‘Esports’ is the industry term used to describe the business of playing video games professionally. 2020 saw the video game industry blossom to the point where it has become worth more than its film and music counterparts put together, with the Esports scene worth more than a billion dollars in its own right. This lucrative value has arisen primarily through an influx of partnerships and investment from companies around the world, raising the stakes and the bar asked from its professional players active within the top tiers of each game’s competitive scene.
Nowadays hyper successful companies such as Alienware and Hyperbeast have teamed up with various orgs and teams through sponsorships to help players reach the top of their game. But whilst exposure is a good enough reason for these companies to dish out free stuff to professional players, us casuals at the bottom of the ladder looking up have to grind at our bank balances as well as our hours in the server and buy our own gadgets and bits of equipment.
To help you stand a better chance of making some money out of this exciting and lucrative industry and make it as an Esports pro, here’s a guide to some of the pieces of equipment you should be looking at.
Mouse – Logitech MX518
A good mouse is so essential to any leading Esport that it can no longer be classed as a mere ‘accessory’ to the best players around the industry who get paid to play games. Finding the right mouse that blends together balance, reactions, comfort and durability is not the easiest task in the world, but it is absolutely imperative that you invest in one that helps you keep pace with the competition.
The Logitech MX518 has been described as the go-to favourite mouse for gamers for years now, and with its sleek look, customisable features and impressive hardware, it’s clear to see why. The mouse comes with a 16,000 CPI HERO sensor, which is mightily impressive for the industry and is the perfect option for gamers looking for that split second difference in high-paced, high-adrenaline bursts in the server.
Keyboard – Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768
As equally important as a good mouse, a keyboard is another piece of equipment that hardcore gamers hoping to break into the competitive scene cannot afford to scrimp out on. For those gamers out there who would prefer to not break the bank completely outright however, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 could represent the best compromise in the market right now.
Alienware might be known for their high end and luxurious makes and models, but their AW768 is an example of their skills being poured into more functional and affordable forms of gaming. The glossy and futuristic aesthetics are naturally on show in true Alienware fashion, but the model also brings with it Cherry MX Brown switches, a 1 millisecond polling rate and dedicated macro keys which should all come in handy in all the leading Esports titles available to play.
Headset – SteelSeries Arctis 7 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Headset
Take a look at any professional streamer or gamer active in the scene currently making money from their passions and one of the first things you will most likely see is them kitted out with a headset. Hearing every fibre inside a game like CS:GO, Valorant or Overwatch is absolutely vital and can deliver the subtle nuance differences that separate the pros from the remaining 99% of players in the server.
On top of that, communicating with a team can as equally important in deciding the outcome of matches, with MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2 relying hugely on team play and working as a unit. Finding a headset that marries both audio and vocal qualities is absolutely key in stepping into the realms of professional gaming, and the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Headset is still arguably the product to beat on the market right now.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 provides 7.1 Surround Sound and effective noise cancellation, ensuring that you have the best chance of keeping your focus honed in on the server.
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