Quantic Gaming, a North American eSports team with squads in League of Legends and StarCraft 2, appears to be breaking apart. The team's CEO went missing two weeks ago. Well before that, he'd stopped paying his players.
Simon Boudreault, Quantic’s 23-year-old Canadian owner, has not been in contact with Bernie Catalan, the team’s chief operating officer, since an instant message on Dec. 13. The last time he spoke to anyone in his company was a brief conversation with the team’s media manager on Dec. 17.
Prior to disappearing, Boudreault told friends and associates in the eSports industry that he was going to get a biopsy on a lump on his lung. A source close to Boudreault says he quoted doctors as saying there was a “double digit percentage that the found matter would be cancerous.” The Daily Dot was unable to independently confirm this. Repeated calls to Boudreault’s office at his family’s IT company, as well as his former employer, Sustema, were not returned.
And re: Hyun
Ko "HyuN" Seok Hyun, a Korean StarCraft 2 player on the Quantic roster, has not received his salary of about $1,300 per month for several months, according to several Quantic staffers. Although Hyun had been talking with Boudreault about recouping lost pay, the two have since lost contact.
I feel bad for HyuN, when MasSan came out and accused the new Quantic of scamming him, HyuN even defended the team and said it isn't bad at all. Well, now he probably lost a bunch of cash and needs to join Liquid (pls).
Hm, I just realised that there are so many players I'd like on Liquid: Feast, Sen, HyuN, viOLet, Bomber...
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
6 digit over a year. 1300 a month is minimal wage where I live, but for a progamer that's pretty decent I guess.
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
Probably not. I remember the salary of Stephano that was leaked once was about 9k a month, so I doubt that JD gets much more. Flash I don't know, but I don't think he gets anything close to his BW salary these days.
When the interest wanes - the sponsors drop - the money dries up quickly
It's phenomenally expensive to run a team - it's often done on passion and sheer enthusiasm rather than business acumen - a lot of these "CEOs" are just normal guys with little or no experience
Great when the game is highly popular - a sinking ship when the viewer numbers diminish
Competitive computer games are not like competitive sports in a business sense - football is here to stay, so is tennis, so is golf.. computer games? 100 come out a year.. the market is heavily saturated.. it's highly focused (LoL players watch LoL, SC players watch SC, counter-strike players watch counter-strike).. and so on and so on
SC2 is on the decline.. when the next expansion is released there will be a brief spike of interest, before it spirals down into grassroots only competition, few pro-players and so on
I've been there for the rise of some of the first E-sports games, even playing on teams at their peaks, then their slow deaths, and there for the next big FPS game, the peak.. rinse repeat.. the same with the companies.. seen dozens go down.. when the popularity drops, it's just a black hole for money
I love games, and I was hoping for SC2 to gain "critical mass" to form a chain-reaction of popularity across the globe - it almost almost did, but not quite. We've had the golden years. I still love it, enjoy it, but we all know what's happening.
There's still a couple of years left in SC2 and will continue to enjoy, even behemoths like LoL will have limited shelf life - but more people than ever are playing games, from iphones to full on PC's.. so if there's ever a Starcraft 3.. and it's free to play.. mmm
On January 01 2014 07:51 Sawofhackness wrote: When the interest wanes - the sponsors drop - the money dries up quickly
It's phenomenally expensive to run a team - it's often done on passion and sheer enthusiasm rather than business acumen - a lot of these "CEOs" are just normal guys with little or no experience
Great when the game is highly popular - a sinking ship when the viewer numbers diminish
Competitive computer games are not like competitive sports in a business sense - football is here to stay, so is tennis, so is golf.. computer games? 100 come out a year.. the market is heavily saturated.. it's highly focused (LoL players watch LoL, SC players watch SC, counter-strike players watch counter-strike).. and so on and so on
SC2 is on the decline.. when the next expansion is released there will be a brief spike of interest, before it spirals down into grassroots only competition, few pro-players and so on
I've been there for the rise of some of the first E-sports games, even playing on teams at their peaks, then their slow deaths, and there for the next big FPS game, the peak.. rinse repeat.. the same with the companies.. seen dozens go down.. when the popularity drops, it's just a black hole for money
I love games, and I was hoping for SC2 to gain "critical mass" to form a chain-reaction of popularity across the globe - it almost almost did, but not quite. We've had the golden years. I still love it, enjoy it, but we all know what's happening.
