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What's the draw to being good at sc2?

Blogs > Esoterikk
Post a Reply
Esoterikk
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
Canada1256 Posts
December 06 2013 17:30 GMT
#1
I've been asking myself lately what the benefit of playing sc2 everyday vs once or twice a week is and in coming up short. I understand that only being in gold I can't have an educated opinion on the higher end of sc2 so I figure what better place to ask than TL. What's the benefit of practicing more than a casual player in sc2?

Dota 2 is one example where you essentially transition into NEL style leagues once you out grow pubs. You play in a growing community and to be honest this looks life a lot of fun. There is also streaming which is more of an option in Dota because of the much larger scene. Essentially in house leagues and streaming options give you something to work towards.

A decent amount of competitive games seem to have this same general structure where a few people practice, out grow pubs, move on to the next step in the community but Sc2 seems unique in this regard. Since must of the cups and amateur leagues died off and being a solo game there doesn't appear to be a community outside of the ladder or being a pro. Obviously the main answer is you enjoy the game but that's not what I'm asking.

So what besides an enjoyment of the game drives you to be better at sc2? What benefit as a competitive gamer doors someone get out of practicing sc2 hard as opposed to focusing time on other games?



*
Harajuku
Profile Blog Joined May 2013
150 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-12-06 17:46:13
December 06 2013 17:43 GMT
#2
The first and by far the most important reason to play any game should be fun. If you don't enjoy playing SC2 I would stop immediately.

I think the main drive is self-improvement in a fiercely competitive environment (the ladder). Improving at SC2 is a never-ending process, there will always be something you could do faster or better.

Your goal seems to be to reach some degree of fame or notoriety within your game of choice. Since you are gold league level in SC2, that chance (to "break out") is extremely low. It's just extremely hard for any player that isn't already on par with the pros to "make it" afaik.

Perhaps it would be easier for you in Dota 2, as you already explained, but I don't know since I don't really know the game.

In the end, I would just play the game that provides you the most enjoyment.
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States45167 Posts
December 06 2013 17:47 GMT
#3
What's the draw to being good at anything?

+1 to Alpha status and/or bragging rights and/or e-peen and/or being a role model and/or making money.
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
Zealos
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
United Kingdom3576 Posts
December 06 2013 18:03 GMT
#4
People are competitive, they want to be good at things.
On the internet if you disagree with or dislike something you're angry and taking it too seriously. == Join TLMafia !
Esoterikk
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
Canada1256 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-12-06 18:11:00
December 06 2013 18:10 GMT
#5
On December 07 2013 02:43 Harajuku wrote:
The first and by far the most important reason to play any game should be fun. If you don't enjoy playing SC2 I would stop immediately.

I think the main drive is self-improvement in a fiercely competitive environment (the ladder). Improving at SC2 is a never-ending process, there will always be something you could do faster or better.

Your goal seems to be to reach some degree of fame or notoriety within your game of choice. Since you are gold league level in SC2, that chance (to "break out") is extremely low. It's just extremely hard for any player that isn't already on par with the pros to "make it" afaik.

Perhaps it would be easier for you in Dota 2, as you already explained, but I don't know since I don't really know the game.

In the end, I would just play the game that provides you the most enjoyment.


Actually this was less from a personal PoV question than just in general, however, my goal in any game is compete. I don't care if I gain notoriety or whatever just to be part of a competitive community and to play in tournaments (NOTE: This doesn't mean pro level, hell if gold had this I would enjoy it)

What's the draw to being good at anything?

+1 to Alpha status and/or bragging rights and/or e-peen and/or being a role model and/or making money.


Like I said joining gaming community leagues like NEL/ESEA etc and playing with like minded people on a competitive level is a big one I think.
Logo
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States7542 Posts
December 06 2013 19:20 GMT
#6
The next step is playing in tournaments of course. You say there aren't a lot of amateur level tournaments, but there are plenty of things like weekly tournaments you can participate in even if you can't win like Zotac cups, Z33k, and what not. You can also find friends and practice partners. Playing again and again with the same person is a very different level and style of playing rather than the anonymous ladder.

Logo
Antylamon
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1981 Posts
December 07 2013 04:42 GMT
#7
Actually, there's still a few amateur leagues out there, notably CTL.
ninazerg
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States7291 Posts
December 07 2013 06:28 GMT
#8
In my opinion, there is no benefit.

There will always be people better than yourself, always. And the more you push yourself, and the higher you climb, the more difficult your next step will be. If you don't love the grind of practicing and competing, you will never enjoy the game at any level. You also might have to be a little bit crazy.
"If two pregnant women get into a fist fight, it's like a mecha-battle between two unborn babies." - Fyodor Dostoevsky
32
Profile Joined February 2010
United States163 Posts
December 07 2013 06:54 GMT
#9
This is so obvious to me but I'm bad at SC2. If you become intrinsically good at SC2 then the decisions you make are good and in a sense you own the game, as in the game becomes an attribute of yourself. Almost in the same way that you are very good at controlling your own body compared to other people, the game becomes an extension of your power and influence. I wish I had the SC2. To me this is different in team games, because ownership is reliant on others. You can own a character as you can own a race in SC2, but you don't own the game by your hand alone.
Pokebunny
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States10654 Posts
December 07 2013 21:07 GMT
#10
Because you enjoy competition and beating better people. No real reason other than fun.
Semipro Terran player | Pokebunny#1710 | twitter.com/Pokebunny | twitch.tv/Pokebunny | facebook.com/PokebunnySC
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