NYT Article about eSports

[tricheboars]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/sports/grooming-the-champions-of-the-keyboard.html?hp&_r=0

Check this out. Let me know what you think.

[demik]

"sports"

[noisyturtle]

I think esports defeat the main purpose behind why video games exist which is for people to discover, experience, and play them in their own individual light. An escape into other worlds where you can become something other than yourself. Living vicariously through someone who plays a certain game seems silly to me now, as an adult. As a kid I participated in the Blockbuster World Championship and got my mom to drive 3 states away and take a few days off work just so I could, all the while trying(as best a 12 year old could) to describe how video games will be spectator sports in the future. I was right, but after shaping my life around them and eventually finding a career in the field, the idea of esports irks me for some reason. I should be proud, or happy that's the way things turned out and feel somehow validated but for a myriad of reasons I don't.

I occasionally watch let's plays and tournaments, but mostly as a study of tactics or to see if I want to purchase a specific title. Maybe it's that with all the training in the world I know I'll never be able to be an Olympic swimmer or get into the NBA, but know with lots of time anyone could get good enough to be in an esports tourney which invalidates my view on gaming as an ethereal out of body subjective experience.

Just my feelings, so don't take them to heart.

[hazeluff]

Its good that the e-sports scene is getting more exposure. Soon enough people are going to see this as a legit industry.

@noisyturtle: I kind of understand that. But I think video games have matured a lot and it's branching off. You have more cinematic ones that tell stories and let plays go on adventures and you have ones that allow you to compete against other players. People are gonna watch competitive gaming for the same reason they watch traditional sports players. Just enjoying the skills of others can do that you can't.

What's more interesting are the comments. Arguing that e-sports isn't "Sports" and that we can't call progamers athletes because there is not physical aspect.

[Puddsy]

An esports article that doesn't make the players seem like neckbeards?

+1

[baldgye]

I like how they made it sound like EG have a good sc2 team, when really they have JD

[tp4tissue]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to add some weight to my QFR

My desk is a very smooth wood top and my qfr stays put when typing but still slides fairly easily when pushed with a finger.

I'm trying to think of cheap ways to add weight to it.

I checked out those lead weights for toy wooden cars, but they are about $4 for 2oz, and I'm wanting to add a good pound or so.

I don't have any scrap metal or anything to add in, so it will be something I have to go out and buy.

I was thinking of getting some modeling clay, its very dense, and I could spread it along the bottom of the inside case, and then lay something ontop of it to keep it from touching the pcb, but my concern is moisture from the clay next to the PCB. Ive used it to add weight to mice and such, but never a keyboard.

Ideas?

The clay idea would work, but I would add a layer or two of plastic/stretch wrap between the clay and the PCB. That would keep the moist clay from affecting the PCB.

I like how they made it sound like EG have a good sc2 team, when really they have JD

well, starcraft isn't really a team sport....... they're not a team, they just have the same sponsors, and wear the same jackets.

[demik]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to add some weight to my QFR

My desk is a very smooth wood top and my qfr stays put when typing but still slides fairly easily when pushed with a finger.

I'm trying to think of cheap ways to add weight to it.

I checked out those lead weights for toy wooden cars, but they are about $4 for 2oz, and I'm wanting to add a good pound or so.

I don't have any scrap metal or anything to add in, so it will be something I have to go out and buy.

I was thinking of getting some modeling clay, its very dense, and I could spread it along the bottom of the inside case, and then lay something ontop of it to keep it from touching the pcb, but my concern is moisture from the clay next to the PCB. Ive used it to add weight to mice and such, but never a keyboard.

Ideas?

The clay idea would work, but I would add a layer or two of plastic/stretch wrap between the clay and the PCB. That would keep the moist clay from affecting the PCB.

Da fuq is this

[baldgye]

well, starcraft isn't really a team sport....... they're not a team, they just have the same sponsors, and wear the same jackets.

Hahahahahaha

[missalaire]

I think esports defeat the main purpose behind why video games exist which is for people to discover, experience, and play them in their own individual light. An escape into other worlds where you can become something other than yourself. Living vicariously through someone who plays a certain game seems silly to me now, as an adult. As a kid I participated in the Blockbuster World Championship and got my mom to drive 3 states away and take a few days off work just so I could, all the while trying(as best a 12 year old could) to describe how video games will be spectator sports in the future. I was right, but after shaping my life around them and eventually finding a career in the field, the idea of esports irks me for some reason. I should be proud, or happy that's the way things turned out and feel somehow validated but for a myriad of reasons I don't.

I occasionally watch let's plays and tournaments, but mostly as a study of tactics or to see if I want to purchase a specific title. Maybe it's that with all the training in the world I know I'll never be able to be an Olympic swimmer or get into the NBA, but know with lots of time anyone could get good enough to be in an esports tourney which invalidates my view on gaming as an ethereal out of body subjective experience.

Just my feelings, so don't take them to heart.

