Yay or Nay? This topic has probably come up hundreds of times before, but i would really like to know your opinion the whole "Professional Gaming" scene. I've seen a lot of hate towards Pro Gaming on a few forums throughout different gaming sites primarily on Major League Gaming (MLG). I've wondered is all the hate because of how some people represent MLG as some kind of Elitist Gaming Society or is all the the hate because some believe Pro Gaming shouldn't be part of the Gaming Community. Some even say that there is no such thing as a "Professional Gamer" because that would imply that gaming is a Profession which to some seems impossible. Others believe Pro Gaming is good for the Gaming Community, mentioning that it brings exposure to our community as a whole hopefully making it more mainstream. This would then break that idea the people outside of our community have of gaming being a waste of time. Some have high hopes that competitive gaming in the US, Canada & UK can reach the level that Starcraft has in Korea where the top tier players are pulling in $60k+ a year off of Starcraft Competitions and Sponsorships. Starcraft is so mainstream in Korea that it gets broadcast on TV on a regular bases which IMO is mind-blowing. So, do you think the growing Pro Gaming scene is a joke? Or Is it something that can be beneficial to our community & its developers?
There are very few professional gamers in my opinion. To be a pro gamer I think would imply that you make a living off being very good at video games. There are a few people such a Fatality who make more money then most people just from competing across the globe in tournaments.
There are very few professional gamers in my opinion. To be a pro gamer I think would imply that you make a living off being very good at video games. There are a few people such a Fatality who make more money then most people just from competing across the globe in tournaments.
Shenmue_Jehuty
If you include all pro gamers from all the communities such is the Fighting Game, CoD, Halo, Starcraft, Warcraft, etc... I wanna say there's at least 100+ Professional Gamers actually making a living off of gaming.
I'm a pretty huge fan of professional gaming when it comes to fighting games. I watch Wednesday Night Fights when it's streamed. I also watch Cross Counter TV. I wish I could be good as some of those guys, but I don't have the time to invest to get that good anymore. I still love fighting games, however.
gaming's supposed to be a fun, relaxing, good-time hobby, not a big stressfull competition with millions of dollars on the line, screaming fan-boys and sponsers.
gaming's supposed to be a fun, relaxing, good-time hobby, not a big stressfull competition with millions of dollars on the line, screaming fan-boys and sponsers.
my $0.02
BlackDevil99
Yes this, I totally agree with this.
To me the idea of "professional gaming" is a joke.
I will never see it as a profession.
Other than being a professional game tester or something.
ZombieKiller7
Although I agree with your point there are still a damn of load of ways to make gaming a profession... The programmers, artists, QA testers, animators, directors, publishers etc... etc... all make a damn decent wage ;)
While some people may not consider it a sport it can easily be compared, no one can argue that games take skill and time to get good at, certainly to the level of some people just like when we look at any proffessional sport.
And let's face it they are making their money off playing video games, in terms of job satisfaction I can't think of much better.
O.K if your great at games then go make some cash, but don't do ridiculous interviews (Fatal 1ty"Muppet" ) claiming that working out within the gym creats a great gamer! lol
gaming's supposed to be a fun, relaxing, good-time hobby, not a big stressfull competition with millions of dollars on the line, screaming fan-boys and sponsers.
my $0.02
BlackDevil99
Sports are also supposed to be nice, relaxed, enjoyable games as well. Does that make professional athletes jokes too?
To me the idea of "professional gaming" is a joke.
I will never see it as a profession.
Other than being a professional game tester or something.
dkdk999
Do you think sports are equally a joke though ? Considering sports are large, sweaty men tossing or kicking balls into nets or posts, I'd have to say it is.
To be honest I think it's a bit of a joke, sure some people may make some money off of it. But I don't think I would consider it to be "professional" by any means, I mean games are just for fun. But hey if there are people out there who are willing to play for money and they get sponsers and think there is a market for it, than who am I to judge?
I'd say the only game that can really fall into the "professional gaming" category is starcraft. And it does so convincingly. I won't be surprised to start seeing pro matches being played regularly on some cable tv channel years down the road.
[QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]I think it's a joke. I still cannot comprehend why anyone would want to watch people play Starcraft competitively. It boggles my mind. I could ask that about other sports too like curling. No offense to those who love the sport. i just don't get the fascination with curling.
gaming's supposed to be a fun, relaxing, good-time hobby, not a big stressfull competition with millions of dollars on the line, screaming fan-boys and sponsers.
my $0.02
Moriarity_
Sports are also supposed to be nice, relaxed, enjoyable games as well. Does that make professional athletes jokes too?
