• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 11:02
CET 16:02
KST 00:02
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros1[ASL20] Finals Preview: Arrival13TL.net Map Contest #21: Voting10[ASL20] Ro4 Preview: Descent11Team TLMC #5: Winners Announced!3
Community News
Weekly Cups (Oct 20-26): MaxPax, Clem, Creator win42025 RSL Offline Finals Dates + Ticket Sales!9BSL21 Open Qualifiers Week & CONFIRM PARTICIPATION1Crank Gathers Season 2: SC II Pro Teams10Merivale 8 Open - LAN - Stellar Fest4
StarCraft 2
General
Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros RotterdaM "Serral is the GOAT, and it's not close" DreamHack Open 2013 revealed Chinese SC2 server to reopen; live all-star event in Hangzhou Weekly Cups (Oct 20-26): MaxPax, Clem, Creator win
Tourneys
Merivale 8 Open - LAN - Stellar Fest Crank Gathers Season 2: SC II Pro Teams 2025 RSL Offline Finals Dates + Ticket Sales! $5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship $3,500 WardiTV Korean Royale S4
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 497 Battle Haredened Mutation # 496 Endless Infection Mutation # 495 Rest In Peace Mutation # 494 Unstable Environment
Brood War
General
[ASL20] Ask the mapmakers — Drop your questions BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Ladder Map Matchup Stats BW General Discussion BSL Team A vs Koreans - Sat-Sun 16:00 CET
Tourneys
[ASL20] Grand Finals The Casual Games of the Week Thread BSL21 Open Qualifiers Week & CONFIRM PARTICIPATION ASL final tickets help
Strategy
Current Meta How to stay on top of macro? PvZ map balance Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Dawn of War IV
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion LiquidDota to reintegrate into TL.net
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread SPIRED by.ASL Mafia {211640}
Community
General
The Big Programming Thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Korean Music Discussion Series you have seen recently...
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread MLB/Baseball 2023 Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
SC2 Client Relocalization [Change SC2 Language] Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
The Schizophrenia of KOR-EN…
Peanutsc
Reality "theory" prov…
perfectspheres
The Benefits Of Limited Comm…
TrAiDoS
Our Last Hope in th…
KrillinFromwales
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1536 users

The cost of being a Pro-Gamer - Page 2

Blogs > dstryr
Post a Reply
Prev 1 2 All
Mora
Profile Blog Joined October 2002
Canada5235 Posts
December 22 2011 19:46 GMT
#21
On December 23 2011 02:42 valaki wrote:
Being a progamer is a job. I'm pretty sure, aside from the koreans, most foreigners don't practice more than 8 hours, daily. That's like a normal job (excluding weekends). Go figure.


when I was competitive in brood war I practiced 10-12 hours a day 7 days a week (with the occasional day off). I would not be surprised if other foreigners did the same.
Happiness only real when shared.
Oreo7
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States1647 Posts
December 22 2011 20:18 GMT
#22
On December 23 2011 01:35 Kickboxer wrote:
I'm adding a photo for greater clarity ^_^

[image loading]

This. Except it happens to your wrists, your eyes and your social life.


LOL your eyes and social life? Do you actually have a reason to believe that or are we just randomly throwing shit out there?
Stork HerO and Protoss everywhere - redfive on bnet
andeh
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States904 Posts
December 22 2011 20:29 GMT
#23
I remember Jinro saying this, and I think it applies:

"All the current pros became on top when they were still in school, working, etc."
Only a little while after do they get the chance to go to korea/team house/etc.
Trowabarton756
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States870 Posts
December 22 2011 23:17 GMT
#24
On December 23 2011 05:18 Oreo7 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 23 2011 01:35 Kickboxer wrote:
I'm adding a photo for greater clarity ^_^

[image loading]

This. Except it happens to your wrists, your eyes and your social life.


LOL your eyes and social life? Do you actually have a reason to believe that or are we just randomly throwing shit out there?


...Pretty sure staring at a computer screen 12-16 hours a day for 7 days straight 350 days a year will destroy these things....
http://www.teamliquid.net/video/streams/Trowabarton756
dstryr
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States69 Posts
December 23 2011 00:53 GMT
#25
On December 23 2011 05:29 andeh wrote:
I remember Jinro saying this, and I think it applies:

"All the current pros became on top when they were still in school, working, etc."
Only a little while after do they get the chance to go to korea/team house/etc.


What type of lifestyle cultivates a pro-gamer? Are top players like IdrA, HuK, Sheth etc. where they are today because they had the time to put in when they were younger?

What is the peak age of a pro-gamer? What happens to pro-gamers after they retire?

