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I always figured that SC (and other skill / practice related professions like break-dancing) has grown so large in Korea because it's very difficult to develop a school and work career over there. Even if you're smart, you might have difficulty of being successful.
HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH????
While you have the right concern, your global view of the world as well as the relevance of professional StarCraft as a career choice is heavily misguided o_O
If you can make a living by becoming successful in SC, as it is right now, why don't any Africans seem to go train full time as a career path?
Is it something to do with technology and internet being unavailable, or lack of teams to support starting pro's, or just ignorance of the possibility, or.. ?
Be honest, does this make any rational sense? In addition, do you think a third-world country within Africa can remotely do anything near building a sustainable lifestyle off of video-games.
Think real hard, like come on .__.
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On April 07 2012 09:11 bblack wrote:
With the StarCraft II World Championship Series being announced there have been many questions about the way the world gets divided into 5 continents. Although most people are commenting on Asia-related divisions, to me the most remarkable observation lies in there not being an African continent representative.
While I follow the pro scene quite fanatically and am well aware that there aren't any African pro players, it did get me wondering.
I always figured that SC (and other skill / practice related professions like break-dancing) has grown so large in Korea because it's very difficult to develop a school and work career over there. Even if you're smart, you might have difficulty of being successful.
Then I imagine that the same goes for a lot of less developed countries in, for example, Africa. If you can make a living by becoming successful in SC, as it is right now, why don't any Africans seem to go train full time as a career path?
Is it something to do with technology and internet being unavailable, or lack of teams to support starting pro's, or just ignorance of the possibility, or.. ?
Looking at previous posts, there is some SC action going on in South Afrika, but that does overall seem to be the most 'western' country of the continent anyway.
So, it comes down to this:
I feel like there aren't many African SC players, am I right?
Why is that the case?
![[image loading]](http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01956/dadaab-weighing_1956687i.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/185/168/misc-jackie-chan-l.png)
I am fully aware of TL's harsh policy on replying with pictures, especially with memes. However, in your case, good sir, I feel they are quite appropriate.
User was warned for this post
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i wish there were more sc2 players in Antarctica.
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Well boys a few years ago, me and some of my buds from England would take a boat there to pick up some hitchhikers. Then we'd take em to America, trade them to rich people for molasses. Then bring the molasses back home and have a some delicious pancakes. Yummy (;
User was temp banned for this post.
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On April 07 2012 09:17 GamiKami wrote:
I remember there was a tournament going on in a while ago, and they only managed to scrounge up around 8 players and the finals was a plat level player vs a gold level player. There are very little players in africa, and you cannot expect anyone to be higher than diamond in all of africa. Imho its due to the general lack of technology and the very different culture.
Wow an entire continent and no one in their Grandmaster's league T-T
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On April 07 2012 09:47 HowardRoark wrote:Show nested quote +On April 07 2012 09:11 bblack wrote:
I always figured that SC (and other skill / practice related professions like break-dancing) has grown so large in Korea because it's very difficult to develop a school and work career over there. Even if you're smart, you might have difficulty of being successful.
Why is that the case? Seriously, WHAT is this supposed to mean? Very difficult to develop a school and work career in Korea? They have one of the lowest unemployment rates (3.7) and best schools in the world.
They might have great education, but does that mean that everyone smart enough to go to college gets the chance to do so? Also, if there are jobs for everyone, they might be far below their skill and pay level.
In some of the player interviews, I can't recall whose, the pros stated that because it was so difficult to get a decent spot in the competitive higher education that they might have equal chances in the world of gaming.
My point is, here in Europe everyone can get into college if you are intelligent enough and want to. You don't need to have money to back it up, and there are more than enough spots for everyone. If that is not the case, then it might be more tempting to pursue a career in gaming, if there is enough money to be gained by doing so.
If that's a risk that you are able to take, and the alternatives aren't all that safe either, I imagine more people would try to turn pro. The same goes for people in some African countries.
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On April 07 2012 11:44 EngrishTeacher wrote:Show nested quote +On April 07 2012 09:11 bblack wrote:
With the StarCraft II World Championship Series being announced there have been many questions about the way the world gets divided into 5 continents. Although most people are commenting on Asia-related divisions, to me the most remarkable observation lies in there not being an African continent representative.
