Sorry for my turn to be in hiatus a while back, I was hiding in my batcave with a writer's block. However, today it suddenly occurred to me that since those who have been visiting our various CGS sites are gamer one way or another, are definitely bound to ask themselves this, "oh man, how these guys become PROs, then am Pro?", thus the inspiration to write something about this topic.


Team Gamers:
First and foremost let's talk about team game gamers from games like CounterStrike, DotA, Team Fortress2 and Quake. These gamers usually form their own team or clan in the early stage under guidance of a leader. Rare instances like starting out without a definitive leader is also possible. They started as either small outfit of around 5 members to gigantic size of 30 or more members. Slowly when they start to commit seriously for the game, exchanged precious private time to training time in order to sharpen their killer skills. And the first baby step into becoming PRO would be from the first moment of tying out their skills and teamwork in small competitions. But no, not yet, they are still far from being considered as PRO up till this stage.

For team gamers to really become PRO you definitely, no I should say it is a MUST to have someone strong and resourceful to guide the team along the way, someone to give a little smack now and then to keep everyone in line. This person would be the "Team Manager". At this point, the team is only half way there. Now with a manager, this manager would need to have certain factors like being well know figure, having great achievements, highly experienced or well respected in order to really add value to the team. Once achievements starts to stacks up with his/her leadership, it will be the time for the manager to look for support from sponsors. The other team members just have to concentrate on keeping themselves busy with training product excellence results and nothing else. All would be in the good hand of a capable manager.

Now here comes the tough part. If a team managed to safely reached the follow stage then they well on the way to PRO kingdom soon. This is a stage where teams internally have to maintain the trust and harmony within the group. They should not engage with any internal conflict and has to move forward in the same direction as one. Any distraction like team politics or petty jealousy must be cast away. The important task of keeping the team together and maintaining the motivation of the team rest critically on his shoulder. Team manager must be able to keep the team under control and take off care of the members. He/She too must plan months ahead in advance on how the team will progress. As for the part to play as team members, they must give their full cooperation and have full support of the plans that the manager has laid out for them. At any point of time, if any of these are not followed, the team is back to square one and back they go to join in the dreaded rats race. In the worst situation the team would just blend into the background and disappears into oblivion.

Remembers, no sponsors would support a team if they find that the team is not united. Sponsor's are the most sensitive creature in the world of gaming, and would react instantly when they detect bad vibe from the team. And also non team player would most probably be shipped out of the team if they are dragging the team down into gaming hell.

At the end of the day if nothing goes wrong, the team should become a lean mean killer machine in no time and the manager would have successfully transformed the team into a big shining star in the gaming universe. Sponsorships would come flowing in. The team will then finally considered to have reach their final dream destination.


Solo Gamers: Talking about professional solo gamers, they had it much easier than the professional team gamers. First and foremost, they are "Lonewolf" type of fighting machine. They are usually spared from having to headache over issues like teamwork or team politic. That frees up much time and energy which allow them to do self improvement. However, also because of this to become like them one has exercise a lot of self control and motivation.

However, being solo gamers in order to move up to the ultimate level of PRO, they need to organise his/her own training schedule, finding good training partner(s) and come up with a set of training method that work best for oneself. These are important to keep oneself well oil and stay on top of the others.

Not forgetting the task of making oneself shine is also very important. What sets aside oneself from being a star or just another good player is the ability to carry oneself well in the eye of the public.

The path to solo greatness is that you have to do everything yourself and there is no one else to guide or help you. Maybe those seniors or the veterans can give some leads or guidance but ultimately you have to fend and make decisions for yourself.

Recent trend is of cause to join a major gaming powerhouse or to qualify for a GCS team, these entities usually have great leaders to help the solo gamers PRO along. Still much of the responsibility is rest their own shoulders.

Conclusions are simple. To become PRO team gamer, work as team, be discipline and train hard. As for solo PRO team gamer , exercise self control, conditioning and planning.

So above are based from my personal experience any my observation of the gaming community. If you have different views or opinions, comments and discussions are welcome.