Is Professional Gaming Possible in Davao City?

The Davao Cyber Expo 2007: Davao Cyber Games DoTA Championships (DCE-DCG) held last July 4, 5, and 6, 2007 at the NCCC Mall of Davao City was indeed a big success but marred by much problems and controversy. Organizers Kitsi Avila, Lester Avila and TJ (?) of E2 Events conceptualized the event to raise the level of gaming in the city to a professional one. Although the event may be considered as a success, it still begs the answer to the question that started it all: "Is professional gaming possible in Davao City?" I do not claim to be a veteran gamer, but I believe I can provide more than my two cents worth to this issue.

Dictionary.com lists the following definitions of a professional:
* following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain
* following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime
* a person who earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently engaged in by amateurs

While it is laudable that the organizers provided a DoTA Constitution for the players, I question why it was authored by a player who was actively participating in the tournament, and affiliated with more than one team. Although there is technically nothing wrong with that, it would have been a more credible constitution had the author been somebody perceived to be impartial, unbiased and with no direct or indirect interest in the outcome of the tournament.

Moreover, the rules stated in the said constitution were erractically and inconsistently implemented. When my team joined one of the first cafe eliminations at the earlier part of the tournament, the teams were made to play one set against each other in the first round. However, in subsequent cafe eliminations, first round eliminations only consisted of single game matches. There were also times in the course of the entire tournament when the "no coaching" rule was not implemented. Inconsistencies regarding the use of pause, and the saving and loading of games were also observable.

Another problem that consistently cropped up during the eliminations was the lack of respect for time and schedule by the players, and the organizers and marshalls alike. Although delays due to technical problems are acceptable, other schedule delays do not reflect well on the commitment of those involved to raise the level of gaming to a professional level.

The above mentioned problems and other such problems are, to a certain extent, understandable and acceptable given that the DCE-DCG 2007 is the first one of its kind. However, what is really striking for me are the blatant violations of the "trashtalking rule." Article 5 of the DoTA Constitution explicitly states that unsportmanlike behavior, including "excessive shouting" and "any act of disrespect" by the players and teams are causes for disqualification. Despite the heated exchange of words and excessive trashtalking of some teams, not one team was reprimanded, warned, or disqualified due to it. Yes, trashtalking is part of the game. But in order to promote and harbor professional gaming in the city, the gamers themselves must act and play like professionals.

What sets a professional gamer apart from a gamer is how he conducts himself. Being a professional gamer does not only imply earning money from the sport. Rather, it entails discipline and commitment to the betterment rather than stagnation of the sport. What was very disappointing for me was the team that initiated the trashtalking was the best team in the city, the team that already represented the city, and considered by many as professional gamers. It is also frustrating to be at the other end of the trashtalking, while the officials do almost nothing to control the situation.

These aside, there are many other problems and hurdles that the local gaming community has to overcome in order to achieve what it has set out to do. Undeniably, schools and parents are one hurdle that is very difficult to overcome. The perception is gaming is a fruitless endeavor. This might be true for most cases, as most students abandon their studies in order to engage in gaming activities. For this perception to be eased out of the public consciousness, gamers should conduct themselves properly by putting their priorities in order.

Another hurdle that the community has to contend with is the lack of government and corporate support. Luckily for the local gaming community, Davao City officials supported DCE-DCG 2007, and Councilor Leo Avila and the Davao City Government provided financially and logistical support to the event. Councilor Avila even provided excuse letters for the championship participants so they may attend the event.

There were also very limited corporate sponsors to the event. This situation can be easily changed with a constant stream of related activities that would boost the community's media mileage and marketability.

Unfortunately, even some local gaming cafes do not amply support the cause. In fact, several cafes backed out of sponsoring their championship teams, forcing some cafes to sponsor more than one team. Congratulations are in order for the gaming cafes that supported the event: Sequel and Blinque who each fielded two teams, NetExpress, Alizone Internet Cafe 2, BoyzTrek Cafe, Cindrew's Net Cafe, Cybermix Internet Cafe, Darth Gamers, FRB Internet and Business Center, Hyper Bits and Bytes Internet Cafe, Intertouch Cafe, Jimber's Internet Cafe, Macy's Cafe, and Monster Modz Area 64.

Despite the problems, the hurdles, and the difficulties, the DCE-DCG can be considered a big success at many different levels. For one, it challenged a lot of gamers and teams to professionalize and improve their gaming skills. Another important goal it achieved was to increase awareness and promote enthusiasm in the city regarding the campaign to encourage professional gaming. Finally, the event has built a friendly community of gamers ready to assist and support each other, despite the quest to best each other.

So, is professional gaming possible in Davao City? Yes, but we definitely have a long way to go. The tournament might be over, but the journey is still beginning. The more pertinent question is... are you ready to enjoy the ride? I am. NAAAKS! Your thoughts please.

A related video: WCG Philippines Chief Organizer Tjader Regis
This entry is cross-posted from my personal and work blog.