VGA Announce Intentions To Form A "Professional" Counter-Strike Team

Comments

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	j0nb0y 17:26 21/6/2002	Time for the new poll! Which five CS'ers would you choose? Interesting stuff if it comes off, I suppose it also raises the problem that the gamers they choose need to be able to take up gaming full-time, which will either impact on school/college or replace their current career. Would they all have to live together like Hear Say? :) 5 CS players needed, need to be willing to move to and live in a central location, need to be able to give up whatever they currently do for life, and do this for a reasonable salary. By reasonable I guess it means low, £10k-£14k, because basically it is a bit of a dream job! I'm biased so I'll go with the 5 IeS'ers as the best men for the job, but I know Doug and Greg couldn't do it because of university (I assume not anyway), and I suspect lil is too young for something like this. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	j0nb0y 17:32 21/6/2002	Sorry to post again so soon but this is interesting news! The 'unnamed' company would of course have to emply the 5 most highly-regarded gamers for the team, meaning they will come most likely from a max of about 3 or 4 clans. The UK scene, while not terrible, has never been particularly great either, and this team would still struggle to compete internationally assuming it dons the same approach as everyone else in the UK. Being salaried would bring a MASSIVE amount of pressure and criticism towards the team and players, which is inevitable unless they perform on a NiP2001 level. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 17:32 21/6/2002	It would depend on how much time they'd require of you. Most events are usually on weekends, that would make it possible for me to do it while at uni, im sure all petrol expenses would be paid for to get around to all the places. They do say they could go for a ready made team or put together a team. Though the later would mean they'd have a terrible team, or would have to break up current teams to do it, which i doubt will happen. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	j0nb0y 17:42 21/6/2002	For a salary it would have to be full-time. Otherwise you would be paid part-time (e.g. per hour) which doesn't constistute a salary. They may have worded it wrong I suppose. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 17:45 21/6/2002	Sounds like good news to players who know the VGA staff :P [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 17:57 21/6/2002	This jump seems pretty sudden to me. There are hardly any sponsored UK clans (i mean real sponsors, not free server or mouse or headphones or something), and getting regular wages to play a game has not even been achieved in other countries, where gaming is more serious and serious sponsors are everywhere (except for korea). The players chosen for this will have to take a serious risk, because they will have to give up everything to participate in something that can blow up any day. Not to mention, that CS will probably die out in a few years, and then they would be stuck, because the chance that they will be as good at the next game is pretty low. Giving up your job/education for something that can't be considered stable is pretty risky. Sure, this is a great idea for pro gaming, but I think it should be taken one step at a time. UK clans should first learn to stick together, then just get normal sponsors. Once high-level gaming gets to the level of the other 'gaming countries', then I think something like this might work out. However, If this is only something that will only take up someones personal time, then I think it could work. It is everyones right to decide what they want to do with their personal life. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:03 21/6/2002	There's a UK team that has stuck together as a team for ages, except for the odd change, one that has a full sponsorship, but hasnt felt the need to boast about it in poncy press releases. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 18:06 21/6/2002	which is why i said 'hardly any' [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kwak 18:07 21/6/2002	havent seen the word UK gamers anywhere so i`ll take it for granted i`m in... .. q:D [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:07 21/6/2002	Move over to UK then, bring ur sister Heikke with u, she can live with me. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	lil0r 18:11 21/6/2002	ppftttftftttftttttt, i can only think of about 8 maybe 9 good UK players, and as jon said some i.e toomy are maybe too young and most people would have other commitments. and besides.. the 5 best uk players still wouldn't be able to compete at the top level i.e challenge for 1st at cpl etc [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:12 21/6/2002	So the team will consist of people attending the CPL events and the WCG tournament later this year ? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:14 21/6/2002	You're forgetting they're focusing mainly at the UK level, but would pay for them to go to world tournaments, where they'd be able to do reasonably well, if they were gaming non stop professionally. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	j0nb0y 18:18 21/6/2002	Yeah Greg but that would all end with this, assuming some members went to this team. 4K/IeS is so old and solid because of the history with the team, it's been one of the top teams in the UK forever in CS, and has never split up, or 'taken a break from CS', thus the players try hard and play the way the team is supposed to. It's not a professional team thought, but it's as serious as anyone has gotten in the UK. Serious money, such as salaries, will throw clans like IeS and noc into chaos, as it's not something people expect, or are anywhere near ready for. These VGA secret agents who are going round trying to spot the best CS players, probably wont know their arses from their elbows in CS, and will (as they should) take the players choices. The 5 players can feasibly only come from a list of 20 players at a maximum really, who we will all know vaguely who they are (I'm sure I could name 20 people, and the VGA team of 5 will come from that 20). A good portion will come from the big clans, and I doubt players will be asked twice to get paid to play. Assuming the biggest players leave the biggest clans, where does that leave our CS scene? In reality, this VGA team is going to either be a great NiP-like success or a dismal failure. Either way we will be risking our already-shaky UK CS scene on it. