It became apparent today that the much respected Team EG has been stealing staff from other organisations. In the Wild West era of esports in which we live, signing staff from another website is unregulated, which leads to what the football world calls "tapping up." This refers to the concept of talking to someone who is currently working for another company, trying to convince him/her to join yours.
But Team EG overstepped the mark by finally recruiting Marcus "DJWheat" Graham. Rumours of him joining EG have been rife since he commentated on everything they have ever done. He was also spotted alongside many of the Evil Geniuses staff during events on countless occassions.
The other guy from One More Game, SirScoots (also of, er, EG) said "tune into LO3 where we'll announce which episode of Weapon of Choice we will use to make this news public."
Meanwhile, DJWheat felt betrayed by the move. "You raise a caster from scratch, even before esports begun in 2010, and then he betrays you. My move to EG feels like a slap in my own face."
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
Esports Entertainment (TM)
I finally finished a column for ESFI World that should be going online within the next 24 hours. Finally! Writer's block is a bitch. But being one of the few writers in esports who has actually studied journalism (toot, toot!), i like to keep my columns to a word limit. That means there are things i have to trim, or just cut entirely, which was part of the reason i made this blog in the first place. With that in mind, today we're going to talk about tits.
When i was ten or 11, i watched WWF, as it was still called, because i enjoyed it and because i didn't know any better. By the time i was 13, i watched it because of Trish Stratus and Torrie Wilson and, especially, because of Chocolate Pudding matches and Gravy Bowl matches. Now that i'm almost 26, i obviously don't watch it at all, but this weekend i did watch NASL.
It would be hypocritical of me to criticise NASL for using attractive women as interviewers. I'm a guy, i like to look at attractive women, and yes, InControl's girlfriend is hot. But the fact that Anna and her friend were the most useless interviewers i've ever seen (and i've seen a lot of terrible interviews) made the whole spectacle very unedifying. At least that Korean woman from GSL appears to have a clue (not that I speak Korean, so i could be wrong). I can't decide whether it's better or worse than just having half-dressed women standing around รก la CGS. On the one hand, at least Anna and Co. were contributing something, rather than being pure eye candy. But on the other, someone with experience or a modicum of talent could have done the same thing with bimbos still fulfilling their main task.
Just to be clear, though. I'm not implying that esports is going the way of WWF: a faux-sport for kids and mentally-backwards adults. But the fact that NASL felt the need to bring along some T 'n' A is pretty worrying. It gives me the impression that they lack confidence in their product - for want of a better term. As if people wouldn't want to just watch some awesome SC2 action. Or, worse still, maybe they roped-in InControl's girlfriend and her friend because they worked for free and NASL's supposed financial problems are worse than expected. Either way, it was pretty cringe-worthy to watch Mrs. Excellent this weekend. Cringe-worthy and slightly arousing.
When i was ten or 11, i watched WWF, as it was still called, because i enjoyed it and because i didn't know any better. By the time i was 13, i watched it because of Trish Stratus and Torrie Wilson and, especially, because of Chocolate Pudding matches and Gravy Bowl matches. Now that i'm almost 26, i obviously don't watch it at all, but this weekend i did watch NASL.
It would be hypocritical of me to criticise NASL for using attractive women as interviewers. I'm a guy, i like to look at attractive women, and yes, InControl's girlfriend is hot. But the fact that Anna and her friend were the most useless interviewers i've ever seen (and i've seen a lot of terrible interviews) made the whole spectacle very unedifying. At least that Korean woman from GSL appears to have a clue (not that I speak Korean, so i could be wrong). I can't decide whether it's better or worse than just having half-dressed women standing around รก la CGS. On the one hand, at least Anna and Co. were contributing something, rather than being pure eye candy. But on the other, someone with experience or a modicum of talent could have done the same thing with bimbos still fulfilling their main task.
Just to be clear, though. I'm not implying that esports is going the way of WWF: a faux-sport for kids and mentally-backwards adults. But the fact that NASL felt the need to bring along some T 'n' A is pretty worrying. It gives me the impression that they lack confidence in their product - for want of a better term. As if people wouldn't want to just watch some awesome SC2 action. Or, worse still, maybe they roped-in InControl's girlfriend and her friend because they worked for free and NASL's supposed financial problems are worse than expected. Either way, it was pretty cringe-worthy to watch Mrs. Excellent this weekend. Cringe-worthy and slightly arousing.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Commentary Pro tips
Here are some pearls of wisdom for aspiring SC2 commentators, coming from a vastly experienced guy who casted two games with Special Endrey once.
WC3 players: If one of the players you are commenting on happens to be an ex-WC3 player, don't forget to mention that he has excellent mincro. People on the internet are stupid and have very shorty memories, so they will likely have forgotten the last time you mentioned that a WC3 player has good micro. Point it out even if they don't have particularly great micro, because how could they possibly be good at the game without having great micro, right?
