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[T] The Reality of Progaming - Page 4

Forum Index > BW General
251 CommentsPost a Reply
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 11 12 13 Next All
Neobick
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Sweden208 Posts
May 19 2010 04:41 GMT
#61
This is why capitalism doesnt work unregulated.
Use the force.
exeexe
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Denmark937 Posts
May 19 2010 04:52 GMT
#62
There is no player that has enough power to bend the corporation$$$, not even Flash. Theres no united union of players that will be strong enough to bend the corporation$$$. If you want to bend the corporation$$$ you need to go to the kind of people that has the power. The people that has the power is the audience.

Make a South Korean boycott amongst the audience, then you will see things change.
And never forget, its always easier to throw a bomb downstairs than up. - George Orwell
Jonoman92
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
United States9104 Posts
May 19 2010 05:04 GMT
#63
Thanks a lot for the translation. It's pretty sad the way progamers are treated.

I mean, I guess they could try going on strike. Or have an uprising against the bourgeoisie elite (KeSPA).
mrdx
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
Vietnam1555 Posts
May 19 2010 05:20 GMT
#64
Epic translation, thank you so much l10f !!!
BoxerForever.com - the one and only international Boxer fansite since 2006 :)
Apex
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States7227 Posts
May 19 2010 05:27 GMT
#65
Korean Capitalism is just too favorable for businesses-so much so that corporations do wield a hefty degree of power.

Couple that with a rigid system in place in the progaming department that enables easy exploitation, and you get yourself the system in place at the moment that the person in the interview is noting.It's just too difficult for the common progamer to stand up, especially in the Korean environment.

Maybe Blizzard can change some of that by breaking up KESPA; however, it is not entirely set in stone here.

One of the sad parts for me is also related to how 'A' is inclined to vote in the upcoming elections. I don't want to turn this into an entire discussion about Korean politics, but he simply seems to be voting based on how much apperances the incumbent president had. If I remember correctly, Roh is more of a business-inclined conservative and I don't really see him addressing the problem at all. But that's just my two cents into a topic I may not really be 100% knowledgeable about.

Either way, a disappointing situation. A key figurehead like Boxer just MIGHT be able to do something due to his name recognition. The average progamer may only hope, but in my opinion, it must either start with a boycott or a political upheaval, neither seem likely at the moment.
Wala.Revolution
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
7584 Posts
May 19 2010 05:38 GMT
#66
Thanks for posting an interesting article.
Stuck.
Deleted User 47542
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
1484 Posts
May 19 2010 05:54 GMT
#67
This is just sad :/ All the progamers should randomly do a worker rush in every game of a proleague match to dispute, or at least have their voices heard by the public.
Squallcloud
Profile Joined February 2008
France466 Posts
May 19 2010 06:04 GMT
#68
Now i can't watch a game of brood war without thinking about all the young practice partner helping behind the scene without pay.

It's more shocking to me thant the match fixing scandal. The whole brood war industry is based on child labor and everyone seems cool with it.

I mean company makes money out of it! It's standard procedure to pay those who help you make the money.

If progaming is only playing games for fun why have tournament with cash prize? Hey it's only a game so let's practice our ass off for free?

I wish i could say that makes me sick and i'm boycotting the OSL, MSL and proleague but i'm weak.
Firebathero fanboy - It's not that i'm dumb i'm just controlled by a retarded infestor - Day[9]
Garaman
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States556 Posts
May 19 2010 06:19 GMT
#69
wow great article.
now i can empathize with the gamers involved.
they really dont make squat.
makes me hate kespa and blizzard more.
blizzard dont give a damn for gamers right, they just want the control instead of kespa rofl
Garaman
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States556 Posts
May 19 2010 06:21 GMT
#70
On May 19 2010 14:27 Apex wrote:
Korean Capitalism is just too favorable for businesses-so much so that corporations do wield a hefty degree of power.

