It's with an incredible amount of pride (and slight degree of trepidation) that I compose these words. I'd like to think every serious Professional Organization dreams of the day they can have their own training facility. It's not only a huge boon for the players of the organization, but a significant centralization of the organization as a whole. For us, it's been a project in the works since the inception of our organization that has finally come to fruition. I know I speak for everyone in the organization when I say we're all excited to kick off 2013 by opening the doors to our new facility.
Team Owner, Brandon "cAdama" Altman, had some words to share on the opening of the facility as well.
After many months of planning and coordination, I'm pleased to finally say that the Clarity Gaming Training Facility is open and currently in use. One of our core focuses at Clarity is to ensure that all of our players have the best environment, tools, and help to succeed in their careers. I see this step as essential to ensuring the success of our pro-gamers to compete internationally with the best of the best. As wonderful as it was sharing my house with SungYong and ManHyeok, I'll sleep much better at night (both figuratively and literally) now that they're in the Training Facility with much better living conditions.
Located in Hampton Bays, New York the Clarity Gaming Training Facility aims to provide comfortable lodging for all of our full-time players in order to alleviate the stress of day-to-day life and allow greater focus on their primary interest: StarCraft 2. With the ability to house up to ten players comfortably at any time, we can not only ensure a high level of support for the players, but also an environment in which to foster growth both individually and as a team.
The location is just remote enough to offer complete seclusion from the outside influences of the world, but not enough to completely negate ease of travel (both foreign and domestic). Likewise, the house features a full kitchen (for unboxing of take-out brought home by management) and laundry facilities, as well as many other amenities (including a swimming pool).
Despite the official announcement today, our first pair of players have already moved into the house and set up shop. Both ManHyeok "cJookTo" Jo and Sung Yong "cYong" Hong are now full-time residents in the Training Facility. They are planned to be joined by more members of the team in the coming weeks.
We asked both SungYong and ManHyeok to share some thoughts after their first week in the house, and how things are coming together.
Yong:
It's been 5 days since I've arrived at the teamhouse, I've been waiting for this for so long. It was so much bigger than it seemed in the pictures, and the interior was great. The house gets great sunlight on all four sides, with a grand view of the ocean through the balcony. We've been shopping home supplies to fill its empty atmosphere. We heard there are 3 additional members joining the team house, so that should do it for us.
JookTo:
We've been here for 5 days, and it still feels pretty empty because there are only 3 of us and the house is just huge. No complaints so far, we're just running around buying stuff for the house, making it homely. We'll be having 2-3 more people within the next few days. Once we get enough people rolling in here, it'd be the most ideal practice space.
To keep a closer eye on our players in the future, you can follow the team, and the progress and travels of the players on the following sources:
You can also expect to see our next Bi-Weekly Wrap-Up at the end of this week (our first of 2013!) for more up-to-date information on the rest of the team!
I'm also more than happy to field any additional questions regarding the Training Facility either in this thread, or via my personal Twitter (found below). For inquiries of a more direct/lengthy nature, you can contact me via Skype (VirgilSC2).
Thanks for reading, and we hope you cheer for us in this new year!
So far as I can tell from looking at your website, Clarity doesn't have any sponsors. How can you afford player salaries, travel and a team house etc without any sponsorship? Is it all funded privately by team owners/managers etc?
This looks really awesome, which is kind of a problem. Your team isn't very well known, at least in SC2. Do you have a big foothold in other games or a big incoming sponsor? This just doesn't seem like it could last very long.
Seems legit, congrats! Admittedly I had only heard of Clarity through InsidiA and didn't take it seriously, with so many poorly managed teams around that screw over players you can't blame me for being pessimistic. I can confidently say Clarity Gaming is well and truly on my radar now though!
Good luck to your team and players, I hope to see your players make headway.
On January 09 2013 10:06 Netsky wrote: This is really awesome, but I have a question.
