I think all it could do is help. Is it lame that we're that shallow? Yes. Does that change the fact that it would probably help (and certainly couldn't hurt) the scene? No.
As an example, the first time I tuned into Day9 my immediate thoughts were: "Goddamn, this dude is disheveled as hell and sorta looks like he needs a shower"
Was that incredibly shallow and kinda douchy of me to think? Yes. (Sorry man!) Regardless if I'm honest with myself that WAS the first thought that popped up. The thought was quickly replaced by respect after listening to him talk for a few minutes and accepting the fact that he has WAY more SC knowledge than I do but it's that initial first 30 seconds that could turn someone off that is only quasi interested and imho its those folks that could really help to grow the scene.
EDIT: I don't really think "pressure" is the right word. I don't want some team manager having their guys splitting time in the practice room and on the treadmill. I just think it might be helpful if the pros did this on their own but "pressure" from their org wouldn't be cool.
On August 11 2010 04:20 SiguR wrote: This may come off as an incredibly retarded post, but while I was laying on the floor of an apartment licking ranch dressing off the floor on the weekend, a thought popped into my head.
Wait no one bothered to even question this?
it's what it is 8)
And I think it's a plus but it shouldn't be encouraged. E-sports players should have enough self-motivation to look good, anyone in the spotlight should. get them korean chix and show them your thrusts per minute
Appearance is absolutely crucial in the US's society. Whether it be good looks or style or some quirky charm. E-sports can never reach mainstream acceptance on the level Korea does or professional sports do in the US in their current state.
Just look at shows like WCG Ultimate gamer or The Tester. Those shows grossly misrepresent gaming and what pro gamers or even good gamers are but most of those contestants still present themselves as something more acceptable to the masses and not someone who sits in front of a PC/console for 12 hours a day. There's nothing appealing about that to our superficial jocky culture.
Edit: Aside from e-sports or mainstream popularity I think everyone should at least put forth some effort to be presentable in public, anyway. Who the hell wants to look like a sloppy dirty careless grimy dude?
On August 13 2010 07:12 Grassy wrote: Appearance is absolutely crucial in the US's society. Whether it be good looks or style or some quirky charm. E-sports can never reach mainstream acceptance on the level Korea does or professional sports do in the US in their current state.
Just look at shows like WCG Ultimate gamer or The Tester. Those shows grossly misrepresent gaming and what pro gamers or even good gamers are but most of those contestants still present themselves as something more acceptable to the masses and not someone who sits in front of a PC/console for 12 hours a day. There's nothing appealing about that to our superficial jocky culture.
Edit: Aside from e-sports or mainstream popularity I think everyone should at least put forth some effort to be presentable in public, anyway. Who the hell wants to look like a sloppy dirty careless grimy dude?
This. For me anyway it comes down to a self respect thing. I'm not saying you can't be all hipster and non-standard etc but there is a difference between that and just not caring. I think its a personal thing though so if it's not your bag...I suppose I couldn't argue.
On August 11 2010 05:26 heynes wrote: Good looking people are more successfull in general. For Esports good looking people would be better than ugly ones. Bisu fangirls for example. Boys watch it for the sport and girls watch it for the cuties, just like football.
On August 11 2010 05:26 heynes wrote: Good looking people are more successfull in general. For Esports good looking people would be better than ugly ones. Bisu fangirls for example. Boys watch it for the sport and girls watch it for the cuties, just like football.
On August 11 2010 05:26 heynes wrote: Good looking people are more successfull in general. For Esports good looking people would be better than ugly ones. Bisu fangirls for example. Boys watch it for the sport and girls watch it for the cuties, just like football.
I see this entire debate and i'm starting to feel sympathetic.. Besides playing starcraft i am also a GO (you may have heard about it) player. I sure hope that the Sc community will eventually understand, just like the Romanian GO community understood eventually that if you want more people to notice or even try to take part in whatever it is you love doing (be it playing GO or starcraft or even tic-tac-toe for all that matters) you HAVE TO APPEAL TO THEM! it is easy to say "the world should adapt to me" but that is not how society works.. Yes, i too want to see more gosu players or bigger tournaments or hell, starcraft on tv but all theese things require MONEY that you get from sponsors. And i bet you Coca-Cola will never sponsor a Sc tourney untill they make sure thousands of people are watching.. And if having good looking top players will bring more attention to the esports scene, then it should be done.. You first want a huge mass of people to be interested in esports, then you can start to be nit-picky about them.. And just like others said i am not trying to force players into looking like hugh jackman or brad bitt but if you make Pro gammers look presentable and have an aura of confidence about them when giving interviews or appearing in public events (like E3, blizzcon or WCG) it will bring more atention to esports for the rest of the world. Sorry for the bad english on my part..
