Global payment corporation MasterCard has opened its doors to gaming and esports enthusiasts around the world to apply for the Mastercard Gamer Academy. This is a development program that’ll provide 10 gamers with connections, mentorship and skill sets to pursue their passion for esports as a career.
Despite the massive popularity of gaming, with over three billion players worldwide and the fact that it attracts fans from all ages, genders and backgrounds, many gamers still struggle to break into professional roles within the industry. In fact, there are now more gamers over the age of 45 than below the age of 18, and women make up nearly 50% of the entire gaming population.
The Mastercard Gamer Academy will kick off in early 2024 and will offer participants the following:
- All-expense paid trips to major esports events, including backstage access at the 2024 League of Legends World Championship and 2024 Valorant Champions, as well as the G2 Esports headquarters in Berlin.
- Access to seasoned esports professionals, including the G2 Hel, Gozen and the men’s League of Legends and Valorant teams.
- In-person and digital sessions with mentors, with select workshops focusing on mental health, resilience and allyship.
- An educational curriculum covering brand engagement, marketing, content creation, event execution and more.
Celebrating esports and gaming
Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s chief marketing and communications officer said, “As a global sponsor of some of the biggest, fastest-growing esports, we’ve seen firsthand the incredible passion gaming evokes among players and fans alike. With the Mastercard Gamer Academy, we celebrate the incredible growth of esports – and we are proud to invest in gaming’s dynamic and diverse future.”
The curriculum highlights will be captured in a series of episodes for fans to enjoy and learn more about opportunities in gaming and esports. Mastercard cardholders can get early viewing access here.
The Academy is powered by global esports organisation G2 Esports, one of the organisations leading the charge in representation for women’s teams in esports, fielding four women’s rosters across Valorant, League of Legends and other games.
“Our strength in esports is our community, and how we stand together for the love of the game. The Mastercard Gamer Academy is an extension of this community, bringing people together for a program unlike any other,” said Romain Bigeard, general manager of League of Legends at G2 Esports. “The Academy is designed to explore all facets of esports and gaming, shedding light on diverse career opportunities within the industry.
“We want to give participants, as well as people watching at home, the opportunity to gain experience and learn from some of the most talented and well-respected people in the industry. Our goal is to create a clearer pathway to a career in esports, and to inspire and motivate people to launch their professional journey,” Bigeard added.
Interested applicants are required to submit their entry on the Mastercard Gamer Academy official website and complete an online form and video that showcases their passion for gaming and esports. The deadline for submission is December 17th, 2023 and the program is open to anyone around the world aged over 21.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