There's still a couple of years left in SC2 and will continue to enjoy, even behemoths like LoL will have limited shelf life - but more people than ever are playing games, from iphones to full on PC's.. so if there's ever a Starcraft 3.. and it's free to play.. mmm
melodramatic half-drunk post
the article says most of the cashflow came from the salary of the team owner. He inherited dad's business with his bros.
Not much of a surprise after the Massan incident with respect to the payment thing. As for the biopsy on his lung, I could excuse lack of communication given a medical condition like cancer.
On January 01 2014 07:51 Sawofhackness wrote: When the interest wanes - the sponsors drop - the money dries up quickly
It's phenomenally expensive to run a team - it's often done on passion and sheer enthusiasm rather than business acumen - a lot of these "CEOs" are just normal guys with little or no experience
Great when the game is highly popular - a sinking ship when the viewer numbers diminish
Competitive computer games are not like competitive sports in a business sense - football is here to stay, so is tennis, so is golf.. computer games? 100 come out a year.. the market is heavily saturated.. it's highly focused (LoL players watch LoL, SC players watch SC, counter-strike players watch counter-strike).. and so on and so on
SC2 is on the decline.. when the next expansion is released there will be a brief spike of interest, before it spirals down into grassroots only competition, few pro-players and so on
I've been there for the rise of some of the first E-sports games, even playing on teams at their peaks, then their slow deaths, and there for the next big FPS game, the peak.. rinse repeat.. the same with the companies.. seen dozens go down.. when the popularity drops, it's just a black hole for money
I love games, and I was hoping for SC2 to gain "critical mass" to form a chain-reaction of popularity across the globe - it almost almost did, but not quite. We've had the golden years. I still love it, enjoy it, but we all know what's happening.
There's still a couple of years left in SC2 and will continue to enjoy, even behemoths like LoL will have limited shelf life - but more people than ever are playing games, from iphones to full on PC's.. so if there's ever a Starcraft 3.. and it's free to play.. mmm
melodramatic half-drunk post
This ceo was in over his head with daddy's money. If you don't know how to run a team don't just create one off of your passion because esports will be better off without it we don't want you here if you can't pay your players(when you make a contract saying you will pay them) and you can't treat them decently. http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=431056¤tpage=10#189 (read post in spoiler) you don't need to be a business man to not react like that.
sounds like he ran out of money and had no idea how to make more. Destiny should open an e-sports consultancy, help all owners who arent liquid/eg to set up a series of good streams for that cash revenue. in bitcoin.
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
6 digit over a year. 1300 a month is minimal wage where I live, but for a progamer that's pretty decent I guess.
It's a lot more compared to what a lot and I do mean a lot of other players used to make. Look at what some foreigners were making in BW. Now look at what a lot of KeSPA players were making for BW. Not everyone gets good salary.
As for the CEO, we've heard all the stories about this guy. I cannot say anything good about him so I'll leave it at that.
There is really a need of an international head(company/union) of esports teams. There are like half a duzend that are solid and the rest is kinda dubious and shady.
Stuff like that is "hurting ... you know" not shit like balance or Riot.
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
Probably not. I remember the salary of Stephano that was leaked once was about 9k a month, so I doubt that JD gets much more. Flash I don't know, but I don't think he gets anything close to his BW salary these days.
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
They got that in BW... we don't know for certain if they still get as much in pure salary. If I had to guess I'd say it went down, although I'm sure Jaedong at least got some nice prize money earnings by now in SC2, and he streams.
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
6 digit over a year. 1300 a month is minimal wage where I live, but for a progamer that's pretty decent I guess.
It's a lot more compared to what a lot and I do mean a lot of other players used to make. Look at what some foreigners were making in BW. Now look at what a lot of KeSPA players were making for BW. Not everyone gets good salary.
As for the CEO, we've heard all the stories about this guy. I cannot say anything good about him so I'll leave it at that.
You know professional gaming is a joke when in one year a progamer's salary is ~60% of a university student's (who only works 4 months in the summer).
