CPL World Tour 2006 Cancelled 60
InsaneLampshade writes "BBC News reports pro-gamers are mourning the loss of the most lucrative tournament in computer gaming. In 2005 the World Tour organized by the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) gave away $1m in prizes to pro-gamers at 10 events held around the globe. But the tour has been canceled for 2006, leaving many pro-gamers wondering how to make their lifestyle pay."
Oh I dunno.... (Score:3, Insightful)
Okay, it was coming, you knew it was, get the first post out of the way and make way for the insightful ones.
What?
Oh, there's nothing insightful to be said here?
Oops.
Get a job (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Anyone interested in this? (Score:3, Insightful)
ok, a little broad but still....
I think they need to work on building teams more and find some billionaire owners and cool $20 mil arena to watch them in and.... nah
Re:Get a job (Score:2, Insightful)
These kids got beat up a lot in school. (Score:2, Insightful)
*snicker snicker*
Re:Get a job (Score:3, Insightful)
Look at it this way, yes, working at the Chevy plant is honest, respectable work, but when the plant shuts down you best find some other job.
I consider pro gaming at least as respectable as pro baseball (maybe more if you count in steroid usage). But just like when that XFL league shut down a few years ago, these pros need to stop moaning and go look elseware for employment.
Yeah, I know it's hard. Buddy, it's hard for all of us. My NT4.0 skills go completely unused these days. But I've since found work that doesnt' include NT4.0 and I'm doing more than ok. So will f@+@!1+i (or however you spell his name).
TW
Re:Get a job (Score:3, Insightful)
No, it means that's how they make money. There's a difference.
If they can no longer make money doing it, then there is nothing "pro" about what they do. They are simply gamers, like everybody else.
You can't just take any leisure activity and call it a professional activity and have it be sustainable. Hey, look at me, I'm a professional lemonade drinker! Just because someone gave me a dollar once to watch me drink a glass of lemonade doesn't mean I can actually sustain myself doing it for the long term. Same applies here. There needs to be an actual market for it, along with a level of skill that can both be easily appreciated and incredibly difficult to match. Otherwise nobody's going to be interested, even if the activity itself is interesting. And honestly, watching other people play video or computer games has never even been interesting to begin with.
(Now, you could argue that the same is true for a lot of major sports, but the market has proven you wrong.)
In closing, let me agree with the "get a job" sentiment, etc. etc.