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	VespR 18:18 21/6/2002	GL to the five, it might sound peachy but it won't do you that many favours. But hey you're meant to enjoy life right? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:19 21/6/2002	It does actually sound like a good idea, but the fact that certain people might not be able to travel around UK, europe, rest of teh world? .. could be the problem. Then again, 5 people might be choosen who have no job or uni course going, therefore could use this as their chance to get money for playing the game they love :) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	VespR 18:20 21/6/2002	He didn't name himself TheGenius for no reaons you know :) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:21 21/6/2002	tbh, if you're not known by the uk 'elite' or not in an 'elite' UK clan.... you have just about 0% chance of being choosen :E ...I may be wrong :/ [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:23 21/6/2002	God eVoL come up with your own lines. I said that in another recent comments thing :P thief. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Gristy 18:28 21/6/2002	i reckon its not just i-es who have the best skillz ¬_¬ [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	VespR 18:29 21/6/2002	So sorry Greg :/ Heh we all know they're just gonna take on i-es for this anyway. Makes sense as well, throw bob in the circle and it could be a success (internationally). [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:29 21/6/2002	You don't have to be clanned to be good at cs :P [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Monst 18:37 21/6/2002	Be interesting to see what they expect from the team, and if UK events take precedence over international ones :] [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 18:37 21/6/2002	you dont have to be clanned to be good at cs, but you have to have had some clan experience to be good at cs. by 'good', i dont mean getting high scores on pubs, but by being good in clan games. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:39 21/6/2002	True, although - Do you really expect some clanless, un-heard of by the 'elite' of csUK scene to be part of this ? ...Chances are slim, is all i can say! Time to stop aliasing and start playing at LANs more for people, me thinks :D [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 18:45 21/6/2002	exactly, these people will have to do good against other clans. while playing good in pubs could also make them popular, it wont get the team anywhere really. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	llama-xs 18:47 21/6/2002	omfg i'm gonna get chosen! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	ND 18:50 21/6/2002	xs ! :D [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	MiG 19:25 21/6/2002	<blockquote>Do you really expect some clanless, un-heard of by the 'elite' of csUK scene to be part of this ?<blockquote>If you're not known by I-eS then you're not 'elite' enough for this team by the sounds of things.. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	MiG 19:26 21/6/2002	stupid tags [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ 19:27 21/6/2002	I don't see it as being that negative. There are 5 people out there who're both capable of reaching that level and probably free enough. The only criticism I would have is if they are only chosen from those that are attending the impending cpl event, there may well be very viable choices that're overlooked. Regardless, it is an interesting move. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Myers Saviour of UKT UKTerrorist 19:31 21/6/2002	tbh imo, any self-respecting cs player who isn't on holiday or ill should be at that tournament, thus why they're selecting from that, they want players who actually can and do attend the big lans to be in the team i imagine. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Penn0r 19:31 21/6/2002	for those that keep putting down UK players, its pretty s***ty really sure we might not have a nip clan but there are definately as good players in the country as any other... take the UK team for example no1 can say they arnt as good individually as EUs best [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 19:34 21/6/2002	I find this an absolute joke, surprised these businessmen are serious enough to even show interest in such a venture. If I were to name top 20 players to be candidates for this Professional CS Team, I would think that 80-90% would fall into one of the two categories: (i) Gamers who are at school or university, and taking on a professional career in a computer game would most probably ruin their future life (as however exciting the idea may seem at first glance, a career as a gamer just cannot exist for more then a few years) or (ii) Gamers who have a job with a salary exceeding the one that these sponsers are prepared to offer. Remember these are businessmen, so anything more then 10k per player would mean 50k a year: can they really get that much publicity and profit from paying these pro gamers in excess of 10k? -which would be less then lots of adult-gamers' jobs. And I doubt the remainder that doesn't fit into the above 2 categories would be skillful enough to compete with the already established clans (like sk.sca,3D,and so on). [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Marcus calibre 19:38 21/6/2002	Hmm I'm sure the team could succeed. If its "professional" then they'd be likely to go to a LAN cafe each day, bit like the NiP lan cafe. They'd get more practice than most of the teams in europe, and a lot lower pings than anyone has at home currently by playing from a lan cafe, and if they wern't, then surely the 14 grand jonny is talking about could go to a decent connection. The UK-Team showed that UK players without any practice can do pretty well, so surely one of similar (probably better) skilled individuals with practice could go far. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:15 21/6/2002	If the _right_ 5 people are chosen, it will work wonders. If 1 person is wrongly chosen it will be a complete waste of time. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	landshark 20:29 21/6/2002	agreed shads, ban the moaners! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:35 21/6/2002	There are players that could, and would do it in the UK, but the only thing which could turn this from an amazing achievement for the UK gaming scene or an utter waste of effort and sponsor money is WHO picks the players, and how exactly they go about "scouting" for them. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	lilb0 20:41 21/6/2002	yeh its a good idea for the right people, and would be interesting if it was part time. "if" i was asked to join this team unless the 4 other players happened to all be i-es i would say no. oh actually we have 5 other players.. hmm well if it was Uk only i couldn't leave my peeeeebeeeee so i dont think i could (unless they took all 6 of us) >8] [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Munk\| 20:41 21/6/2002	fred is right [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:43 21/6/2002	there's a first for everything i guess? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kwak 20:47 21/6/2002	aawww isnt stoøó0O cute HuGgZz* and aye I wouldnt be in a clan for long if I hated one of ze members it would be either him or me then, so i`m interested how vga gonna sort this... x:D check out STOO`s hair he is soo køøl [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Munk\| 20:47 21/6/2002	dont tell him Who picks it and how will be the funniest,... players who should apply need to meet the following criteria - a) thick as s*** b) going nowhere c) are mature d) v good at cs gl [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 20:51 21/6/2002	Ya know they're gonna pick Spencer ;-) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:56 21/6/2002	I think most of the attitudes on this are a load of bull. So what if half of the best players in the UK are in full time education or a better job or anything, what about the rest. It never once says that the players picked have to be THE BEST. And if someone wasn't willing to change thier life slightly for a chance like this, what does that say about thier dedication towards pro gaming. Attitudes like that are not what they're looking for no doubt, it says they're looking for dedication and seriousness to the job. 'Best' players won't be able to play because they're too young, so what, it's a job with a salary by the looks of it, all jobs come with a required age range, live with it. 'Best' players can't take it on fulltime because they have other commitments, good for them, there are plenty of people who would like the job and could in time train to be just as good if the right people are picked. "It won't last". Why not? you're saying CS will die, fine, but thats something that the players in the team and the sponsors will know and understand, why critisise the idea for that. Maybe they would decide to move to a new game if it did die out, and by then the team would already have knowledge of each others playing styles, tactical thinking, and very good team work hopefully, so they'll be ahead of most people moving into the new game. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Munk\| 20:59 21/6/2002	there has to be some incentive for people to deicate thmeselves to "pro-gaming" if its something worth striving for , unless you feel paricularly charitable or lazy [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 21:00 21/6/2002	It could also pave the road to more sponsorship and interest for the less serious clans. Companies see this investment being made, and they start opening up to the possibilities of sponsorship and the advertising that will go with it. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Sweet 21:05 21/6/2002	Congrats to anyone who gets paid to play But if a UK team hasent proven themselves in ANY international competition ( Yes you say i-es came 9-12 at CPL WC, but lol, no other country would claim that as an acheivement) at this stage, then I dont think suddenly calling themselves professional will change that. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:05 21/6/2002	From the UK scene's community point of view, if you go fault picking, have no hope in the idea and just criticise, then it will make the UK scene worse for sure. If on the other hand people support the idea, look into what it's doing different, what it's close to succeeding in, what breakthroughs it could make, and what people can learn from it, then it will be a huge success for the UK scene and community, if not for the team alone. I'm fed up with all the b***hing about the UK scene, why not just look at things and try to see how you can improved them instead of going fault picking and moaning about everything. Look on the positive side for a change, it might surprise you. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:06 21/6/2002	^^ improve not improved [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 21:09 21/6/2002	I think some of you people are overstepping the mark in terms of the sort of skill needed by these 5 players. As weve seen before, the people from the VGA in high up places, and outside sponsors or investors dont know much about the scene at all. They seem to think that -genesis- is gods gift to earth(winners of the VGA LAN title) and im sure theyd be happy if the team could beat a clan like genesis, because they pretty much see clans like this(winners of their league) to be the best. No offence intended, but thats not really that hard to do. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 21:12 21/6/2002	just reading Sweets comment. While in UK CS there are a few teams who dominate the UK clan scene, there are alot of players who have potential to be and play with the best. This is evident when you look at the success of clans like ui, and the 'new names' that have come from them. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 21:45 21/6/2002	shads: And if someone wasn't willing to change thier life slightly for a chance like this, what does that say about thier dedication towards pro gaming Who in their right mind would be willing to change their life (not slightly but in a big way- having a career competing at a computer game aint no slight change) for this? By saying "chance like this" i presume you mean its an oppurtunity not to be missed... care to elaborate there? As I dont see the advantages of accepting a job like this, for reasons ive said above :) shads, If youre applying I wish you luck. You sure do have the pro-gaming mentality to succeed at a career like this, maybe slightly lacking in cs ability though :P [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 21:46 21/6/2002	Handbags o/ [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 21:46 21/6/2002	opportunity* [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:52 21/6/2002	slightly, depends who you're talking to, and apparently people with major full time jobs/interests/education wouldnt be interested in this according to you and other people's attitudes, so who does that leave that has the chance of it being such a major change in thier lives ? and why would they want to employ people that weren't interested in the job, dedicated and wanted to see it through. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:53 21/6/2002	"As I dont see the advantages of accepting a job like this, for reasons ive said above :)" Great, good for you, other people might, why criticise. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:00 21/6/2002	Well thats what im saying, who does it leave. Not a lot. And therefore, I cannot see these businessmen getting their moneysworth (£ X,000 p.a. x 5) if the people picked arent good enough to compete with the best of the world. Remember, you can only partly make a good cs player. Some dont have the natural hand-eye co-ordination, or quick learning curves to pick up other principles such as lightning reflexes, awareness and so on. So without the attractio of the creme of uks talent, I cant see this team winning big events and getting the publicity the sponsers would want (if it is that which they're after). [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	landshark 22:02 21/6/2002	i remember i used to have s*** hand-eye coordination and a completely dire reaction speed but it has improved after practice [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:05 21/6/2002	so out of the thousands and thousands of people that play CS in the entire UK, you're saying theres only a handful that would be willing to take this offer up, and they all happen to be the most "leet" and recognised players. bullcrap. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:06 21/6/2002	there are players out there that the "big names" of the community dont know about. why dont they know about them? because the players have no reason or intention to make themselves known to these seemingly arrogant "big names". offers like these could change that, and bring out a higher quality of players who actually want to compete for opportunities like this. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 22:08 21/6/2002	If they have a way to make themselves noticed in the selection process that is [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:08 21/6/2002	Yup I bet they all want to compete to be a professional CS player, going to be one hell of a queue I can tel you that (no, really!) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:10 21/6/2002	and why are you being such a negative arrogant t**t, i'm not saying they definately WILL, i'm trying to be positive and saying they COULD. typical uk scene "PLAYER". [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 22:12 21/6/2002	Typical UK everything to be honest. Negativity is a way of life. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:13 21/6/2002	Wooooo, bring on the Professional Tetrinet Carrers [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:14 21/6/2002	Here, have a tissue shads [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:17 21/6/2002	yeah thanks i'll use that when i'm actually bothered enough about your petty insults to attempt to cry about them [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 22:18 21/6/2002	shads for president ! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:21 21/6/2002	Well from your last post it seemed that you were getting pretty upset. By the way theres a difference between being realistic, and being negative. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	landshark 22:22 21/6/2002	nice to see things not getting down to petty bickering! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:23 21/6/2002	why are you flaming me on here instead of bringing such brilliant ideas into our little conversation on IRC? and realism, is that people will take up the offer, being negative is saying that it wont be any of the TRUE ELITE OF THE UK and criticising the fact that it's not open to them because of the lifestyle they choose to live. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	XLNC/Dr_Evil 22:25 21/6/2002	LOL, five people are going to get to 'live the dream' as it were and yet it still turns in to a flame thread. I wonder how they (the sponsors) intend to make money from this, tbh id think they are going more for publicity and weekend events like come and play vs 'Team Sponsored' challenges rather than having them win CPL. Thats the only way its gonna pay IMO. I say GL to em! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:26 21/6/2002	Thing is shads, why would some1 want to sponsor aloada crap players. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 22:28 21/6/2002	They aren't necessarily only going to get interest from "crap" players [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:31 21/6/2002	So everyone who isn't considered in the top 20 out of thousands of people is crap? It's not as simple as a "them and us" situation, all they need to find is the foundations of any level of skill in the needed areas, and then they can build on that during thier practice everyday considering it will be a full time "career"(?), and they're probably looking for something other than just whether you can aim at someone in 0.2ms and press fire. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:33 21/6/2002	Thing is, the only way u'd get money outta this is if you won events, and i-es have dominated the UK scene for a while now, and they havent earned enough money to make a living from it. What chance would 5 random players have of overtaking an established clan like these ? And who would wanna take interest in them if they aint the best ? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 22:33 21/6/2002	whats with all the b*hing? why dont you all just grow the f* up. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 22:35 21/6/2002	The team would be paid a reasonable salary to travel the UK to run promotional events and enter tournaments to build up their reputation and promote the sponsors. Obviously wrong there KK. A salary and sponsors meaning they could make a living without winning a single event.. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:38 21/6/2002	I meant the ppl sponsoring the 5, not the 5 themselves [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]

