June 28: Op-ed

 TenZ is living off Valorant, So Why Can't I? 

It's June 2020, and I find myself up at 4 AM watching TenZ on the live streaming website Twitch. I was 13 and dreaming of being able to just play games daily as my job. Now, 4 years later, at 17, I find myself on the opposite end of that idea. Finding the flaws and utopian mindset that live streaming services and media give to teens, providing a fictional depiction of how the gaming industry is and the amount of profitability it holds. At 13, the allure of gaming for a living seemed irresistible. Watching dozens of streamers per day, it was easy to believe that anyone could turn their passion for gaming into a functional career. The reality, however, is much more complex and less idealistic than what is often portrayed on platforms like Twitch or in movies that glorify the gaming lifestyle.

One of the primary issues with the portrayal of gaming as a viable career path is that it fosters unrealistic expectations among teenagers. The truth is, only a tiny fraction of gamers ever reach the level of success seen in professional gamers or top-tier streamers. According to recent statistics, the vast majority of streamers on Twitch have fewer than 10 viewers per stream, though there are 7 million streamers per day on the site. This disparity highlights the immense competition and the very slim chances of making it big in the industry. The constant exposure to successful gamers can also lead to a distorted sense of reality. Teenagers might start to believe that they are failing if they don't achieve similar success quickly and do not realize how difficult it is to amass a large audience. With this mindset they try to achieve what they always view and thus spend more time trying to gain a larger audience determining from academic performance even more and even pulling them more social interactions vital to one's character development.

Moreover, the financial instability associated with trying to make a living from gaming is often glossed over. Professional gamers and successful streamers like TenZ have sponsorship deals, ad revenue, and a large following to support them earning him around $150,000 per year In contrast, most aspiring gamers rely on donations and small ad revenues, which are hardly enough to sustain a living. “Successful Twitch streamers make, on average, between $3,000 and $5,000 monthly from subscriptions. Smaller streamers get between $50 and $1,500 monthly, depending on their subscriber base and how much they interact with fans.” (Daugherty) And even when a streamer finds their niche it is difficult to maintain popularity as the gaming industry is fast paced and constantly changing. Trends change rapidly, and what is popular today might not be tomorrow. This constant progression means that even those who do achieve some level of success must continually adapt and innovate to maintain their audience. And sometimes this pressure can lead to burnout and a loss of passion for gaming, turning what was once an enjoyable hobby into a source of stress and frustration deterring from the reason why they chose to game as a living in the first place.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that gaming can work out for some people. TenZ and other successful gamers serve as examples that it is possible to make a career out of gaming. These individuals often possess a unique combination of talent, hard work, and a bit of luck. They also tend to have a strong support system, including financial backing and professional management, which helps them navigate the competitive landscape of the gaming industry. For instance, TenZ's success can be attributed not only to his exceptional skill but also to his dedication and the strategic decisions he made along the way. He invested countless hours into practice, built a personal brand, and engaged with his audience effectively. His journey highlights the importance of a multifaceted approach to success in gaming, which goes beyond just playing games. But keep in mind this miracle story is undoubtable a miracle story as the statistics for the amount of people this can happen for is low, so the chances that this will occur each time one tries to enter the gaming industry is impossible.

In conclusion, while the idea of making a living through gaming is indeed appealing, it is crucial for teenagers to understand the realities and challenges associated with this career path. The portrayal of gaming in live streaming and media often creates a fictional and overly optimistic depiction of the industry. Most aspiring gamers will face significant obstacles, including intense competition, financial instability, and the pressure to move with the trend. By recognizing these challenges and setting realistic expectations, teenagers can make more informed decisions about their futures and avoid the pitfalls of chasing an unlikely dream.