By Royce “Bubbadub” Newcomb of Complexity Gaming League of Legends
It’s not easy to become a pro gamer, and it’s not something that everyone should aspire to be. There are currently only 40 players in North America that are considered League of Legends pros by RIOT Games, and out of those 40 players it’s never been a stable job. Players will ultimately be replaced or entire rosters will be dropped, making it a stable living for about half of that amount of players at any given time. In addition to this, the hours and dedication required increase as time goes on and these 40 players have to find ways to improve themselves faster than the competition or risk getting replaced. Being a pro gamer is not always fun and games; it’s a cut-throat industry where survival of the fittest is the name of the game.
Despite this disclaimer, I find joy in this lifestyle. It is fun to sit on the big stage and know that hundreds of thousands or even millions of people are going to sit and watch you play League of Legends matches, and I have the opportunity to show my ever growing skills in League of Legends. The communication, teamwork, mechanics and strategy practiced 8+ hours a day all come together on the big stage every weekend. Coming into the LCS as huge underdogs it feels good to know we are getting consistently stronger against every top NA team.
In order to stay in the scene and be competitive I sacrifice more than most. I am currently the oldest player in the LCS at 27 years and I have a loving wife that supports my gaming passion, but I only get to see her on weekends while playing in the LCS. I had an engineering career that I put on hold to pursue professional gaming despite my age, and I hope to continue my career in eSports after my time in LCS. My parents and wife support me playing in the LCS and watch my games almost every weekend and I am thankful for that.
Follow Royce on twitter @coL_Bubbadub