Every progamer should have the body of Nada, the jawline of reach, the hair of Bisu, the dancing skills of Jaedong, not the face of Hiya, and the charisma of Boxer. Or esports will never take off. imo.
This is turning into what seems to be the underlying roots and foundation of social darwinsm. It's pretty scary to see people respond "everybody should have a body of this and that and look a certain way in order to be accepted". Or that fat people and ugly people are disgusting and should not be televised in pro gamer or put a bad face on pro gaming. This type of mindset is extremely dangerous and poisneous to any society and community. I think its the worst thing to have this thought process invade a community that the foundation of its existence is for the "social outcast" or people who stray from "the norm". Because honestly in society people who play video games like us arent considered "normal".
On August 13 2010 14:23 sNes. wrote: This is turning into what seems to be the underlying roots and foundation of social darwinsm. It's pretty scary to see people respond "everybody should have a body of this and that and look a certain way in order to be accepted". Or that fat people and ugly people are disgusting and should not be televised in pro gamer or put a bad face on pro gaming. This type of mindset is extremely dangerous and poisneous to any society and community. I think its the worst thing to have this thought process invade a community that the foundation of its existence is for the "social outcast" or people who stray from "the norm". Because honestly in society people who play video games like us arent considered "normal".
Although I totally believe and agree that progamers being all pretty and looking good really shouldn't be a priority or important in any way, the unfortunate truth is that hot people sell well. In America at least, I'm like 90% sure that if the progamers were "good looking" and defy the whole ugly-nerd stereotype than eSports can completely and easily reach mainstream popularity. Despite the arguments, outer beauty is still very important to the American public unfortunately :\
Also, I think a strong personality is very important for the stars of eSports if it is to grow. Progamers need Boxer's or Boxer-like charisma and, more importantly I feel, the attitude of Firebathero. At least in the US of A, people are complete suckers for attitude and are more drawn in to charismatic, strong personalities. So long as it's not totally BM, a little cockiness never hurt to draw more attention.
However, paying too much emphasis on looks and appearance will also hurt the player's performance. Just look at the Beesuit's recent hellish slump for reference. Super saiyan = fail.
yes, they should, for e-sports and for themselves. You guys are acting like they need to take so much time to look well presented, they dont, they just need to shower and shave daily, and go shopping on an off day every 6 months or so, also get a haircut every couple months. seriously, this isn't about their body-types or looks, its just about basic hygiene.
For televised matches they should hire models who'd pretend to be playing. Real players could stay in their natural habitat - the basement of the venue.
I think people are focusing a bit too much on the looks thing. I don't think people are saying that every progamer has to be Adonis, but it would be nice if they were presentable.
It also helps a shitload if there are a few attractive progamers, that don't have to be the best, but they have to be able to go toe-to-toe at the top level. See the example of Anna Kournakova, who isn't actually very good, but gets tournament invites because she sells tickets and has a huge profile because of her looks. Other players still clean up, but her presence generates interest in tennis and ultimately helps them get their big pay packets. She can play at that level, but doesn't always even make past the first few rounds. I remember a NZ open appearance where she didn't even make it to the final 16, despite being paid the biggest appearance fee. Still, her games were big crowd pullers and the organisers probably made their money back. If they make money, they throw more tournaments. That is what you want, accept the bullshit that comes with it. If a few people can break into the mainstream the people who are not willing to benefit as well.
Attractiveness is not the only way to do this for a sport, they are just the most obvious. Tiger Woods managed to help golf simply by not being a old white man. Ok, he looks better than an old white man, but he is hardly a beautiful man.
Michael Schumacher did a world of good for Formula One just by being epicly good at it. Winning everything makes the news, people hear about it and get interested. Boxer probably had a similar effect on SC, but it never really broke into the Western mainstream. Tiger Woods did something similar for golf.
You can also get away with lesser looks if you have a personality to back it up. Charm and wit can serve the same purpose. That is what Steve Jobs has, charisma. He puts himself out there and he does it well. He also doesn't show up to press conferences in a stained and faded oversized hoodie. That helps.
EPT
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