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	j0nb0y 17:26 21/6/2002	Time for the new poll! Which five CS'ers would you choose? Interesting stuff if it comes off, I suppose it also raises the problem that the gamers they choose need to be able to take up gaming full-time, which will either impact on school/college or replace their current career. Would they all have to live together like Hear Say? :) 5 CS players needed, need to be willing to move to and live in a central location, need to be able to give up whatever they currently do for life, and do this for a reasonable salary. By reasonable I guess it means low, £10k-£14k, because basically it is a bit of a dream job! I'm biased so I'll go with the 5 IeS'ers as the best men for the job, but I know Doug and Greg couldn't do it because of university (I assume not anyway), and I suspect lil is too young for something like this. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	j0nb0y 17:32 21/6/2002	Sorry to post again so soon but this is interesting news! The 'unnamed' company would of course have to emply the 5 most highly-regarded gamers for the team, meaning they will come most likely from a max of about 3 or 4 clans. The UK scene, while not terrible, has never been particularly great either, and this team would still struggle to compete internationally assuming it dons the same approach as everyone else in the UK. Being salaried would bring a MASSIVE amount of pressure and criticism towards the team and players, which is inevitable unless they perform on a NiP2001 level. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 17:32 21/6/2002	It would depend on how much time they'd require of you. Most events are usually on weekends, that would make it possible for me to do it while at uni, im sure all petrol expenses would be paid for to get around to all the places. They do say they could go for a ready made team or put together a team. Though the later would mean they'd have a terrible team, or would have to break up current teams to do it, which i doubt will happen. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	j0nb0y 17:42 21/6/2002	For a salary it would have to be full-time. Otherwise you would be paid part-time (e.g. per hour) which doesn't constistute a salary. They may have worded it wrong I suppose. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 17:45 21/6/2002	Sounds like good news to players who know the VGA staff :P [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 17:57 21/6/2002	This jump seems pretty sudden to me. There are hardly any sponsored UK clans (i mean real sponsors, not free server or mouse or headphones or something), and getting regular wages to play a game has not even been achieved in other countries, where gaming is more serious and serious sponsors are everywhere (except for korea). The players chosen for this will have to take a serious risk, because they will have to give up everything to participate in something that can blow up any day. Not to mention, that CS will probably die out in a few years, and then they would be stuck, because the chance that they will be as good at the next game is pretty low. Giving up your job/education for something that can't be considered stable is pretty risky. Sure, this is a great idea for pro gaming, but I think it should be taken one step at a time. UK clans should first learn to stick together, then just get normal sponsors. Once high-level gaming gets to the level of the other 'gaming countries', then I think something like this might work out. However, If this is only something that will only take up someones personal time, then I think it could work. It is everyones right to decide what they want to do with their personal life. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:03 21/6/2002	There's a UK team that has stuck together as a team for ages, except for the odd change, one that has a full sponsorship, but hasnt felt the need to boast about it in poncy press releases. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 18:06 21/6/2002	which is why i said 'hardly any' [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kwak 18:07 21/6/2002	havent seen the word UK gamers anywhere so i`ll take it for granted i`m in... .. q:D [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:07 21/6/2002	Move over to UK then, bring ur sister Heikke with u, she can live with me. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	lil0r 18:11 21/6/2002	ppftttftftttftttttt, i can only think of about 8 maybe 9 good UK players, and as jon said some i.e toomy are maybe too young and most people would have other commitments. and besides.. the 5 best uk players still wouldn't be able to compete at the top level i.e challenge for 1st at cpl etc [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:12 21/6/2002	So the team will consist of people attending the CPL events and the WCG tournament later this year ? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:14 21/6/2002	You're forgetting they're focusing mainly at the UK level, but would pay for them to go to world tournaments, where they'd be able to do reasonably well, if they were gaming non stop professionally. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	j0nb0y 18:18 21/6/2002	Yeah Greg but that would all end with this, assuming some members went to this team. 4K/IeS is so old and solid because of the history with the team, it's been one of the top teams in the UK forever in CS, and has never split up, or 'taken a break from CS', thus the players try hard and play the way the team is supposed to. It's not a professional team thought, but it's as serious as anyone has gotten in the UK. Serious money, such as salaries, will throw clans like IeS and noc into chaos, as it's not something people expect, or are anywhere near ready for. These VGA secret agents who are going round trying to spot the best CS players, probably wont know their arses from their elbows in CS, and will (as they should) take the players choices. The 5 players can feasibly only come from a list of 20 players at a maximum really, who we will all know vaguely who they are (I'm sure I could name 20 people, and the VGA team of 5 will come from that 20). A good portion will come from the big clans, and I doubt players will be asked twice to get paid to play. Assuming the biggest players leave the biggest clans, where does that leave our CS scene? In reality, this VGA team is going to either be a great NiP-like success or a dismal failure. Either way we will be risking our already-shaky UK CS scene on it. