Ability and passion: The self-identity construction of professional Esport's players

Introduction: In 2022, the market value of the Chinese Esports industry reached approximately 157.9 billion yuan ($22.2 billion), with Esports users surpassing 500 million for the first time. Professional Esports players not only attract significant attention from fans and the market, enjoying rapid development in the burgeoning Chinese Esports industry, but they also face public misunderstandings, leading to identity tensions and challenges. In sports science, although numerous studies focus on personal characteristics, career development, and media portrayal of professional Esports players, there is limited research on their self-identity construction based on data collected directly from interviews with the players themselves. Methods: Drawing on constructivist grounded theory, this study examines qualitative data collected through eight one-on-one semi-structured interviews with professional Esports players. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The analytical process consisted of initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical sampling. To enhance the study's trustworthiness, techniques such as constant comparison, peer debriefing, and reflexivity were also employed. Results: The self-identity construction of professional Esports players in China is a dynamic, diachronic process that unfolds in three main stages: the "early-transitional stage," the "core-developmental stage," and the "slumping stage." Additionally, "ability" and "passion" are identified as key factors influencing the self-identity construction of Chinese professional Esports players throughout their careers, with these factors varying across stages. Conclusion: This study provides a theoretical framework for understanding the self-identity construction of professional Esports players within the Chinese context, contributing to the broader body of identity research in sports. The study also reveals that professional Esports players face high career risks and identity challenges. Future research should explore the relationship between the identity construction of professional Esports players and the types of games that they play, as well as the gender to which they commit.