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Active: 706 users

On changing of sponsors SS->Razer

Blogs > iNcontroL
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iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
February 04 2013 19:48 GMT
#1
As you may have heard today Evil Geniuses announced the peripheral sponsorship of Razer. This of course came after the sponsorship of Steelseries came to an end. You can read about it here: RAZER

This is a huge change obviously as SS and Razer are basically the two big dogs in the competitive gaming world when it comes to PC peripherals. I felt compelled to speak about this because I am fairly well known for being a vocal supporter of one product or another and have "starred" in videos/interviews etc.. where I speak about products.

Let me start off by saying while SS was a business relationship with team Evil Geniuses I personally came to be good friends with Kim Rom, Stu and others as we were partnered and I have the utmost respect for them and will always appreciate the time I spent with them in that capacity. When a team switches sponsorship very rarely is it because behind closed doors a table was flipped, someone's mom was insulted or what have you.. that is no different here. You will not be hearing mean spirited words from me or you will not sniff out any drama from EG on this subject.. it is a pretty standard situation that happens in sports as well as eSports: For one reason or another two parties can agree/disagree to continue to work together.

With SS leaving this means a few things:

1. I was not being dishonest when I recommended their gear. You can say what you want, I've been called/read it all: I only liked them because of money etc etc.

The bottom line is I think their stuff is great. I came to know them because they stepped forward and supported EG in a big way. Through their sponsorship I worked with their staff/gear and I genuinely enjoyed what I found.

2. I now cannot use their products because I am sponsored by a competitor and that is fine. When EG is sponsored by a peripheral company we try and get them as much exposure as possible so we can achieve the value we are known for. There is no angst here. There is no bitterness.. just business.

With being sponsored by Razer this means a few things:

1. I am excited to try out new gear. Way back in the day I used a Razer Diamondback, Lachesis and mousepads. They were my first "competitive" gaming gear provider. I wasn't sponsored by them or anything I just thought they looked cool (I was 12).

This point is especially important to me. YES I am sponsored by them. YES that means my company receives money from them. YES I can understand why you may read that as some kind of problem given my previous sponsorship by SS. But to me, it is a normal occurrence in business where I now get to explore the other side of the fence. If you see me speaking positively about a Razer mouse/keyboard.. chances are I am doing that because I genuinely enjoy what I have found. So let me break it down again because to me this is the biggest issue: Sponsorship dictates what product I use. My thoughts on said product are almost never scripted (that is me being scientific, I can't think of a time I actually was handed a script for SS) and that often results in support from me and positive language on said product. Remember: I was one of the people that said blackswitch 6gv2's aren't the best... red switch was awesome though etc.

2. EG is as big as it is because of how well we serve our sponsors. In the past I have asked you to support EG/our sponsors by buying their products.. here I will do the same. When EG gets picked up by Razer like we have.. if we can bring in business for Razer that means ONLY good things for EG. So I fully understand.. those of you that have tweeted at me or EG saying "I bought X SS product to support EG" I and all of EG THANK YOU but you will be hearing us switch those pleas to Razer and hopefully that makes sense to you. If you need a new mouse / keyboard etc.. and you still want to do something to support EG the same applies! Pick up a Razer product and tweet at them just like you have in the past.

It really is that simple. This part also makes me uncomfortable because I know on some level this concept will not be understood or appreciated by folk and I carry that burden as one of the most vocal people that supports their sponsors.

To finish...

I know this was long winded. I know a lot of you simply don't care or are not interested.. I am expressing this because it's important to me. I speak out a LOT and I support those that support me so on this particular issue I feel it has some gravity on me as a person. I wanted a chance to explain my thought process and hopefully give you all an opportunity to comment on my thoughts/situation without purely speculating.

TLDR: Had a great time with SS. Excited to work with Razer and use their products. I will be supportive of Razer and that's ok. I like you guys and want you to know what I think

***
da_head
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada3350 Posts
February 04 2013 19:56 GMT
#2
Well said. I owned a 6gv2 in the past, and though it was my first mechanical keyboard and i loved it, i moved on to a red cherry filco which is a lot better imo. Razer has always made solid mice (deathadder esp) but their keyboards are a little shitty. Im interested to see what your opinion of their products is.
When they see MC Probe, all the ladies disrobe.
Sn0_Man
Profile Blog Joined October 2012
Tebellong44238 Posts
February 04 2013 20:06 GMT
#3
It is a bit sad the community is dumb enough to warrant a post like this, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. GL with razer.

You'll understand if this doesn't influence my purchasing decisions the way you want it to though.
LiquidDota StaffSCIENTISTS BAFFLED | 3275929302
JOJOsc2news
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
3000 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-02-04 20:25:17
February 04 2013 20:06 GMT
#4
When a team switches sponsorship very rarely is it because behind closed doors a table was flipped, someone's mom was insulted or what have you.. that is no different here.


This sentence made me laugh out loud.

