Mixed feelings and the Competitive Gaming Industry

I haven't written anything here in a long time. Nothing huge in particular has prohibited me from doing such but more like a lot of little things. Lately I have been able to think of nothing else but my future and what gaming has to do with it. Fact: I want to run an organization that represents gaming as a medium to a better life. Fact: I want to shape a future that involves the invitation of others to get inspired and create a positive influence in their lives and in their communities. But what about me?

I drink. I curse. I am sexually active in ways your typical red-blooded American college student is expected to be. But what about that makes me a worthy leader? I used to think I could walk the line, be a cool dude with a strong vision of making a difference. What better way to differentiate myself from others with similar goals in an industry still floundering to gain shape?

Competitive gaming has been around for much longer than I even cared to research. The industry's roots extend all the way back to when I had barely touched my first controller. At this point I've given up trying to size up all the different leagues currently in operation. This is especially considering a few things I've learned from both experience and second-hand accounts of the culture of competitive gaming.

I watched the documentary FRAG the other night. For those who have never heard of it and are at least remotely interested in "professional" gaming, I'd highly recommend it. The film gets a little preachy here and there but overall the information is enlightening. One league in particular, known as the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL), was placed under an interesting light. After realizing the world of pro gaming was so much bigger than I had originally thought I delved deeper, craving to understand the origin of the idea of gaming leagues. What I found was exciting and disappointing all at once.

The CPL had gained popularity as one of the first gaming leagues to be formed in tribute to the new up and coming "eSports" phenomenon. The league handed out massive cash prizes, promoted intelligently and had stapled its place in gaming history. But slowly the dynasty began to crumble. The league found itself at the mercy of event execution and planning complications, along with a steadily deteriorating reputation among the competitive gaming community. Apparently contractual stipulations (if you were documented speaking ill of the league, the league was no longer obligated to pay you any tournament money) and long periods of time between winning a tournament and actually getting the money. Gamers began losing confidence in the league, eventually leading up to the CPL's death in late 2008. But it doesn't end there.

In September of 2009 an announcement had been made declaring the repossession of the CPL's intellectual property by an affluent investment firm in United Arab Emerates. Buzz soon followed when talk began of events being planned with the intention of getting hosted in Shanghai. The Granddaddy of gaming leagues would soon be back to reclaim the throne, until this.

An absolute pimple on the ass of all that is ethical in business, the alleged CEO of the reviving CPL brand Scott Valencia had used the phrase "big business" to shield himself from taking responsibility in something as cut and dry as a business agreement. This of course is according to
the blog posted by one of the CPL's previous partners.

How hard could it really be? Live your word, keep your promises. Business should be as simple as that. Why go through all the angst and trouble of performing all this song and dance to appear one way and behave another? It has to be an exhausting existence. Its hard not to be discouraged, but some good advice comes to mind...

"A person of intelligence learns from their mistakes. A person of wisdom learns from the mistakes of others."

-Mexx