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Professionalism: Mostly An Illusion

Blogs > djWHEAT
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djWHEAT
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States925 Posts
November 10 2010 21:04 GMT
#1
After MLG Dallas was over, the Live On Three crew decided to do a special post-event pre-show for the community. What followed was a mixture of posts that highlighted the positives and the negatives of this broadcast. While some of the posts outlined impending doom on eSports due to the content the special LO3 presented, other posts were very appreciative of the effort and the "behind the scenes" look at a community they are actively involved with.

The underlying theme of most of the posts (which tipped the negative scales) were about "professionalism" and the idea that eSports is doomed without it. I wanted to speak on the idea of "professionalism" from my perspective having nearly a decade of experience in this particular industry.

However, before I do go into it... I wanted to address the show itself.

First and foremost, I thought it was fucking excellent. Having a nearly unlimited supply of amazing talent at the party made it the BEST location to do exactly what we were aiming to do. Our goal was to provide the community a post-event content piece that leveraged the players, community members, and fans with a very casual and friendly environment.

After the post on TL, I received tons of emails from people who really enjoyed the show... and most of them had concerns that because of the negative responses in that thread we would discontinue shows "like" this one.

DO NOT WORRY. It'll never happen. Ever. Because it goes against everything that I believe in and that LO3 believes in. If the MLG Dallas event was the Super Bowl, the LO3 which followed was the reality show which gave insight to the Super Bowl that you would not have seen otherwise.

I'm happy to answer specific questions about the show itself, but it's time to move onto the main focus for this blog:

PROFESSIONALISM

Or more importantly... why it doesn't really fucking matter. (Yet).

Don't get me wrong. I think being professional is an important part of one's success. But if I decided to take a strictly professional approach to Pro-Gaming, I would not be where I am today, nor would I had the experiences in gaming that I've had over the past 12 years.

People need to realize that we are not under a microscope of scrutiny right now. And it's going to be quite a long time before we are.

If you want to see "Professional", go look at the amazing work of the MLG Broadcast team (from casters to production) for the Dallas Finals. Three days of great content presented in a professional manner while retaining the "fun" factor of games.

If you want to see "Professional", go watch one of the 100 LIVE shows that CGS did.

I've been successful in this business because I know how to turn on the "Professional" switch. MLG hired me despite the fact that I had been verbally open about their league, competitions, and mistakes in the past. They hired me because they knew that I could provide the "Professional" Anchor role that they needed. CGS hired me despite the fact that I was actively involved in a daily gaming show called Epileptic Gaming which featured an often vulgar look at video games and guests who included porn stars and Playboy bunnies.

I just want to make it very clear to everyone who thinks otherwise, that you CAN straddle the line... and I'll do it till I die.

Of course, it's not quite as simple as that. Gaming is DIFFERENT. Gaming feeds off a culture of individuals who is actively involved in the internet, their respective communities, and the personalities who consistently engage their audiences. Because of this, gaming can be a little bit more edgy, a little bit more creative, and maybe even a little bit "unprofessional".

Now let me explain the "straddle". For those who know of my work outside of casting, you know that I do 3 shows a week that certainly border on "unprofessional". However, I don't see it that way.

Obviously, the "professional" line is the easy one to explain. I've been fortunate enough to share my "professional" side with many different organizations, and as a result, I don't have much trouble finding work with said organizations. They know that when it comes to their event, I have their best intentions in mind and I will put on the show they want. Never once have I heard this, "Man Wheat, we'd love to hire you, but in the last episode of Epileptic Gaming you called Peter Monyleux a douchebag and said the word FUCK 18 times." At this point people may be thinking, "God Wheat you're talking about yourself alot..." but I want to use my history to prove that I've always maintained a standing in the industry while jumping back and forth between the "professional" and "unprofessional" line. I've been on both sides of the fence, and both of them are EQUALLY important to the success of Pro-Gaming.

So now I want to explain that "unprofessional" side of things. And this is a little tougher to explain.

