How long does it take to become a pro gamer?

[Kevin]

How many hours does it take to become a pro gamer?

With the recent conclusion of 2014′s Dota 2 The International, we take a look at how many hours you have to put in to become a pro gamer, plus, what else you could have accomplished in that time

 

[DarthMol]

Well the saying is that you need to put in 10 000 hours of practice to master something. I enjoyed the last table of other possible accomplishments that could have been achieved with the amount of time spent in Dota, I may not be a pro Dota player but at least I have a degree!

 

[StaggerLee]

I have to be honest, I'm not sure that I'd ever want to become a pro gamer. I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy turning my hobby into my career. I'd also hate only ever playing one game.

 

[bradbear117]

I'd hate myself if I sunk that much time into gaming, especially one game. I guess for him it's paid off if he is earning huge money. Is he earning?

 

[to0kenZA]

I have to be honest, I'm not sure that I'd ever want to become a pro gamer. I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy turning my hobby into my career. I'd also hate only ever playing one game.

Well if you think about it, doing a hobby as a career instead of something you don't like doing at all is much better.

I'd hate myself if I sunk that much time into gaming, especially one game. I guess for him it's paid off if he is earning huge money. Is he earning?

He's definitely earning much more than a sales assistant...

 

[XbatousaiX]

Well if you want to make a living doing it you better put the time in or you will get nowhere sadly just like in real life lol.

 

[Saint_Dee]

I'd hate myself if I sunk that much time into gaming, especially one game. I guess for him it's paid off if he is earning huge money. Is he earning?

His profile suggests he's getting decently paid. $28,294.94 in tournament winnings, and had he not been injured this year it would be substantially higher since he played for Evil Geniuses (3rd in The International 2014) and he basically put together their current roster. Also bear in mind that the winnings don't include his salary earnings. He'll probably still earn a relatively good living as he's now the coach for EG.

 

[Hagan]

Dedication, hard work and lots of practice - is all I can think about that will nurture you into becoming a "pro gamer".

Sometimes, it naturally-born talent.

 

[Grievous]

It took me 0 seconds to be a pro-feeder in Dota 2. Ah memories of that 1st game.

 

[Saint_Dee]

It took me 0 seconds to be a pro-feeder in Dota 2. Ah memories of that 1st game.

At least I had peeps helping me out in my 1st game.

 

[to0kenZA]

Doesn't take long to be a pro in Dota 2 tho. All you have to do is play an SA matchmaking game. You'll be pomping okes in no time. You will find that most pub games have no coordination whatsoever so if you get lucky and end up on the favoured side of the mostly lob-sided games, it's a cake walk.

 

[Grievous]

At least I had peeps helping me out in my 1st game.

I was the 1st in my group of friends to try it out. Had no idea what was going on, went straight down mid with someone else, with a character who shouldn't be mid.

 

[The-1]

A better estimate would be to use number of games played.

http://dotabuff.com/players/70388657

http://dotabuff.com/players/43276219

 

[Grievous]

A better estimate would be to use number of games played.

http://dotabuff.com/players/70388657

http://dotabuff.com/players/43276219

I would think that's one of the least accurate ways to estimate.
1. They carried on playing once the became professional
2. I would assume they have multiple accounts.