So far as I can tell from looking at your website, Clarity doesn't have any sponsors. How can you afford player salaries, travel and a team house etc without any sponsorship? Is it all funded privately by team owners/managers etc?
Currently, yes. Although we have two announcements coming in the next few weeks with regards to that specific question.
We appreciate the kind words and hope you stay tuned in the coming months to follow the results!
On January 09 2013 10:12 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote: This looks really awesome, which is kind of a problem. Your team isn't very well known, at least in SC2. Do you have a big foothold in other games or a big incoming sponsor? This just doesn't seem like it could last very long.
Without delving into exactly how we finance the team in explicit detail, I'm comfortable sharing that we didn't go out and purchase a new house specifically for use as a training facility. We had an opportunity as a team and we took it, after careful consideration into how it effects the long-term team financials.
On January 09 2013 10:06 Netsky wrote: This is really awesome, but I have a question.
So far as I can tell from looking at your website, Clarity doesn't have any sponsors. How can you afford player salaries, travel and a team house etc without any sponsorship? Is it all funded privately by team owners/managers etc?
Yes, the team is currently funded completely from members within the organization. Without saying too much, the response we've seen from potential sponsors was less than ideal. That being said, we have carefully laid out our financial expenditures down the road and made sure this is a sustainable endeavor.
I thought that was a place where naughty things happen at first but then I read and saw pictures and I'm really impressed. Clarity slowly getting better and better. Good luck to you guys~
On January 09 2013 10:27 -Kyo- wrote: I thought that was a place where naughty things happen at first but then I read and saw pictures and I'm really impressed. Clarity slowly getting better and better. Good luck to you guys~
Wow, I appreciate your guys' dedication to esports and starcraft. Will be sure to keep an eye out for the clarity gaming players! You guys should quickly become NA powerhouses.
On January 09 2013 10:27 -Kyo- wrote: I thought that was a place where naughty things happen at first but then I read and saw pictures and I'm really impressed. Clarity slowly getting better and better. Good luck to you guys~
what. I dont even.
To be fair, from the outside it did look kinda old and worn-down, especially given the small pictures. Standard beach house design can look really bad unless you get a good look at the house. Of course, it's not really a bad house in the least once you get a look at the interior and swimming pool.
That is one of the coolest team houses I've seen yet! They each team seems to be one upping eachother every time hahaha. At first glance it looked a little run down, but by the the looks of the interior I would've never guessed that was the same house.
On January 09 2013 11:14 FXOdesRow wrote: Wow so sick these guys/team went through so much. From clash to back2back and now clarity, glad they got a nice thing going on ^^
I don't know you that well but thanks sir, means a lot <3 gl with your new team!
On January 09 2013 10:27 -Kyo- wrote: I thought that was a place where naughty things happen at first but then I read and saw pictures and I'm really impressed. Clarity slowly getting better and better. Good luck to you guys~
what. I dont even.
To be fair, from the outside it did look kinda old and worn-down, especially given the small pictures. Standard beach house design can look really bad unless you get a good look at the house. Of course, it's not really a bad house in the least once you get a look at the interior and swimming pool.
Idk if it's a hamptons / ny thing but so many houses out here have this look.
This sounds really awesome. I hope it works long term and is being done in a sustainable fashion. I would really enjoy hearing about this continuing to exist in a year from now. Also, I like anything that supports a former oGs player.
Added in some comments from the two players currently living in the house!
Yong:
It's been 5 days since I've arrived at the teamhouse, I've been waiting for this for so long. It was so much bigger than it seemed in the pictures, and the interior was great. The house gets great sunlight on all four sides, with a grand view of the ocean through the balcony. We've been shopping home supplies to fill its empty atmosphere. We heard there are 3 additional members joining the team house, so that should do it for us.
JookTo:
We've been here for 5 days, and it still feels pretty empty because there are only 3 of us and the house is just huge. No complaints so far, we're just running around buying stuff for the house, making it homely. We'll be having 2-3 more people within the next few days. Once we get enough people rolling in here, it'd be the most ideal practice space.