The reason I do things like the LO3 Post-MLG Show, Epileptic Gaming, Weapon of Choice... is cause I'm a nerd just like you guys. That's my outlet. That's where I get to yell and bitch about this horrible game I played, vent about a developer who I think has screwed us over, argue the finer points of micro-transactions, etc. My outlet also happens to best convey my own personality which is loud, a little obnoxious, and (hopefully) entertaining.

But I also feel like these sorts of shows speak to the community and audience of gamers much more than a post-produced shitbag of a show that you'd see on G4 or IGN. It's not real. Not genuine. And it's mostly fabricated bullshit. Do these shows on these mentioned channels grow community? Fuck no. State of the Game grows community... Weapon of Choice grows community... these types of people and shows who funnel their passion into content... that's what grows community.

AND THAT'S GOD DAMN IMPORTANT FOR US RIGHT NOW. Before SC2 and gaming in general blows up to be a true spectator sport, we have to prove that we have a community of people who will support it.

As a community our #1 focus should be to support the growth of said community, the introduction and education of new members of the community, and activities/shows/tournaments which encompass the growth of the community. We should not be worrying about the "professional" image of Pro-Gaming because there's not a terrible amount that we can do to help or hurt it. We need to let companies worry about professionalism (MLG, WCG, GSL, etc) while we ourselves remain aware of it. We cannot let the illusion of "professionalism" hinder community growth.

Now... when Mountain Dew wants to pay me $10 Billion dollars to be clean-cut Wheat, that's when I'll jump the line to "professional".

But until then, I'm going to continue to walk the line. To provide "professional" services to those organizations who want and need it... while growing the community with entertaining content that is meant FOR the community.

Questions/Comments are welcome!

****
OneMoreGame.tv // Weapon Of Choice // Kings Of Tin // Inside The Game // Live On Three
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8748 Posts
November 10 2010 21:09 GMT
#2
I'll be first in line for LO3's next post-MLG show. Good work
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
Ares[Effort] *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
DEMACIA6550 Posts
November 10 2010 21:10 GMT
#3
I think you did a great job during the event and after. I enjoyed the interviews that were done with the players @ LO3, they showed a different side of gaming to me that was more enjoyable. They weren't reading some script they were themselves.

btw you and day[9] best combo
Moderatorgold coin
jamesr12
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States1549 Posts
November 10 2010 21:12 GMT
#4
where can i see a recording of said show?
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=306479
Zozo
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Brazil2579 Posts
November 10 2010 21:12 GMT
#5
On November 11 2010 06:09 Liquid`Tyler wrote:
I'll be first in line for LO3's next post-MLG show. Good work


So you are saying you are going to win it? =)

I loved the show also, it really surprised me when I read the other thread. Thanks for taking the time wheat.
EGM guides me
insta111
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States80 Posts
November 10 2010 21:13 GMT
#6
I thought to Lo3 was a great cast; it really showed the "human" side of progaming. A lot "professionals" seem to treat just being a regular person as something that should never see the light of day, but I'm glad that so far, esports isn't like that.

If I have anything to say about it, keep casts like these coming.
firalol
Profile Joined March 2010
United States51 Posts
November 10 2010 21:14 GMT
#7
I love you Wheat.
DreamScaR
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
Canada2127 Posts
November 10 2010 21:14 GMT
#8
I caught the tail end of it after coming home from a few beers, it was amazing to see and hear. If people have issues with that type of thing, let me listen in on Spooky's crew casting.
~ Aka ItsWoodrow on Twitter
Kralic
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada2628 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-10 21:17:42
November 10 2010 21:15 GMT
#9
Don't change at all DJ. You bring the community awesome shows. I have been a fan of yours for a long time. It is nice to see someone able to switch genre's and still put on a great show.

Keep up the great work!