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	VespR 18:18 21/6/2002	GL to the five, it might sound peachy but it won't do you that many favours. But hey you're meant to enjoy life right? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:19 21/6/2002	It does actually sound like a good idea, but the fact that certain people might not be able to travel around UK, europe, rest of teh world? .. could be the problem. Then again, 5 people might be choosen who have no job or uni course going, therefore could use this as their chance to get money for playing the game they love :) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	VespR 18:20 21/6/2002	He didn't name himself TheGenius for no reaons you know :) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:21 21/6/2002	tbh, if you're not known by the uk 'elite' or not in an 'elite' UK clan.... you have just about 0% chance of being choosen :E ...I may be wrong :/ [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DArtagnan Infinity-eSports 18:23 21/6/2002	God eVoL come up with your own lines. I said that in another recent comments thing :P thief. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Gristy 18:28 21/6/2002	i reckon its not just i-es who have the best skillz ¬_¬ [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	VespR 18:29 21/6/2002	So sorry Greg :/ Heh we all know they're just gonna take on i-es for this anyway. Makes sense as well, throw bob in the circle and it could be a success (internationally). [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:29 21/6/2002	You don't have to be clanned to be good at cs :P [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Monst 18:37 21/6/2002	Be interesting to see what they expect from the team, and if UK events take precedence over international ones :] [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 18:37 21/6/2002	you dont have to be clanned to be good at cs, but you have to have had some clan experience to be good at cs. by 'good', i dont mean getting high scores on pubs, but by being good in clan games. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 18:39 21/6/2002	True, although - Do you really expect some clanless, un-heard of by the 'elite' of csUK scene to be part of this ? ...Chances are slim, is all i can say! Time to stop aliasing and start playing at LANs more for people, me thinks :D [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	K 18:45 21/6/2002	exactly, these people will have to do good against other clans. while playing good in pubs could also make them popular, it wont get the team anywhere really. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	llama-xs 18:47 21/6/2002	omfg i'm gonna get chosen! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	ND 18:50 21/6/2002	xs ! :D [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	MiG 19:25 21/6/2002	<blockquote>Do you really expect some clanless, un-heard of by the 'elite' of csUK scene to be part of this ?<blockquote>If you're not known by I-eS then you're not 'elite' enough for this team by the sounds of things.. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	MiG 19:26 21/6/2002	stupid tags [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ 19:27 21/6/2002	I don't see it as being that negative. There are 5 people out there who're both capable of reaching that level and probably free enough. The only criticism I would have is if they are only chosen from those that are attending the impending cpl event, there may well be very viable choices that're overlooked. Regardless, it is an interesting move. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Myers Saviour of UKT UKTerrorist 19:31 21/6/2002	tbh imo, any self-respecting cs player who isn't on holiday or ill should be at that tournament, thus why they're selecting from that, they want players who actually can and do attend the big lans to be in the team i imagine. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Penn0r 19:31 21/6/2002	for those that keep putting down UK players, its pretty s***ty really sure we might not have a nip clan but there are definately as good players in the country as any other... take the UK team for example no1 can say they arnt as good individually as EUs best [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 19:34 21/6/2002	I find this an absolute joke, surprised these businessmen are serious enough to even show interest in such a venture. If I were to name top 20 players to be candidates for this Professional CS Team, I would think that 80-90% would fall into one of the two categories: (i) Gamers who are at school or university, and taking on a professional career in a computer game would most probably ruin their future life (as however exciting the idea may seem at first glance, a career as a gamer just cannot exist for more then a few years) or (ii) Gamers who have a job with a salary exceeding the one that these sponsers are prepared to offer. Remember these are businessmen, so anything more then 10k per player would mean 50k a year: can they really get that much publicity and profit from paying these pro gamers in excess of 10k? -which would be less then lots of adult-gamers' jobs. And I doubt the remainder that doesn't fit into the above 2 categories would be skillful enough to compete with the already established clans (like sk.sca,3D,and so on). [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Marcus calibre 19:38 21/6/2002	Hmm I'm sure the team could succeed. If its "professional" then they'd be likely to go to a LAN cafe each day, bit like the NiP lan cafe. They'd get more practice than most of the teams in europe, and a lot lower pings than anyone has at home currently by playing from a lan cafe, and if they wern't, then surely the 14 grand jonny is talking about could go to a decent connection. The UK-Team showed that UK players without any practice can do pretty well, so surely one of similar (probably better) skilled individuals with practice could go far. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:15 21/6/2002	If the _right_ 5 people are chosen, it will work wonders. If 1 person is wrongly chosen it will be a complete waste of time. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	landshark 20:29 21/6/2002	agreed shads, ban the moaners! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:35 21/6/2002	There are players that could, and would do it in the UK, but the only thing which could turn this from an amazing achievement for the UK gaming scene or an utter waste of effort and sponsor money is WHO picks the players, and how exactly they go about "scouting" for them. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	lilb0 20:41 21/6/2002	yeh its a good idea for the right people, and would be interesting if it was part time. "if" i was asked to join this team unless the 4 other players happened to all be i-es i would say no. oh actually we have 5 other players.. hmm well if it was Uk only i couldn't leave my peeeeebeeeee so i dont think i could (unless they took all 6 of us) >8] [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Munk\| 20:41 21/6/2002	fred is right [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:43 21/6/2002	there's a first for everything i guess? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kwak 20:47 21/6/2002	aawww isnt stoøó0O cute HuGgZz* and aye I wouldnt be in a clan for long if I hated one of ze members it would be either him or me then, so i`m interested how vga gonna sort this... x:D check out STOO`s hair he is soo køøl [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Munk\| 20:47 21/6/2002	dont tell him Who picks it and how will be the funniest,... players who should apply need to meet the following criteria - a) thick as s*** b) going nowhere c) are mature d) v good at cs gl [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 20:51 21/6/2002	Ya know they're gonna pick Spencer ;-) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 20:56 21/6/2002	I think most of the attitudes on this are a load of bull. So what if half of the best players in the UK are in full time education or a better job or anything, what about the rest. It never once says that the players picked have to be THE BEST. And if someone wasn't willing to change thier life slightly for a chance like this, what does that say about thier dedication towards pro gaming. Attitudes like that are not what they're looking for no doubt, it says they're looking for dedication and seriousness to the job. 'Best' players won't be able to play because they're too young, so what, it's a job with a salary by the looks of it, all jobs come with a required age range, live with it. 'Best' players can't take it on fulltime because they have other commitments, good for them, there are plenty of people who would like the job and could in time train to be just as good if the right people are picked. "It won't last". Why not? you're saying CS will die, fine, but thats something that the players in the team and the sponsors will know and understand, why critisise the idea for that. Maybe they would decide to move to a new game if it did die out, and by then the team would already have knowledge of each others playing styles, tactical thinking, and very good team work hopefully, so they'll be ahead of most people moving into the new game. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Munk\| 20:59 21/6/2002	there has to be some incentive for people to deicate thmeselves to "pro-gaming" if its something worth striving for , unless you feel paricularly charitable or lazy [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 21:00 21/6/2002	It could also pave the road to more sponsorship and interest for the less serious clans. Companies see this investment being made, and they start opening up to the possibilities of sponsorship and the advertising that will go with it. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Sweet 21:05 21/6/2002	Congrats to anyone who gets paid to play But if a UK team hasent proven themselves in ANY international competition ( Yes you say i-es came 9-12 at CPL WC, but lol, no other country would claim that as an acheivement) at this stage, then I dont think suddenly calling themselves professional will change that. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:05 21/6/2002	From the UK scene's community point of view, if you go fault picking, have no hope in the idea and just criticise, then it will make the UK scene worse for sure. If on the other hand people support the idea, look into what it's doing different, what it's close to succeeding in, what breakthroughs it could make, and what people can learn from it, then it will be a huge success for the UK scene and community, if not for the team alone. I'm fed up with all the b***hing about the UK scene, why not just look at things and try to see how you can improved them instead of going fault picking and moaning about everything. Look on the positive side for a change, it might surprise you. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:06 21/6/2002	^^ improve not improved [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 21:09 21/6/2002	I think some of you people are overstepping the mark in terms of the sort of skill needed by these 5 players. As weve seen before, the people from the VGA in high up places, and outside sponsors or investors dont know much about the scene at all. They seem to think that -genesis- is gods gift to earth(winners of the VGA LAN title) and im sure theyd be happy if the team could beat a clan like genesis, because they pretty much see clans like this(winners of their league) to be the best. No offence intended, but thats not really that hard to do. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 21:12 21/6/2002	just reading Sweets comment. While in UK CS there are a few teams who dominate the UK clan scene, there are alot of players who have potential to be and play with the best. This is evident when you look at the success of clans like ui, and the 'new names' that have come from them. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 21:45 21/6/2002	shads: And if someone wasn't willing to change thier life slightly for a chance like this, what does that say about thier dedication towards pro gaming Who in their right mind would be willing to change their life (not slightly but in a big way- having a career competing at a computer game aint no slight change) for this? By saying "chance like this" i presume you mean its an oppurtunity not to be missed... care to elaborate there? As I dont see the advantages of accepting a job like this, for reasons ive said above :) shads, If youre applying I wish you luck. You sure do have the pro-gaming mentality to succeed at a career like this, maybe slightly lacking in cs ability though :P [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 21:46 21/6/2002	Handbags o/ [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 21:46 21/6/2002	opportunity* [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:52 21/6/2002	slightly, depends who you're talking to, and apparently people with major full time jobs/interests/education wouldnt be interested in this according to you and other people's attitudes, so who does that leave that has the chance of it being such a major change in thier lives ? and why would they want to employ people that weren't interested in the job, dedicated and wanted to see it through. