In-Game Observers in Esports: Who Are They & What Do They Do?

If you’re thinking about a career in esports, you’ve probably only focused on becoming a pro-level gamer. While securing a spot on an S-Tier team roster is certainly possible, it’s not the easiest path to esports glory. Thankfully, there are many behind-the-scenes roles esports enthusiasts can pursue. An in-game observer is one such role.

What Does an Esports Observer Do?

Esports events have never been more popular. While live events regularly bring in thousands of attendees, it’s the rise of online streaming that has stirred the appetite for live esports. Take the Free Fire World Series 2021 in Singapore as an example. This event enjoyed peak viewing figures of more than 5.5 million. No matter whether you’re standing in a crowd in a stadium or watching from the comfort of home, you might not realize your viewing pleasure has been facilitated by an in-game observer.

An in-game observer is essentially a virtual cameraperson. They determine which viewing angles are displayed to audiences, cutting between the action to ensure the full scale of a match is captured for audiences. Knowing what to cut to and when is something of an art form. As such, the best in-game observers command huge salaries.

What Makes a Great In-Game Observer?

There’s a one-size-fits-all remit when it comes to in-game observers. That being said, observers can be broadly separated into two categories. Firstly, there are in-game observers for first-person shooter games like Call of Duty. Generally speaking, an observer will switch between the perspectives of different players at key moments.

In-game observers for MOBA games like League of Legends tend to face more of a challenge. With so much action happening on screen, an observer needs a keen eye to decide on camera angles. With MOBA games, observers tend to have a little more creative freedom. Regardless of the genre, a good in-game observer also needs to have a comprehensive knowledge of things like map layouts and gaming mechanics.

The job itself might seem simple enough, but bad performance has huge implications. A poorly captured game at a top-tier event can hurt viewing figures and, potentially, cause issues with sponsorship revenues down the line. As such, it’s not uncommon to find many teams employing the services of several observers at any one time.

Getting Started as an In-Game Observer?

Interested in making a name for yourself as an in-game observer? The good news is that you don’t need much experience or resources to get started. You can organize your own online events and take on the role of an in-game observer from the comfort of your own home. However, you’ll need a powerful setup to host these games and stream the action as it happens. Once you’ve captured a few streams, you can start putting together an observer portfolio to showcase to professional teams and esports organizations. First-time turning your hand to in-game observing? Check this LCS schedule and pencil in a few dates in your diary for some inspiration on how the experts handle the job.