I don't get why some people felt your show was bad, it is like TV if you don't like the show don't watch.
Brood War forever!
Doraemon.doraemon
Profile Joined May 2010
United States335 Posts
November 10 2010 21:15 GMT
#10
that LO3 was the best ever... it put faces and personalities into these alias that we see on a computer screen... that alone makes me want to support esport more
Logo
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States7542 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-10 21:17:29
November 10 2010 21:16 GMT
#11
The after show was awesome, people who may be drunk say hilariously inappropriate things. I dread the day that esports forces players to 'act professionally' 100% of the time.
Logo
Nausea
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden807 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-10 23:13:29
November 10 2010 21:16 GMT
#12
Well said. This kind of show isnt my cup of tea, but i also saw nothing wrong with it.
People just like being offended or what not about anything.

The only thing that could improve would be the sound, so when interesting things were actually spoken i can hear them.

EDIT: Actually rewatched it today, and it was my cup of tea, guess i was just too tired 5am when it was live. xD
Set it ablaze!
eLiE
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada1039 Posts
November 10 2010 21:17 GMT
#13
lol, wtf? people need to grow down, we're talking teens and teens at heart playing video games here. professional would be boring, it's good to see real people with real personalities. keep doing what you're doing wheat, its hilarious. when you yelled at huk "fuck you, its idra", i was laughing my ass off.

people are gonna take esports seriously if it's entertaining, not if it's prim and proper; this "market" isn't generally offended by unprofessionalism, once it's big enough for the masses, then you start worrying about it. and the official cast was definitely professional, you guys were wearing suits and shit, and i didnt hear any swearing. great job, keep it up, you're one of the people making esports big!

and state of the game is hilarious too, i can't help laughing, even in public.
How's the weather down there?
denzelz
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States604 Posts
November 10 2010 21:18 GMT
#14
Seems like you are just trying to stay relevant by "straddling" the line. Vulgarity, controversy sells. Starcraft 2 needs to start selling itself.
djWHEAT
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States925 Posts
November 10 2010 21:18 GMT
#15
On November 11 2010 06:09 Liquid`Tyler wrote:
I'll be first in line for LO3's next post-MLG show. Good work


Thanks Tyler. And you can bet I'll take you up on that ^_^
OneMoreGame.tv // Weapon Of Choice // Kings Of Tin // Inside The Game // Live On Three
Slayer91
Profile Joined February 2006
Ireland23335 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-11-10 21:23:58
November 10 2010 21:22 GMT
#16
Fuck the haters, wheat 4 lyfe!

People who know nothing about real eSports have no business criticising those few who have been building it for years.
Adeny
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Norway1233 Posts
November 10 2010 21:23 GMT
#17
Never change, haters gonna hate.

By the way what's up with call n' brawl?
Crais
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada2136 Posts
November 10 2010 21:23 GMT
#18
I loved it Wheat. I only caught the tail end it but thought it was awesome. Was great to see the people behind the gamers. The face behind the replay so to speak. I think that even viewed in a "professional" context the LO3 afterparty was just that, an afterparty. After an intense weekend of focus, it showed people just letting their hair down and having fun together.

Thanks for all you do for the community!
RIP MBC Game Hero
ShadowWolf
Profile Joined March 2010
United States197 Posts
November 10 2010 21:24 GMT
#19
Even in organizations that are considered highly "Professional", they walk a line. All of the top rated sports radio programs where I live are a little edgy. Yeah - it's different because they have rules and regulations. Honestly, that freedom is a small part of what makes Lo3 and WoC great programs.

The fact is that the swearing and what-not is used to improve the message. I think if the swearing came to the point where it became the message, well, I'd certainly stop tuning in, but people like djWheat et. al. do an amazing job of walking that line.
Zelniq
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
United States7166 Posts
November 10 2010 21:25 GMT
#20
i'm pretty pissed I was stupid enough to schedule my flight back home on Sunday night, just so I wouldn't miss a worthless day of classes. looks like I missed out on the best of the MLG nights, next time I won't make that mistake

also, fuck ya wheat I agree 100%
ModeratorBlame yourself or God
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