On January 09 2013 11:57 Doodsmack wrote: I wonder if they'll allow players from other teams to come and probably pay rent, considering the house max is 10 players.
I have to say that this house is really impressive, and what is more impressive is the ability of the players to actually practice in such a beautiful place . I would totally lose focus LOL.
On January 09 2013 11:32 Arwa wrote: did the chair the player using have no arm rest ?? O.Oa or is it temporary ? nice house though .. GL in the future
All the chairs used for gaming at the teamhouse have armrests. They're black however so they're blending in a bit .
On January 09 2013 12:21 Waxangel wrote: find jookto a barbershop where haircuts cost less money >:0
what the fuck, this is awesome! It's like a Quantic house but in NY instead of California. I didn't even know about this team. Owner must have some money to put this all together. I hope to see them in IPTL next season!
Quite surprised to find a team I never heard of having a team house like that, and they even seem like a sc2 focused team and as a sc2 fanatic I'm a bit stunned. Will be really interesting to see how this develops.
wow, sick house. And oceanview aswell? fuck me, those guys live better then moviestars.. when can i join? ima silverpro going forward, so i should be top EU by march kk?
That said and I might be nitpicking here, but why do pro gamers always neglect their health when it comes to proper nutrition. I think this and exercise are under valued in the community. I know its not a physical game, but these still make the brain function better.
Haha, this looks great! No doubt a great training environment means the world to a players progress - I'm really happy you've managed to get this done!
I'm curious though - you mentioned making sure you'd get the best tools for the players to succeed: does this mean they'll have a coach in the future? Or do they already?
That said and I might be nitpicking here, but why do pro gamers always neglect their health when it comes to proper nutrition. I think this and exercise are under valued in the community. I know its not a physical game, but these still make the brain function better.
Pro gamers don't neglect their health. Most pro gamers go to the gym and workout doing cardio, weight lifting. Example:Grubby in his trivia thread while living with FXO said that the players workout often.
Yes, we already have a solid roster of players on the team. This is not a team announcement post.
On January 09 2013 15:38 Testuser wrote: I'm curious though - you mentioned making sure you'd get the best tools for the players to succeed: does this mean they'll have a coach in the future? Or do they already?
We do have a coach that works with our players currently, but he's not living in the Training Facility. That's something we're looking at in the near future.
On January 09 2013 14:52 StreetWise wrote: Nice place!
That said and I might be nitpicking here, but why do pro gamers always neglect their health when it comes to proper nutrition. I think this and exercise are under valued in the community. I know its not a physical game, but these still make the brain function better.
I agree. Maybe it's like medical school. Cutthroat competition and only enough time to attend class and study (or in this case practice Starcraft II). I personally prefer a more balanced approach but some people prefer to focus only on the task at hand.
It does look like some pro-gamers are more aware of health and nutrition than others. I can recall a stream of IdrA's where he is drinking a huge fruit smoothie or MRP in-between his games.
This is a really awesome announcement. I have been following the little updates you guys give on the team and it seems like Clarity is looking rock solid for 2013! Fast looking to be my pick for hipster team to do big things in 2013
On January 09 2013 10:06 Netsky wrote: This is really awesome, but I have a question.
So far as I can tell from looking at your website, Clarity doesn't have any sponsors. How can you afford player salaries, travel and a team house etc without any sponsorship? Is it all funded privately by team owners/managers etc?
Yes, the team is currently funded completely from members within the organization. Without saying too much, the response we've seen from potential sponsors was less than ideal. That being said, we have carefully laid out our financial expenditures down the road and made sure this is a sustainable endeavor.[/QUOTE]
This kind of worries me personally, people coming out saying everything is under complete control, there has been too much issues recently imo, but lets see, hopefully this wont be another complete failure.
