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May 29, 2008 at 04:21 AM CDT

View Comments: 20

A Step in the Right Direction

Posted by: Racs-MC



The gaming community has long been stereotyped as your average fair skinned nerd, keeping strange sleeping patterns and gaming in a dark dungeon for lengthy hours. The past couple of years have seen an insurgence of gaming popularity. With an unprecedented amount of mainstream media attention, players have seen themselves thrust into the spotlight. Such a rapid rise to fame sees many of today’s players still struggling to come to grips with their new found stardom as they adjust to their new professional roles.

There is no doubt that many players today can be considered ‘Professional Gamers” as per the dictionary definition, “a professional in relation to games/sport is someone who is ‘playing for money’ (cricketer, golfer etc.). As you can see a Professional gamer in these terms would simply be someone who plays computer games and earns money from it. The move from the bedroom to the TV stage has been hard for some to comprehend, taken from your couch and thrown in front of video cameras, although a dream for most can be a daunting experience.

Australian eSports communities are rife with arrogance, abuse and banter. Player’s egos tend to be well fed in the comfort and security of their own homes. Although over the years members of the respective communities have come accustomed to the type of exchange consistent with many gaming community websites. It remains a language that is very hard for outsiders to understand and interpret correctly. What is harmless banter for some can quite easily be considered abuse by many readers. The ability for gamers to now quickly elevate themselves as professionals leaves them with one major hurdle, how quickly and effectively can they bring their attitude and behavior in line with this new found label.

Of all the gamers I know, only a small percentage fit the physical stereotype that people outside of eSports have portrayed upon our communities. However the mentality and arrogance of some lead to a negative and somewhat closed community. Traditionally new members are not welcomed in Aussie eSports communities and the main purpose of community websites seems to be the public embarrassment of fellow players, spectators and management. Although for those fluent in the language spoken on gaming forums a lot of the user content can be seen as friendly banter or light hearted fun it is all too often the offensive or negative nature of user content that degrades the community’s social acceptance.

For most the step is easy and a logical progression along their personal path to professionalism; however for others breaking old habits is not so easily achieved. Players need to realize that they are not only representing themselves and their personal goals and endeavors, but also those of their respective teams, team mates, organizations and Australian eSports. The answer isn’t for players to attempt to adjust their personalities or to become stoic in public interaction, player’s individuality and personalities are a very important asset moving into a future dominated by mainstream media attention.

The purpose of this article isn’t to point out the short coming of players around the world or to call for professional players to adjust their attitudes. More so it’s time for some of Australia’s elite to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves; “Are my actions detrimental to a community and an industry that supports me?” Taking the next step forward for eSports in this country is not a chore or a job for a select few but rather an opportunity for us all.

Efficiently directing current player and management contributions in a positive manner can only be a big step in the right direction for Aussie eSports. No longer are our communities secluded but rather are becoming exposed to greater amounts of outside scrutiny and attention. Players and those in management positions need to focus on developing professional and mature attitudes to gaming and conduct in order to secure a viable future for Aussie eSports.




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#1

May 29, 2008 at 05:03 AM CDT

Swordfish_1
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Posts: 345
Location: Sydney

in before nitro..........nice article racs "Australian eSports communities are rife with arrogance, abuse and banter."

http://www.epicservers.com.au ~ Head Admin / Support

#2

May 29, 2008 at 05:16 AM CDT

iCamv1
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Posts: 1515
Location: Adelaide

Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

good read

iRacer
Myspace.com/llxcamxll

#3

May 29, 2008 at 05:23 AM CDT

spunj
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Posts: 264
Location: Perth

Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

yeah good read^_^! we have alot of potential for gaming building in australia, just have to present ourselves professionally

#4

May 29, 2008 at 05:24 AM CDT

Eileen
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Posts: 656
Location: Brisbane

Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

Superb. Awesome article.

#DOA-F Sydney Underground
#1 Rager

#5

May 29, 2008 at 05:34 AM CDT

Jimmy-O
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Posts: 95
Location: Sydney

Haha this article has Jimmy written all over it lol.

Although I have played FIFA for twice as long as I have been in the adult workforce, I have never considered it to be a way of making a living. Mind you I still don't, but you simply can't hold back such an awesome concept. It's a shame that it has taken this long, but its better late than never. Well done to current SU members for flying the flag with pride and gusto in recent months. I think after a rocky past month or so, I hope the waters are now calm and we can all focus on the bigger picture in future.

