On March 28 2013 05:29 Enders116 wrote: In the words of IdrA, sc2 players in Korean training houses have very little freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it. So, in other words, if a player wants to go fishing on this day or that day, it just doesn't happen. 14 hours a day are dedicated to starcraft 2, possibly an hour here or there becomes free time (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and so on. He even said in a separate interview that sometimes it is too much and players start making mistakes just because they are playing far too much.
Coupling the above paragraph with the idea that Code S is very "cut throat" and the odds are stacked against anyone who gets in to it, I don't blame stephano for doing what he's doing. He has much better odds with EU and NA tournaments than he does with the GSL.
finally someone with a brain here,
being jailed in an korean(or any country where your language is not spoken) apartment is not what you need to be happy and good at your work
PS. i have been many time in that situation, at a certain point the only thing you think is: when i can go home?
It's called a job. You guys view it as prison. They're being paid to play; other guys are being professional about it. They understand the requirements. It's rare that you see Star players complain about their teams and it only happens in certain situations and if the player doesn't bring it. Guess what happens? They get benched.
lol @ the hardasses pretending they know better than Stephano whether he has passion and dedication and whether it's best or most honorable for him to stay in Korea. No one should withstand social isolation and unhappiness for the sake of pleasing some forum nerds who like watching the absolute highest level of Starcraft.
On March 28 2013 05:29 Enders116 wrote: In the words of IdrA, sc2 players in Korean training houses have very little freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it. So, in other words, if a player wants to go fishing on this day or that day, it just doesn't happen. 14 hours a day are dedicated to starcraft 2, possibly an hour here or there becomes free time (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and so on. He even said in a separate interview that sometimes it is too much and players start making mistakes just because they are playing far too much.
Coupling the above paragraph with the idea that Code S is very "cut throat" and the odds are stacked against anyone who gets in to it, I don't blame stephano for doing what he's doing. He has much better odds with EU and NA tournaments than he does with the GSL.
finally someone with a brain here,
being jailed in an korean(or any country where your language is not spoken) apartment is not what you need to be happy and good at your work
PS. i have been many time in that situation, at a certain point the only thing you think is: when i can go home?
It's called a job. You guys view it as prison. They're being paid to play; other guys are being professional about it. They understand the requirements. It's rare that you see Star players complain about their teams and it only happens in certain situations and if the player doesn't bring it. Guess what happens? They get benched.
He is also getting paid when he plays outside of Korea. Heck, he can even earn more there. So why should you choose a shitty workplace over a much better one?
On March 28 2013 07:04 Doodsmack wrote: lol @ the hardasses pretending they know better than Stephano whether he has passion and dedication and whether it's best or most honorable for him to stay in Korea. No one should withstand social isolation and unhappiness for the sake of pleasing some forum nerds who like watching the absolute highest level of Starcraft.
I agree 100% that he should do whatever he wants to do, or feels like he needs to do. And obviously he knows all that better than anyone here does. Like I said before: GL to him, and I hope he does extremely well wherever he is.
But I don't really respect the attitude I see, and for better or worse, that's why I am not a big fan of his. But then again, I doubt he gives a rat's patootie if I'm a fan; he's got plenty already and he doesn't seem like the kind of dude that cares so much about that kind of thing.
If Korea ain't for him, than it ain't for him. But as for me, I want to watch players who are either the best right now, or want to be the best in the near future (and for better or worse: Korea is where you go to be the best). Having fun isn't fun for me to watch. Kicking ass is. That's my two half-pennies.
On March 28 2013 05:29 Enders116 wrote: In the words of IdrA, sc2 players in Korean training houses have very little freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it. So, in other words, if a player wants to go fishing on this day or that day, it just doesn't happen. 14 hours a day are dedicated to starcraft 2, possibly an hour here or there becomes free time (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and so on. He even said in a separate interview that sometimes it is too much and players start making mistakes just because they are playing far too much.
Coupling the above paragraph with the idea that Code S is very "cut throat" and the odds are stacked against anyone who gets in to it, I don't blame stephano for doing what he's doing. He has much better odds with EU and NA tournaments than he does with the GSL.
finally someone with a brain here,
being jailed in an korean(or any country where your language is not spoken) apartment is not what you need to be happy and good at your work
PS. i have been many time in that situation, at a certain point the only thing you think is: when i can go home?
It's called a job. You guys view it as prison. They're being paid to play; other guys are being professional about it. They understand the requirements. It's rare that you see Star players complain about their teams and it only happens in certain situations and if the player doesn't bring it. Guess what happens? They get benched.
It's a shitty job. A job should be 35-45 hours per week, not 10-12 a day. Not liking korean practice regimes is perfectly understandable.
On March 28 2013 05:29 Enders116 wrote: In the words of IdrA, sc2 players in Korean training houses have very little freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it. So, in other words, if a player wants to go fishing on this day or that day, it just doesn't happen. 14 hours a day are dedicated to starcraft 2, possibly an hour here or there becomes free time (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and so on. He even said in a separate interview that sometimes it is too much and players start making mistakes just because they are playing far too much.
