No, don't be mistaken. I'm not here to beat down on the old man that Call of Duty 4 is becoming. The games are still fascinating and whether it's the Fnatic of 2009 or Western Wolves of 2012 fighting over a 1st place on LAN or even online, we get to see the best of the game, as is.
What I mean is something far less obvious, namely the fact that we are indeed ageing. The flow-through of new players is weak and slow to say the least, which you all attested to back in January when the TEK9 Breakthrough of the Year 2011 was to be selected. The criticism was as diverse as the visual range of potatoes, "what are these players doing in this list, they aren't breakthrough players, I've known them for years."
How right most of you were back then. And this does not just limit itself to the top teams sticking to what and, more importantly, whom they know, as they always keep adding and removing the same group of players. No, the problem is a general one and one that also affects the community side of things.
We are a eSports title carried by individuals. Altruistic and noble, sure. But individuals nonetheless. People who, of their own accord, decided that they'd like to contribute something to the community they grew up in or enjoyed playing for. TEK-9 is run that way, so is CyberGamer and also Vita-Nova. Not to forget Sean McDougall of Adroits or Steven Leunens of Outpost on Fire. Had it not been for the individuals of all these initiatives, you could kiss the CGi, AEF, OOF and Adroits events goodbye.
Sure, you'd say that "someone" would step up and do the same. You'd hope that, wouldn't you? But would it really? Who would have hosted ACM when Sean did not put his shoulders under the Call of Duty 4 scene? D1ablo? Not likely.
Age brings wisdom, but also many more worries
And this is where the problems lie. Individuals age and grow older. The body and mind is probably still willing, but eSports (especially Call of Duty 4) isn't as profitable as some of you might imagine. When real life rears its nasty head and tells you to focus on your studies, you have choices to make.
As the game ages, so too its people and this eventually causes people to drop out, move away or give up. The same in my life and many of TEK-9's crew, I'm in my last Masters year and have a thesis to hand in, in less than two months. Peter is in a critical phase of his university studies as well. That's why we are looking for new crew, hoping to get some new & fresh bodies to help out.
Bcrbo and ptER discussing TEK-9 crew in a few years
Replacing what has been, and will soon, be lost
A healthy community will see those replaced. Camiel came and I took his place (no worries, I would not say I am an improvement, I just took over). Will I still have someone to take my place? What happens when tomzki suddenly starts a family or has six months of heavy uni deadlines? Who will run all the cups for CoD4 (ESH & Excello) then?
These are the questions I pose myself. Where do we find these new, young and eager individuals to hand the reigns over to? Who will become the new face of Vita-Nova and CyberGamer? Of TEK-9? Will there be any at all?
If we are to survive, we not only need new talent to enter teams like TCM-Gaming, Anexis eSports, Western Wolves and more. No, we need the same young-blooded, pill-popping, energy-crazed teens to enter the behind-the-scenes as well. Otherwise, TEK-9 might just as well put a huge timer on the frontpage with a "death-do-us-part" countdown.
A community can exceed its grouping of individuals, but never think someone else will do it for you, just because you are part of the group. When you have great ideas and look to start initiatives, just do them. That's how TEK-9 started, how Vita-Nova saw its birth and what made CyberGamer possible. Lest not forget all the streaming companies we see visualizing our game.
Don't just feel. Don't just think. Do. That's what will make Call of Duty 4 last the Summer and make it to 2013.
give it just a few years and he'll be the next tomzki
I was just wondering about the "crispy Portuguese noon" part :D
:)
edited 2012-04-20 23:54:59
i for myself had in 2 1/2 years cod4 2-3 teams while others have arround 20 and wonder why they never are in a team which is good when they dont give it enough time.
iam sure you will find some guys which are like you and willing to get to the top than the only thing you need to do is stick with them.
if you dont get picked up than from a team of people like you who are same skill
and iam sure a lot of teams would give you a chance but just not these where you wanna join because maybe some other people which are more known want to join them too ^^
this +9999999
LANs get a crap turnout. No orgs in the game. So many cheaters in CG.
Bores me.
He talks about the constant changes and renewals that the years have brought on the games the community plays and the Tek9 staff respectively. Alongside that he calls on the need for the young gamers to help out and someday take his and other people's spots on the staff to keep the site "fresh".
I agree TEK-9 needs new, refreshing people that are willing to take over, though i don't think many people will feel as being up to this task.
As like many people in this community that feels the need to help out, i feel like a big issue lies with getting in to contact with people that can get you started with any of the facts stated above.
I would love to start a new cup organisation in cooperation with for example Cybergamer, yet i find it hard to find out where to start, who/what i'll be needing and just getting support.
By the way, this is not my cry for help, just my personal opinion. If anyone feels the same way, and wants to actively do something for this community, you can always get in contact with me by sending a PM.
edited 2012-04-21 00:55:37
My advice to you -> Just got for it. Doesn't hurt to try providing you have time to spend of course.
edited 2012-04-21 00:59:19
Another one of those problems i didnt look further into is contacting those admins i need getting advice from. I understand people like tomzki and such are busy, that's why i haven't bothered yet untill i find people likeminded to help get something going.
