Navigating the Unknown
A Narrative Exploration of Career Pathways in Esports
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7146/sjsep.v6i.140390Keywords:
CS:GO, Career development, Narrative flexibility, Narrative typology, Video gamesAbstract
The purpose of this study was to explore career development narratives of esport players. Three Swedish professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players were interviewed about their careers. Two of the participants had retired and one was still active. Their competition level ranged from top 10 nationally to top-20 internationally. The interview transcripts were analyzed using a holistic-form structural analysis, which resulted in three overarching narratives (i.e. performance, relational and sink or swim complemented by multiple narrative threads (e.g., discovery, relational). Due to the multi-faceted nature of esports, it might be common for esport players to tell dialogical stories. The study highlighted challenges esport players face (e.g., balancing esports, work and social/academic life), which are exacerbated by the unstable structure of esports and a lack of cultural narrative templates helping esport players to make meaning of their careers. Social and professional support facilitating narrative flexibility and dual careers might help esport players cope with challenges and become successful in esports and upon retirement.
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