Career Transitions of eSports Athletes: A Proposal for a Research Framework

Introduction

eSports (or electronic sports) refers to the competitive level of computer, video, or console gaming activities. Recently, a more thorough definition has been introduced: eSports is “a form of sports where the primary aspects of the sport are facilitated by electronic systems; the input of players and teams and the output of the eSports system are mediated by human-computer interfaces” (Hamari & Sjöblom, 2017, p. 5). Some of the most common individual- and team-based game genres for eSports include real-time strategy, multiplayer online battle arena, first-person shooter, racing, fighting, and sports games (Olsen, 2015)¹. Recently, eSports has boomed: eSports tournaments sell out full stadiums, single events can reach over 30 million TV and internet spectators (Hollist, 2015), and one of the eSports leagues, the Electronic Sports League (ESL), reported approximately 7 million players competing in its games (ESL, 2017).

Several high-profile players have accomplished making a living or even wealth through eSports; therefore, being an eSports athlete is sometimes portrayed as a dream job for youths (The Strait Times, 2015). For example, the top eSports athletes have earned more than two million USD of prize money in addition to their salaries and sponsorship rewards (eSports Earnings, 2017). However, in reality, life as an eSports athlete is simultaneously characterized by career turbulence; straining life habits related to social relationships, mental pressure and ergonomics; burnout; premature retirement; and post-career dilemmas (CNBC, 2014; Hollist, 2015; Kotaku, 2015). For instance, numerous famous eSports athletes have reported great success and wealth, followed by burnout and retirements only in their mid-20s (iQ Intel, 2016). Such stories can often involve demanding daily practice taken to extremes, neglect of other areas of life, the disappointment of losing, and unconditional commitment to eSports that may lead to mental exhaustion and physical injuries (The Score, 2016). Therefore, studying eSports career progression is needed to move toward efficient, sustainable, and healthy eSports careers.

Researchers have paid very limited attention to the eSports athletes’ career aspects. Apparently, only one study provides initial insights about eSports gamers’ perspectives and suggests that future research should study how eSports athletes progress their careers (Seo, 2016). Thus far, eSports research has focused merely on comparison of eSports and traditional sports (e.g., Jenny, Manning, Keiper, & Olrich 2016), social practices (e.g., Carter & Gibbs, 2013), and eSports spectators (e.g., Cheung & Huang, 2011). Career progression in eSports appears to be a black box: it is unknown how individuals initiate eSports activities, how they become professionals, how they retire, and what kind of challenges they face during their careers. Thus, this paper aims to address this previously unmapped area by proposing a research framework for eSports athletes’ career transitions. The framework combines two adapted approaches from literature on sport careers and sports psychology: sport career transitions (Wylleman & Lavallee, 2003) and athletes’ career narratives (Douglas & Carless, 2006, 2008).