Hong, Hee JungHong, Seung Han2022-12-272022-12-272023-01-03978-0-9981331-6-4https://hdl.handle.net/10125/103106The purpose of this study is to explore retired/retiring esports players’ experience of transitioning out of esports. To provide in-depth insights into esports players’ transition experiences that may contribute to young players being better prepared for their own transitions, a qualitative approach was applied and four retired professional esports players in South Korea were interviewed. Thematic analysis was applied, and four themes were identified: Pressure and Uncertainty; Lack of Pre-Retirement Planning; Need for Mentorship; Need for Realism about Talent. The findings highlight that esports players experience pressure and struggle with job/finance insecurity during their careers, and that this contributes significantly to their retirement decisions. Lack of pre-retirement planning causes them to be ill-prepared for their life after esports. The study provides empirical evidence which should encourage the industry and stakeholders to establish structured systems to support esports players’ transitions out of esports.10engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 InternationalEsportscareer planning and developmentcareer transitions in esportsesports playerslife after esportssupport systems.text10.24251/HICSS.2023.475