Ryan Geddes gets paid to play video games.
It sounds like a dream job for all you Fortnite and Halo fanatics out there.
But Geddes, whose gamer tag is “RyaNoob,” says it’s not all glamorous.
“Most people can’t take it," said Geddes. "They can’t put in the 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Geddes started playing video games when he was eight years old. He never stopped.
After qualifying at the Microsoft Store at International Plaza in Tampa, the 24-year-old Zephyrhills native went to Seattle two weeks ago where he won the title of Halo FFA Champion
In just the past three months, Geddes earned about $15,000 from video game competitions, endorsements, as well as money from advertisements on his YouTube and Twitch channels.
Nearly 20,000 people follow his activities on his two channels.
Esports is expected to become a billion-dollar industry in 2019. The world’s best video gamers now attracting spectators in arenas like basketball and hockey stars. There are professional teams, leagues and merchandise.
Even Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik is an investor in esports.
The Tampa Microsoft store will be celebrating Ryan's World Championship on May 20.
For Tampa Bay area gamers looking to compete or just watch, Tampa Esports is hosting a two-day competition this weekend at Minnreg Hall in Largo.