While I follow the pro scene quite fanatically and am well aware that there aren't any African pro players, it did get me wondering.
I always figured that SC (and other skill / practice related professions like break-dancing) has grown so large in Korea because it's very difficult to develop a school and work career over there. Even if you're smart, you might have difficulty of being successful.
Then I imagine that the same goes for a lot of less developed countries in, for example, Africa. If you can make a living by becoming successful in SC, as it is right now, why don't any Africans seem to go train full time as a career path?
Is it something to do with technology and internet being unavailable, or lack of teams to support starting pro's, or just ignorance of the possibility, or.. ?
Looking at previous posts, there is some SC action going on in South Afrika, but that does overall seem to be the most 'western' country of the continent anyway.
So, it comes down to this:
I feel like there aren't many African SC players, am I right?
Why is that the case? I am fully aware of TL's harsh policy on replying with pictures, especially with memes. However, in your case, good sir, I feel they are quite appropriate. User was warned for this post
While I appreciate your enthusiasm in replying, I feel like your view of Africa might be a bit lopsided. Not everybody has to live in a box and walk 20 miles to get water, but the more developed countries don't make it to TV as often.
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On April 07 2012 11:38 Torte de Lini wrote:Show nested quote +I always figured that SC (and other skill / practice related professions like break-dancing) has grown so large in Korea because it's very difficult to develop a school and work career over there. Even if you're smart, you might have difficulty of being successful. HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH???? While you have the right concern, your global view of the world as well as the relevance of professional StarCraft as a career choice is heavily misguided o_O Show nested quote +If you can make a living by becoming successful in SC, as it is right now, why don't any Africans seem to go train full time as a career path?
Is it something to do with technology and internet being unavailable, or lack of teams to support starting pro's, or just ignorance of the possibility, or.. ? Be honest, does this make any rational sense? In addition, do you think a third-world country within Africa can remotely do anything near building a sustainable lifestyle off of video-games. Think real hard, like come on .__.
Well, I'm not sure you're right. Then again, neither am I sure I am right, that's why I started the OP 
Obviously in real third world countries, when you have to try real hard to just survive each day, mastering a video game is not an option. I've done some volunteering work over there, so I am aware of that.
But then there are also a few more developed, let's say second world countries. In which there is enough food and shelter to provide all basic needs, and technology is more readily available as well. In those countries, perhaps a career in professional gaming would have the potential for a brighter future than going through the standard educational system?
Thirdly, there are countries like South Africa and Egypt that are even more developed, they should produce players anyway, shouldn't they?
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On April 07 2012 09:15 DashedHopes wrote:
First of all, a lot countries in africa have too much to worry about such as food, shelter, water, and diseases. Electricity is rare to conveniently have to play games, and they are a developing nation, to be honest i bet at least 3/4 of their country doesn't even know what starcraft 2 is.
3/4 probably dont know what a computer is
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When you think about it, skill related professions do exist and are given impetus in Africa. Take soccer. Soccer is huge in Africa, all you need is a stretch of flat dusty turf and you could become your hero one day by practising.
Applying Starcraft to that logic is not gonna work so well because the infrastructure is not advanced and that underlies the industry. Korea might not have many opportunities in the commercial sector, as you describe, but they do have very advanced infrastructure to facilitate gaming and network-related activity. Also, they seem to be relatively stable politically which of course is not the case for Africa, and a less stable political sphere tends to make people want to go for the sure-fire option, joining the ranks in the economy.
So ya, I'm in SA and we have some decent tourneys, one of which attracts many skilled Europian players. But our gaming infrastructure, even though we are supposed to be the epi-centre of technology and wealth on the continent, is still shit. We have to use the EU server, as an example, and that gives you 200-300 ms latency, with not a thing you can do about it.
Bearing this in mind, the options are not stacked in favour of persuing a professional gaming career. Think of it this way. SA is to EU/NA as EU/NA are to Korea. If someone over here really wanted to take gaming to a professional level, it would be wise to make the move to a foreign country.
P.S. We have one GM on the EU server now, which you might consider to be a professional.
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Kennigit
Canada19447 Posts
I always figured that SC (and other skill / practice related professions like break-dancing) has grown so large in Korea because it's very difficult to develop a school and work career over there. Even if you're smart, you might have difficulty of being successful.