On January 09 2013 10:27 -Kyo- wrote: I thought that was a place where naughty things happen at first but then I read and saw pictures and I'm really impressed. Clarity slowly getting better and better. Good luck to you guys~
On January 09 2013 20:51 Tigi wrote: I wonder who pays for this O.o
Read the comments and you will find your answer ^^.
The house looks just great! Even though I had a sneak peak at its nice to see a public announcement of it! Best of luck with finding partners to support your dream! You deserve it!
What's the policy on fan visits to the home? I live fairly close to the Hamptons and visit it about once a month because I have family there. I'd like to come by and check out the house one day!
On January 09 2013 23:52 NuKE[vZ] wrote: What's the policy on fan visits to the home?
We're looking at organizing some sort of fan tour for the house once it's been up and running for a little bit and everyone gets settled in. We're still in the process of furnishing parts of the house, as well as moving players in and setting schedules right now.
On January 09 2013 21:27 Aunvilgod wrote: How the fuck did they get the money for that?
I hope they get a coach and force the players to play in a schedule. Otherwise the house will be of no use at all.
Thats not actually entirely true to be honest. Don't know where you get that idea from. Sure players should have a coach but you should never force them into a play schedule, rather let them do their own thing. otherwise you're just moving closer to KESPA-esque exploitation
But anyways, sick house! im sure this team is going to rise pretty quick in 2013.
On January 09 2013 21:27 Aunvilgod wrote: How the fuck did they get the money for that?
I hope they get a coach and force the players to play in a schedule. Otherwise the house will be of no use at all.
Thats not actually entirely true to be honest. Don't know where you get that idea from. Sure players should have a coach but you should never force them into a play schedule, rather let them do their own thing. otherwise you're just moving closer to KESPA-esque exploitation
But anyways, sick house! im sure this team is going to rise pretty quick in 2013.
I believe his concerns are that sticking some players into a house and leaving them to their own devices is not the best idea.
We agree. While there is such a thing as too strict, there's also such a thing as too lenient. We'll be keeping the players on practical practice (as well as streaming) hours to ensure that the house is a productive environment and fostering growth rather than allowing players to languish in luxury.
I had never like seen cYong play before this week, but hes become pretty much my favorite streamer, so fun to watch him play! You guys should get web cams, sounds kind of weird, but its cool to see and realize you're watching a real person play.
On January 09 2013 23:52 NuKE[vZ] wrote: What's the policy on fan visits to the home?
We're looking at organizing some sort of fan tour for the house once it's been up and running for a little bit and everyone gets settled in. We're still in the process of furnishing parts of the house, as well as moving players in and setting schedules right now.
been keeping an eye on your close knit group of players you were "rolling with" for quite some time and glad to see yall finally settle in
if you need any help, I'm all ears
sweet house and tell sarovati there is school there as well
On January 12 2013 16:09 Suende wrote: I had never like seen cYong play before this week, but hes become pretty much my favorite streamer, so fun to watch him play! You guys should get web cams, sounds kind of weird, but its cool to see and realize you're watching a real person play.
Koreans are so shy, they hate showing themselves. I'ma teach them to be bosses dough
On January 12 2013 16:09 Suende wrote: I had never like seen cYong play before this week, but hes become pretty much my favorite streamer, so fun to watch him play! You guys should get web cams, sounds kind of weird, but its cool to see and realize you're watching a real person play.
We'll be getting them on webcams while streaming soon!
JookTo will also be streaming from the house once he gets back from IEM Katowice. He didn't want to stream leading up to the event.
We'll also be having video content coming from the house shortly as well.
On January 12 2013 19:03 TheBloodyDwarf wrote: That house is oneof the ugliest that I have ever saw.
It may not be the most impressive house on the outside, but that's not the important facet of a Training Facility in the first place. The inside is more than adequate for housing our players and allowing them to focus more on their game-play.
EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/YMoLj.png)
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cJookTo" Jo and Sung Yong "
cYong" Hong are now full-time residents in the Training Facility. They are planned to be joined by more members of the team in the coming weeks.![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/A8c4u.png)
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