#6

May 29, 2008 at 05:51 AM CDT

ODEE
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Posts: 325
Location: Surrey

Team GM Team GM

Same should go for all players in all nations

http://birminghamsalvo.thecgs.com

#7

May 29, 2008 at 07:45 AM CDT

LukeeHavoc
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Posts: 55
Location: Sydney

Great article ben!

#8

May 29, 2008 at 08:23 AM CDT

Berzerk
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Posts: 300
Location: Brunswick West

Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

Good article. It's interesting to look at many gaming communities that have gone pro, or have money/sponsorship, some have trouble lifting themselves culturally out of the boys club mentality. It's visible in other sports as well but only in rare exceptions. Currently in videogaming its still the rule, and that may partly be that a lot of the strong voices in gaming communities don't view it as you would someone's workplace. Tough one mentally for people to marry together - gaming and work.

I think the more professional players tend to have a solid understanding of "acting professionally" first and don't treat each event like a blowout at their mates lan party. You can have fun at your work, enjoy your work, but underpinning it there is still an understanding of what you're representing.

I think when we talk esports in Australia though, Sydney Underground and CGS is a small island, among many, many small islands. None of it is connected, and to push the metaphor further, each is adrift on its own.

These communities need to work together more so that the whole concept of esports is better promoted. Cooperation is the key.
Berzerk! - DOA Male - Sydney Underground - http://sydneyunderground.thecgs.com

#9

May 29, 2008 at 08:32 AM CDT

MORPO
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Location: irymple

Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

#10

May 29, 2008 at 08:36 AM CDT

alexdizl
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Posts: 9
Location: sydney

/me wipes tear away
great article thought benjamin

#11

May 29, 2008 at 08:36 AM CDT

Boomser
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Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

hmm it made me think , wd ben

http://www.myspace.com/scottboomser

#12

May 29, 2008 at 10:07 AM CDT

Sabre0001
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Posts: 126
Location: Limerick

Unfortunately not just Australia.....And also, not just an attitude that is limited to the elite - look at the self-titled l33t players

/sigh
The "0001" is silent--IRC: #eSports.ie --http://www.thecgs.com/Fan_Voice_and_CGS_...}

#13

May 29, 2008 at 10:39 AM CDT

adRwa
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Posts: 191
Location: Perth

Staff Member Staff Member

great write up, is very interesting!

Visit us @ http://sydneyunderground.thecgs.com/
http://gfx-armitage.deviantart.com/

#14

May 29, 2008 at 12:42 PM CDT

UnderGround-topguN
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Posts: 62
Location: Sydney

Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

*Yawns*

Boring.

#15

May 29, 2008 at 01:21 PM CDT

NT3Fish
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Posts: 28
Location:

Good read -so true !


Last modified on 5/29/2008 at 1:22 pm EST

#16

May 29, 2008 at 02:59 PM CDT

NITRO
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Posts: 6583
Location: Sydney

Staff Member Staff Member

Really Good read..

Gaming is becoming more acceptable by society (PARY TIME). So the actions of ourselves need to be looked at.

Thanks Ben.. Good stuff

Reg Torr - Forum & IRC Moderator
[RAK] Random Acts of Kindness. Do your part!

3D Fan since 2003

#17

May 30, 2008 at 01:43 PM CDT

camskE
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Posts: 3
Location: Melbourne

nice write up racs, it is hard for people to change their attitudes when people act half their age on the internet.

#18

May 31, 2008 at 06:48 AM CDT

Bech-AKA-andlthen
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Posts: 58
Location: Melbourne

Fools/idiots exist across the board full stop.

#19

May 31, 2008 at 02:44 PM CDT

iCamv1
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Posts: 1515
Location: Adelaide

Pro Gamer Pro Gamer

Referenced post #17 by camskE
nice write up racs, it is hard for people to change their attitudes when people act half their age on the internet.
#17
if you were like 70 years old that wouldn't be too bad ;p

iRacer
Myspace.com/llxcamxll

#20

June 7, 2008 at 10:31 AM CDT

lank1
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Posts: 3
Location: Sydney

Very good article! So very true, but it's good to know that it's at least been addressed.
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