Gaming
Esports
Pick up these five must-read eSport books
Because some in-depth analysis can only be had AFK.
The eSports scene is a lot older than the mainstream media would sometimes have you believe – and by decades, not just years. Despite this, there is comparatively little in other media – books, movies, music – about an industry which is mushrooming in popularity. We’ve seen signs of that changing recently: Valve made its Free to Play documentary, while last month All Work All Play launched in cinemas and eSports legend Paul “ReDeYe” Chaloner released a book on broadcasting.
You may not find them on the shelves of your local library, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find there are already a few great reads when it comes to eSports, from step by step guides to becoming a pro gamer to in-depth looks at the history of eSports. Some, inevitably, have been written by those with little knowledge trying to cash in on the ever-growing market but others are absolute must-reads, if you can tear yourself away from Dota 2 for a few hours. Here are our picks.
Paul “ReDeYe” Chaloner; Talking Esports: A Guide To Becoming A World-Class Esports Broadcaster
ReDeYe has been involved with eSports broadcasting for years. Having started out as a Counter-Strike caster he has grown to become perhaps the most recognisable eSports personality out there, in any game or genre. His years in the industry have seen him cast, host and work behind the scenes on the biggest eSports events in the world and in this 90 page book he offers up some fascinating insight.
This is a must read for any aspiring caster or eSports host and will even provide helpful tips for those wanting to work in any area of the eSports industry. Topics covered range from casting (Just how do you cope with dead air?) through to more general tips about how to get involved with an eSports organisation and how to figure out the rates you should be getting paid. The best sections for those not directly involved with the broadcasting side of eSports come towards the end when ReDeYe talks about professionalism (applicable in any industry) and how to market yourself on social media. With the experience that ReDeYe has, it’s no surprise that this could be considered the first eSports book you need to devour. While not all the sections will be applicable to everyone, they do all offer a fascinating insight into the world of eSports broadcasting and how it all works.
Shannon Webster; Game On: How I Became a Nintendo World Championships Finalist
ReDeYe hosts the Wargaming.net finals
© ESL
Clocking in at just 36 pages this book by Shannon Webster details his journey to the legendary Nintendo World Championships in the early 90s. Things start out relatively slow, mentioning how the author got into video games by playing on arcade machines at the grocery store, but eventually he gets to the more interesting side of the story and describes how he became a finalist aged just 14, jumping from a Kansas City qualifying tournament through to the eventual final at Universal Studios in Hollywood.
While it doesn't exactly have any inspiring tips like ReDeYe’s offering, what it does present is a well written and interesting story, something that has been sorely missing from eSports literature as of yet. There are also fascinating morsels of information routinely mentioned such as the fact that despite the gold NWC carts being more valuable, the grey ones are the version you really want to get your hands on as these came directly from the finalists. Sadly, you don’t get either with a copy of this book.
T.L.Taylor; Raising The Stakes
An academic offering rather than a rags to riches story, this book from the associate professor in comparative media studies at MIT presents some surprising learnings and data on the eSports scene as a whole. Featuring dedicated sections for areas such as how to grow the industry, how much the fans matter and affect matches to how the player themselves cope and change within a cutthroat competitive scene, Taylor provides a sociological insight into an scene we already take for granted, and may never have stopped to think twice about. If you can overlook the dry language, this is worth a read if you’re looking for an in-depth exploration of almost any major facet of eSports.
David Sirlin; Playing To Win: Becoming The Champion
When Playing To Win launched almost a decade ago it was one of the only eSports focused books available. Even now that the selection on offer has grown this remains one of the best reads for anyone who aspires to become a professional eSports athlete.
The author is a former professional Street Fighter player and instead of directly relaying his experiences, he has crafted almost the ultimate how to guide on how to get started in eSports. From picking the game that you are going to play right through to training for the top flight, this is an almanac of everything you need to know. It won’t give you specific tips to play as an AP Carry in League, as the main focus is on the mind and the things every eSports player, regardless of game, should be doing. Some of the sections do feel a bit dated because of the serious change that the eSports world has undergone in the last few years with the rise of the MOBA, but the majority of this book is still worth your time.
Dal Yong Jin; Korea's Online Gaming Empire
With dedicated eSports stadiums and TV networks, the adopted home of StarCraft is the birthplace of pro gaming; this book not only explores why this is the case but also just what the eSports scene is really like over there. The book is written by a South Korean, meaning that this is an accurate and detailed look at the country's professional gaming scene and not a misguided attempt by a Westerner that succumbs to the standard tropes and apocryphal cliches. The topics discussed range from the rapid growth of eSports in the country right through to the more interesting areas such as how it has affected Korean youth and the cultural and economic changes it has caused.
While nothing in this book will ever help you become a professional gamer, it offers a fascinating look into the one scene that many of us still know little about and points to some of the changes that could impact the ever growing Western scene in the coming years.
