ArticleFrontiers in psychology2025
Game over too soon: early specialization and short careers in esports.
Article in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- No relative age effect in professional esports: a cross-national test of selection mechanisms.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Aerobic capacity, strength, and cognitive performance of e-sports athletes and their determinants.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Article
- The legal and economic aspects of the "Esports Illusion"-why competitive gaming fails to become an independent industry.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Introduction: Esports has become a global phenomenon, offering considerable professional opportunities, enhanced cognitive abilities, and strong social capital for young competitors. However, these benefits are often counterbalanced by significant challenges, including burnout, exploitation, and inconsistent governance, particularly for its predominantly young talent. Methods: In this convergent mixed-methods study, we examine the factors influencing career longevity in esports by integrating a longitudinal analysis of 15,021 players' records (1998-2023) and in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with ten key stakeholders in the Korean esports ecosystem. Results: Our quantitative findings reveal an exponential increase in tournaments, prize money, and active competitors yet also expose a concerning trend: newer birth cohorts, especially those born after 1998, exhibit markedly shortened careers-with median durations approaching just 2 years. Complementary qualitative insights elucidate how early specialization, exploitative contractual practices, intense training regimens, and fragmented governance contribute to burnout and rapid career turnover. Discussion: Together, these results underscore the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms, including standardized contractual frameworks, holistic athlete support systems, and centralized regulatory oversight, to safeguard young talent and ensure the long-term sustainability of esports.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.