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 21:53 21/6/2002	"As I dont see the advantages of accepting a job like this, for reasons ive said above :)" Great, good for you, other people might, why criticise. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:00 21/6/2002	Well thats what im saying, who does it leave. Not a lot. And therefore, I cannot see these businessmen getting their moneysworth (£ X,000 p.a. x 5) if the people picked arent good enough to compete with the best of the world. Remember, you can only partly make a good cs player. Some dont have the natural hand-eye co-ordination, or quick learning curves to pick up other principles such as lightning reflexes, awareness and so on. So without the attractio of the creme of uks talent, I cant see this team winning big events and getting the publicity the sponsers would want (if it is that which they're after). [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	landshark 22:02 21/6/2002	i remember i used to have s*** hand-eye coordination and a completely dire reaction speed but it has improved after practice [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:05 21/6/2002	so out of the thousands and thousands of people that play CS in the entire UK, you're saying theres only a handful that would be willing to take this offer up, and they all happen to be the most "leet" and recognised players. bullcrap. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:06 21/6/2002	there are players out there that the "big names" of the community dont know about. why dont they know about them? because the players have no reason or intention to make themselves known to these seemingly arrogant "big names". offers like these could change that, and bring out a higher quality of players who actually want to compete for opportunities like this. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 22:08 21/6/2002	If they have a way to make themselves noticed in the selection process that is [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:08 21/6/2002	Yup I bet they all want to compete to be a professional CS player, going to be one hell of a queue I can tel you that (no, really!) [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:10 21/6/2002	and why are you being such a negative arrogant t**t, i'm not saying they definately WILL, i'm trying to be positive and saying they COULD. typical uk scene "PLAYER". [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 22:12 21/6/2002	Typical UK everything to be honest. Negativity is a way of life. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:13 21/6/2002	Wooooo, bring on the Professional Tetrinet Carrers [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:14 21/6/2002	Here, have a tissue shads [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:17 21/6/2002	yeah thanks i'll use that when i'm actually bothered enough about your petty insults to attempt to cry about them [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	Kronikal Anti-Climax 22:18 21/6/2002	shads for president ! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	kirium 22:21 21/6/2002	Well from your last post it seemed that you were getting pretty upset. By the way theres a difference between being realistic, and being negative. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	landshark 22:22 21/6/2002	nice to see things not getting down to petty bickering! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:23 21/6/2002	why are you flaming me on here instead of bringing such brilliant ideas into our little conversation on IRC? and realism, is that people will take up the offer, being negative is saying that it wont be any of the TRUE ELITE OF THE UK and criticising the fact that it's not open to them because of the lifestyle they choose to live. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	XLNC/Dr_Evil 22:25 21/6/2002	LOL, five people are going to get to 'live the dream' as it were and yet it still turns in to a flame thread. I wonder how they (the sponsors) intend to make money from this, tbh id think they are going more for publicity and weekend events like come and play vs 'Team Sponsored' challenges rather than having them win CPL. Thats the only way its gonna pay IMO. I say GL to em! [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:26 21/6/2002	Thing is shads, why would some1 want to sponsor aloada crap players. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	DoZ Anti-saviour of UKT 22:28 21/6/2002	They aren't necessarily only going to get interest from "crap" players [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	shads theb0g 22:31 21/6/2002	So everyone who isn't considered in the top 20 out of thousands of people is crap? It's not as simple as a "them and us" situation, all they need to find is the foundations of any level of skill in the needed areas, and then they can build on that during thier practice everyday considering it will be a full time "career"(?), and they're probably looking for something other than just whether you can aim at someone in 0.2ms and press fire. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:33 21/6/2002	Thing is, the only way u'd get money outta this is if you won events, and i-es have dominated the UK scene for a while now, and they havent earned enough money to make a living from it. What chance would 5 random players have of overtaking an established clan like these ? And who would wanna take interest in them if they aint the best ? [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 22:33 21/6/2002	whats with all the b*hing? why dont you all just grow the f* up. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	iron 22:35 21/6/2002	The team would be paid a reasonable salary to travel the UK to run promotional events and enter tournaments to build up their reputation and promote the sponsors. Obviously wrong there KK. A salary and sponsors meaning they could make a living without winning a single event.. [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]
	KingKiller 22:38 21/6/2002	I meant the ppl sponsoring the 5, not the 5 themselves [ Comment: Report \| IP: Logged ]

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VGA Announce Intentions To Form A "Professional" Counter-Strike Team

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