Couple that with a rigid system in place in the progaming department that enables easy exploitation, and you get yourself the system in place at the moment that the person in the interview is noting.It's just too difficult for the common progamer to stand up, especially in the Korean environment.

Maybe Blizzard can change some of that by breaking up KESPA; however, it is not entirely set in stone here.

One of the sad parts for me is also related to how 'A' is inclined to vote in the upcoming elections. I don't want to turn this into an entire discussion about Korean politics, but he simply seems to be voting based on how much apperances the incumbent president had. If I remember correctly, Roh is more of a business-inclined conservative and I don't really see him addressing the problem at all. But that's just my two cents into a topic I may not really be 100% knowledgeable about.

Either way, a disappointing situation. A key figurehead like Boxer just MIGHT be able to do something due to his name recognition. The average progamer may only hope, but in my opinion, it must either start with a boycott or a political upheaval, neither seem likely at the moment.


american capitalism is no different when it comes to favoring the businesses. they just do it less obviously vs outright favortism shown to big corporations in korea
CCGaunt
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States417 Posts
May 19 2010 06:24 GMT
#71
Great article. Very glad the scene is trying to get ad much infomation out on this issue as possible.
Take me to Korea
tissue
Profile Joined April 2009
Malaysia441 Posts
May 19 2010 06:25 GMT
#72
Is there even a middle-of-the-road solution that solves all or most of these issues without the application of a metric fuckton of money, influence, and power? Doesn't seem like it. It looks like only Kespa, Blizzard, or a heavyweight outsider can change the base of esports, and the third option is extremely remote.
EvilTeletubby
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
Baltimore, USA22258 Posts
May 19 2010 06:33 GMT
#73
From what I read so far (have to get up early tomorrow for work, ugh), it's a very interesting read! Thanks for the translation!
Moderatorhttp://carbonleaf.yuku.com/topic/408/t/So-I-proposed-at-a-Carbon-Leaf-concert.html ***** RIP Geoff
Mylin
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Sweden177 Posts
May 19 2010 06:37 GMT
#74
Gotta say I already had this image of progaming being borderline slavery on the lower levels so not really anything surprising in there =/

Would be nice to have some sort of organization (like a union) looking after the players rights.

Yeah and big thanks for the translation.
no
moopie
Profile Joined July 2009
12605 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-19 06:51:44
May 19 2010 06:50 GMT
#75
On May 19 2010 15:04 Squallcloud wrote:
I mean company makes money out of it! It's standard procedure to pay those who help you make the money.


Most teams do not make direct money from it (except for selling some team merchandise, which isn't a big income to the team). Attending matches (including OSL/MSL finals and other events) is free, and the sponsors are the ones picking up the tab for the team costs, which aren't cheap. The only ones getting direct payment are OGN and MBC for commercials.

Yes, it would be great for salaries to be higher, but consider that you're talking about salaries for a lot of players, plus coaching staff, plus cook/maid/etc for the house, the house itself and the computer equipment and team clothing. Running a team isn't cheap, and all the sponsors get from it is good PR (and hopefully fans that want to support them and buy their stuff).

It's not as easy as saying "ha! they make millions off of these players, they should pay them more".

BTW I'm not siding against the players here, just trying to show the full picture.
I'm going to sleep, let me get some of that carpet.
chameleonism
Profile Joined May 2010
United States31 Posts
May 19 2010 06:57 GMT
#76
The easiest solution is for the players to boycott until a union is allowed to be formed or the whole system is restructured. It is a risky move, but if no one is willing to play, then Kespa and the corporate sponsors will have to do something. This will only happen if the top tier players decide to take some action. It is pretty obvious that Boxer has wanted changes for a long time, but not even he has enough clout to pull it off. Right now, it would take someone like Jaedong and/or Flash in conjunction with Boxer to really get the player support needed to start a full on boycott (if not more top players).

