在過去，玩電子遊戲賺錢似乎是一個黃粱美夢。如今，越來越多的人正在成為職業遊戲玩家。本文圍繞這個新興職業展開討論。
From pixel representations of table tennis in the 1970s to modern day cinematic storytelling, video games have evolved a lot and become more immersive. But it’s not just the graphics and gameplay mechanics that have changed – it has also opened up a range of career options, including that of professional gamer.
When gaming first started, those who loved video games and wanted to make a career out of them often ended up as developers, testers or coders. While there were competitions, sometimes held worldwide, in which amateur gamers could win money or prizes, it wasn’t really considered a career path until the late 2000s, when live streaming really took off and gamers became celebrities.
With e-sports now an integral part of gaming, what does a professional gamer’s life look like? The key, according to many pro-gamers, is practice – the same with many sports. While choosing the best peripherals is important, such as the right controller or keyboard, most pro-gamers spend hours every day working out hacks to save time or improve their chances of winning. And it’s not just while playing games that they need to be active, but also in real life. Exercising and stretching is vital to avoid injuries to their backs and wrists and preventing eye fatigue from spending long hours staring at monitors by taking regular screen breaks.
But it’s not just the physical aspects that gamers need to be careful with. According to some experts, like Dr Phil Birch, while the physical demands of e-sports and traditional sports are very different, the psychological impacts can be similar: regulating emotions, dealing with pressure and big crowds, and overcoming injury are just some of the common factors.
So, while the life of a pro-gamer may sound fun with lots of button bashing, just remember that it takes a lot of discipline and hard work to do it full-time.
pixel 像素
immersive 身臨其境的，有沉浸感的
graphics 圖像
gameplay mechanics 遊戲玩法機制
developers 開發人員
testers 測試人員
coders 編碼人員
competitions 競賽，比賽
amateur gamers 業餘玩家
live streaming 線上直播
e-sports 電子競技
peripherals （計算機）外圍設備，外部設備
controller 手柄
keyboard 鍵盤
hacks 竅門，技巧
in real life 在現實生活中
eye fatigue 眼睛疲勞
monitors 顯示屏，顯示器
screen breaks 為避免長時間盯著屏幕的休息時間
button bashing 用力敲打遊戲設備上的按鈕
練習1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. Before professional gaming become a career choice, what did many people who loved video games have a career in?
2. When did professional gaming become a career choice?
3. What important things do pro-gamers have to choose?
4. Why do professional gamers practise so much?
5. In what ways are the demands of e-sports and traditional sports similar?
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. We’re _______ a new game, and we hope you’re going to love it!
develop developer
developing developed
2. Video games can be so detailed and _______.
immerse immersive
immersion immersed
3. I need to take regular _______ breaks in order to rest my eyes.
screen eye
controller keyboard
4. This game looks amazing! The _______ are fantastic!
pixel graphics
controller monitor
5. I want to improve my chances and equipment, so I’m looking to buy some new _______.
peripherals gameplay
keyboard coding
答案1. Before professional gaming become a career choice, what did many people who loved video games have a career in?
They often ended up as developers, testers or coders.
2. When did professional gaming become a career choice?
It wasn’t really considered a career path until the late 2000s.
3. What important things do pro-gamers have to choose?Peripherals such as a controller and keyboard.
4. Why do professional gamers practise so much?
To learn new hacks and quicker ways of doing things in games.
5. In what ways are the demands of e-sports and traditional sports similar?The psychological impacts can be similar: regulating emotions, dealing with pressure and big crowds, and overcoming injury are just some of the common factors.
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. We’re developing a new game and we hope you’re going to love it!
2. Video games can be so detailed and immersive.
3. I need to talk regular screen breaks in order to rest my eyes.
4. This game looks amazing! The graphics are fantastic!
5. I want to improve my chances and equipment, so I’m looking to buy some new peripherals.
展示牆
有意參加讀書會的同學
請關注我們的公眾號
公眾號將每日推送閱讀材料和音頻
或添加以下Penny任一微信
Penny 將統一在讀書會開始前邀您入群