT
#25
being a professional gamer or anything related to this field is being treated with the same bias that professional sportsmen underwent during the early days, it will change as the decades go by with subsequent generations growing up gaming. It is also strongly dependent on the country's interest and culture, for example only certain sports are popular in certain countries. Korea has pretty much established esport as a legitimate industry you can work in for a long time.
"I honestly think that whoever invented toilet paper is a genius. For man to survive, they need toilet paper!"- Nal_rA
Lennon
Profile Joined February 2010
United Kingdom2275 Posts
July 04 2011 15:07 GMT
#26
People care about careers and money too much. We only live once so do what you want.
darcevader88
Profile Joined May 2011
Canada648 Posts
July 04 2011 15:43 GMT
#27
On July 05 2011 00:07 Lennon wrote:
People care about careers and money too much. We only live once so do what you want.

If I could rep you or give you karma for this post i would x100.
Total truth. You get 1 shot at this thing called life, might aswell do what you love.

People think I'm crazy cuz I wanna be a pro mma fighter, but i put in the time/work and ill do as much as i can to get there (sacrificing social life/going to school for now/etc)

It's all about enjoying life.
"The ground is my ocean, I'm the shark and most people don't even know how to swim."
ComaDose
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Canada10357 Posts
July 04 2011 15:46 GMT
#28
yeah its a semi-all in build.
hard to transition out of.
BW pros training sc2 is like kiss making a dub step album.
seoul_kiM
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States545 Posts
July 04 2011 15:51 GMT
#29
I don't get why all these people are posting here yet none of them are professional gamers....

It's like trying to really explain what a lawyer or a teacher does and all their perks and responsibilities without ever being a lawyer or teacher.

Professional gaming is a unique career so honestly, you should go ask/e-mail/pm a professional gamer. Everyone here has speculations and assumptions that might or might not be correct.


On July 05 2011 00:07 Lennon wrote:
People care about careers and money too much. We only live once so do what you want.


Wait until you get a family and say that. You have to sacrifice many things in life to be a responsible adult raising a family and making enough to support a family.
oGs.MC: Repair IMBAAAAAAAAAAa
MrTortoise
Profile Joined January 2011
1388 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-07-04 16:02:27
July 04 2011 15:54 GMT
#30
Right now?

No - what i did 13 years ago was want to go pro at quake ... its a lot better now but what i accomplished was dropping out of uni and then teaching myself what i would of learnt there on the job instead - but without a degree and being surrounded by people who were into it. I don't regret anything i did, but i'm a strong willed asshole (probably in part because of my choices)

One thing for sure: while young take HUGE risks because you have time to recover. When you hit 25 you will begin to realise that you need to 'cash in on your potential' by the time your 30 your thinking about retirement

But the more threads like this and the less likley it is to happen

THINK

Assume the role if you care, otherwise stop shitting in other peoples bathtub

Just because papers write inflamatory articles like this all the time doesn't mean that they are actually substantive. You start asking people to think about this instead of assuming that it is already the case and all of a sudden less people think pro gaming is viable which means that less people will have the chance.

The very fact you need to ask this question should of answered it for you.

Untill a pro gamer can make £50k a year there are better ways for dedicated talented people to make more money, with more job security than pro gaming currently.

Write your own game ... it willl take you about as long ... remember a small game called warcraft / spear of destiny / wolfenstein. Sell it cheap and your market is billions.


response top below: How about people who have sat down and made the decision? If you want a yacht you probably don't want to be a pro gamer ... its all about what you want in life. I want to die comfortable and not leave my kids in debt.
Ziktomini
Profile Joined October 2010
United Kingdom377 Posts
July 04 2011 15:55 GMT
#31
People who aren't pro-gamers should not be putting their opinions in this thread. Leave it to people employed or making a living on their own being a gamer.
ZeromuS
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Canada13407 Posts
July 04 2011 16:00 GMT
#32
Look man if you really want to do it and it will make you happy just DO IT! If it doesnt work out thats cool go to school get a different job/career.

Just be realistic when you decide to stop if that time ever comes. If you spend 2 years and play 12 hours a day and cant get into masters then its time to stop
StrategyRTS forever | @ZeromuS_plays | www.twitch.tv/Zeromus_
ak1knight
Profile Joined April 2010
United States313 Posts
July 04 2011 16:02 GMT
#33
On July 04 2011 23:02 pedrotrv wrote:
Let's remeber that 99% of the progamer population won't be employed by sponsor or by the game developers, won't be coaches or will found a team, and must find another means to live. It's just not viable unless you are the best (Flash, Jaedong, rly good Counter Strike players).

The definition of Pro is getting paid, almost always by sponsors. You also don't necessarily need to be the best to get paid. Every player on EG is paid a salary and there's only 1 player on that team that you could consider one of the best.

Progaming isn't something that you should get into for the money, but if you really love SC2 then it's nice to know that if you put in the work to be the best then you'll get rewarded with a semi-decent income.
w00t
Zorkmid
Profile Joined November 2008
4410 Posts
July 04 2011 16:33 GMT
#34
It's probably sustainable for the tip top players until early-mid thirties, and probably even longer term for those few that are sought after casters.