It is basically impossible for any company to "take over" the SC market. The best chance any emerging corporation would have is to make a contract with Blizzard for SC2 and publicly state that they will be paying players more and treating them better (minimum pay scale, better contracts, etc). SC1 is dead in the water unless the players do something. I don't see some random billionaire strolling into the Korean E-Sports scene and dropping so much money that Kespa and the current corporations will have to make changes. It is all on the players at this point. Whether they know that or not is still up in the air and whether they are willing to even try it is still extremely remote.
theramstoss
Profile Joined February 2010
Canada242 Posts
May 19 2010 07:01 GMT
#77
On May 19 2010 15:57 chameleonism wrote:
The easiest solution is for the players to boycott until a union is allowed to be formed or the whole system is restructured. It is a risky move, but if no one is willing to play, then Kespa and the corporate sponsors will have to do something. This will only happen if the top tier players decide to take some action. It is pretty obvious that Boxer has wanted changes for a long time, but not even he has enough clout to pull it off. Right now, it would take someone like Jaedong and/or Flash in conjunction with Boxer to really get the player support needed to start a full on boycott (if not more top players).

It is basically impossible for any company to "take over" the SC market. The best chance any emerging corporation would have is to make a contract with Blizzard for SC2 and publicly state that they will be paying players more and treating them better (minimum pay scale, better contracts, etc). SC1 is dead in the water unless the players do something. I don't see some random billionaire strolling into the Korean E-Sports scene and dropping so much money that Kespa and the current corporations will have to make changes. It is all on the players at this point. Whether they know that or not is still up in the air and whether they are willing to even try it is still extremely remote.


A strike at this point, with the match fixing scandal, will risk killing esports completely. The fans would just turn away.
quote? what quote?
T.O.P. *
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Hong Kong4685 Posts
May 19 2010 07:13 GMT
#78
I believe that part of the reason why progamers don't have a union is because there isn't enough money in esports. The teams don't make money from progaming. To them it's just part of marketing. It doesn't cost anything to watch games live right now and there are still empty seats. So obviously selling tickets isn't the solution. Most of the young kids in Korea play other games, only the older generation (20-30 years old) appreciate starcraft. If there's no money in it, a strike will just end up killing starcraft progaming.

I don't understand why people think Blizzard entering into the scene means that conditions will improve. Blizzard is a business. Why would they throw millions of dollars into esports if there is no benefit? The prize money won't be coming from blizzard. Eventually, It'll have to come from sponsors/viewers. Conditions will only improve if there is a big audience for Starcraft 2.
Oracle comes in, Scvs go down, never a miscommunication.
Creationism
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
China505 Posts
May 19 2010 07:23 GMT
#79
Although the story is very compelling, taking a step back and looking at the situation from a different point of view helps. Progaming, besides the highest level, really has absolutely no service to society. It is basically a form of entertainment through competition in a genre that honestly has a large amount of negative externalities. This is different from sports in that sports require something called physical talent and narrows the pool down, while gaming's requirements are a lot lax.

So instead of the select few talented and truely amazing people taking up the industry of entertainment and competition, you have massive crowding. Realistically, the reason why the progamers come out of their short and taxing careers to nothing, because they developed no skills to produce or even function in society. This is somewhat akin to the African American population in America, where the teenagers basically give up education to endeavor in sports. Sure, many have made it; but the ratio of success is quite low.

I honestly don't think this kind of behavior should be supported at all. I think I remember a friend and I talking about progaming, and he said: "If you support your children in becoming progamers, you are a terrible parent." And there's a lot of truth to that. If the teenagers are too wound up in their dreams of grandeur, then the more mature parent have to keep them from throwing their lives away.
The hoi polloi is the plague upon the world.
nonduc
Profile Joined May 2009
Russian Federation405 Posts
May 19 2010 07:30 GMT
#80
IMO that article is very superficial.

You must compare the situation of professional players and the situation of ballet dancers or that of musicians. Many years of full-time daily trainings and as a result only the stars get high fees…
티라노사저그 렉스 화이팅~!
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