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Dean Becomes a Progamer

Blogs > balmung135
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balmung135
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States31 Posts
September 02 2011 16:59 GMT
#1
Hey Teamliquid,

I have started a new project to contribute to the Esports community. I am starting the Southern Methodist Esports club, bringing us to the CSL, and becoming my journey to become a pro at Starcraft 2. I will be blogging, streaming, and making videos during this time and wanted to share it with the people on TL.

My main site is Dean Becomes a Progamer I hope you visit and like what you see. Here is the copy of the original post on the site:

Hi, I'm Dean Elazab, and I want to become a progamer. I have been playing Starcraft 2 since it came out and am finally ready to get serious about it. I am starting my training for the CSL and wanted to create a space where I could talk about my expierences. I hope my readers/viewers enjoy the ride and help me through the way. I will be streaming my pratice, posting videos, and basically just writing about the starcraft community.

I am also a social media marketer, and hope to at least work with one of the pro teams in this sense. I see a lot of potential for growth for some Starcraft teams, and would love to help them grow. In that sense, I will also be writing about the business of Starcraft and the potential for American companies to use sponsorships as a form of positive advertising. With our Starcraft scene growing every day, I know businesses would love to benefit themselves by sponsoring teams and tournaments, all they need is a little convincing.



So leave a comment and talk to me, I know I'll need help in this journey!

Dean Elazab

*
AnodyneSea
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Jamaica757 Posts
September 02 2011 17:09 GMT
#2
Thanks for sharing, and good luck dean!
Lost within the hope of freedom, not for control but in the light of our cause
OutlaW-
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Czech Republic5053 Posts
September 02 2011 17:19 GMT
#3
this is probably like the 10th im going to be a progamer blog and so far, none of them came even close
though good luck i guess
Delete your post underage b&. You're incestuous for you're onee-chan so you're clearly not a bad guy, but others might not agree
Serejai
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
6007 Posts
September 02 2011 17:23 GMT
#4
Out of curiosity what league are you currently in?
I HAVE 5 TOAST POINTS
clayn
Profile Joined November 2010
Germany444 Posts
September 02 2011 17:26 GMT
#5
On September 03 2011 02:19 OutlaW- wrote:
this is probably like the 10th im going to be a progamer blog and so far, none of them came even close
though good luck i guess

you mean this month? :D




j/k, good luck with your adventure!
Daigomi
Profile Blog Joined May 2006
South Africa4316 Posts
September 02 2011 17:27 GMT
#6
On September 03 2011 02:19 OutlaW- wrote:
this is probably like the 10th im going to be a progamer blog and so far, none of them came even close
though good luck i guess

I think the mistake people make is they decide to become progamers before they see if they have what it takes. From what I know, most actual progamers started out just playing the game passionately and got exceptionally good before deciding to become progamers. It's a bit like a 6-year old deciding that they are going to play professional football one day: The sentiment is nice, but most 99.99% of the time it doesn't work out.

That's not to say that you shouldn't give it your all! However, I would suggest practicing semi-seriously (3-4 hours a day) in your free time, before making any big decisions.
Moderator
balmung135
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States31 Posts
September 02 2011 17:35 GMT
#7
Well, I am currently Diamond. And this isnt my first venture into progaming. I played Counter strike in CAL:I league, and ended up doing pretty well. I have also seen the potential in Esports as a marketing major so this project of mine is also to get some notoriety in the scene, and hopefully either play or work for an esports team when I graduate.

I know a lot of people say they will do this, but they are just caught up in the hype. Because I have my team counting on me, I have no choice but to improve. And with that, I hope to start taking tournaments online and showing that I can win. Im not expecting to become Idra or Huk status in a month, but I know I can train and compete with the lower tier teams and try to get involved.

For everyone who is skeptical, I would like you to please comment on my site and keep me going, show me that I have a reason to not slack off!
Flanagan
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States166 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-02 17:38:09
September 02 2011 17:37 GMT
#8
On September 03 2011 02:27 Daigomi wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 03 2011 02:19 OutlaW- wrote:
this is probably like the 10th im going to be a progamer blog and so far, none of them came even close
though good luck i guess

I think the mistake people make is they decide to become progamers before they see if they have what it takes. From what I know, most actual progamers started out just playing the game passionately and got exceptionally good before deciding to become progamers. It's a bit like a 6-year old deciding that they are going to play professional football one day: The sentiment is nice, but most 99.99% of the time it doesn't work out.

