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Citation

Hong HJ & Hong SH (2023) Esports Players’ Transition out of Esports: Is There Life After Esports?. In: , 03.01.2023-06.01.2023. HICSS. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/32927686-f541-47d5-8dc5-0dd08febe6e5/content

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore retired/retiring esports players’ experience of transitioning out of esports. To provide in-depth insights into esports players’ transition experiences that may contribute to young players being better prepared for their own transitions, a qualitative approach was applied and four retired professional esports players in South Korea were interviewed. Thematic analysis was applied, and four themes were identified: Pressure and Uncertainty; Lack of Pre-Retirement Planning; Need for Mentorship; Need for Realism about Talent. The findings highlight that esports players experience pressure and struggle with job/finance insecurity during their careers, and that this contributes significantly to their retirement decisions. Lack of pre-retirement planning causes them to be ill-prepared for their life after esports. The study provides empirical evidence which should encourage the industry and stakeholders to establish structured systems to support esports players’ transitions out of esports.

Keywords
career transitions in esports; career planning and development; esports players; life after esports; support systems

• Published Version