[TAEaeron]

A few things that I think need to happen to enable eSports as a whole to become a mainstream activity are:
- Gamers not to be considered nerds (this is only just happening, pretty sure most people outside the gaming scene still see the guy with pimples and such sitting in a dark room in the corner with no friends.)
- Need to motivate people outside the gaming scene to want to watch a game of SC2, LoL, Gears, etc
- Need to become more professional, at the moment it's sections of communities, I am sure that if the NRL or AFL were just a forum that they wouldn't be able to sign billion-dollar broadcast deals.
- Need to have more exposure

I have tried to steer clear of relating this to SC2, mainly because SC2 isn't going to be around forever, you can't base a mainstream activity on the basis of something like this, it needs to be based on gaming in general.

Edit:-
- In relation to the growth of grassroots, I don't believe throwing another BSG/GPD into the mix is the best option, as most people that remain in the BSG are probably there for casual gaming so it's generally a different set of people every week, maybe we could make the BSG or GPD ideas into a season, sort of the same as GSL where it's one big tournament over the space of a number of weeks, this will enable the same set of people to be involved week-in/week-out. BSG (Code B), GPD (Code A), M/GM (Code S) for example. To run something like this would require an admin and casting team to expose it properly, you could also implement registration for a season (a fee - so that you get the serious competitors involved)

Quick Comments

Mox:

I like that idea. Makes things more interesting, and might get some more exposure

[deL]

From where I'm standing you've done everything right so far.

Too often I see companies and players get the sponsor/tournament/player relationships all wrong but you guys have it right. Ideally the players or teams will WANT to support and advertise their sponsors, keeping them happy, instead of just bleeding them for as much as they can get whether it's earned or not. Likewise many of the "sponsors" just see "eSports" as a bunch of spoiled brats and kids who know nothing about business so they are going to do the same, trying to milk the players and tournaments for as many one-off sales as they can for minimal input.

The different with Tt eSports from what I have seen is that they HAVE invested in the grass roots on a sincere and tangible level, EARNING the respect, trust and admiration of players and administrators. This makes them want to support the product and distinguishes it from the rest of the other, which - if we are honest - there is not much difference between. Steps are thus being taken towards the ideal sponsor-player relationships and that is refreshing and promising!

Suggestions to continue down this path:

• Keep your involvement with community tournaments as frequent and intimate as it is now; but
  
• Keep your minor/hardware sponsorship to known and respected events or teams/players as "building grass roots" means keeping what works going, not taking risks on something that might help or might hinder the development of the scene (e.g. a poorly run tourney even though 3 players get prizemoney can actually hurt the scene in various ways)
  
• Definitely try to get involved in at least one major tournament from the region, like you are with ACL which is great - keep that up! I'd like to see hardware guys get creative at these events with the kinds of setups they have (like being able to play on the 3D monitors was cool, but all the Tt eSports stuff was in boxes - maybe have a fun game that shows off the mouse accuracy or keyboard speed set up to try it on?)
  
• LANs are always good, but maybe keep it to larger LANs so you aren't saturating the events and losing impact. More of a "do it properly or not at all" and only go for LANs where you get good coverage, attendance, players, and a chance to show off merchandise. Not just "Tt eSports LAN" where 20 people are there and one wins a Tt eSports mousepad or something.
  
• I am sure lots of players use Tt hardware atm, but most top players are accounted for in teams, and most of those teams already have a hardware sponsor. Creating yet another team and mixing and matching the players might backfire and do damage/confuse the scene. Might be better off waiting for a team to die or try replace the hardware sponsor position on an existing team in SEA.
  
• Live coaching with PiG seems cool but seeing he's your only guy atm he might get overworked and not get enough practice Maybe try get some guys from overseas for guest appearances on SEA who are sponsored in part by Tt eSports?
  