Seriously such a inspirational read ive been questioning my place in this game for ages , having never really been a successful player nor plucked up the courage to attend lans i had always wondered if someone could come along and give me a boot up the arse. Ive stayed loyal to cod 4 since cod2 decided to take a dirt nap. Im 23 years old and im still gunning hoping to get myself in the lime light as a top scope. I think cod 4 has a lot going for it never once in the last few years have i said its dying or dead , i play cod 4 for enjoyment purposes only if i ever did reach the peeks of the pro circuit it would be a hobbie not a job.
I see so many loyal cod 4 players now rinsing a still great game , by bringing this counterstrike source crap into the limelight. Why is no one sticking to their roots why do people need a new game? Why are people trying to fix something that isn't broken? We have a great league system now why is no one taking advantage of it?
Seems to me there's a lot of spoilt little kids on here who don't appreciate what some people have done to bring fresh new blood into the game. Im 23 years old ive been out of work for a long time taking care of my own personal problems , so as you gathered ive got plenty of time to spend playing games , call of duty 4 being one of them. Ive never once lost my ambition to try and make it in this community as someone whos well known for his talents on the game , and i will strive to that goal until the game does eventually decide to pass on.
But one of the most depressing aspects of being someone who games on cod 4 every day for around 6-7 hours a day , is when you meet some really good friends and they decide to move on with their lifes , its hard to grasp im not just talking about random people who add you on xfire im talking about friends who you spent hours and hours on ts with having a laugh and messing around , then eventually that time comes when they want to move on and focus on real life. Its a massive kick in the teeth , but it will happen to all of us eventually the only question is when.
My only advice is know your limits , real life is important but remember cod 4 is always there as a escape.
Rant done.
:)
edited 2012-04-21 02:06:57
However, the reason people are bigging up CS: GO at the moment is because of two reasons. They're getting bored of the game, and there is a massive surge in interest in the game coming from Cadred. It sort of seeped over to TEK9, and now with the spreading of the beta and the fact that the game is new, people are getting enthusiastic about it. I myself have been battling a spell of boredom with the game, but I'm hopeful that when the chips are down, I'll still be around in the game that I've been playing for the last five years. And that depends on two things: How well does CS: GO do, and will there be a consistent flow of tournaments that get attended in CoD. I wish I could give a more concrete answer as to how long the game will stay afloat, but at this moment, it isn't looking good for the scene. We need a collective kick under the arse, not just you.
As for people moving on, yeah it's bound to happen. But know that it wasn't because of the game that you became friends, it was because of what happened around it that you did. If they sever all ties by deleting xfire, they're going to the extremes. Most people I've seen who quit generally keep their xfires to just chat to friends and what not. So with that said, you should be fine, although I'm not quite sure how your situation looks like.
I really like your last line. And I feel that, in the grand scheme of it all, we've got a better escape than people who resort to drugs and alcohol to escape (although there are people who do both or all three, and of course there are plenty of recreational users, and not people trying to escape in it)
hahahahah
the game is dying, not dead.
I personally think your not a great admin but you are VERY VERY VERY GOOD in MAKING INTERVIEWS & WRITING ARTICALS
Dus Petje af voor jouw meneer de belg!
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But for now what you where trying to say in your artical that there need to be fresh meat to
take up the ranks and help out and take over when needed.... i think there are alot of people
who are up for the task only i think the heads of al these communitys/leagues etc lack the quality of leadership and seeing new talent and not giving chances to the right people....
i see alot of admins that are just giving the rights cause of friendship and that there is not looked enough at skills and people who get things done mabye they are not always as nice as others but they get the job done.
(sorry for my crappy english)
edited 2012-04-21 10:31:49
Same for searching new TEK9-writers. TEK9 mainly covers COD4 and just as COD4, TEK9 will have a hard time finding writers due to the community becoming smaller.
Oh and hi Steven! Didn't even know you still read this
Just to check what's up with all those AA'ers in the COD scene.
edited 2012-04-21 14:46:15
edited 2012-04-21 14:48:57
dat.
Last summer is no different to this summer, only difference was Sean hosted 3 Benelux LAN's which all had good turnouts (20 or more I think). This summer there is 0.
Host Benelux LAN's and hf.
People need to realise that cost is a big factor, like you pointed out caesium, but tapping into the local communities can be just as strong.
But you are right, UK, French, Benelux, Hungarian, Finnish local scenes are pretty gd
The majority of people within the community won't mind to do some work behind the scenes, the problem is - as stated above by various other men - that people have a lack of contacts or those you do know to contact are already being a tutor for a good amount of people as well.
Most people would like to be in a demo crew, being a streamer or simply being an admin in a league (Cybergamer). There is just a small amount of people who would like to be a writer but won't give it a shot due not having a decent vocabulary or not being in posession of decent grammar.
edited 2012-04-22 12:54:53
Truth is, I want Adroits to continue to have a presence in this community but, we need somebody in place to do that. I'm finding myself spread wayyyy too thin these days with everything that we have going on.
If you seriously want to help out by running cups or anything related to CoD4 for Adroits, just PM me on here and I'm confident we can work something out. A reply to your comment, but also open to anybody who's up for it.
You were saying?
sorry for my bad english i hope you get my point ;)
Bcrbo and ptER discussing TEK-9 crew in a few years
Lmfao. Nice read though :P
edited 2012-04-25 14:10:38