Reframing “Retirement” in Esports: A Focus on Growth and Transition
I’ve seen a recurring narrative that needs reshaping. College-aged esports players often announce their “retirement,” implying an end to their competitive journey. But the reality is far from this. Much like college athletes in traditional sports who graduate and move on to diverse careers, esports players are transitioning, not retiring. The term “retirement” misrepresents their journey, not fully understanding the incredible opportunities awaiting them.
When an esports player announces their “retirement,” it signals a misunderstanding of what it means to shift focus in their life. Unlike traditional sports, esports has a younger competitive lifespan, with players peaking earlier in most video games. This leads many to perceive stepping away from professional gaming as the end of their esports identity. But this mindset ignores the growth, opportunities, and potential beyond competitive play.
The deeper issue lies in how we as a community frame this transition. If we perpetuate the idea that stepping back from competition is “retirement,” we risk undervaluing the transferable skills players gain and the pathways collegiate esports opens.
For collegiate esports players, stepping back from professional play is not the end of their esports journey but the beginning of new chapters. Many players leverage their experiences to:
Skills gained in strategy, teamwork, and technology directly translate into roles in game development, event management, or esports organization leadership.
Players often have a built-in audience from their competitive days, making content creation a natural next step. Streaming, YouTube, and social media platforms offer opportunities to stay connected to the gaming world.
Esports is demanding academic study. Players can delve into gaming psychology, technology development, or esports management as part of their educational journey.
Take the example of Mael, a French ex professional player in Rocket League that decided to study Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University prioritizing his academics and using his skills to obtain additional scholarship. One other example is Casper, a pro League of Legends player who decided to finish High School and work with us on his GED so he could study ASL and represent Ball State University .
Collegiate esports programs and players themselves can shift the narrative by focusing on these actions:
Encourage players to showcase their future ambitions in gaming, academics, or other industries. Portfolios, resumes, and social media should reflect their growth.
Programs can offer workshops on career transitions, industry opportunities, and skills development to prepare students for their post-competition lives.
Recognize players not only for their competitive successes but also for the unique, transferable skills they gain along the way.
By reframing the concept of “retirement,” we celebrate the full scope of an esports player’s journey. This shift encourages players to embrace transitions as opportunities for growth, showcasing the broader value of collegiate esports as a launchpad for diverse careers and lifelong passions.
Let’s move away from outdated notions of “retirement” and start building a culture that supports and highlights transitions. Esports players have so much more to offer beyond the game, and it’s time we start amplifying those stories.