Eventually there needs to be a SC2 "True Hollywood Stories" / where are they now type of thing
blabber
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States4448 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-12-23 00:59:16
December 23 2011 00:57 GMT
#26
On December 23 2011 09:53 dstryr wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 23 2011 05:29 andeh wrote:
I remember Jinro saying this, and I think it applies:

"All the current pros became on top when they were still in school, working, etc."
Only a little while after do they get the chance to go to korea/team house/etc.


What type of lifestyle cultivates a pro-gamer? Are top players like IdrA, HuK, Sheth etc. where they are today because they had the time to put in when they were younger?

What is the peak age of a pro-gamer? What happens to pro-gamers after they retire?

Eventually there needs to be a SC2 "True Hollywood Stories" / where are they now type of thing

being young definitely gives an advantage since you generally have more time. if i remember correctly, idra played bw casually just like everyone else but got good enough to get onto team, play in leagues/tourneys (and winning them)... only then did he really commit to it when he went to korea

huk was already really high level and on a team when he gave that "i wanna be the next boxer" interview and went all-out on sc2. you really have to have that foundation before you can try
blabberrrrr
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
December 23 2011 01:05 GMT
#27
On December 23 2011 00:54 GMarshal wrote:
The cost is everything. You see, to become a real pro, someone who is successful, you need to love the game. Not enjoy winning, not have fun with it, you need to love the hell out of the game. Boxer, the Emperor, regularly practices 10 hours a day. He isn't the exception. To be a pro means you have to put in at least same amount of work people put into day-jobs, but thats actually not enough by itself, because due to the competitive nature of the game, there are people who are going to invest much, much more time into it then that, and to compete with them you need to match it.

I've said this before, but to be among the best, to be a real pro, you need to love the game to the point where it dominates your life, where you go to sleep thinking about how to micro mutas, where you dream about that TvT you lost an hour ago. Because if you aren't putting that amount of love into the game you will lose to those who are. I think it was SotG where someone asked IdrA what other games he had played recently, and if he had tried skyrim yet, to which IdrA replied that the only game he had been playing lately was Starcraft. This isn't because IdrA hates all other games, or wouldn't enjoy Skyrim, its because time put into other games is time taken away from starcraft, and pros cannot afford that. That's why korean pro houses usually ban playing poker and why whenever a pro-gamer gets a girlfriend he tends to slump incredibly hard.

To chase a dream is an all-consuming thing. The very best are the very best because they have sacrificed everything else to get there.

Thats what it takes. Not just time commitment and work ethic, but to fully invest your emotions in the game. That is what progamers sacrifice, because you can only ever have one true passion at the time. That said, there is literally nothing better in life than doing what you love, so yes, its a sacrifice, but for those who love the game, its a sacrifice well worth making.

EDIT: This is assuming SC:BW or SC2 or a comparable game where skill matters.


Incorrect. IdrA doesn't play other games because he has never been a "gamer." He has played pokemon, sc/sc2 and like 10 games of street fighter. He doesn't enjoy other games.

Having lived with idra for 4 months or so now I can tell you he has other interests and doesn't ONLY play sc2 because "otherwise he would be taking time away from sc2." IdrA reads, watches shows, goes to the gym and enjoys time with his cat.

korean progamers spend a LOT of time watching korean dramas, music videos (I don't know why but they LOVE them) game shows (again, strange) as well as other internet based media usually surrounding music though. There is this giant misconception that koreans only play sc2 and do nothing else for 15 hours out of the day.. it simply isn't true. They play a lot more than most sure, but they are human beings who enjoy other things as well.

In my experience having been to korea, lived in a progamer house, spoken with/interacted with/friends with progamers of every race shape and size I can tell you there are some who play as little as 3-5 hours a day. Most average 6-8 hours a day and there are a few who crank out massive hours on a regular basis around 10-12 hours a day. All of these progamers do other activities besides Sc2.. literally all of them. I could not name a SC2 progamer who actually only plays SC2 because everything else would take away from SC2. That fan based romantic delusion needs to stop.. it is an unrealistic expectation and it manifests in hate towards progamers who "reveal" that they have lives outside of SC2 as well.
Itsmedudeman
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States19229 Posts
December 23 2011 02:15 GMT
#28
That's only true for sc1 =p
Wortie
Profile Joined September 2011
Netherlands212 Posts
December 23 2011 02:45 GMT
#29
On December 23 2011 02:20 Liquid`TLO wrote:
For me ESPORTS has had only positive effects despite the CTS. I think if you are smart about it ESPORTS can be more of a long term career. I didnt finish studying at university but I never felt more secure about my future than at this point of my Life I met people all over the globe and have friends as well as business contacts in a lot of companies that might open future paths for me.