This simply isn't true of most people. I think this article is pretty good on describing some traits that set pro gamers apart from the average gamer:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303918804579105333661539264.html

Age is definitely a factor when it comes to reflexes in gaming and pros have a much better innate understanding of the game and are able to formulate better strategies/plays in specific situations faster than most people. Maturity is definitely a big thing especially for team games too. I hope someday that e-sports in North America will become as accepted and widespread as it is in Asia. E-sports in Asian countries, especially Korea are on a whole nother level.

[jwaz]

Wait... EG is out of Alameda now?? That's really close to my work.

[tricheboars]

I think esports defeat the main purpose behind why video games exist which is for people to discover, experience, and play them in their own individual light. An escape into other worlds where you can become something other than yourself. Living vicariously through someone who plays a certain game seems silly to me now, as an adult. As a kid I participated in the Blockbuster World Championship and got my mom to drive 3 states away and take a few days off work just so I could, all the while trying(as best a 12 year old could) to describe how video games will be spectator sports in the future. I was right, but after shaping my life around them and eventually finding a career in the field, the idea of esports irks me for some reason. I should be proud, or happy that's the way things turned out and feel somehow validated but for a myriad of reasons I don't.

I occasionally watch let's plays and tournaments, but mostly as a study of tactics or to see if I want to purchase a specific title. Maybe it's that with all the training in the world I know I'll never be able to be an Olympic swimmer or get into the NBA, but know with lots of time anyone could get good enough to be in an esports tourney which invalidates my view on gaming as an ethereal out of body subjective experience.

Just my feelings, so don't take them to heart.

This simply isn't true of most people. I think this article is pretty good on describing some traits that set pro gamers apart from the average gamer:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303918804579105333661539264.html

Age is definitely a factor when it comes to reflexes in gaming and pros have a much better innate understanding of the game and are able to formulate better strategies/plays in specific situations faster than most people. Maturity is definitely a big thing especially for team games too. I hope someday that e-sports in North America will become as accepted and widespread as it is in Asia. E-sports in Asian countries, especially Korea are on a whole nother level.

i really do see e-sports as a major player in the US entertainment market in the next coming years. i am excited about this.

ok so i will be 30 in like a month. i have found that people younger than me (except my brothers) tend to agree that pro-gamers are playing a "sport" but they aren't athletes. Many people feel that golf is in the same vein as eSports. but when i talk to people older than me the conversation isnt even taken seriously. "video games are for children and why should an adult care about a child's game."  this is a very frustrating response. i usually just change the subject if someone says something like that cause it isnt worth talking to them until they see eSports with their own eyes.

I dont think many people who were at the international III this year would say that DOTA2 is not a "team sport". it is clear that stragedy and coordinated team play is necessary to win. but they aint athletes. i can accept that. however, they should be given "atheletic level Visas" to visit other countries/play in tournaments.

this is an interesting debate. i imagine that more of you agree with me on this site than disagree with me. lets see...

[baldgye]

I really don't think esports as it is now is sustainable. There is far too much money going out of esports IMO. As far as sc2 goes it's only gotten worse with time and WCS has really ****ed the US scene pretty hard.

[missalaire]

I really don't think esports as it is now is sustainable. There is far too much money going out of esports IMO. As far as sc2 goes it's only gotten worse with time and WCS has really ****ed the US scene pretty hard.

Its still growing in North America, but i think Riot Games has helped make great strides towards progressing it. They have even lost money on some events to do this. More large companies are definitely starting to take notice and have even started sponsoring some teams.

[noisyturtle]

"pro-gamers are playing a 'sport' but they aren't athletes"

This about sums it up. gotta respect the skills, but I can't put it on the same level as athletes who live and breath their sport and sculpt their bodies and regimes around it.

[demik]

Bingo. Glorifying sitting on your ass pressing keys doesn't make you an athlete. Just call it professional competitive gaming.

[Dubsgalore]

Calling eSports actual sports or the players 'athletic' is laughable  ) )
it's a video game, not a sport

[vun]

Calling eSports actual sports or the players 'athletic' is laughable  ) )
it's a video game, not a sport

Actually I wouldn't be surprised if we see a change in definition of "sporting" words.
I'm not gonna bother taking a stance atm, I'm just saying that language evolves and dictionaries are only an effort to reflect the language in its current state rather than a rulebook to be followed.
Gonna be interesting to see what happens, because this is something that really needs to be clarified a bit better if they want people to pay attention to the actual competitions rather than going "lol that's not a sport".

[rowdy]

"sports"

What are they?

[hazeluff]

There are a lot of olympic sports that have very minimal physicality. Should we argue that those people aren't athletes either?
e.g: Archery, Shooting, Curling, etc.

[bazemk1979]

"sports"

its sport all right, sitting on your ass all day long, eating doritos and drinking soda.

[demik]

There are a lot of olympic sports that have very minimal physicality. Should we argue that those people aren't athletes either?
e.g: Archery, Shooting, Curling, etc.

this is the same olympic committee that tried to get rid of wrestling. i wouldn't be surprised if some events are just there because of tradition.

"sports"

What are they?

competitive gaming

[baldgye]

"pro-gamers are playing a 'sport' but they aren't athletes"

This about sums it up. gotta respect the skills, but I can't put it on the same level as athletes who live and breath their sport and sculpt their bodies and regimes around it.

Not all that accurate though is it