OZWALD CoD4 Player of the Year!

imho Rob "rob-wiz" Kennedy - Evil Geniuses is the best now....

Why is everyone attacking ozwald here? He had no say in getting the award, and it would be blatantly disrespectful to give it back. After all, this panel of judges (whoever they were) obviously thought he was worthy and who is he to argue?

Coming from a completely neutral perspective, (I live in aus and have never met any of these players) I think chib reflected really poorly on EG with his statement, ozwald saying that rob probably deserved the award more is great sportsmanship but that doesnt mean his is obligated to give the award back!

GG to ozwald, he has been a great player over the entire series and deserves everyones respect. And im sure rob realises that the entire community respects his skill even IF he didnt win this award

this makes the award even more interesting ^^

congratulations ozwald ;)

You win.

edited 2008-08-21 08:29:54

congratulations ozwald

At the end of the day its not about who deserves it, its about who gets it. Not like in 5 years people will remember that Pandemic finished 2nd @ WSVG, they'll only remeber the winners, and that is tek9.

In response to Ozwald and everyone who's labeled me as "absurd," "ridiculous," and "unprofessional" for standing up for my player in regards to a factually-based argument, please note the following:

I specifically stated that it was my intention to bite my tongue prior to Ozwald's first post, in which he stated: "I'd gladly give the award to rob-wiz, as I too think he deserved it more." However, after he came out - publicly - with that response, it was my intention to ask him to make good on that promise, and in doing so determine whether it was just some empty public relations statement, or a true understanding of the community's view of the situation.

Based on his subsequent response, it seems apparent that the first statement was in fact just a PR stunt: "As I said, I think rob-wiz probably deserves it more than me according to my own standards, but I'm not a member of the eSports Award jury and I can't do anything about it."

To respond briefly: No, Ozwald, that's not what you said. You didn't say that rob "probably" deserves it more, you said that he did deserve it more, and that you'd "gladly give it to him." And there's obviously plenty you could do; you're obviously electing not to, which is fully within your rights.

To everyone chastising my approach in this situation, perhaps you should redirect your criticism; who's really the more appropriate target? Someone who comes out publicly issuing empty statements for public relations purposes? Or someone who simply asks for those statements to be followed-up on? How was it inappropriate for me to ask that Ozwald give up the award when he declared in a public statement that he'd "gladly do it"?

If Ozwald thinks he deserves the award, he should say just that. For the record, however, it seems that the vast majority of his peers, as well as the very criteria of the award itself, would conflict with that standpoint. Either way, he shouldn't come out in public on the world's foremost COD4 medium and state that he agrees rob-wiz deserves the award more and that he would gladly give it to him, when neither are the case. I will not accept the label of "unprofessional" for simply asking Ozwald to make good on his public statements. As evidenced by the backpedaling in his subsequent post, what was said in the former post was not truly meant (which, to me, is unfortunate). Don't direct your frustrations at me; I wasn't the one who made a public statement that I wasn't prepared to follow up on.

Ozwald's stance at this point seems to be that he doesn't necessarily think rob-wiz deserved the award more, and that he's not willing to give it up - and both of these standpoints are perfectly fine and legitimate. But they never should have been masked with what was clearly empty public relations jargon.

For the record, I spoke to Rob about my post, and I will reiterate that he's not concerned with this situation. In fact, he and his teammates put this issue to rest a week ago and simply kept on working hard and winning their online matches. This is my opinion alone, and it's an opinion I'm not ashamed to have in any way whatsoever. It's completely legitimate, and I feel that I've outlined my reasoning elaborately and comprehensively. If you consider my points unreasonable I ask that you go back and carefully read through both of my posts, read Ozwald's posts, and then check the criteria of the award itself.

Congratulations on the award Ozwald; whilst I obviously disagree with the committee's selection, you were without doubt deserving of the nomination and go without question as a top player in your field. TEK9 should also be applauded for all of the organization's contributions to the COD4 community and the eSports industry.

--

DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion, and my opinion alone. This is not the opinion of EG.COD4 (they, in fact, have not been briefed that I'm posting this), any other EG gaming division, or EG's sponsors. This opinion is articulated with the utmost respect for Ozwald, TEK9, and the eSports Award, all of whom should be recognized for their contributions and commitment to professional gaming and the COD community.

I understand as management you stick by your team through thick and thin; but over this, it all seems a little over the top. I seems as though the majority, including the actual winner, actually discount its creditability.

I guess everyone nominated should be congratulated to be recognised for being great players in top organisations, that's how I would leave it.

edited 2008-08-22 21:26:40

gj OZWALD :)

+1 searching for a personal manager

Bien joué OZ

Gratz OZWALD

Ah ah ah, i'm speechless. How on Earth could it happen? Did any football player ever refused to receive the FIFA Best Player of the Year award just because he thinks someone else also deserves it? I mean, the jury has decided to give the award to OZWALD, end of story. He was humble enough to say that also rob-wiz would be a great choice and definitely one of the top contenders for best player of the year but far away from denying to himself the award he worked hard to achieve.