Joe McCloskey

Esports enjoyer.
Built gaming brands to 300M+ views.

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

I'm starting a YouTube channel about Esports.

If you're interested in working in the competitive gaming industry, go give it a watch.

Cheers x
https://t.co/gy3OpGRW1u

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

To those of you who attended, what would you rate the in-person experience of Valorant Masters London?

#VCT #ValorantMasters

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

VCT events are bittersweet especially when they go well, because they build up a location and a fanbase, then put them to bed afterwards.

Now that London's over, the scarcity of tournaments makes it feel like Valorant won't return to the UK again (or at least 5+ years, with all the other countries that need to be covered).

[Leo Faria @lhfaria]

Meeting players is one of the best parts of the job. Your passion for VAL fuels us. I also gotta say you crazy people asked us to simultaneously buff and nerf every single agent in the game, as well as to bring Champs to some 50 cities and I’m like 🤷🏻‍♂️😂. Thank you! ❤️

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

@Johnfis08605918 @CopperBoxArena @VALORANT surreal crossover.

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

Dear @riotgames. When do I start?

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

BREAKING: Time travellers caught once again.

[The Independent @Independent]

Keir Starmer has resigned

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

What's the one piece of commentary that made you fall in love with esports? 😱

Doesn't have to be the biggest, just the most nostalgic for you.

I'll start:

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

@lhfaria Has anyone seen big John there yet?

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

The deeper I get into esports, the less I think it's about gaming.

At the highest level, it's really about:

• Entertainment
• Storytelling
• Community

The game is just the vehicle.
That's why some esports succeed and others never break out.

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

It's funny to me that people still don't see the importance of treating content like a sales funnel.

Top - "Who is this person?"

Middle - "Damn they know what they're talking about."

Bottom - "I should hire them."

Don't spend 100% of your time on getting attention. Great opportunities come from building trust instead.

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

Riot just gave community organisers way more freedom. Will that mean the big teams get protected through 3rd party events (even if they can't hold their spot in VCT?).

The franchise system was built to protect teams like @Sentinels, @C9VAL and @NRGgg. While they could face relegation now, if community tournaments invite them anyway, will we see more viewership at those events than VCT itself? (since the big teams draw more viewers)

Curious what CEOs make of that trade-off... (even if their team makes the 8 partner slots per region) @robmooreEsports @JackEtienne @DonKimNRG

[Leo Faria @lhfaria]

We’re making it easier than ever to organize VALORANT tournaments.

We’re removing hard caps on entry fees, sponsorship revenue, prize pools, event duration, relaxing branding guidelines, and more.

Check out the new community competition guidelines here https://t.co/uDUP5jTFyo

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

@ohnePixelUpdate Is this an actual esport nowadays? I feel like it should be

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

What's the biggest misconception people have about your job?

Mine is still:
"So... you just play video games all day?"
😂

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

Opportunities mostly go to the most visible people, not the most talented.

The designer posting their work. The editor sharing projects. The manager networking.

Visibility & Distribution >>

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

a guide on how to get your first job in esports is out now, check it out:)

https://t.co/uA887siP3A

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

If I had to make a career in Esports within 30 days, here's what I'd do:

1. Pick one skill (design, comms, management)
2. Build a public portfolio (behance, twitter, linkedin)
3. DM small orgs and creators (twitter, email, linkedin)
4. Overdeliver (always give them more at the start)
5. Document everything online (day in the life vids, portfolio uploads, small wins, everything)

Brute force your way in.

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

The fastest way into esports isn't:
❌ Hitting Radiant
❌ Reaching Challenger
❌ Grinding ranked

It's becoming genuinely useful.

Design.
Edit.
Write.
Sell.
Produce.
Manage.

Every team needs talent off the server.

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

My claim to fame: having my thumbnail designs on @Technothepig 's channel to this day🥹

[Joe McCloskey @joemcclo]

My Esports Career:

2012 - Minecraft YouTube videos.
2015 - Graphic design for Hypixel creators.
2019 - Started a concert videography business.
2020 - Covid killed it. Went to university instead.
2021 - Freelance design for Valorant creators.
2022 - Esports YouTube channel management.
2023 - First class honours. Joined Upwards Agency.
2024 - Worked for Sentinels, Esports Awards, Team Vitality.
2025 - Worked with BSU in EdTech. Scaled digital publisher @ cllture to 250M+ views.
2026 - Brand consultancy. Started this account to help people get work in esports too.