A qualitative study on professional gamers: characteristics, career path, and psychosocial impacts

Abstract

Objective: To describe professional gamers’ characteristics, motivations, career paths, and psychosocial impacts, and to assess similarities and differences between professional gamers and gamers with gaming disorders.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 53 key informants, including gamers, family members, friends, teachers/instructors, supporters of professional gamers, and child protection/promotion workers. Participants were purposively recruited by using social media announcement and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed by using content analysis.

Results: The desirable characteristics of professional gamers reported by the participants were discipline, responsibility, curiosity, self-development, emotional intelligence, and good support from family members. Gaming and esports industry affected motivation of both amateur and professional gamers. Playing esports games could positively and negatively impact gamers at both amateur and professional levels. Whether gamers in gaming career paths were similar to or different from those with gaming disorders depended on gamers’ responsibility and time management skills. Gamers would have clear career goals when they obtained the opportunity to join an esports team. The factor that assist gamers to adjust themselves included support from surrounding people, professional team system, and the drive to change themselves after facing negative impacts from gaming.

Conclusion: Even though gaming could positively impact gamers, it could cause significant adverse impacts. Whether gamers in gaming career paths are similar to or different from those with gaming disorders depends on gamers’ responsibility and time management skills.