That's not to say that you shouldn't give it your all! However, I would suggest practicing semi-seriously (3-4 hours a day) in your free time, before making any big decisions.


I cannot express how much I agree with this post, and how true it is.

Honestly, you see a bunch of people that are at the high masters (hell, even grandmasters) point and they, despite considering it or not, aren't really considered "pro-gamers." They may be hella good compared to the rest of the community, but it takes a certain personality and mentality to truly push all the way and become a pro gamer.

I'm not saying you're bound for failure though, you'll just have to fight for it... do heed Dai's advice -- play the game a bit, then decide. A lot of people decide they want to do something when they have no experience in it at that very moment, and then realize as they're doing it that it's boring as hell... and for some people, SCII is just boring... however, it's everything but impossible.

Edit: Oh, ok diamond. Still, you have a little ways to go, so fight for it.
Chill
Profile Blog Joined January 2005
Calgary25996 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-02 17:39:16
September 02 2011 17:38 GMT
#9
Chill becomes the prime minister of Canada

Hey guys. Today I decided I'm going to become the prime minister of Canada. Follow my blog to watch me try my best!

This is what I think when I see people opening threads about becoming a progamer. It's not a switch you flip and then go "okay, now I'm dedicating my life to this." If you weren't already playing at the high masters / grandmasters level and winning tournaments and playing 20 hours per week, you aren't even in a position to attempt to become a progamer.

If you meet those criteria then I apologize, but I haven't see anyone making these threads meeting them.
Moderator
baller
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
527 Posts
September 02 2011 17:42 GMT
#10
dont listend to the haters dean i expect to see u at the top of the ladder in no time

good luck
balmung135
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States31 Posts
September 02 2011 17:48 GMT
#11
haha Chill, I agree with you that its a a big request and dream, but I have decided to give it my best. The very reason I made this blog is to make myself be accountable for my actions. If I can get my CSL team high in the rankings, or get a shot to join any pro team, I would consider it a victory. Im not saying its a sure thing, what I'm saying is that I am going to work for it and it might be entertaining to read/watch.

I want people to see that others are trying to make it in the starcraft scene, and that the "top players" are not set in stone. Getting into masters is my first step, and I feel I'll get that done soon.

Also, why not try? I mean if you wanted to be prime minister, you would need voters, why wouldnt you use an online medium to garner that following? Using a blog is a way to get people to know more about you then just your position on politics, so yeah, start one and see where it gets you. If you write daily and are entertaining and knowledgeable, then I'm sure you can steal a few % points in an election ^_^
Turo
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Canada333 Posts
September 02 2011 17:49 GMT
#12
baller posted.

this is legit.
ProTech_MediC
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States498 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-02 17:55:56
September 02 2011 17:55 GMT
#13
Hi, I'm Tom and I've decided that I want to become a professional basketball player.

I shoot hoops every week with my friends at the park and I'm better than most of them. But, once school is done, I think I'm going to train really hard and join the NBA. As long as I suddenly put my heart and soul into this game, I'll be dunking over Lebron in no time.

I'm not interested in being like everyone else and just hyping this process, but I do plan on making videos, streaming, and blogging and doing hourly interviews about my training instead of just spending more time training.

I feel that the social media aspect will definitely give me an edge over the masters players who have been grinding out non-stop games against the best in their region for the last year.

Wish me luck and make sure to visit my website!

www.iRecentlyDecidedToGoPro.com
MC Fighting!~
Steveh
Profile Joined October 2009
United States112 Posts
September 02 2011 18:24 GMT
#14
no one has gone pro without a pro nickname

good luck dean 'looking mean' elazab
Daigomi
Profile Blog Joined May 2006
South Africa4316 Posts
September 02 2011 18:29 GMT
#15
On September 03 2011 02:48 balmung135 wrote:
haha Chill, I agree with you that its a a big request and dream, but I have decided to give it my best. The very reason I made this blog is to make myself be accountable for my actions. If I can get my CSL team high in the rankings, or get a shot to join any pro team, I would consider it a victory. Im not saying its a sure thing, what I'm saying is that I am going to work for it and it might be entertaining to read/watch.

