EPTWhere to even begin. You've done so many things, not just for me but for the community as a whole. I guess the only place I can start is the beginning.
Introduction:
I began as a young nerd, dabbling in nearly every competitive game you could think of without understanding what competition was or feeling competitive myself. I played, Super Smash Bros Melee, Soul Calibur 4, Halo etc. I had a passion for gaming and it was what I lived in, what I did. I could even say that my gaming defined me, yet I never understood what it was to truly compete. I never comprehended the feeling of giving your entire essence to a game and trying to be the best.
But something changed that fact in my life forever. One day during my Sophmore year of High School I was introduced to StarCraft: BroodWar by my Science Teacher (Amazing guy eh.) He showed me how fun the game was, how difficult it was to play and that struck a chord in my heart.
I jumped at the chance to install such a game and was fortunate enough to have a friend install it with me. Soon after instillation, I learned this game was perfect for me. In such a short time I outclassed all my friends and all others who I met. Yet, I was missing something very important. The game was fun but I didn't understand competition or the joy of striving to be the best. StarCraft was just another fun game to me. But one day I heard my Science Teacher utter these very words “To be the best you need to spend your money as soon as you get it.”
My entire mind felt like it entered a world I had never heard of before. The thought of optimization and becoming the best flowed through my brain and washed through my very being. It was something I wanted, yet something I had never considered. That day I rushed home from High School and learned all about the StarCraft scene in Korea. I learned how amazing SlayerS_`BoxeR` was and even I wanted to be just like him.
But what really drove it home, was when I learned of a man. A man called Day[9]. The first time I ever heard him was on his podcast http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Day9/Day[9]0014-HOP3-AGoodMindset.mp3.
There are no words for the way my mind was opened. This concept, that I have difficulty describing to anyone, opened up in my brain. Somehow, I began to understand that people could optimize their strategies, there was a 'best' way to play. I learned that competition is real and that being skilled is something that can be practiced. Not only that, but I gained a deep appreciation for those who had dedicated to practicing and becoming far greater than anyone else.
From that day forward I lived and breathed StarCraft and I passed my passion on to my good friend Kyle. Upon choosing to play Protoss, Kyle decided on Terran and we both fought against each other constantly, striving to be better than each other and maybe one day make it to the 'Korean Level' as we called it. I would watch tons of Pro replays and listen to Day[9]'s other podcasts. I was in awe of this game called StarCraft.
Day[9] you deserve the credit for that day. You opened my heart to the passion that you have for gaming and showed me what it meant to truly dedicate yourself to something. Thank You.
Progression:
I doubt I'lll ever have such a fun few years of life as I did during those days. Waking up to play Stacraft, hanging out with friends who discussed the game, talking about how truly Gosu Flash was, listening to Kyle gush over his Hero Lim Yo Hwan or just dedicating an evening to a Day[9] podcast. I was having the time of my life and those are memories I can never forget.
I may never have become an amazing BroodWar professional. In fact, I never went over C rank on Iccup but I gained something that I could never unlearn; desire to learn and the ability to progress constantly. From then on I would practice every game as hard as I could. I would spend my time dedicating hours researching and learning the strategies that the best players used. My friends were always amazed at how quickly I would adapt to a game or how much I knew. Yet, that just drove me to practice more. Because I knew they didn't research, discuss metagame, practice or dedicate themselves like I did. I always strove to be the best in every game I played and I loved every moment.
The beauty of competition is still something I have trouble describing to another person who just doesn't understand it.
That feeling when you finally get up your 3rd as Protoss against Terran and you know it's about to hit late game. You know from here on out it's not just holding off pushes or securing bases. It's pure skill and wits. But suddenly you realize Terran has dedicated to a massive two base push. It's too late, you've already thrown down your 3rd. You need to constantly watch the map, know where he is pushing, keep your units ready to engage the giant Mech Ball of death slowly trying to choke the life out of you. You send in your army to stall him, taking every second you can to slow his push while macro-ing your heart out. Finally, you can stall no longer. You engage his army right outside your Natural. It's all down to overcoming this push, Mines go off, Tanks fire, Zealots evaporate in moments but it looks like you might have just enough Dragoons to push through. You vanquish the last Tank and realize, you won.
The feeling of sheer adrenaline that shakes through your entire body when you know you just accomplished something that you had to practice your heart out for.
That feeling...
Day[9] the credit goes out to you for showing me how to get to such a place. I would spend days dreaming of being as smart as you, as adept about the metagame and Professional Gamers as you were. You are my hero and back then you seemed like an endless wealth of knowledge. Your passion inspired me to discover what competition was and from here on out I can never go back.
I now take this feeling to every game I know. Super Smash Bros Melee, I picked up Falco and learned to SHFFL, Wavedash, SHL, L-Cancel and move so very fast. UMVC3, I would practice combos until I wanted to puke and learned how to cross people up in the dirtiest ways I could think of. Vergil, Doom, Strider ftw. I didn't just play games without thinking anymore, I played to get better and enjoy the ride. Win or lose it didn't matter and I had fun but I always wanted to improve.
Heck, even an unheard of MMO like Dragon Nest I would spend hours practicing and to this day PvP my heart out in it.
Life:
Gaming wasn't the only area you changed for me Day[9].
As the end of my High School grew closer to an end, I discovered your Dailies and adored Funday Monday. At this point I had stopped playing StarCraft and simply used the game to reminisce the great memories I had. Let me tell you, fun was definitely had watching Funday Monday. Daily #260 still holds a special place in my heart as one of the funniest things I ever watched.
That's when I realized, you weren't just a genius at StarCraft. You were a real person, who had really dedicated themselves to putting out content about StarCraft on a nearly Daily basis. And you didn't do it out of greed but out of a desire to share and grow the community that you love. In doing so I believe you shaped this community. You always call StarCraft the most friendly community in existence and I firmly believe you are a major contributor to that friendliness.
Is proof of what an absolutely amazing person you are. Day[9] I don't know if you realize that you don't just deliver StarCraft knowledge and being a better gamer. You shape every person who watches you into a better person. Day[9] you are the very reason I became passionate about the gaming community, you helped me laugh on days when I'm sad, relax on days where I'm stressed and even learn to appreciate others in a deeper way.
Not only did you bring me joy but I began to realize all the ways gaming had helped shape me as a person and started to admire the way you treat others. I may not be the same patient and fun-loving person I am today, if it wasn't for you.
On top of all that, you're the single most dedicated person I have ever met and I still challenge myself to dedicate as hard as you do. You have so many Dailies and have a ridiculously good attendance for showing up to your deadlines, its incredible. I still wonder how you work so hard and produce content almost endlessly. In fact, this principal is something I take as my first year of College comes to a close. I try to dedicate myself to my classes and other areas of life the way you dedicate to your passions. Thank You.
Thank You:
After being pointed out in chat during your The Last of Us stream. I was reminded again that you are a real person who truly has an amazing passion. This inspired me to write this entire post and share my heartfelt, sincere thanks to you. This way I hope you smile everytime you see the name Earthshakero, in green font, type in your Day[9] Daily chat and are constantly reminded that the job you do matters immensly.
Let me express my thanks with this video:
^ That's me.
You give everyone a chance to be who they are and invite them to share their passions with you.
You're a hero, a thinker, a strategist, a comedian, a do-gooder, a baller and your kindness knows no bounds. No matter who you meet, you seek to treat them with respect and kindness. Thank You for being who you are.
From here on out I'm making a brand new SC2 account under the name EarthshakerO and re-igniting that desire to be the very best because I just can't stay away from this game any longer.
From the bottom of my heart. Thank You Day[9].
