Young Venezuelans aspire to gaming stardom despite country's setbacks and obstacles

Record ID: 1687009

  • Title: Young Venezuelans aspire to gaming stardom despite country's setbacks and obstacles
  • Date: 1st September 2022
  • Summary: CAGUA, VENEZUELA (AUGUST 19, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROFESSIONAL FORMULA 1 VIDEO GAME PLAYER, GABRIEL PARRA, PLAYING IN A SIMULATOR IN HIS ROOM
  • Embargoed: 15th September 2022 13:21
  • Keywords: Universidad Catolica Andres Bello Venezuela eSports video games
  • Location: CAGUA & CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CAGUA & CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,South America / Central America,Video Games
  • Reuters ID: LVA001191131082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Gamer Gabriel Parra was ecstatic to see himself hailed as the "Venezuelan star" after scoring the fastest time in an international eSports competition back in May.
    The results felt magical and were the realisation of a dream he had since childhood, said 23-year-old Parra, who lives in central Venezuela's Aragua state, and started playing video games at the age of four.
    He is one of some 3,000 young Venezuelans competing in the multi-million dollar "eSports" industry, a lucrative business with international signings, prizes, and millions of viewers which has started to boom in the Andean nation, despite economic chaos, poor internet connection, power failures and local restrictions on war games.
    The dream of earning a living as a professional gamer is particularly resonant for many young people in Venezuela given the sparse opportunities otherwise available in a country with a minimum monthly salary equivalent to about $22 a month.
    Venezuela has long suffered hyperinflation under the presidency of socialist Nicolas Maduro.
    Although it has somewhat slowed this year, its annualised inflation rate of 167% in May remains among the world's highest.
    Professional gamers who aspire to become international superstars train an average of 40 hours a week.
    It is a dream job for many teenagers, offering such advantages as recurring income, the ability to work from home, and combining a hobby with a career.
    Globally, most players who sign with eSports teams can earn salaries ranging from $200 to as much as $10,000 per month, plus prizes, according to data from the e-sports federation.
    The Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, one of Venezuela's leading private colleges, recently opened the first eSports academy to train players for international competitions. A one-month course could cost around $150, while the one-hourly rate is $5, academic coordinator Carlos De Abreu explained.
    Abreu believes the academy will allow Venezuela's current sports offer to expand.
    (Production: Efrain Otero, Johnny Carvajal, Nina Lopez)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains computer game or software screenshots. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing this clip.
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