I want people to see that others are trying to make it in the starcraft scene, and that the "top players" are not set in stone. Getting into masters is my first step, and I feel I'll get that done soon.

Also, why not try? I mean if you wanted to be prime minister, you would need voters, why wouldnt you use an online medium to garner that following? Using a blog is a way to get people to know more about you then just your position on politics, so yeah, start one and see where it gets you. If you write daily and are entertaining and knowledgeable, then I'm sure you can steal a few % points in an election ^_^

Like I said, you should go for it if you progaming is for you, but make sure you do it in your free time and not when you should be working towards your future. The reason I would advise people not to try is because they often think trying means taking a year off of school to try to become a progamer, and that's retarded. You should only start considering a full-time commitment to progaming when you get into grandmasters, until then you have to stick to the things that are more likely to succeed at.
Moderator
balmung135
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States31 Posts
September 02 2011 18:45 GMT
#16
Yeah, I agree. I am taking school seriously and want to work in social media marketing. When I got into esports I saw it as a huge marketing potential for companies. I then got really into the games themselves. I am thinking of going to law school after undergrad, but I can take time in between. Because of that choice, I decided why not pursue my biggest passion and try to make it in progaming. I have a lot of time to pratice, and if it doesnt work out, I just go to law school after I'm done trying. I wouldnt drop out of school for this, but I would take time between undergrad and law school for Starcraft.
RoboBob
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States798 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-02 19:47:23
September 02 2011 19:34 GMT
#17
I dunno man, a gazillion people write blogs like these but nothing ever comes out of it...to the point where I have a very difficult time taking these threads seriously. I'm not sure why I keep reading them to be honest, maybe just curiosity.

In general I think its a really bad idea to announce that you're *going* to do something. Instead I think you should just do it for a couple months first before making it public. If you make good progress and you remain serious about it for an extended period of time, then sure it might be worth looking at. The NBA analogy posted above was a very good one imo. At the stage you're at now, there's not much separation between you and the 6 year kid who decides he wants to make it into the NBA.

All that being said, just in case you want a good model of a wanna-become-pro blog, then I'd recommend this one: http://www.starcraftstory.com/
balmung135
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States31 Posts
September 02 2011 19:40 GMT
#18
Yeah, I started to take it more seriously about 2 weeks ago. I decided that the biggest factor in getting this to work would be motivation. Holding myself publicly accountable for failing is a big motivator as opposed to just doing it on my own. Im more doing the site for support then "look at me beasting it up and being awesome". I want to use it as a way to get myself to do better. I understand people think it will fail and it very well might, but why just stop there.
A story in my life was creating a iPhone development project that everyone said would fail. Why should I try, i was just a college freshman who wanted to become a "overnight success". Everyone thought I was just trying to follow a bandwagon. Well, I created proxomo and sold it for a pretty hefty sum. I did something most people thought would fail. So I am used to the haters and the disbelievers, they are just motivation. If i can prove them wrong then they might stop being so negative.
RoboBob
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States798 Posts
September 02 2011 19:47 GMT
#19
I think Liquid'Tyler gave the best advise about becoming a pro gamer on SotG. Basically, he said don't bother putting your life on hold in order to *become* good at Starcraft. If you are *already* good at Starcraft then sure, you can consider putting more time into it so you can pursue your passion. But if you don't start with the natural talent then it's not worth you time sinking tons of time into the game. There's a gazillion people who mass game and do very well on the ladder, but are still not good enough to become pro.

Everyone wants to play videogames for a living but there's only a select few people who can pull it off. I don't think Diamond is good enough to consider becoming pro. Right now there's literally 4,000+ people in NA alone who are more skilled at SC2 than you right now. And we have arguably the 2nd easiest server in the world. If you were already high master or something then I could understand considering to follow your passion...but right now? I dunno.
balmung135
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States31 Posts
September 02 2011 19:55 GMT
#20
Well you know, the people in masters started somewhere else. They got there through hard work. Im not saying that Im gonna go sign up and win MLG right now, I'm saying that I want to take my training seriously. I dont understand why people think this is my ending point, its the opposite. Im just starting out and I know that. Its a goal I want to try my best to accomplish. Even if I dont get to play Starcraft Full time, I want to try and make it onto a team and play my best as long as I can.
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