I want to get into esports: How does NAVI help aspiring esports players?

Published on 12.08.2024 | Author: Viktoriya Stryuk

Many people think that games are not about money. But successful esports players have arguments that can make even the most conservatively minded opponents think twice. Since esports was recognized as an official discipline, the industry has started to grow quite rapidly, and the ceiling has not yet been reached. Therefore, many young guys and girls would like to jump on this train and do what they love professionally. Senior comrades from NAVI can help with this. How? – the answers are below.

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What's the motivation?

Understanding the psychological side of esports involvement is quite difficult: everyone has their own reasons and attitudes towards the matter. Therefore, we will leave the question of the psychological component aside. Let's look at the financial aspect. A beginner esports player earns from $300 per month. Depending on the discipline, the amount of remuneration can vary: Dota 2 - $500-$2000, CS:GO - $300-$1500, League of Legends - $500-$2000, PUBG Mobile -$300-$1000.

Professional esports players earn significantly more: Dota 2 – up to $50,000, CS:GO - up to $40,000, League of Legends – up to $30,000, PUBG Mobile -up to $15,000.

Thus, the earnings of esports players vary depending on skill level, discipline, and region. Beginners usually earn from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month, while professionals can receive tens of thousands of dollars thanks to salaries, prize money, and sponsorship contracts.

The figures, given the current state of the labor market in Ukraine, are more than convincing. That's why many young people are deliberately entering esports. However, while the prospects for career growth are more or less clear, there are questions about entering the industry.

Where are esports players trained?

Currently, the top three countries that have invested in esports education programs are South Korea, China, and the USA. In these countries, there are both higher education programs and private academies and courses that offer training in several dozen esports and related specialties.

In Ukraine, things are worse: there are few specialties directly related to esports in higher education – only at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts. In general, young esports players are trained by private schools and organizations. The leader in this direction is the esports organization NAVI, which even has its own Academy.

NAVI Dossier:

• The esports organization NAVI (Natus Vincere) was founded in 2009. The name translates from Latin as "born to win".
• The main investor of the organization is Maksym Krippa. Maksym Krippa made the first investments in NAVI in 2018 when the organization was facing difficulties with financial support for growth.
• In 2022, Maksym Krippa became the owner of NAVI, fulfilling a number of agreements that were stretched over time.
• At the initiative of Maksym Krippa, the NAVI Academy structure was created. In Maksym Krippa opinion, the Academy should become an incubator for training young esports players.

How does NAVI Academy work?

The exact date of the NAVI Academy's formation is unknown. However, representatives of the esports organization claim that the appearance of the Academy in Ukraine is directly related to the fulfillment of the agreement by Maksym Krippa. The organization's website states that fulfilling the agreements for Maksym Krippa entry into beneficial ownership implied the creation of an educational platform.

Maksym Krippa Dossier:

• Investor and entrepreneur Maksym Krippa specializes in working with esports assets. He made his first investments in the industry in 2018, and in the same year, he became a shareholder of NAVI.
• Currently, Maksym Krippa is the owner of NAVI, a shareholder of the esports broadcasting studio Maincast, and the game development company GSC Game World.

NAVI Academy focuses on training young players who could potentially join the ranks of the NAVI Junior team or others. Training is conducted in two leading disciplines, CS:GO and Dota 2. The programs include intensive training, theoretical classes, as well as participation in various tournaments and leagues to gain competitive experience.

Participants of NAVI Academy get access to infrastructure and the opportunity to work with professional coaches and analysts. Professional coaches (many of whom were top esports players in the past) help hone skills, develop strategy and tactics, and analyze. The academy also has modern infrastructure, including training bases equipped with everything necessary for effective learning and training.

How to join NAVI Academy?

In July 2024, NAVI launched a new educational project AVI Visa Academy. The goal is to select promising young esports players for their professional training and team formation.

Participants eligible for selection must be: aged 14 to 17, with 2600+ ELO in CS2 (Faceit), proficient in English (level B1), not bound by agreements and obligations with other clubs, and not banned for cheating, toxicity, etc.

During the online selection process, ten semifinalists will be selected to practice at NAVI's training office in Berlin. After a two-week intensive, five finalists will be selected to join the new team lineup.