The Big Leagues
Making it in the world of online gaming can be a challenge; there are so many people out there who want to make it to the top, just like you do. For some, the goal is a career in streaming: getting to play games all day and share the playthroughs with your community, getting to work with brands you have loved for years, and becoming an authority on what’s good and what’s not in the world of games. For others, the goal might be to make it as a professional tournament player.
While being a streamer requires either a lot of talent or a great sense of humor, playing and winning game tournaments relies on your skill as a gamer. Your reaction times will need to be second to none, your spatial awareness and perception within the game will have to be top-notch and you’ll need to be able to thrive under pressure. Not only all of this, but you’ll also need a gaming setup that can handle the games you’ll be playing without any lag and with split-second reactions.
For you to be playing tournaments in a balanced way, there are seven essential pieces of tech that you’ll need. If you’re on your way to being a professional tournament gamer, it’s likely that you already know what these are. There’s no harm in a reminder or in knowing what’s coming your way if you’re on the road to your chosen career, so read on for the details.
Also read: 4 Creative Skills Help to Start A Career in The Video Game Industry
Computer Components and Hardware
It’s difficult to advise on which of these to purchase, as every gamer has different needs. Think about the kind of games that you’re going to be playing: do they require a large amount of storage space? Does the PC come with a graphics card good enough to render your games as fast as you need to play them? The answer here is usually no, so you’ll need to look for a standalone one, which will be challenging to find with the current chip shortage. You’ll probably need extra cooling as well as extra RAM, just to be safe. Having an external hard drive available, should you need it, is also a good way to go.
Keyboard and Mouse
The keyboard and mouse that you choose will define how quickly you’re able to respond in in-game situations; an older or less expensive option could cost you valuable seconds on the battlefield, so this is not the place to skimp. A gaming mouse usually has a sensitivity setting that you can customize to your needs, but it might not be suitable for everyday use. You need a keyboard with fast action that’s durable, as you’re likely to punch the keys quite hard during tournaments.
Headset
A headset not only provides an immersive gaming experience but is also essential to communicate with your team in-game or to keep an ear out for any enemies that might be trying to sneak up behind you. You’ll need high quality when it comes to both the microphone and the speakers, and something that allows you to customize the sound settings will serve you best.
Comfort is also key as you’ll have the headset on for long stretches at a time, so try on a few different options to see which fits best, or check out the reviews. You’ll need to take your budget into consideration here as well, so shop carefully.
Monitors
Almost all gamers will have more than one, for a wider view of any scene. You’ll need some that have a high refresh rate, a low response time, and a high-quality display (one with a high pixel density).
Also read: How To Improve The Gaming Experience? 6 Best Tips Are Here
Gaming Chair
You’ll be sitting in your gaming chair for a really long stretch of time, so it needs to be both comfortable and supportive. Aesthetic appeal is a bonus, but everyone has their own taste or look so this will vary from gamer to gamer. While speakers and vibrations are a nice add-on, you’ll be wearing a headset while you play so they aren’t ultimately necessary for tournament situations. What is necessary is lumbar support, comfortable material, and durability.
Controller Charging Station and Console Backpack
This only applies to console gamers, but it wouldn’t hurt PC gamers to have a safe and reliable packaging and transport system for their computer and monitor setup as well. The last thing you need is to run out of charge on one controller and find that a faulty station has failed to charge your backup! You also need to get your equipment from place to place without any of it getting damaged in the process.
Final Word
We know that investing in all this equipment can seem like a financially daunting task, but if you’re going to be a professional gamer you have to think of it as an investment in yourself. The fact is that without high-quality gear, all the talent in the world won’t help you keep up. Save up over time if you need to and buy the items one by one; invest in yourselves, and the future will be bright!
Leave a comment