On Why Malaysians Don’t Game Competitively
A week ago, a topic on the declining competitive scene in Malaysia at the Multiplay blog attracted quite a number of comments from players, sponsors, and even experienced gamers. I myself also commented on the situation in the topic. It’s an interesting read, so hopefully you don’t mind the numerous ‘karangans’ among the comments (including mine, lol).
As I’m currently tasked with putting out a message for the WCG supplement for our upcoming GameAxis August issue, I was thinking of a topic to write on when I recalled the discussion on the Multiplay blog entry. So I came up with this little editorial, which is partly a response to the debate that was sparked by the original Multiplay article.
Malaysian gamers are a very talented lot. Every time I visit a cybercafé or arcade, I’m astounded by the incredible caliber and potential of the players. You know which kind of gamers I’m talking about: the expert gamers who play with such reflexes and skill that you cannot peel your eyes away from their screens. Whether it is a well-placed headshot, a long string of combo hits, or a perfectly executed play that sees the opponent become decimated, watching a good game can be highly entertaining and fun to watch.
With so many Malaysians today being so good at playing videogames, you’d expect high turnouts for major e-Sports competitions. Instead, we get merely ‘okay’ turnouts and most of the time, we see the same faces or teams taking part. This often strikes me as a rather strange matter: You’d think winning lucrative prizes and cash for doing something that you like doing everyday in your spare time would attract larger crowds or fresh blood.
So why aren’t more Malaysians taking part in competitive gaming?
There are a number of reasons why competitive gaming hasn’t caught on in the country compared to overseas, where some gamers are capable of making a living out of playing games. Some of the blame can be attributed to poor planning on the organizers part, lack of support from local sponsors, or even small-minded gamers who’d rather whine about the situation than actively contribute to improve the situation. But I personally believe that there is a common root behind why most people are reluctant to take part.
Fear.
We are afraid of losing to a stronger opponent in a public match, thus displaying our shortcomings for all to see. We are afraid of not meeting up to expectations of our friends and family members. We are afraid of losing ‘face’ in front of them. We are afraid that we will be chided for doing something so out of the ordinary in society and culture, when we could have just stayed in the relative comfort and safety of our home or cybercafé, joking with friends that your loss was a fluke or that you were just having a bad day.
Admittedly, Malaysia isn’t an easy country to make a living out of playing videogames. Malaysia has yet to reach the same level as other countries where the gaming community is a lot more matured. By this, I don’t only mean in terms of playing skills but also the mentality and support that surrounds the community. Videogames in Malaysia are often not treated with the same level of respect by the mainstream media and population as compared to other entertainment mediums; similarly, gamers are likened to social pariahs and encouraged by their parents or other authorities to do something “productive” instead.
This is why each year during the World Cyber Games, I’ve nothing but the utmost respect for these participants. These players are willing to showcase their capabilities and put their reputation on the line. Sure, it can be a bit embarrassing to lose in front of other strangers, but there’s absolutely no shame in losing. It is proof that you’ve tried your best and that you know the extent of your limits. Whether you want to take the initiative to improve or not is up to you.
If you don’t fancy competitions or just want to have some fun, come over to the WCG 2008 Malaysia National Finals at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre this 15th to 17th August 2008 and see for yourself the dedication and skills of these young participants. Lend them your support and cheer them on, not just for encouragement, but to show the public that you aren’t afraid to show your passion for videogames. For those who have yet to take part in the WCG or any other gaming tournament this year, we encourage you to come as well. Perhaps you’ll be inspired and learn to cast away your fear, just as these gamers did.
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