SC2SEA.com - Starcraft 2 SEA eSports Community Site

Bugalugs McScruffin · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 9:06 AM

Good work Azz. Very well laid out and very well thought out too.

wolf · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 9:29 AM

Enjoyable read.

syfMiley · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 9:35 AM

I don't even play this game, my purpose is to talk shit online and mingle with the locals in the sc2sea chatbox.

**nGenLight** · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 10:16 AM

This was nicely written Azz, and certainly a reality check for many of us.

I personally don't perceive myself as dedicated, motivated, or even have the financial freedom to pursue a solid income through gaming, at least not where E-Sports is where it is now. Even if I did, many questions would require a justifiable answer - Would I be paid enough to support not just myself but my future family? (Women likes shiney things) How long would it last before a younger, more talented player replace an expired progamer who has dedicated most of his time to get to where he was, who will subsequently have pretty much no experience in any other industry. What about the scheduling? I can honestly tell you I don't have what it takes to train as hard as the more dedicated players. So yeah, most of us wouldn't have what it takes, and most of us sees this game as a more induldged hobby because of the culture and consensus here that sees E-Sports as an unrealistic career option.

However, much like yourself, I have high hopes for the more dedicated few - Pig, Iaguz, Moonglade etc to really push forward, and represent and continue the growth for E-Sports in Australia, at least.

At the same time, we must not forget the heroes that are behind giving these players their opportunity to shine. Without people like Nirvana, Dox, Del, Benji, and Zie etc, we would be no where.

**Dox** · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 11:03 AM

Nice blog Azz! Very well written. And holy **** Ray's avatar IS AWESOME.

**nirvAnA** · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 2:38 PM

haha so much stuff lifted from our TGM coach skype groupe chat.

Well written blog, its a good reality check for any aspiring progamers who aren't on pro teams or even in grandmasters and have considered going full-time. Please, DONT!

Would like to add that ANYONE who succeeded at the top levels in SC because of their attributes (Work ethic, intelligence, perseverance, learning methods) and have applied it to something else with that time instead have earned SIGNIFICANTLY more.

Example:
many previous sc1 pros ended up making millions playing Poker full time
Elky, Orkysoul (ivan demidov) are the two best examples that come to mind. fayth a "cheesy dt rusher" ended up making millions as well, there are countless of other examples. And not just in poker of course, Nagzul a previous tier 1 foreigner created TL and earns i speculate easily 20K> on a monthly basis. Day 9 casts the game and earns more than 99.9% of the players he casts.

Even if you work at a decent job (50k / annum) you will earn more than 99% of the sc2 "pro-team" players in the world, and also gain the work experience and have better prospects for the future. Many people I see who have these attributes and otherwise would become among the top players in SEA (dox/mezza come to mind) instead do the smart thing, keeping gaming as an enjoyable hobby while keeping their high earning jobs. With Mezzas doctor/surgeon profession I don't think there are more than 3 sc2 players in the whole world that have made more than him over this past year.

Yea so people who think playing SC2 = money are in for a very rude awakening. It is an unforgiving and extremely ultra competitive niche. But at the same time this makes me all the more respect the people that have chosen to go through this path, as i'm sure they are aware of all the consequences it brings but still bravely attempt to live out their dreams rather then settling for job that provides a decent living and leaves them unsatisfied. And yea, always have a back up plan. Legionnaire is doing great last i heard and had a blast giving pro-gaming a shot for 2-3 years.

dippa · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 3:00 PM

someone who makes a living purely off playing video games qualifies as a professional from a tax point of view.

there's a difference between being a professional and being a successful one though; destiny would probably straddle the boundaries depending on what qualifies as success (money or tournament results).

Tom · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 3:02 PM

I think the most interesting thing about the current environment, compared to say 12-13 years ago when I was gaming hardcore, is that going "pro" is now actually an option. Back in those days, there was basically no coverage except the odd battle report We didn't even have replays until 1.08, let alone VODs and casting. I think it 1.08 that first allowed people to distribute games of top players, and this was (in my view) the first step in process of creating a mass market for the consumption of Starcraft 2 viewing.

The corollary of the explosion of pro teams and pro gamers following the development of a mass viewing market is that it has probably created an unrealistic expectation on the part of many young people out there (at a particularly impressionable age) that this is something anyone can achieve with dedication.

I can only agree with Azz that this expectation is wrong in the majority of cases, and echo nirvana's sentiment that, for most people, time would be better spent on education or career.

asdfSchnitzel · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 4:15 PM

This is amazing, well written Azz!

**Nemo** · Wed, 2nd-Nov-2011, 7:09 PM

Thanks for sharing Azz, and very good advice Nirvana.