I know it's the SC2 forum but man am I happy Apple found a new home in IM just before this stuff happened. I Really hope Hyun won't get screwed over even more and eventually get his money..... one can hope...
On January 01 2014 09:07 UmberBane wrote: I know it's the SC2 forum but man am I happy Apple found a new home in IM just before this stuff happened. I Really hope Hyun won't get screwed over even more and eventually get his money..... one can hope...
On January 01 2014 09:07 UmberBane wrote: I know it's the SC2 forum but man am I happy Apple found a new home in IM just before this stuff happened. I Really hope Hyun won't get screwed over even more and eventually get his money..... one can hope...
What are you talking about, Apple? You mean Trap?
Ah no that's why I started with "I know it's the SC2 forum, but..." because Apple is one of their former League players, as it said in the article. And he's a beast, so I was happy for him.
You are talking like they only get a salary. He also won over $50k in prize money in the year, which would take him to $65k or so total earnings for the year. If he got all of that prize money, and if he also had some trips paid for him, that's not so bad.
All depends on the total package. Base salary being low but with bonuses isn't uncommon even in the "real" world, and in the world of sports too. The salary is what his organisation pays him (or in this case doesn't), but it's not all of his earnings, and not all of the value of being on the team.
On January 01 2014 09:07 UmberBane wrote: I know it's the SC2 forum but man am I happy Apple found a new home in IM just before this stuff happened. I Really hope Hyun won't get screwed over even more and eventually get his money..... one can hope...
What are you talking about, Apple? You mean Trap?
Ah no that's why I started with "I know it's the SC2 forum, but..." because Apple is one of their former League players, as it said in the article. And he's a beast, so I was happy for him.
Hehe didn't realize the article even had LoL involved only skimmed though it and read about Hyun. For a second there I thought that IM picking up Apple as a sponsor wasn't SC2 involved.
Upon Quantic's revival, weren't there a lot of posts of people saying things like the new people in charge being prone to messing up/having a track record in doing such? Forgive me if I'm remembering incorrectly.
On January 01 2014 09:07 UmberBane wrote: I know it's the SC2 forum but man am I happy Apple found a new home in IM just before this stuff happened. I Really hope Hyun won't get screwed over even more and eventually get his money..... one can hope...
What are you talking about, Apple? You mean Trap?
Ah no that's why I started with "I know it's the SC2 forum, but..." because Apple is one of their former League players, as it said in the article. And he's a beast, so I was happy for him.
Hehe didn't realize the article even had LoL involved only skimmed though it and read about Hyun. For a second there I thought that IM picking up Apple as a sponsor wasn't SC2 involved.
To explain their recent involvement in league, they picked up a Korean team and shipped them over to America to participate in the American league championship. They failed in the online group stages for the promotion tournament into it and returned to Korea. Nothing official came out afterward but it's heavily suggested (And well confirmed by this) that they disbanded as apple left for incredible miracle and their AD carry (And pretty much the guy that got them there) has said he's done with progaming.
Probably not. I remember the salary of Stephano that was leaked once was about 9k a month, so I doubt that JD gets much more. Flash I don't know, but I don't think he gets anything close to his BW salary these days.
JD probably gets Stephano + whatever HuK was whinning about losing + Thorzaine money.
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
6 digit over a year. 1300 a month is minimal wage where I live, but for a progamer that's pretty decent I guess.
It's a lot more compared to what a lot and I do mean a lot of other players used to make. Look at what some foreigners were making in BW. Now look at what a lot of KeSPA players were making for BW. Not everyone gets good salary.
As for the CEO, we've heard all the stories about this guy. I cannot say anything good about him so I'll leave it at that.
its also depends where he lives. In Portugal or Slovakia or Hungary 1300 a month USD is median annual income.
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
6 digit over a year. 1300 a month is minimal wage where I live, but for a progamer that's pretty decent I guess.
It's a lot more compared to what a lot and I do mean a lot of other players used to make. Look at what some foreigners were making in BW. Now look at what a lot of KeSPA players were making for BW. Not everyone gets good salary.
As for the CEO, we've heard all the stories about this guy. I cannot say anything good about him so I'll leave it at that.
its also depends where he lives. In Portugal or Slovakia or Hungary 1300 a month USD is median annual income.