All players are excellent: Never forget to mention that every player you commentate on is very good. Just because you're commenting on the best league in the strongest esports country in the world doesn't mean that calling the players "very good" is redundant. Even if you're discussing the first round of an open tournament, there's 50/50 chance that Meg@Sn!per.X is "very good," right?
Leery/Weary/Wary: Despite these words meaning completely different things, to a commentator they are 100% interchangable, especially if you are Day9.
Vocabulary: Are you the type of person who thinks long words are hard to say? Do you not really know very many words to begin with? Good news: esports commentary is definitely for you! Long words take up too much time - precious time which could be spent yelling "ohhhhhhh!" People can already see what's going on on-screen, why would they want you to talk about the game?
WC3 players: If one of the players you are commenting on happens to be an ex-WC3 player, don't forget to mention that he has excellent mincro. People on the internet are stupid and have very shorty memories, so they will likely have forgotten the last time you mentioned that a WC3 player has good micro. Point it out even if they don't have particularly great micro, because how could they possibly be good at the game without having great micro, right?
All players are excellent: Never forget to mention that every player you commentate on is very good. Just because you're commenting on the best league in the strongest esports country in the world doesn't mean that calling the players "very good" is redundant. Even if you're discussing the first round of an open tournament, there's 50/50 chance that Meg@Sn!per.X is "very good," right?
Leery/Weary/Wary: Despite these words meaning completely different things, to a commentator they are 100% interchangable, especially if you are Day9.
Vocabulary: Are you the type of person who thinks long words are hard to say? Do you not really know very many words to begin with? Good news: esports commentary is definitely for you! Long words take up too much time - precious time which could be spent yelling "ohhhhhhh!" People can already see what's going on on-screen, why would they want you to talk about the game?
Monday, 4 July 2011
Independence day for you, International WTF day for me
Ever since last week's announcement by ESL that they will be swapping Quake for LoL in the upcoming IEM season, i've been struggling to put my thoughts into a word document. It's a complicated situation from my perspective, and every time i tried to write it end up kinda schizophrenic and confused.
So after a week of frustrating confusion, I hoped for some nice simple news to try and get back into column-writing this week. Then suddenly, the league that most intelligent people bitch about more than any other (MLG, in case you didn't catch the reference) is streaming Quake games today. WTF IS HAPPENING?!
Next they'll be ditching the extended series and playing real games at their tournaments instead of Console shooters. Okay, maybe not.
So after a week of frustrating confusion, I hoped for some nice simple news to try and get back into column-writing this week. Then suddenly, the league that most intelligent people bitch about more than any other (MLG, in case you didn't catch the reference) is streaming Quake games today. WTF IS HAPPENING?!
Next they'll be ditching the extended series and playing real games at their tournaments instead of Console shooters. Okay, maybe not.
Monday, 13 June 2011
Sometimes you just have to unfollow someone
In any other industry, Rinoa would probably be known as a "scenester." As far as i know, she's never really won anything. She doesn't write for any website (though she was at GotFrag for a while just before i left), and doesn't manage a team. Yet she's pretty well known, as her 5,000 followers on Twitter can attest to. Hell, i can't stand DoTA games and even i followed her until two minutes ago.
She's always been fairly friendly to me during the few interactions we've shared. But honestly, her Twitter and Facebook feeds remind me of why a large part of me despises "Social Media." I quote:
"Lots of people ask me what eyeliner I use! Maybelline Ultra Liner waterproof liquid on the top and MAC Powerpoint engraved pencil for bottom"
Yep, time to click that shiny red "unfollow" button. I find it genuinely depressing that people actually want to read this shit. I've generally avoided following "real" celebrities on Twitter, using it mostly for just esports and Magic. If Rinoa is our version of Victoria Beckham (albeit, a much more likeable version) then i'm convinced that i am using Twitter correctly by avoiding those ego-maniacs.
Then again, at least she doesn't talk about fuckign smart phones 24/7.
She's always been fairly friendly to me during the few interactions we've shared. But honestly, her Twitter and Facebook feeds remind me of why a large part of me despises "Social Media." I quote:
"Lots of people ask me what eyeliner I use! Maybelline Ultra Liner waterproof liquid on the top and MAC Powerpoint engraved pencil for bottom"
Yep, time to click that shiny red "unfollow" button. I find it genuinely depressing that people actually want to read this shit. I've generally avoided following "real" celebrities on Twitter, using it mostly for just esports and Magic. If Rinoa is our version of Victoria Beckham (albeit, a much more likeable version) then i'm convinced that i am using Twitter correctly by avoiding those ego-maniacs.
Then again, at least she doesn't talk about fuckign smart phones 24/7.
Saturday, 28 May 2011
A Sneak Peek at The Zechs Dictionary
Tautology: The scientific study of Mexican cooking.
Firewall: Literally an asbestos wall inside your computer that protects the hottest parts from catching on fire. When people tell you that it’s unhealthy to spend too long on a computer, this asbestos is what they are referring to.