Wat? you think pro athletes are out there having a nice, relaxed time?
I'd say the only game that can really fall into the "professional gaming" category is starcraft. And it does so convincingly. I won't be surprised to start seeing pro matches being played regularly on some cable tv channel years down the road.kidcool189
As of right now, Yes, Starcraft is probably the only game in the Professional Category. It takes quite a lot of skill to be good at Starcraft so being paid to play it is no suprise to me. Lately I've seen a huge growth in popularity among the Fighting Game Community. Which I believe could someday make it mainstream. Every year EVO (Biggest Fighting Game Competition of the Year) gets significantly bigger in competitors, spectators and venue. The Community as a whole has grown tremendously since the release of Street Fighter 4. Here is some Links so you can see what I mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHC8Kbum-bk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxFin6NGrd8
gaming's supposed to be a fun, relaxing, good-time hobby, not a big stressfull competition with millions of dollars on the line, screaming fan-boys and sponsers.
my $0.02
BlackDevil99
like whats been said by black devil this is stuff that belongs in the living room not at some globe extreme competition... point proven
gaming's supposed to be a fun, relaxing, good-time hobby, not a big stressfull competition with millions of dollars on the line, screaming fan-boys and sponsers.
my $0.02
BlackDevil99
Sports are also supposed to be nice, relaxed, enjoyable games as well. Does that make professional athletes jokes too?
Wat? you think pro athletes are out there having a nice, relaxed time?
Do you think pro gamers are? No. They're goal is to win, just like pro athletes.
The reason baseball etc are professional sports is because people pay money to show up and watch the game.
If you can get people to show up and watch you play CoD, so be it.
Everything is tied to finances.
ZombieKiller7
Search Youtube for any Korean Starcraft tournament and you will probably catch a glimpse of the massive crowds watching them play. I'm positive there's an entrance fee to just spectate. Same goes for any International fighting game tournament which tend to have ballrooms of people just spectating. Last time I attended an MLG Event here in NYC (Back in '06-'07) I remember it having an Entrance Fee. didn't matter if you were playing or not.
Its a very big joke. Ill never see real gaming as being competitive. Its like finding out there are Pro movie watchers or Pro book readers. They get together & competitively watch movies & read books.
I dont know. Its definitely cant be compared to any sport so i dont know why people try to make these comparisions.
I also never think gaming was about attacking one another to see who can get that magic number on the scoreboard. Its wierd what people try to make gaming into. The whole competitive MP really isnt gaming. Its competitive button mashing if u ask me. MP was just a mode for people to have some mindless fun against each other with the mechanics born out of the single player. Virtual painball matches [for FPS MP]
Now people have it in their head this is gaming. Weird.
Being a competitive gamer myself, i have to say its awesome but its very time consuming. You have a play a lot and know a lot of techical stuff to be a good player
60K is a lot, but I don't understand a few guys in here, saying something like sports is just sweaty guys kicking a ball around, or how games are "just" and only just, for fun. I've never heard of professional gaming, but if you're good at something you'll probably make money out of it, but I'm sure since the gamers in the gaming industry are so vast there are millions of great players, so these guys that stand out must be really, really good. What makes video games a joke? watching someone play let's say starcraft against another player is like watching someone play chess over the other, it's a competition no matter how you look at it
gaming's supposed to be a fun, relaxing, good-time hobby, not a big stressfull competition with millions of dollars on the line, screaming fan-boys and sponsers.
my $0.02
BlackDevil99
Trust me it's not like that. I've played in Left 4 Dead tournaments (won 150 euros in total) and it was quite fun. When you're good at it you aren't stressed. That's why most people fail in online games. You mustn't be tense. You just have to pay attention and react accordingly. Knowing your team helps a lot since you can even joke or "blame" (again as a joke) someone in case of fails. And to those that say there's no such thing as pro gaming... well then how do you call the best players of a game that win money from tournaments? I also agree to the guy that mentioned curling. If I were to pay for something, I'd sure pay to see a game of counter-strike: source or wc3 instead of curling (or other boring sports such as spear throwing).
The whole competitive MP really isnt gaming. Its competitive button mashing if u ask me. MP was just a mode for people to have some mindless fun against each other with the mechanics born out of the single player. Virtual paintball matches [for FPS MP]
Now people have it in their head this is gaming. Weird.
brucecambell
Calling the WHOLE competitive MP "button mashing" is a pretty harsh statement. You should do some research before you say something like that. if it was "button mashing" anyone could make a living off of competitive gaming.
Sure why not have professional gaming. Anything that can be done in a competitive aspect whether against one opponent or team vs team can be done on a professional level. To me it only makes sense.
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