The reality of being a Pro Player™

In this YouTube video, the host discusses the challenges and financial realities facing professional fighting game players. The conversation is prompted by an interview with Cen, a well-known figure in the Street Fighter and FGC community, who shares his feelings of disappointment after placing ninth in a major tournament. Cen highlights the disparity between the effort put into training and the relatively small monetary rewards, especially when compared to the income potential of content creation or streaming. The video explores the economic incentives for players to diversify their activities beyond just competing, and the impact this has on the fighting game community. It also touches on the different economic models of professional gaming in Japan versus the West, and the hope for a future where players can sustain themselves financially while focusing on their craft.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Cen, a prominent figure in the Street Fighter and FGC scene, discusses the reality of being a professional gamer, emphasizing the financial challenges after placing ninth in a major tournament.
• 💰 The economics of being a professional player are not as rewarding as being a streamer or content creator, with significant time investment yielding relatively low returns unless you consistently place in the top few spots.
• 🔽 Cen highlights the diminishing returns for professional players, especially when compared to the earning potential of content creation and streaming, which are more economically incentivized in the current era.
• 💼 The discussion touches on the need for players to pursue multiple avenues to make a living, rather than relying solely on being a professional gamer, which is not financially sustainable for most.
• 🏆 Cen expresses a desire for a shift in the industry to motivate more people to become professional gamers without having to rely on other sources of income.
• 📉 The script outlines the steep drop-off in prize money after the top spots in tournaments, illustrating the harsh financial reality for players who do not place highly.
• 💵 It is mentioned that consistent top players may earn below minimum wage when their lifetime winnings are averaged out over their career, indicating the difficulty of sustaining a professional gaming career.
• 🤝 Sponsorships and leagues like the Street Fighter League are presented as potential solutions to provide more stable income for players, but these opportunities are limited and not guaranteed.
• 🌐 The importance of the attention economy is stressed, with players needing to attract viewers and sponsors to secure income, whether through tournament success or content creation.
• 🔄 The script suggests that players often have to pivot from professional gaming to content creation to make a living, which is a loss for the competitive scene.
• ⚖️ The harsh reality is that, for most players, being a professional gamer is not a viable full-time career, and they must find alternative ways to support themselves financially.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video?

The main topic of discussion in the video is the reality of being a professional player in the fighting game community, particularly focusing on the economic challenges and the diminishing returns of being a professional gamer in the current era.

Who is Cen and why is he featured in the video?

Cen is a legendary figure in the Street Fighter and FGC (Fighting Game Community) scene. He is featured in the video because he had a candid interview discussing his feelings after placing ninth at Capcom Cup, touching on the financial aspects and the challenges faced by professional gamers.

What does Cen express about his experience after the Capcom Cup?

Cen expresses that he felt really sad after the Capcom Cup. Despite his hard work and preparation, he earned only $5,000 for his ninth place finish, which he feels is not a rewarding return for the time and effort invested.

How does the video discuss the economic incentives for professional players?

The video discusses that being a content creator or a streamer is more economically rewarding in the current generation compared to being a professional player. It highlights that the prize money for fighting games is not as rewarding unless a player consistently places in the top three, which is not a sustainable income for most players.

What is the significance of the prize money distribution in professional gaming tournaments?

The prize money distribution is significant because it is heavily skewed towards the top winners, making it financially risky for players who do not place in the top positions. This creates an incentive for players to pursue other avenues like content creation and streaming, which can provide a more consistent income.

How does the video address the issue of players having to pivot from professional gaming to other careers?

The video acknowledges that many top players are forced to move on to other careers due to the economic realities of professional gaming. It discusses the need for players to build a brand, engage in content creation, and find other ways to support themselves financially, as relying solely on tournament winnings is often not sustainable.

What are the challenges faced by professional players in the Western world compared to Japan?

The video points out that the Western world lacks the infrastructure and sponsor system that supports players in Japan. In Japan, players can often rely on salaries from being part of a league, whereas in the West, players often have to pivot to content creation or other careers to make a living.

What is the attention economy mentioned in the video?

The attention economy refers to the concept that in the context of professional gaming, a player's income is largely dependent on their ability to attract and maintain an audience's attention, either through success in tournaments or through content creation and social media presence.

How does the video suggest players can support themselves financially while pursuing professional gaming?

The video suggests that players need to branch out into content creation, build their personal brand, and engage in activities that will generate buzz and attention. It emphasizes that success in the attention economy is key to financial sustainability for professional players.

What are some positive developments mentioned in the video regarding the economics of being a pro player?

The video mentions that some esports organizations are signing players, like Chris Wong being signed to Fantic, which indicates a growing interest and investment in professional fighting game players. This suggests a potential for more stable support and salary for top players in the future.

What is the ultimate hope expressed by the video for professional players in the fighting game community?

The ultimate hope expressed in the video is for a future where professional players can focus on honing their craft and competing at the highest level without the financial pressures that currently force many to pivot to other careers or activities.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 The Struggles of Professional Gaming: Cen's Vulnerable Interview

The video discusses the challenges faced by professional gamers, particularly in the fighting game community. Cen, a well-known figure in the Street Fighter and FGC scene, shares his feelings after placing ninth at Capcom Cup, a high-stakes tournament. He talks about the financial difficulties of being a pro player, contrasting the income from streaming and content creation with the relatively meager payouts from tournaments unless you consistently place in the top ranks. The video emphasizes the need for a shift in the industry to better support professional players.