Oxymoron: A person who doesn’t know how to breathe.
Exfoliate: A substance – often shampoo or shower gel – which removes leaves and twigs from skin.
Friday, 20 May 2011
Kicking back on memory lane
Nostalgia, eh? If you never heard about the Deadman/Ownswitch situation back when both guys were in SK, you're in for a treat. If you were around the scene back then, well... sit back and remember one of the most hillarious incidents in esports history...
"For those who are interested in the situation between me and ownitsch, I am writing the story. When we were driving to Hamburg from Cologne (ownitsch was the driver), I had to smoke a cigarette because it’s a bit annoying to be stuck on the road when no cars are moving and everyone is waiting. I even opened a window so I won’t disturb anyone but ownitsch told me to stop smoking.I told him, “no, I need to smoke that cigarette!” He then stopped the car like crazy, stepped out of the driver’s seat, walked to the other side of the car, opened my door, and took my cigarette out of my hand (in bad manner). I walked off from the car and asked him why he was doing this, and kicked him in the body (because I can’t accept those bad manners from him, which he commited by removing my cigarette from my hand).
After we had arrived at the hotel, gues what happened? Ownitsch told me that I will be flying home tomorrow and told me to stay here. I was like “wtf” ownitsch, why are you doing this? At the hotel I was taking another cigarette to smoke because I couldn’t believe what he told me, then after I smoked I came to him and asked him if I will be flying home tomorrow. Guess what happened? He just gave the room card. I was like “wtf” again and went to my room but I couldn’t sleep because tomorrow was going to be the wc3l finals but ownitsch didn’t tell me anything (what time it was going to be etc). So I was knocking on the other players’ doors but nobody opened them and then after some time ownitsch appeared. I was asking him “what happened, where have you been?” Guess what? He told me to go eat and didn’t even explain anything to me. After that I was really thinking about flying home and told him that, but he was acting bad manned again and I was like “wtf!” He just closed the door to my face.
I told myself “enough of this shit” and left to the reception. So they called ownitsch’s room and asked him to come downstairs. There I could ask him again if I will be playing or flying back the next day, but he was acting bad mannered again so I kicked him in the face. After that, inso kicked me in the face and said something about my mother so I in return kicked him (with my leg). After that we left to the rooms to go to sleep. The day after ownitsch told me that I will be flying back and called the police, the police took me away from the hotel and I had to be outside. And then I had to go to the PC club to look for the address of the wc3l finals. By the time I arrived there I was off the team. Then I had to give an interview and had to pay for a flight from Hamburg to to Kalinigrad to Moscow for 400 euro."
--Deadman, formerly of SK.
"For those who are interested in the situation between me and ownitsch, I am writing the story. When we were driving to Hamburg from Cologne (ownitsch was the driver), I had to smoke a cigarette because it’s a bit annoying to be stuck on the road when no cars are moving and everyone is waiting. I even opened a window so I won’t disturb anyone but ownitsch told me to stop smoking.I told him, “no, I need to smoke that cigarette!” He then stopped the car like crazy, stepped out of the driver’s seat, walked to the other side of the car, opened my door, and took my cigarette out of my hand (in bad manner). I walked off from the car and asked him why he was doing this, and kicked him in the body (because I can’t accept those bad manners from him, which he commited by removing my cigarette from my hand).
After we had arrived at the hotel, gues what happened? Ownitsch told me that I will be flying home tomorrow and told me to stay here. I was like “wtf” ownitsch, why are you doing this? At the hotel I was taking another cigarette to smoke because I couldn’t believe what he told me, then after I smoked I came to him and asked him if I will be flying home tomorrow. Guess what happened? He just gave the room card. I was like “wtf” again and went to my room but I couldn’t sleep because tomorrow was going to be the wc3l finals but ownitsch didn’t tell me anything (what time it was going to be etc). So I was knocking on the other players’ doors but nobody opened them and then after some time ownitsch appeared. I was asking him “what happened, where have you been?” Guess what? He told me to go eat and didn’t even explain anything to me. After that I was really thinking about flying home and told him that, but he was acting bad manned again and I was like “wtf!” He just closed the door to my face.
I told myself “enough of this shit” and left to the reception. So they called ownitsch’s room and asked him to come downstairs. There I could ask him again if I will be playing or flying back the next day, but he was acting bad mannered again so I kicked him in the face. After that, inso kicked me in the face and said something about my mother so I in return kicked him (with my leg). After that we left to the rooms to go to sleep. The day after ownitsch told me that I will be flying back and called the police, the police took me away from the hotel and I had to be outside. And then I had to go to the PC club to look for the address of the wc3l finals. By the time I arrived there I was off the team. Then I had to give an interview and had to pay for a flight from Hamburg to to Kalinigrad to Moscow for 400 euro."
--Deadman, formerly of SK.
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