.01/10
i replied
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PandaTank from South Africa is a formidable player having recently made it into grandmaster. Also played at IeSF, and made to palyoffs.
I would say one of the players who has great potential and will benefit from something like this. Also there are other players who could do well. So yeah, as someone said please do research before just posting away. (Your spelling of South Africa is  ).
Edit: Also on the topic of making a career. It is really hard to get sponsorship fot players but in recent times it is becoming a bit easier esepcially with a bit tournaments now coming out in our area.
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On April 07 2012 19:03 bblack wrote:Show nested quote +On April 07 2012 11:38 Torte de Lini wrote:I always figured that SC (and other skill / practice related professions like break-dancing) has grown so large in Korea because it's very difficult to develop a school and work career over there. Even if you're smart, you might have difficulty of being successful. HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH???? While you have the right concern, your global view of the world as well as the relevance of professional StarCraft as a career choice is heavily misguided o_O If you can make a living by becoming successful in SC, as it is right now, why don't any Africans seem to go train full time as a career path?
Is it something to do with technology and internet being unavailable, or lack of teams to support starting pro's, or just ignorance of the possibility, or.. ? Be honest, does this make any rational sense? In addition, do you think a third-world country within Africa can remotely do anything near building a sustainable lifestyle off of video-games. Think real hard, like come on .__. Well, I'm not sure you're right. Then again, neither am I sure I am right, that's why I started the OP Obviously in real third world countries, when you have to try real hard to just survive each day, mastering a video game is not an option. I've done some volunteering work over there, so I am aware of that. But then there are also a few more developed, let's say second world countries. In which there is enough food and shelter to provide all basic needs, and technology is more readily available as well. In those countries, perhaps a career in professional gaming would have the potential for a brighter future than going through the standard educational system? Thirdly, there are countries like South Africa and Egypt that are even more developed, they should produce players anyway, shouldn't they?
No, I'm very sure I am correct in this case. All of the countries within Africa value their education a lot more than the United States given the opportunities and the heavy disproportion of the uneducated and the education. No one in their right mind would deny themselves an education and a future, something their parents heavily underline to them as children, to play video-games.
I'd hate to be blunt, but you must be talking out of your ass. You can't live as a professional gamer in many, many cases. This rings especially true in impoverished or "second-class" countries.
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On April 07 2012 12:07 Gtoad wrote:
Well boys a few years ago, me and some of my buds from England would take a boat there to pick up some hitchhikers. Then we'd take em to America, trade them to rich people for molasses. Then bring the molasses back home and have a some delicious pancakes. Yummy (;
User was temp banned for this post.
Why was he not perma banned for this?
Fucking idiot.
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On April 07 2012 11:37 PraetorianX wrote:Show nested quote +On April 07 2012 09:11 bblack wrote:
So, it comes down to this:
I feel like there aren't many African SC players, am I right?
Why is that the case? I don't feel that it's possible to answer this question without going into some really sensitive issues in depth - issues beyond the spectrum of this forum - and possibly stepping on some toes by doing so. So you're not gonna get a good answer to your question - but that doesn't mean there isn't one.
Sinister stuff.
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The African average for internet penetration in 2008 was 6.7%....
Much less having a computer capable of running starcraft
Much less purchasing starcraft
Much less competing competitively
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Not sure about africa, but I personally knew 1 GML Turkish player and 1 high master Iranish player.
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It's mostly pretty simple: Broadband penetration in Africa is absolutely minuscule. I believe it's something like 1% of population of the entire continent with a home broadband connection. That may be a little off (it's about 6 months since I saw the stats), but it's not far off. Heck, even South Africa, which is highly developed by African standards, has something like 15 connections per 1,000 people.
Basically, 1 billion people may be a lot, but 1% of 1 billion is not.
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Wow, so many ignorant comments in this thread its disgusting.
On April 07 2012 09:17 GamiKami wrote:
I remember there was a tournament going on in a while ago, and they only managed to scrounge up around 8 players and the finals was a plat level player vs a gold level player. There are very little players in africa, and you cannot expect anyone to be higher than diamond in all of africa. Imho its due to the general lack of technology and the very different culture.
Really? You think the highest player in the WHOLE of Africa is only in diamond? I suppose you also think we have ride elephants to work here.
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The amount of ignorance in this thread is frankly astounding.
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EPT