Coupling the above paragraph with the idea that Code S is very "cut throat" and the odds are stacked against anyone who gets in to it, I don't blame stephano for doing what he's doing. He has much better odds with EU and NA tournaments than he does with the GSL.
finally someone with a brain here,
being jailed in an korean(or any country where your language is not spoken) apartment is not what you need to be happy and good at your work
PS. i have been many time in that situation, at a certain point the only thing you think is: when i can go home?
It's called a job. You guys view it as prison. They're being paid to play; other guys are being professional about it. They understand the requirements. It's rare that you see Star players complain about their teams and it only happens in certain situations and if the player doesn't bring it. Guess what happens? They get benched.
It's a shitty job. A job should be 35-45 hours per week, not 10-12 a day. Not liking korean practice regimes is perfectly understandable.
i dont think you'll go far taking this as "a job". i'm sure boxer just took this as a job and did minimal work and became the best. no pain no gain? fuck that, no pain all gain.
i for one think team houses requiring a player to play 10-14 is bad, i optimistically say team houses dont require you to do that but recommend it. all the key athletes throughout history has a common trait: first to come, last to leave. they dont do that because its required, they do it to have an small edge against competition.
stephano should do what he wants but expecting #1 with minimal effort will never ever happen.
On March 28 2013 05:29 Enders116 wrote: In the words of IdrA, sc2 players in Korean training houses have very little freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it. So, in other words, if a player wants to go fishing on this day or that day, it just doesn't happen. 14 hours a day are dedicated to starcraft 2, possibly an hour here or there becomes free time (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and so on. He even said in a separate interview that sometimes it is too much and players start making mistakes just because they are playing far too much.
Coupling the above paragraph with the idea that Code S is very "cut throat" and the odds are stacked against anyone who gets in to it, I don't blame stephano for doing what he's doing. He has much better odds with EU and NA tournaments than he does with the GSL.
On March 28 2013 05:29 Enders116 wrote: In the words of IdrA, sc2 players in Korean training houses have very little freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it. So, in other words, if a player wants to go fishing on this day or that day, it just doesn't happen. 14 hours a day are dedicated to starcraft 2, possibly an hour here or there becomes free time (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and so on. He even said in a separate interview that sometimes it is too much and players start making mistakes just because they are playing far too much.
Coupling the above paragraph with the idea that Code S is very "cut throat" and the odds are stacked against anyone who gets in to it, I don't blame stephano for doing what he's doing. He has much better odds with EU and NA tournaments than he does with the GSL.
finally someone with a brain here,
being jailed in an korean(or any country where your language is not spoken) apartment is not what you need to be happy and good at your work
PS. i have been many time in that situation, at a certain point the only thing you think is: when i can go home?
It's called a job. You guys view it as prison. They're being paid to play; other guys are being professional about it. They understand the requirements. It's rare that you see Star players complain about their teams and it only happens in certain situations and if the player doesn't bring it. Guess what happens? They get benched.
Inclined to agree.. As a human yeah by all rights leave korea and enjoy your life. But if you want immortality in this game you gotta literally give it your all. Seriously never seen boxer, oov, bisu, nada, savior, flash or jaedong complain about practice hours (esp when they go beyond whats required by their teams) in bw.. stork maybe with his cellphone games though haha
Working 10+ hours a day is pretty standard in a lot of industries (ibanking/law/medical/etc)...
It comes down to a choice between the easy money and trying to be the best. It's an easier choice for some people than others. It's funny though how the Western pros like to look down on the Korean system, when they have yet to find some sort of effective alternative.
On March 28 2013 04:43 Irre wrote: I wonder if EG will renew his contract. You might say, " ARE YOU CRAZY HES THE BEST FOREIGNER!" and while this is true, I am not sure he is making EG very happy right now. Hes not much of a promoter the way the rest of the teams foreign players are. He is not cooperating with the top priorities of EGs A Team- wont play in GSL and Proleague. He has personality and skill, but without playing in those leagues, is he really offering EG enough to warrant the 100k a year investment? I would say no, and given the past behavioral issues and the efforts made to accomodate him without the return of practice, participation or promotion, I would actually be surprised if his contract is renewed next time around.
There's also the bad publicity and sponsor drama they got from the 15 year old girl situation.
He's the king of controversial issues (even back when he was on Mill.), but he's also winning tournaments and playing really well overall, which is another thing that helps advertise EG and its sponsors. I'm sure they've taken that into consideration as well, and so I don't see him leaving EG anytime soon.
He's winning tournaments? When?
Liquipidia? They list all his wins in great detail.
You mean 1 win in a Premier LAN with Koreans in the last 18 months?