It all comes down how you handle yourself, however being a member in Team Liquid probably puts me in a priviliged situation, stilll I believe every famous sc2 progamer can easily build a future from here if you are not too lazy and a bit smart.



I read this in TLO's voice.

I think it doesn't matter how much you sacrifice if you do truly what you love. Steve Jobs didn't become CEO of apple by finishing school you know, and he says the same.

I love this game so much, I don't know how much more time I will sacrifice playing it.
Denzil
Profile Joined August 2010
United Kingdom4193 Posts
December 25 2011 12:54 GMT
#30
Someone mentioned earlier on a blog Rekrul made in 2005.

Can anyone pull up a link? I'd like to read it.
Anna: So Sen how will you prepare for your revenge v MC? Sen: With a smile.
Humanfails
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
224 Posts
December 26 2011 00:09 GMT
#31
On December 23 2011 02:47 FireFish wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 23 2011 01:35 Kickboxer wrote:
I'm adding a photo for greater clarity ^_^

[image loading]

This. Except it happens to your wrists, your eyes and your social life.


I defently disagree a 100% with this. Your wrists will be okay, nothing happens to your eyes (lol), and you will meet sooo many new people with e-sport. Im not even a proffesionel but i met some really cool people.



wrong. From 12 hours at a bright screen all day, my eyes have lost muscle mass which helps with vision and focus, and dark or sub-brightly lit rooms are darker than they used to be, and driving is a bitch because the car lights adjust my eyes to not seeing non-lit objects like street curbs and dividing lines.

It does harm your eyes. Whatever you do, your body will adjust to it.
Prev 1 2 All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
CrankTV Team League
13:00
Playoffs: Bo13
Team Liquid vs Team FalconLIVE!
LiquipediaDiscussion
OSC
12:00
Mid Season Playoffs
Cham vs RyungLIVE!
WardiTV721
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 206
OGKoka 189
LamboSC2 140
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 8265
firebathero 4084
Rain 4004
Hyuk 3928
Leta 2212
Sea 1503
Bisu 1133
Horang2 978
Jaedong 951
Shuttle 413
[ Show more ]
Mini 248
Hyun 167
Larva 135
Snow 72
Barracks 55
Sea.KH 50
JYJ44
Killer 44
ToSsGirL 36
Aegong 32
JulyZerg 31
soO 24
yabsab 21
Terrorterran 10
SilentControl 8
ajuk12(nOOB) 8
Shine 7
Dota 2
Gorgc3710
qojqva3441
Dendi1139
XcaliburYe195
Counter-Strike
olofmeister1191
fl0m970
byalli190
markeloff67
Other Games
singsing2105
B2W.Neo822
crisheroes369
Lowko334
Beastyqt291
Mlord242
Hui .151
Fuzer 110
oskar87
QueenE54
ArmadaUGS46
nookyyy 35
Dewaltoss27
Trikslyr11
Liquid`VortiX0
Organizations
Counter-Strike
PGL24985
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 21 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 86
• Gemini_19 12
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• Kozan
StarCraft: Brood War
• HerbMon 38
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• FirePhoenix0
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 2459
• WagamamaTV365
• Noizen45
League of Legends
• Nemesis3535
• Jankos2510
• TFBlade497
• Shiphtur112
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
18h 58m
WardiTV Invitational
20h 58m
ByuN vs Spirit
herO vs Solar
MaNa vs Gerald
Rogue vs GuMiho
Epic.LAN
20h 58m
CrankTV Team League
21h 58m
BASILISK vs TBD
Replay Cast
1d 18h
Epic.LAN
1d 20h
BSL Team A[vengers]
1d 22h
Dewalt vs Shine
UltrA vs ZeLoT
BSL 21
2 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
BSL Team A[vengers]
2 days
Cross vs Motive
Sziky vs HiyA
[ Show More ]
BSL 21
3 days
Wardi Open
3 days
Monday Night Weeklies
4 days
The PondCast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
WardiTV TLMC #15
Eternal Conflict S1

Ongoing

BSL 21 Points
BSL 21 Team A
C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
SOOP Univ League 2025
CranK Gathers Season 2: SC II Pro Teams
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025

Upcoming

SC4ALL: Brood War
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
SLON Tour Season 2
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
RSL Offline Finals
WardiTV 2025
RSL Revival: Season 3
Stellar Fest
SC4ALL: StarCraft II
META Madness #9
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Closed Qualifier
eXTREMESLAND 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.