05:01

💰 The Economics of Pro Gaming: Prize Money vs. Content Creation

This paragraph delves into the financial aspects of professional gaming. It highlights how the prize money from tournaments is not sufficient to sustain a professional player unless they are consistently winning top spots. The narrative explains that content creation and streaming are more lucrative, providing a more reliable income. It also touches upon the risks of relying solely on tournament winnings and how the esports ecosystem, including sponsorships and leagues, is not always stable or supportive of full-time professional play.

10:02

🌐 The Attention Economy and Its Impact on Professional Players

The focus here is on the attention economy and how it influences the earning potential of professional gamers. The paragraph explains that the prize pools for tournaments are often dependent on the number of participants, which doesn't scale well for supporting a large number of professional players. It also discusses how players are increasingly turning to content creation not out of choice but out of necessity to make a living. The paragraph calls for a change in the system to better accommodate professional players and their financial needs.

15:03

🏆 The Prize Pool Dilemma: Tournament Earnings and Financial Sustainability

This section of the script addresses the issue of prize pools in tournaments and their sustainability. It points out that winning tournaments does not always translate to significant earnings, especially for players who do not place in the top positions. The paragraph also discusses the structure of the EVO tournament and how it has attempted to improve minimum prizing, but the model still falls short of providing a sustainable income for professional players. It emphasizes the need for an alternative system that can support players financially.

20:05

📈 Building a Brand and the Future of Professional Gaming

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and diversifying income sources for professional gamers. It acknowledges the reality that most players need to engage in content creation and other activities to support themselves financially. The video creator expresses a desire for a future where players can focus solely on their craft but recognizes the necessity of adapting to the current economic landscape. It ends on a hopeful note, wishing for a better future for those passionate enough to pursue professional gaming.

Keywords

💡Pro Player

A professional player, often abbreviated as 'Pro Player,' refers to an individual who participates in video game competitions at a professional level. In the context of the video, it discusses the challenges and financial realities that professional gamers face, particularly in the competitive fighting game community.

💡Street Fighter

Street Fighter is a popular franchise of fighting video games. It is used in the script to refer to the competitive gaming scene surrounding this game series. The economic viability of being a professional player in Street Fighter tournaments is a central theme of the video.

💡Capcom Cup

The Capcom Cup is an annual Street Fighter tournament organized by Capcom. It is mentioned in the script to illustrate the high stakes and financial rewards associated with top-level competitive gaming. The discussion revolves around the earnings and the effort put in by professional players in such tournaments.

💡Content Creator

A content creator is someone who generates original content, often for platforms like YouTube or Twitch. The video script contrasts the financial incentives and stability of being a content creator with the unpredictable income of being a professional gamer.

💡Economics of Being a Pro Player

This phrase encapsulates the financial aspects of professional gaming. The video delves into the income disparities and the economic challenges that professional players face, suggesting that the current model does not always reward players adequately for their time and effort.

💡Prize Money

Prize money refers to the monetary awards given to the winners and top placers in gaming tournaments. The script discusses how the distribution of prize money is often top-heavy, meaning that only a small percentage of players make significant earnings, which impacts the sustainability of being a pro player.

💡Streaming

Streaming is the act of broadcasting live content, usually gaming, on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. It is highlighted in the video as an alternative income source for gamers, which can be more stable and lucrative than relying solely on tournament winnings.

💡Sponsorships

Sponsorships involve financial or material support given to a player or team by a company in exchange for advertising or endorsement. The script touches on the uncertainty and inconsistency of sponsorships as a source of income for professional gamers.

💡Attention Economy

The attention economy is a concept where value is derived from user attention in the context of digital media. The video explains that professional gamers need to build their brand and create content to attract attention, which can then be monetized through various means such as sponsorships or ad revenue.

💡EVO Championship Series

The EVO Championship Series, often shortened to EVO, is a major annual fighting game tournament. The script uses EVO as an example to discuss the prize money and the financial challenges that professional players face, even when they win significant tournaments.

💡FGC (Fighting Game Community)

The FGC refers to the community of players, organizers, and fans involved in competitive fighting games. The video discusses the FGC's current economic model and the need for a shift to support professional players better.

Highlights

Cen, a legend in the Street Fighter and FGC scene, discusses the reality of being a professional player in a candid interview.

Cen shares his feelings after placing ninth at the Capcom Cup, highlighting the economic challenges faced by pro players.

The interview reveals that being a content creator or streamer is often more rewarding financially than being a professional gamer.

Cen emphasizes the diminishing returns of professional gaming, especially when compared to the potential income from content creation.

The economic incentives are pushing players to diversify their activities rather than focusing solely on competitive gaming.

Cen's ninth place finish at Capcom Cup resulted in a $5,000 prize, which he contrasts with the months of preparation and practice involved.

The video discusses the prize money drop-off after top placements in tournaments, illustrating the harsh economic reality for pro players.

Content creation is presented as a more stable and lucrative career path than professional gaming, even for top competitors.

The video explores the idea that the current system does not support a sustainable income for professional fighting game players.

Sponsorship and consistent tournament performance are identified as additional income sources for pro players.

The economic model of the FGC is criticized for not providing a living wage for players who are not consistently in the top ranks.

Cen's career earnings are calculated, showing an average income below minimum wage over 15 years of competition.

The video contrasts Cen's earnings with those of top players like MenaRD, highlighting the disparity in income even among pros.

The importance of building a personal brand and engaging in content creation for professional players is emphasized.

The attention economy is identified as the key to financial success for professional gamers, whether through tournaments or content creation.

The video discusses the different economic realities for professional players in Japan compared to the rest of the world.

Cen expresses a desire for a future where professional players can focus solely on improving their craft without economic pressures.

The video concludes by acknowledging the current state of the FGC may not be able to support many professionals, but there is hope for change.