• I love the idea of helping out casters and getting it professional but you should pick them, not them apply to you. Too many times people get overeagre and end up giving it up not realising what a commitment casting is. Make sure you get someone not only with the skill and technical know-how, but the attitude. So far in SEA there aren't really major non-player personalities who can regularly draw large crowds so don't expect immediate benefit from helping out casters

Otherwise, loved all the other community interactions. They are sincere and don't try to palm off hardware on us without engaging us first. Not just a poorly disguised advertisement that is being branded as something else haha.

Suggestions for additional "grass roots" improvement:

• Some country-specific events might engage the players from that particular country and make them take more notice. I am sure you know best which countries have readily available Tt stuff in retail but I guess Singapore or Malaysia specific events could get the interest and trust/loyalty of those players instead of just Aussie LANs.
  
• Online events are fun too n_n You have your shows etc but not many tune in to them, however if you fork out for a reasonably big online tourney you can incorporate things like videos, custom advertisements (caster can run a Tt eSports ad instead of twitch ads), hands-on with hardware, hardware giveaways, trivia etc. between games where you already have viewers.
  
• I am not usually in to all those "freebies" and little things like that but I actually enjoyed it at ACL and picked up some Tt blow up hammers and a product catalogue so some interesting freebies and giveaways at LANs and barcrafts (shirts, accessories, interesting reading material) might help people engage with the brand.
  
• Don't go too overboard with the grassroots stuff - what you've done so far is heaps. One thing that is maybe missing is an "unearthed talent" kind of thing - maybe you could run some Tt eSports Academy events where non-sponsored players get a chance to prove their worth and can get picked up by a team or go on the "watch list" of Tt eSports to try their luck at becoming a gu

Quick Comments

	TAEdgE:
	iMSystem:
	Welshy:
	TAriiChard:
	xGKingdelete:
	ToRDjvillian:
	Mayo:	Thanks for feedback!
	ToRSmotPokingFish:

[sRDreaM]

Hey Mayo,

Some random thoughts of mine

With the recent of Xeria Gaming being more known to the Taiwan scene by playing against a well-known Taiwan team such as Wayi Spider and taking them down I’m sure Taiwan eSports have taken interest in what we SEA has to offer.

A very own Ttesport individual league would be a great start Thermaltake could bring some of their very own sponsored players/team such as Team Apollos or Team iG from Taiwan/China or even Team Light from USA to challenge our very own SEA players.

I'm sure players like Tt.Pig/Mafia/TarGa/Tgun and many of our players can take on the Taiwan/Chinese pro players

[Junho]

As a diamond player myself who is committed to starcraft2. The only thing i can look forward to is the GPDs, and whenever i join a LAN tournament i just get knocked out by a master or grandmaster. I only go because i am committed. I like how CH made a tourny for BSG and GPD but i think its the first one they have made, there should be more.

It feels as if you just have to be good at starcraft or just gtfo.

Quick Comments

	IcedTea:
	ToRDjvillian:	agreed.

[Peleus]

I think it really depends on what your goals are and what you'd like to achieve.

If you want to solidify your position as a gaming brand and grow within the SC2 community I think it's great to do what you are, support players, keep your brand name prominent, sponsor tournaments etc.

If you actually want to grow eSports however I think a slightly different method is required, as at the moment you're (largely) preaching to the choir. Once more great for your brand, not optimal for the growth.

Typically your demographic is teen / early 20's male players. As an idea to throw out there you'll usually get a large grouping of your demographic in places such as universities. I think it could be great if TT could actually provide support to local organisers to run events within their own communities. For example -

Say you wanted to get a heap of new people exposed to SC2 in UNSW. You could develop some type of organiser support package, providing both sponsorship to the prize pool but also to the organiser. As an example (obviously this would depend on frequency / how much you wish to provide).

$30 in advertising to any organiser for signing up to the program.

If you get 10-20 people to your event
Supply a TT Keyboard as a prize

20 - 40 people
Supply a TT Keyboard & TT Mouse as prizes
Supply a TT Headset for the organiser.

40 - 60 people
etc etc.

Basically the more people the organisers can get to the event the more support can be provided (more exposure for tt) and the more reward an organiser can obtain by putting more effort in and getting bigger numbers.

