在过去，玩电子游戏赚钱似乎是一个黄粱美梦。如今，越来越多的人正在成为职业游戏玩家。本文围绕这个新兴职业展开讨论。

词汇：gaming 玩电子游戏

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.

词汇表

pixel 像素
immersive 身临其境的，有沉浸感的
graphics 图像
gameplay mechanics 游戏玩法机制
developers 开发人员
testers 测试人员
coders 编码人员
competitions 竞赛，比赛
amateur gamers 业余玩家
live streaming 线上直播
e-sports 电子竞技
peripherals （计算机）外围设备，外部设备
controller 手柄
keyboard 键盘
hacks 窍门，技巧
in real life 在现实生活中
eye fatigue 眼睛疲劳
monitors 显示屏，显示器
screen breaks 为避免长时间盯着屏幕的休息时间
button bashing 用力敲打游戏设备上的按钮

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

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. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

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.  阅读课文并回答问题。

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.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

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.