Playing Games for a Living

The video gaming industry has been evolved from leisure to competitive and into something more creative. It’s like the music and film industry. Fans pay, follow and subscribe their favorite performer. Playing video games might the the job for you. All you need is a gaming platform like a ps4 or gaming pc, a youtube or twitch account, skills and great internet connection.

As of this moment, the gaming community in the Philippines is increasing together with Professional Gamers. There is even a specific event for gaming named Electronic Sports or eSports and it is a competition that is directly intended for video games. Games like Defense of the Ancients 2 (DOTA 2), League of Legends (LoL) and Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO). This is similar to Malayan Colleges Laguna’s DOTA 2 Tournament with is held by the College of Computer and Information Science. The Philippines now recognizes eSports a legitimate sport and Professional Gamers are now considered to be athletes according to the Gaming and Amusements Board (GAB). The GAB is under the Office of the President and they issue licenses to Professional eSports players.

In January 15, 2017 a Filipino team joined The International DOTA 2 Tournament in Seattle. The team TNC Pro Gaming finished 9th-12th place in the bracket and they brought home P18million pesos worth of prize money. There are a lot of gamers enthusiasts or Professional gaming teams out there but only one out of a million could actually make it to compete in the eSports Tournament

One such example is Justin John Son, a graduate IT student from Malayan Colleges Laguna, who has experienced joining local game tournaments. In the event eSports and Gaming Summit (ESGS) his team placed 3rd in the game Heroes of the Storm and 1st Runner up in the game strife. He also played tournaments for Heroes of Newerth (HON), DOTA 2 and LoL. Justin stated “Sa umpisa nakakakaba kase ganon naman talaga. Pero nung nakarami na ng tournaments, mas nakaka excite, seryoso at masaya mag laro” (I was very nervous but it was natural since it was my first time. but when i had joined other tournaments, it became more serious, exciting and fun to play) He also dreamed to join international game events to represent the country but he was financially incapacitated.

Another example is RADAPEDAXA (CUBEWORKS) a filipino youtuber or streamer is with currently 605,870 subscribers and with 173.6 million views. RADAPEDAXA’s content is focused in animation and minecraft with an addition to a variety of games. “Viewers aren't giving them money because of the game: They're doing it for the personality. “(G. Clay Whittaker 2015)

Making a living through gaming by streaming or providing good content of specific topics or games that show interest to others sound like a ideal job or game enthusiasts. Platforms like twitch.tv and YouTube provide the connection to users who want to make a living through gaming. Although earning money just by playing video games sounds easy and great but the odds of getting a job like this and earning money out of it isn't a good life plan. Education still plays a big role in one's life even for a gamer and it's still better to have a real job that having to play games full time.

http://www.businessinsider.com/these-guys-have-managed-to-make-a-living-by-playing-video-games-2015-3

http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/10/10/17/the-philippines-new-athletes-esports-gamers

http://news.abs-cbn.com/trending/08/09/17/tnc-pro-team-pockets-p18m-in-dota-2-tournament

https://nielsenweb.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/masamang-epekto-ng-paglalaro-ng-video-games-2/