This also allows you to be freed up in terms of organising things yourself, and allows you to have events running all over the country amongst your target demographic without having to do so yourself, as obviously you have limited time also. Clearly plenty of things would need to be fleshed out, but think of it similar to 'Tupperware' parties etc where normal people act as your agents and are rewarded based off performance. A further big advantage is anyone who is passionate about the game can organise something, meaning you can have an awesome passionate bronze player actively contributing to grow esports as opposed to just getting knocked out of the first round of a tournament somewhere.

Throwing it out there.

Quick Comments

	ToRCrispy:	Positive rep for your reference to 'Tupperware parties'. Love that shit.
	Mayo:	Thanks for feedback!

[x5.Phoenix]

Originally Posted by delete12

And maybe more opportunities for in offline events too. For lower leagues, it's kind of like "time to go to this LAN so I can get knocked out by this into the lower bracket, then out of the tournament by that ". I'm sure more lower league players would go to LAN events if they believed that they had a chance to win something.

I have felt exactly like this before!

Great suggestions though and thanks for everything you do for eSports and the community!

Quick Comments

	Junho:	Same
	ToRDjvillian:	been there multiple times

[NDG.Stitch]

Originally Posted by Mayo

- Work with specific shout casters to help grow their skill-set and allow them to attend more events

Ooo this sounds really awesome. I really like the part where you are looking to work with shout casters to help grow their skill-set. SEA is definitely in need of a lot more high-level casters that are able to perform at a professional level and are entertaining! I would love to attend a lesson or two if that could be done!

On a side note, when you're talking about these improvements, are you looking to improve these things in Australia/NZ or actually the entire SEA? Cause I've noticed that most of the giveaways and other things are only based in Australia/NZ.

[Loach]

tt esports - they are pushing the limits everywhere

Also, very interested in the casting stuff, innovative and AWESOME

Quick Comments

ToRSmotPokingFish:

signature <3

[Eddie]

It's great to see Tt esports constantly seeking feedback and community involvement, which is just one of the many reasons they are at the forefront of gaming, especially in SEA.

I'll just speak in terms of SC2.

All the stuff you're currently doing is fantastic. Sponsoring PiG, Masters Cup, LANs, ACL, etc. Continued support there will help a lot at the higher/pro gaming side of things.

Catering to the majority is important as well. As some have expressed in this thread, it's always GM's winning everything, which is understandable. So perhaps events designed for the rest of the players, BSG, PD, M, etc, could be something to look into. Or fun, team, charity type events.

In terms of LANs, Swiss format is fantastic for the casual gamer/majority, as offers great value, and assures everyone gets lots of games in.

I would also like to see opportunities for some high level players, who aren't yet signed onto teams. We all know how good the XG, Nv, SQL guys are, but what about a tournament just for the rest. Give these guys a chance to show the scene, pro teams, etc where there they are against the rest.

Advertising is a must to expand e-sports. Barcrafts are an excellent avenue. As others have mentioned, Universities are a good demographic to target as well. Running LAN/Tournaments aimed at attracting new players could be worthwhile, especially if they find it to be a fun social experience.

Quick Comments

Mayo:

Thanks for feedback!

[Flamga]

Originally Posted by EveStitch

Ooo this sounds really awesome. I really like the part where you are looking to work with shout casters to help grow their skill-set. SEA is definitely in need of a lot more high-level casters that are able to perform at a professional level and are entertaining! I would love to attend a lesson or two if that could be done!

On a side note, when you're talking about these improvements, are you looking to improve these things in Australia/NZ or actually the entire SEA? Cause I've noticed that most of the giveaways and other things are only based in Australia/NZ.

The only issue I think is that there really arent any high level casters in SEA, what I would like to see is them being helped and developed into that, this may not mean through casting more events but providing avenues to help develop their game knowledge as well as personality on stream.

Aside from this its been pretty good, making SC2 as accessible as possible would be my #1 vote

Quick Comments

NDG.Stitch:

Exactly what I was... 'trying' to get through!

