This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dima Beseda, cofounder of Spiry. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I was only 3 when my dad brought our first computer into the house, but it changed my life. At a very young age, I realized that video games had clear-cut rules. I liked learning how to achieve something in the games and ultimately beat them.
When I was 13, World of Warcraft came out. This was a whole new type of game: a world waiting to be discovered. My successes in the game paid off in the real world: boys from older grades at school started to show me respect because of how well I could play.
My parents, however, were worried. I always kept good grades in school, but every moment when I wasn’t at school or asleep, I was thinking about the game. My parents tried to limit my computer time, but once I was at university, I would skip class to play 24/7.
I made my monthly salary in 2 nights of gaming
Not surprisingly, I ended up dropping out of university. My dad was very frustrated: I had good grades and a scholarship, and my parents felt like I was throwing it all away. My dad threatened to send me to rehab. At 17, I couldn’t see their point; now that I’m 35, it makes more sense.
I had a lot of respect in the world of the game, but the real world didn’t make sense to me. I started working at McDonald’s. After about two months in that job, a professional hockey player in Russia, where I’m from, reached out. He wanted me to play using his World of Warcraft character in order to boost his ranking in the game. I played for him over two nights and earned my entire month’s salary from the fast food job. That was the end of my McDonald’s career.
I also began selling action items within the game, for real money. I might make $2,500 a month, which at the time in Russia was big money. I met my wife through the game, started a family, and was able to provide for them financially.
That’s when my dad stopped worrying so much.
My friends were rich, but not happy
I eventually grew those two ways of making money into gaming businesses: Overgear and LF Group. I wanted to build something from my passion for gaming, because I knew it was the most obvious way for me to become rich. I couldn’t do anything else with this skillset and network.
I was never focused on my net worth. Having enough money to support my family each month felt much more important. But by the time I was about 27, I realized I was a millionaire.
Money is interesting. Before you earn enough to feel stable, you think money is success. But it turns out, money doesn’t equal happiness. Having a family helped keep me grounded.
I wish my parents had followed my passions sooner
Recently, I talked with my therapist about whether I was addicted to gaming as a teen. I don’t think I was. I was always doing well in school, taking care of myself, and getting enough sleep.
I can see now that my parents were worried because they didn’t see how computers could lead to success. They wanted me out in the real world more.
I don’t think my path is an easy one to replicate. So many things fell into place for me to be where I am today. But I do think it’s important for parents to follow their children’s curiosity. As long as it’s not ruining their life, let them pursue their interests: it just might lead them somewhere unexpected.
