Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
“It’s more like being an actor on a TV show than simply playing a videogame with your friends.”
Meet Alex. He’s a mid-30s graphic designer from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. He has a full-time remote job but recently added an unusual side gig. “It doesn’t have a proper title yet,” he admitted candidly, “But that’s probably why it pays so well!”
Being a lifelong gamer since he was eight, Alex leverages his powerful multimedia PC for gaming purposes. He now makes an average of USD400 a week as a professional teammate for game streamers on YouTube, Twitch and Kick.
He’s not the streamer or the star of a Livestream. He doesn’t manage the community, moderate content, or do much of the graphic design. Alex is the “Professional Teammate.”
“Even on Screen, I’m Behind the Scenes.”
Screenshot from Twitch.TV
That’s how Alex describes his role. He elevates the streaming experience for the audience by using his expert game skills and knowledge to enhance the streamer’s performance to the audience.
“Think of streaming more as a TV show,” he explains, “The streamer is the star, and if we need the clutch or heroic moment, I will put myself in the tough spot so they can perform the epic guns-blazing epic rescue in front of the audience.”
Behind the scenes, this means only having the “loosest” script and idea to ensure that such occurrences on stream look natural and organic to the audience. He has deliberately run out of ammo and incapacitated himself so the real star can pull off the tense, nail-biting, outnumbered 1-vs-4 clutch revives as the viewers watch and cheer in chat.
“These are the moments that get the audience buzzed and chatting and make the stream memorable. The hype, regardless of success, or failure of such dramatic beats, creates memorable experiences that get clipped, shared on all the socials and keeps people coming back to the next stream.
Behind the Scenes of a Livestream
Screenshot from Helldivers 2
While the live performance garners attention, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work in preparation. He plays the game to find these creative opportunities and keeps a stack of storyboarding sheets handy to sketch out ideas. “Sometimes it’s about practice: That very cool and almost sexy synchronized weapons check that looks so good is not a coincidence.”
Alex has been growing in his role, now taking on other duties and responsibilities beyond just playing. For every hour on screen, there’s at least half an hour of prep and post-livestream work. That includes creating and editing video clips for social media and sometimes moderating the live chat and the Discord community.
His graphic design skills also earn him supplemental income through creating stream overlays, emotes, or animated segments. The stream has to look amazing, too. It’s about creating a visual presentation that frames the gameplay action as cinematically as possible.
Landing the Side Hustle
Alex landed this unique role organically. Streamers have long allowed fans, community members and favoured followers to join collaborative play sessions. “I’m just a really good armchair soldier,” laughs Alex. “One of the streamers liked how I made her look good, so she offered me a spot on her regular team. It was great. I got to play, get paid, and not have the stresses pro gamers face.”
Several other streamers noticed his regular presence, and then he started getting more invitations as streamers and managers realized the potential value of a supportive “co-star.” “I’m regularly on stream now, playing with three different streamers in three different time zones. If it weren’t for Google Calander, I wouldn’t know when I am playing what game with who!”
It’s Some Fun and Games
Playing Video games all night long might seem like a dream come true for some, but it comes with intense physical, mental, and logistical challenges. “I start playing in the evening, and I’m still there when the sun rises. It’s like working two full-time jobs with a nap in between to recover.”
“You need to know the game, the missions, the weapons. You need to know when to go with a certain scripted or planned melodramatic scene. Then, execute live audience improvised theatre. The pressure to perform is constant and sometimes can get incredibly intense.”
The Reality of Streaming
Screenshot from Helldivers 2
According to Alex, the biggest misconception around streaming is that it’s all about being an expert player and showing off that skill to your audience.
“The best streamers have thousands of fans and followers who tune in to watch because the streamer and their team understand that they are creating a live entertainment experience, not just broadcasting gameplay.”
“The streamer’s personality, charisma and ability to engage the audience trumps pure gaming skill, every single time,” emphasises Alex.
There is a full production team behind streaming that includes graphic designers, video editors, meme creators, and community managers and moderators. “In the end, the game is secondary to crafting a tailored, personalized entertainment experience for the audience.”
With the streamer starring in their own show, it’s common for them to “pause” gaming in the middle of the action to talk to the audience, reply to their comments, build up the hype train and keep the energy and intensity up.
“One of the less glamorous parts of being a professional teammate is keeping them alive while they’re talking. But that talking is what builds a loyal fanbase and keeps not just the viewers entertained but also paying for subscriptions and buying merchandise.”
The Future has Possibilities
For the moment, it’s a very lucrative side hustle, and Alex plans to continue supporting “his” streamers for as long as possible. “I am making more money on a gamer’s dream side hustle than my day job, but I’m also aware that right now, this is a side hustle.”
Globally, streaming as an industry is worth billions annually, and Alex’s plans include the possibility of a career switch into content creation, where he continues to support streamers from behind the scenes as a graphic designer and moderator and in front of the virtual camera as their reliable professional teammate.
“Ten years ago, going pro-gaming, or live streamer or commentator, was amongst the professional dreams of gamers everywhere. Perhaps the next generation’s wildest dream won’t be “going pro” but landing my position as the professionally entertaining teammate.”
What do you think of this story?
Submit your thoughts to hello@inreallife.my and you may be featured on In Real Life Malaysia.
Read also: This Malaysian Made Over RM4,000 A Month At 18 Years Old As A Pro Gamer – Here’s Why He Quit
This Malaysian Made Over Rm4,000 A Month At 18 Years Old As A Pro Gamer – Here’s Why He Quit
More from Real Careers
I Earn RM15,000 Monthly as a Designer After Teachers Said I’d Have No Future
This story is about 30-year-old Sasha R. from Klang Valley who is living every Malaysian’s dream job, earning a 5-figure …
I Work as a Foodpanda Cyclist in Kuala Lumpur Here’s What It’s Really Like
This story is about a Malaysian who started working as a Foodpanda delivery guy who uses a bicycle to make …
I Quit My Career as a Pro Esports Player, Now I’m a Manager at a GLC
This story is about a retired pro Esports player who shares his experiences of winning tournaments and pursuing a different …