It makes sense that you would use and advertise the gear of your sponsor. That is part of a business partnership like that. When I watch a commercial or hear you guys promote or speak out for a product I am fully aware that you are in a business relationship with them. That is something else than the recommendation by an 'independent' party (pretty much impossible to find). You don't hide the fact that you are sponsored by Steelseries or now Razer so I don't feel like I am being deluded. I also don't think it is selling out. It is simply part of the business and part of your job. Nothing to get to heated about in my opinion. The fact that you spoke out about this particular change of sponsors will hopefully take some of that heat from the situation.

I find it interesting that you felt the need to explain this situation and your approach to sponsors. It tells a lot about how important integrity and honesty is to you and how little people seem to know about sponsorships. Thanks for sharing your thought-process and thanks for continuous honesty and the fact that you address things like that in a very inclusive manner (even though you shouldn't have to).
✉ Tweets @sc2channel ⌦ Blog: http://www.teamliquid.net/blog/JOJO ⌫ "Arbiterssss... build more arbiterssss." Click 'Profile' for awesome shiro art!
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
February 04 2013 20:16 GMT
#5
On February 05 2013 05:06 Sn0_Man wrote:
It is a bit sad the community is dumb enough to warrant a post like this, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. GL with razer.

You'll understand if this doesn't influence my purchasing decisions the way you want it to though.


yep.

I woke up to someone tweeting me "motherfucker" and I read reddit/TL and see myself being called a hypocrite, leechcontrol etc etc... really hurtful stuff.

It's expected.. I am "the face" or spokesperson or w/e in many situations so I get that flak. Just needed to try and get my thoughts out there and hopefully make a difference.
TheKefka
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
Croatia11752 Posts
February 04 2013 20:17 GMT
#6
I'm kinda confused,have no idea what made you type up this blog but do people really not understand the concept of sponsorship?Oo
Feel like your getting trolled by someone idk lol
Cackle™
DamageControL
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States4222 Posts
February 04 2013 20:18 GMT
#7
If you don't give a shit about what mouse you use, use razer.

But seriously, both companies make great gear, I don't think its weird that you can recommend both.
Liquid | SKT
farvacola
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States18824 Posts
February 04 2013 20:21 GMT
#8
I am thoroughly upset to hear that no tables were flipped in the procession of this sponsorship change I already have a razer keyboard and mouse, so I'll just say I saw this comin.
"when the Dead Kennedys found out they had skinhead fans, they literally wrote a song titled 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off'"
tiaz
Profile Joined December 2010
Sweden231 Posts
February 04 2013 20:21 GMT
#9
I have not always liked EG for various reasons (that's me being diplomatic...) But god knows I really envy your teams ability to really put the spotlight on your sponsors and doing - as it seems to us on the outside - EVERYTHING in your power to fulfill the sponsors wishes. Nobody should or can take that away from you, certainly not before and in my mind certainly not now either.

So best of luck to you and your team.
"When you play, you have to start off with a mind to turn the game into a rape." - Iloveoov
CaucasianAsian
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
Korea (South)11577 Posts
February 04 2013 20:23 GMT
#10
Man, sometimes the drama in this scene is just so petty. I don't bash GSL for going from a Coca-Cola sponsorship to Pepsi to Hot6.

It's a shame you had lost the support of SS, and I'm unaware of the circumstances. Did Razer outbid SS? Did something happen elsewhere? Who knows. Either way, I don't think its really anyone's business except for the team and their backers.

I'm glad you're doing well, and keep it up!
Calendar@ Fish Server: `iOps]..Stark
mdb
Profile Blog Joined February 2003
Bulgaria4059 Posts
February 04 2013 20:27 GMT
#11
Thanks for this information. Definitely needs to be featured.
crms
Profile Joined February 2010
United States11933 Posts
February 04 2013 20:27 GMT
#12
I don't get why someone would be actually upset with you over this. I know I made a joke about looking forward to hearing how Razer is now the greatest from EG crew but it's all in good fun. I prefaced my joke with the opinion that if you take sponsored personalities word for products they're sponsored for, you're generally, a fool.

There is nothing wrong with peddling products because they pay your bills, you just become a corporate shill whose opinion on such products means nothing. Again that isn't bad, it's just the reality.

I can't say I'm surprised people were actually upset giving how the community functions but that's pretty sad. Funny? Ironic? Sure, but to be actually MAD? Weird as fuck.
http://i.imgur.com/fAUOr2c.png | Fighting games are great
Sn0_Man
Profile Blog Joined October 2012
Tebellong44238 Posts
February 04 2013 20:28 GMT
#13
On February 05 2013 05:23 CaucasianAsian wrote:
Man, sometimes the drama in this scene is just so petty. I don't bash GSL for going from a Coca-Cola sponsorship to Pepsi to Hot6.