That said, it is a SUPER short list. Probably 30-50 players on earth that can earn a decent living.
Alaz
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
108 Posts
July 04 2011 16:49 GMT
#35
The pros right now are living in the moment and that's all that matters. They'll ride the wave as long as they are still having fun and making money. I highly doubt any of them are dumb enough to not think long term.
pedrotrv
Profile Joined August 2010
Brazil117 Posts
July 04 2011 17:04 GMT
#36
On July 05 2011 01:02 ak1knight wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 04 2011 23:02 pedrotrv wrote:
Let's remeber that 99% of the progamer population won't be employed by sponsor or by the game developers, won't be coaches or will found a team, and must find another means to live. It's just not viable unless you are the best (Flash, Jaedong, rly good Counter Strike players).

The definition of Pro is getting paid, almost always by sponsors. You also don't necessarily need to be the best to get paid. Every player on EG is paid a salary and there's only 1 player on that team that you could consider one of the best.

Progaming isn't something that you should get into for the money, but if you really love SC2 then it's nice to know that if you put in the work to be the best then you'll get rewarded with a semi-decent income.


I'm sry, my sentence was incomplete. I meant in the post career.
woot.
TheSubtleArt
Profile Joined May 2011
Canada2527 Posts
July 04 2011 17:10 GMT
#37
MC and Nestea have both made plenty of money from prize winnings. Destiny makes 35k ~ 40k a year streaming. Idra apparently also makes in that range with his team's salary and streaming. If you can achieve good results, land on a top team, or gain popularity some other way (casting, appearing on shows, etc), or a combination of those, you can certainly make a living off starcraft, but it may not be as big of an income as you can get from other jobs. Hell, even HD and Husky make enough from their youtube channels.

Whether or not you can find a job after you retire from progaming is up for debate and will probably depend on the employer. Some will consider the fact that a player became a top pro a testament to the players intelligence, perseverance, and work ethic, while others will think he's an anti social guy wasting his time playing computer games. One thing to consider, however, is that gaming is recieving more acceptance in Western culture and it seems to be a trend that will continue. As this trend progresses, listing "progamer" as an occupation on your CV will hold more and more importance to employers
Dodge arrows
canikizu
Profile Joined September 2010
4860 Posts
July 04 2011 17:18 GMT
#38
On July 04 2011 22:22 Jhax wrote:
Pro gaming is a terrible career choice, I wanted to be pro when I was a kid but once I got into college and realised how satisfying studying something is I could no longer see the appeal. I don't know what to think of pro gamers, are they nerdy guys who just couldn't be fucked to find a real job and get a degree, or are they serious athletes who are giving something back to the community. I think the first one is more accurate, then again I don't know these people on a personal level.

Mr. Chae (GOMtv) was a first generation SC pro. He now has GOMtv. Kiwikaki and a lot of players know how to play poker. Spades and a lot of people are into trading (stock, forex).
A job and getting paid is not the only way you can survive. In this day and age, there're lots of way people can make money not by going to work 9 to 5. You can always open your own business. Yes, getting a job is easier and less risky, but on the financial standpoint, getting a job doesn't even make as good money as working for yourself.
Prev 1 2 All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
OSC
00:00
OSC Elite Rising Star #19
Liquipedia
Patches Events
19:30
Patches' Patch Clash #7
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
NeuroSwarm 737
StarCraft: Brood War
HiyA 87
Moletrap 21
Icarus 12
Dota 2
LuMiX1
League of Legends
JimRising 732
Counter-Strike
taco 354
C9.Mang0322
Super Smash Bros
hungrybox462
Other Games
WinterStarcraft434
Maynarde143
Livibee108
RuFF_SC2103
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick712
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 13 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• davetesta78
• practicex 24
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• Diggity9
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Upcoming Events
Universe Titan Cup
5h 51m
Rogue vs Percival
Wardi Open
6h 51m
Monday Night Weeklies
10h 51m
Replay Cast
18h 51m
Kung Fu Cup
1d 5h
GSL
2 days
herO vs Classic
Cure vs Clem
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
GSL
3 days
Maru vs SHIN
Zoun vs Rogue
WardiTV Spring Champion…
3 days
SKillous vs Strange
Lambo vs Strange
Ryung vs Strange
Lambo vs Ryung
Ryung vs SKillous
Lambo vs SKillous
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
3 days
Maestros of the Game
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
5 days
TBD vs SHIN
TBD vs Rogue
IPSL
5 days
ZZZero vs WorsT
Julia vs eOnzErG
Replay Cast
5 days
RSL Revival
6 days
IPSL
6 days
Dragon vs Artosis
dxtr13 vs Hawk
BSL
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

ASL Season 21
2026 GSL S1
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

2026 KK StarCraft Pro League
BSL Season 22
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
KK 2v2 League Season 1
YSL S3
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
SCTL 2026 Spring
WardiTV Spring 2026
2026 GSL S2
RSL Revival: Season 5
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: King of Kings
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
Bounty Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.