在過去，玩電子游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游戲玩家。本文圍繞這個新興職業展開討論。

詞匯：gaming 玩電子游戲

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.

詞匯表

pixel 像素
immersive 身臨其境的，有沉浸感的
graphics 圖像
gameplay mechanics 游戲玩法機制
developers 開發人員
testers 測試人員
coders 編碼人員
competitions 競賽，比賽
amateur gamers 業余玩家
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 用力敲打游戲設備上的按鈕

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

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.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

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.