Then go by the Korean standards. The average salary for the vast majority of KeSPA pros has always been relatively low. It shouldn't be a surprise.
On January 01 2014 10:26 huller20 wrote: I have been hearing stuff like this a lot. I hope all these pro players have access to some form of legal action. This is completely unfair.
yeah hire a lawyer at 400$/hour to recuparate 5k$ in salary... totally worth it... ( numbers made up but you get the point )
There are no safety nets currently in esports and until they appear this will happen very often. It shouldn't but it does and honestly after this incident that teams should actually coordinate and talk about making safety nets for all pro gamers in SC2.
that's quite rough for Hyun. I always thought Quantic was supposed to be one of those good foreign teams that kept their promises like Liquid or EG, guess not >.>
On January 01 2014 07:48 Hadronsbecrazy wrote: thought someone like HyuN would get much more salary than that. Flash and JD get like 6 digit salaries dont they?
6 digit over a year. 1300 a month is minimal wage where I live, but for a progamer that's pretty decent I guess.
Also maybe his contract contained travel budget or something like that.
I kept hearing rumors about Quantic being on the edge of collapse ever since they returned so I'm not too surprised they are closing again. Sucks to see and hopefully Hyun can get at least some money
So much drama this December. I feel so bad for HyuN, he is seriously considering retirement after this, even though he said he might have went for one more year. Being scammed in this fashion, even after defending Simon after the Massan incident makes it even worse.
On January 01 2014 10:52 Phanekim wrote: What most people knew for a while about how unsustainable esports really is.
It's not unsustainable, but it IS still young an inexperienced.
Only coz of new games and all the hype that developer throws in to lure investors.
I've always maintained that only korea had a real esports industry. Reasonable population, high popularity over small landmass = acceptability like sports.
But these days with those corporations also in financial trouble, money also drys up for marketing which means less money for sponsorship as well. American companies still shun esports coz of the spread in population and low viewership among americans. I recall TB posting the stats of a recent tournament which showed even american tournaments have a majority european viewers,
The bright side is european esports seems poised for growth still since they're like korea with denser population and higher acceptability in society.
I really hope he isn't making up this cancer thing as a joke, because that is probably the most disgusting thing you could possibly do. Though if it is real it is somewhat understandable to go mia (for a while) but doesn't really mean its the right thing to do. I guess time will tell.
the "lump in his lung" is probably caused by the missing lump in his now empty wallet. its a great excuse too, because 2 years from now he can claim... IT WAS BENIGN, i'm healthy!
can't say i'm surprised, the CoD team's gone, the Dota 2 team's gone, the League team's gone, CS:GO team's been gone... forums are dead, last news post was in November.
i guess what is weird to me, even with this whole simon thing, he surely wasn't the only person in the quantic front office, right? where's everyone else?
On January 01 2014 11:24 Shellshock wrote: I kept hearing rumors about Quantic being on the edge of collapse ever since they returned so I'm not too surprised they are closing again. Sucks to see and hopefully Hyun can get at least some money
I'll just take this post and combine it with far worse from people on this thread: This guy could be dying of cancer and the hope is some e-sports person gets paid money on their contract? First off, it has been LESS THAN A MONTH since this person has responded to anyone. Second, it is the "Holiday's" which means most people retract and spend time with family and loved ones (moreso if they are sick). There are people who live without twitter and 24/7 communication. Nobody can even confirm how much Hyun is owed...and it is all speculation. Regardless, even if it is the maximum of 20k, that is a drop-in-the-bucket when it comes to "real world expenses" like owning a business. This is what contracts and lawyers are for. If Hyun did not protect himself, then that is his problem. Sustema (his fathers company passed to him) looks like a very established company. There is obviously the ability to seek damages on other, profitable, holdings.
Most comments wash over my back but this is just digusting to see the backlash over someone who has gone "inactive" for less than a month with (possibly) a terminal illness. People really neglect to care about the full picture and assume "another e-sports person was cheated." After watching inteviews, reading the full article and history his fathers company...this looks far from the case.
EPT
Hope Hyun gets his monies! All the negative sc2 mess makes me sad.. But I'ma keep playing!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/xVlXWYe.jpg)