It's a shame you had lost the support of SS, and I'm unaware of the circumstances. Did Razer outbid SS? Did something happen elsewhere? Who knows. Either way, I don't think its really anyone's business except for the team and their backers


I believe SteelSeries actually has opted to move away from the "razer model" where you partially sponsor everything in sight so that everybody is a fan of ONE of your players/teams, and more towards the tt-esports model where they are their own team brand. This is kinda just rumours, but SteelSeries has dropped multiple teams and word is they are going to essentially solo-sponsor some teams in the near future. Essentially, if you are a fan of (player X) you are a fan of SteelSeries, not of EG who is then sponsored by SteelSeries. That is the plan

LiquidDota StaffSCIENTISTS BAFFLED | 3275929302
MisterFred
Profile Joined October 2010
United States2033 Posts
February 04 2013 20:30 GMT
#14
I never buy gear based solely on sponsorship (of teams I like, not me, of course)... but I do use sponsorship as a "tie-breaker" when multiple types of gear are both suitable. It amazes me that people don't realize that most mice are based on the similar (if not exactly the same) sensors, technologies, etc. Of course there are both good steelseries & razer products (and Mionix, hup hup).

That said, EG does a fantastic job of raising their sponsors to the top tier of that "tie-breaker." And I truly do value what pro gamers have to say (in a non-scripted way) about their gear. I rarely recommend heatsets rather than headphones+mic, for example, but when I did I often recommended the Steelseries Siberia based on EG players' evaluation of its comfort (especially from Machine & regarding a certain Mr. Robinson's very big head). Perhaps with this new sponsorship I will learn more about comfy Razer headphones. Perhaps something else.

Long story short, good blog, have fun with the Razer gear, and I'll recommend products that sponsor EG - on a tie-breaker basis.
"The victor? Not the highest scoring, nor the best strategist, nor the best tactitian. The victor was he that was closest to the Tao of FFA." -.Praetor
Zealously
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
East Gorteau22261 Posts
February 04 2013 20:30 GMT
#15
Thanks for this post. Sad that it's needed, but very informative.
AdministratorBreak the chains
sLideSC2
Profile Joined July 2012
United States225 Posts
February 04 2013 20:32 GMT
#16
On February 05 2013 05:16 iNcontroL wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 05 2013 05:06 Sn0_Man wrote:
It is a bit sad the community is dumb enough to warrant a post like this, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. GL with razer.

You'll understand if this doesn't influence my purchasing decisions the way you want it to though.


yep.

I woke up to someone tweeting me "motherfucker" and I read reddit/TL and see myself being called a hypocrite, leechcontrol etc etc... really hurtful stuff.

It's expected.. I am "the face" or spokesperson or w/e in many situations so I get that flak. Just needed to try and get my thoughts out there and hopefully make a difference.


I think most of the hate comes from this interview at mlg months ago when you thanked razer for making products that were worse than steelseries, also thanking amd for being worse than intel... ect. ect. They weren't bad things to say back then, but now you are sponsored by razer and plugging their products after saying those things, and it comes off as a bit hypocritical.

I'm honestly surprised that video hasn't been pulled yet, as it has you pretty much hating on you're new sponsor.

https://twitter.com/sLideSC2 | (NA)sLide.635 | coL_Sasqautch ~ coL_QXC ~ coL_TriMaster
crms
Profile Joined February 2010
United States11933 Posts
February 04 2013 20:36 GMT
#17
Just stop. He was indirectly employed by Steelseries at the time and now he is indirectly employed by Razer. This happens all the time in the real world and this is 100% why you don't trust sponsored personalities on gear recommendations.

Let them do their thing, let them market, let them get paid. You do your own due diligence to find out which products YOU think are the best and buy accordingly.

Sad community making me sad.
http://i.imgur.com/fAUOr2c.png | Fighting games are great
Zandar
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Netherlands1541 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-02-04 20:42:16
February 04 2013 20:37 GMT
#18
Geoff, it's just that people in general don't like people who's opinion depends on who pays them most.
But being professional you sometimes just have to do that.

And since you are a very vocal person, stuff like that can sometimes backlash, don't take it too personal mate.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
sLideSC2
Profile Joined July 2012
United States225 Posts
February 04 2013 20:39 GMT
#19
On February 05 2013 05:36 crms wrote:
Just stop. He was indirectly employed by Steelseries at the time and now he is indirectly employed by Razer. This happens all the time in the real world and this is 100% why you don't trust sponsored personalities on gear recommendations.

Let them do their thing, let them market, let them get paid. You do your own due diligence to find out which products YOU think are the best and buy accordingly.

Sad community making me sad.

Yes but when he's telling us to trust him that's a different story.
https://twitter.com/sLideSC2 | (NA)sLide.635 | coL_Sasqautch ~ coL_QXC ~ coL_TriMaster
vividred
Profile Joined January 2013
88 Posts
February 04 2013 20:40 GMT
#20
Why can't they just say "thanks x for supporting me" like any other decent endorsers

and not some overhyped bullshit like "oh x is the best thing evar xdxdxdxd"
MUDA MUDA MUDA
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