Oh I see what you did there, you took out all the tournments without Koreans in them and then said he won once in 18 months. I get it. So events without Koreans don't count and placing high in events also doesn't count. Well I am sure that sponsors are using that metric you created there.
korea isn't for everyone. stephano's like, what, 19? just turned 20? he's said before he's planned on going to university soon anyway.
if the korean environment isn't his thing, and stephano understands the pros/cons (mostly cons) of leaving the korean infrastructure for a more familiar but maybe less effective western system... It's like, whatever. who are we to judge?
On March 28 2013 04:43 Irre wrote: I wonder if EG will renew his contract. You might say, " ARE YOU CRAZY HES THE BEST FOREIGNER!" and while this is true, I am not sure he is making EG very happy right now. Hes not much of a promoter the way the rest of the teams foreign players are. He is not cooperating with the top priorities of EGs A Team- wont play in GSL and Proleague. He has personality and skill, but without playing in those leagues, is he really offering EG enough to warrant the 100k a year investment? I would say no, and given the past behavioral issues and the efforts made to accomodate him without the return of practice, participation or promotion, I would actually be surprised if his contract is renewed next time around.
There's also the bad publicity and sponsor drama they got from the 15 year old girl situation.
He's the king of controversial issues (even back when he was on Mill.), but he's also winning tournaments and playing really well overall, which is another thing that helps advertise EG and its sponsors. I'm sure they've taken that into consideration as well, and so I don't see him leaving EG anytime soon.
He's winning tournaments? When?
Liquipidia? They list all his wins in great detail.
You mean 1 win in a Premier LAN with Koreans in the last 18 months?
Oh I see what you did there, you took out all the tournments without Koreans in them and then said he won once in 18 months. I get it. So events without Koreans don't count and placing high in events also doesn't count. Well I am sure that sponsors are using that metric you created there.
That's not what he said. He said that he won one tournament in 18 months that had Koreans in it. How did he take out all the other tournaments?
On March 28 2013 05:29 Enders116 wrote: In the words of IdrA, sc2 players in Korean training houses have very little freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it. So, in other words, if a player wants to go fishing on this day or that day, it just doesn't happen. 14 hours a day are dedicated to starcraft 2, possibly an hour here or there becomes free time (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and so on. He even said in a separate interview that sometimes it is too much and players start making mistakes just because they are playing far too much.
Coupling the above paragraph with the idea that Code S is very "cut throat" and the odds are stacked against anyone who gets in to it, I don't blame stephano for doing what he's doing. He has much better odds with EU and NA tournaments than he does with the GSL.
finally someone with a brain here,
being jailed in an korean(or any country where your language is not spoken) apartment is not what you need to be happy and good at your work
PS. i have been many time in that situation, at a certain point the only thing you think is: when i can go home?
It's called a job. You guys view it as prison. They're being paid to play; other guys are being professional about it. They understand the requirements. It's rare that you see Star players complain about their teams and it only happens in certain situations and if the player doesn't bring it. Guess what happens? They get benched.
It's a shitty job. A job should be 35-45 hours per week, not 10-12 a day. Not liking korean practice regimes is perfectly understandable.
i dont think you'll go far taking this as "a job". i'm sure boxer just took this as a job and did minimal work and became the best. no pain no gain? fuck that, no pain all gain.
i for one think team houses requiring a player to play 10-14 is bad, i optimistically say team houses dont require you to do that but recommend it. all the key athletes throughout history has a common trait: first to come, last to leave. they dont do that because its required, they do it to have an small edge against competition.
stephano should do what he wants but expecting #1 with minimal effort will never ever happen.
I echo this sentiment. As a kid I would stay on the driveway shooting free-throws till 10-11pm even in the dead of Canadian winter because I wanted to be the best. Obviously I didn't have to but that's what it demands. It was cold, uncomfortable, but come high school tryouts I got picked because my lay-ups and free-throws were spot-on from days worth of training.
I mean a lot of these guys obviously have natural talent at the game, but no one is naturally talented enough to be the best without these hours. Read the MKP documentary by CNN, yes it's overtly negative but if you read between the lines, MKP was putting in so many hours that his parent's started to seriously worry about him. I think it's just a lot easier for a foreigner who is very talented to be happy with the money/still get the fame because we expect Koreans to beat them, then it is for Koreans to say "well i'm just going to be second best, and make my career because of my personality." At the end of the day someone like Stephano who is young and suddenly finds himself fairly well-off from a VIDEO GAME is probably not going to have developed the kind of self-discipline and mental tenacity that the Micheal Jordan's would have. This is evidenced by the fact that when they are put in adverse conditions they seem to methodically all succumb and give up.
And honestly, feeling sorry for gamer's who "have to play"(key word PLAY) 14 hours a day when it is their passion and ultimately a pastime that we have turned into a career, is wrong. Becoming a top SC player takes nowhere near the dedication that it takes to be a professional sportsmen in any other sport, and we are never going to be respected as much as those acitivies if our role models consistently prove to us that they don't have what it takes to hang with the big boys.
EPT