[Cute]

How many keyboards would I have to buy for Tt to bring MarineKing to Australia?

In all seriousness, I think you're doing a pretty damn good job. I know what I'm replacing my gear with when it inevitably breaks.

Quick Comments

Mayo:

haha, we should do a fundraiser? :P

[dippa]

Originally Posted by Mayo

Does that mean you want a 10 player tournament, or you want Tt to pickup 10 players (sponsored) and then run a tournament for the public?

sponsor 10 players and run a tournament

as for the competition itself, a GSL-style individual tournament perhaps?

[Cordance]

An idea I was thinking of today actually was having a Casting play off. Where by there is a Tourney like the CO where all replays get submitted. Casters then have a Cast off using round of 64. Winners move on to the round of 32 and recast off etc etc. Until there is a winner. A Tourney for Casters would take a few weeks to run but might be interesting. Would turn into a popularity contest but that is also one of the things about being a caster. Couldn't too often due to the round times and popularity isnt quick to move but three to four times a year. Would also give lesser known or start up casters a chance to get something seen. Could help improve casting quality. Also I believe it would be something unique for SEA (I dont believe there is anything like this going around).

A second thought could be a TTesports comp to help get your own extra publicity.

Quick Comments

	Flamga:	So down for this!!!
	Mayo:	Thanks for feedback!
	Loach:	This is a cool idea - but it would be difficult to judge :S

[Meatex]

Tt is doing so much already not sure if more than what is being down is needed. I don't go to LANs though so can't comment there but sounds like things are also good and prevalent at them too

Its been mentioned here already but certainly a pro academy or mentoring system would be an awesome thing. Especially if you could set it up like a reality tv show except not as lame I guess. Have participants do analysis, blogs, interviews etc - this is too build stories/rivalries etc. Then at the end a big tourney.

How about aussie e-sports doco or PiG's visit to korea video series?

Oh and tribes ascend if it continues to grow competitively

Quick Comments

Mayo:

Thanks for feedback!

[Delraich]

How about a Ttesports gaming convention? This way you can try and attract the mainstream visitors who just want to check out the various cool stands etc. There can be the main competitions going on as well for the spectators.

[PiG]

Originally Posted by Junho

As a diamond player myself who is committed to starcraft2. The only thing i can look forward to is the GPDs, and whenever i join a LAN tournament i just get knocked out by a master or grandmaster. I only go because i am committed. I like how CH made a tourny for BSG and GPD but i think its the first one they have made, there should be more.

It feels as if you just have to be good at starcraft or just gtfo.

This is where swiss formats are great. They give everyone the whole 5+ bo3s or 10+ bo1s which creates a much more fun event for non M/GM players.

Quick Comments

	nirvAnA:
	Mayo:	Agree'd!

[JoFritzMD]

Originally Posted by PiG

This is where swiss formats are great. They give everyone the whole 5+ bo3s or 10+ bo1s which creates a much more fun event for non M/GM players.

I can attest to this. When I went down to cancraft they used this format and I ended up going 4-1 as a plat player which was pretty nice for my ego. ^_^

Quick Comments

HuT:

you also owned fenner and then went easy on the last game!

[iunou]

Has TT made a video showing how far E-sports has come and how the future of e-sports is rapidly growing. Something like an inspirational video, to inspire all the unknowns out there to come out and play with us (the community)

[Mayo]

Originally Posted by Peleus

/snip

Thanks for this feedback mate, we have some interesting things planned for the near future.

With the Universities, we already sponsor UNSW, Macquarie Uni, UTAS (Hobart) and also A university in QLD and also CSE Revue at Uni tech in NSW.
Mainly for Barcraft, but also some competitions (Mac uni is sponsorship for a LAN)


I'm currently trying to think of ways to bring other pro gamers to Australia, something that I think would draw a more of a public crowd and also help our current SEA pro's compete against an international in real life.

[demzy]

I'll definitely contribute to this thread later today! Its always great to see more support for the community, keep it up TtEsports and Mayo