Most young kids dreamed of being able to play video games all day, every day. For many professional esports athletes they simply call it training.
And now a pathway has been created to help keen gamers become one thanks to a newly-formed national body, Scottish Esports, is looking to place the country on top of the world tree of competitive video gaming. Whether it is EA Sports FC, Fortnite, Call of Duty, or Overwatch there could be a console career waiting for you.
To take their vision to the next level, Scottish Esports, has launched a free annual event to educate attendees on ‘plans to establish a new network of esports and games educators from across Scotland, sharing best practice and understanding of the role competitive video games play within Scottish education’.
The Scottish Esports in Education Mini-Conference 2024 (SEEMC2024) conference will feature speakers from across the educational sector and games industry experts. Attendees will gain an understanding of how esports is influencing the educational landscape and what qualifications can help dreams become reality. The event will even look at how esports can be taught in schools – from primary schools and beyond!
Sadly, the first conference has already taken place, at the University of the West of Scotland’s Paisley Campus in Glasgow on November 15.
But fear not, as the event will return next year. So do you have what it takes?
What exactly is Esports?
Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of competition using video games. Esports often takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, played individually or as teams.
How much can you make from Esports?
According to Glassdoor, professional esports players can earn a wide range of salaries, from £25,000 to over £1million per year. In the UK, the estimated average total pay for an esports professional is £35,196 per year, with an average additional pay of £4,769 per year.
The highest earning esport player worldwide is N0tail (John Sundtein). The professional gamer has earnt almost £7 million throughout his career, with his highest payday earned from competing in Dota 2 during ‘The International 2019’.
Who are Scottish Esports?
Scottish Esports launched on October 3, 2024, billing itself as as ‘the national body dedicated to the growth and development of competitive video gaming in Scotland’. The Community Interest Company (CIC) says it’s focused on supporting casual gamers to esports players competing in teams, and the wider gaming community.
It’s been set up by CEO Mark McCready, an esports lecturer who previously worked as the Scottish Liaison Officer at the British Esports Federation, along with Dale Murray of the Scottish Esports Network and Guild Street Fighter player Assad ‘Suleymon’ Suliman as non-executive board members.
“We’re not only building a strong and passionate foundation for competitive video gaming in Scotland – we’re building a community,” said Mark McCready, CEO of Scottish Esports. “By delivering national-scale stability, we’re committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space where players and teams of all levels can thrive and feel supported. It’s an exciting time for us all to inspire the next generation to learn and explore esports in a more encouraging and positive environment.”
For more information head to Scottish Esports.