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May 18, 2008 at 03:42 AM CDT
Preparation 101
Posted by: Liefje
Here's what you do
Livia Teernstra is one year wiser and shares her preparation routines with YOU
Livia Teernstra is ready for another Combine and Draft event. Photo: Arve Bremseth
On site from Birmingham, England
Name:
Livia Teernstra
Position:
DoA Player
About the author
Livia «Liefje» Teernstra is the Dead or Alive female player for Berlin Allianz. The New Zealand native has also enjoyed working as a gaming journalist in the past.
15. May, Birmingham, England
Livia Teernstra is living her dream. A New Zealand-native she moved to Sweden to become a professional gamer - last year she made it as a contracted gamer to Berlin Allianz.
One year wiser she dwells in the experiences she made - to help YOU and others prepare for the 2008 Championship Gaming Series' Combine and Draft event.
One year wiser she dwells in the experiences she made - to help YOU and others prepare for the 2008 Championship Gaming Series' Combine and Draft event.
What to expect
Media:
Because the CGS is televised globally, you can certainly expect that there will be media at the combine. If you’re camera shy, try to just forget that they’re there and simply play your game. Usually, you may also be asked to do interviews. Don’t forget that you’re part of the reason that there’s media there (hey, the gamers are the stars you know!) - so be nice to them, they will be grateful that you are making their job that much easier. Plus they can make you look great on TV; it’s a win-win scenario.
Try not to run from them because as you know CGS is a televised league so prepare yourself accordingly.
To wait:
This is something that you can really expect from all tournaments. It’s pretty difficult to run a tournament that’s 100% on-time-all-the-time so yes expect that there will be down time. Also with the CGS it is valuable if you do stick around after your matches in case you’re called to do a challenge match. If you don’t want to play (or can’t play) during your downtime, remember an MP3 player or a DS or something else to keep you entertained in the meantime (if you’re feeling antisocial). At the Omega Sektor (where the UK / EU combine is held) they have a totally sweet movie room with bean bags for chillaxing.
To have fun:
Something that gamers should never forget; these tournaments are supposed to be fun! Sure most people are there for serious reasons too but the bottom line about being a professional gamer is that it is a REALLY fun thing to do. So whatever stresses you have about the tournament, just remember at the end of the day you’re doing something you love with a chance at getting paid to do it.
Because the CGS is televised globally, you can certainly expect that there will be media at the combine. If you’re camera shy, try to just forget that they’re there and simply play your game. Usually, you may also be asked to do interviews. Don’t forget that you’re part of the reason that there’s media there (hey, the gamers are the stars you know!) - so be nice to them, they will be grateful that you are making their job that much easier. Plus they can make you look great on TV; it’s a win-win scenario.
Try not to run from them because as you know CGS is a televised league so prepare yourself accordingly.
To wait:
This is something that you can really expect from all tournaments. It’s pretty difficult to run a tournament that’s 100% on-time-all-the-time so yes expect that there will be down time. Also with the CGS it is valuable if you do stick around after your matches in case you’re called to do a challenge match. If you don’t want to play (or can’t play) during your downtime, remember an MP3 player or a DS or something else to keep you entertained in the meantime (if you’re feeling antisocial). At the Omega Sektor (where the UK / EU combine is held) they have a totally sweet movie room with bean bags for chillaxing.
To have fun:
Something that gamers should never forget; these tournaments are supposed to be fun! Sure most people are there for serious reasons too but the bottom line about being a professional gamer is that it is a REALLY fun thing to do. So whatever stresses you have about the tournament, just remember at the end of the day you’re doing something you love with a chance at getting paid to do it.
The Do's
Practice:
Of course the basic thing that you have to do as with any other tournament is get your game to a level worthy of competition. Some people like to start their combine practice months early, while others prefer to play really intensely in a short period of time leading up to the combine. Do whatever works best for you.
Bootcamp:
10. May, 2008
20. April, 2008
Of course the basic thing that you have to do as with any other tournament is get your game to a level worthy of competition. Some people like to start their combine practice months early, while others prefer to play really intensely in a short period of time leading up to the combine. Do whatever works best for you.
Bootcamp:
- Take pride in how you handle yourself
Photo: Arve BremsethThis is basically the next level of practice. Online play can only take you so far in most games and offline practice is really important for most people. Take for example Dead or Alive 4; it’s basically a totally different game offline. With Counter-Strike, I believe that offline play together with your team is very valuable to your team-play. With offline play there’s no ping whine, no lag issues and most importantly, you get to play with people who share the same passion as you and are most likely just as motivated as yourself to get better. I’ve seen people reach a whole new level of skill they haven’t been able to reach before just after a few days of LAN practice. If you don’t really know who you can play offline with, it doesn’t hurt to ask other players who you know are also attending the combine. Most likely they would be happy to get some offline practice in also and “poof”, a bootcamp is born.
Remember your gear:
If you’re used to playing with certain peripherals (a special mouse, keyboard, controller etc), then don’t forget to bring them! You are allowed to bring your own peripherals to the combine and that could be the difference between winning and losing for you. While some players argue that a certain mouse or keyboard won’t make you a better player, it’s best to play what you’re comfortable with. There are some guidelines on what you can and can’t take though so be sure to read them carefully.
Introduce yourself to the managers:
While General Managers are generally busy people, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt to go up and say hello to them. The point of the combine is for them to scope out new talent and fresh faces so while you can let your game do the talking for you, I think a simple «Hello, I’m ___» is just polite and friendly.
Pay attention to your appearance:
I’ve mentioned that you’re going to expect media at a CGS combine so don’t neglect your appearance! It may sound shallow but seriously, what kind of name are you going to be giving yourself and other professional gamers if you turn up looking like you just rolled out of bed? Don’t forget that you aren’t just representing yourself at a tournament but you’re also giving people outside of the gaming world an impression on gamers in general.
In saying that you don’t need to look like you’re going to have tea with the queen, but I think you get the idea
Photo: Arve BremsethThis is basically the next level of practice. Online play can only take you so far in most games and offline practice is really important for most people. Take for example Dead or Alive 4; it’s basically a totally different game offline. With Counter-Strike, I believe that offline play together with your team is very valuable to your team-play. With offline play there’s no ping whine, no lag issues and most importantly, you get to play with people who share the same passion as you and are most likely just as motivated as yourself to get better. I’ve seen people reach a whole new level of skill they haven’t been able to reach before just after a few days of LAN practice. If you don’t really know who you can play offline with, it doesn’t hurt to ask other players who you know are also attending the combine. Most likely they would be happy to get some offline practice in also and “poof”, a bootcamp is born.
Remember your gear:
If you’re used to playing with certain peripherals (a special mouse, keyboard, controller etc), then don’t forget to bring them! You are allowed to bring your own peripherals to the combine and that could be the difference between winning and losing for you. While some players argue that a certain mouse or keyboard won’t make you a better player, it’s best to play what you’re comfortable with. There are some guidelines on what you can and can’t take though so be sure to read them carefully.
Introduce yourself to the managers:
While General Managers are generally busy people, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt to go up and say hello to them. The point of the combine is for them to scope out new talent and fresh faces so while you can let your game do the talking for you, I think a simple «Hello, I’m ___» is just polite and friendly.
Pay attention to your appearance:
I’ve mentioned that you’re going to expect media at a CGS combine so don’t neglect your appearance! It may sound shallow but seriously, what kind of name are you going to be giving yourself and other professional gamers if you turn up looking like you just rolled out of bed? Don’t forget that you aren’t just representing yourself at a tournament but you’re also giving people outside of the gaming world an impression on gamers in general.
In saying that you don’t need to look like you’re going to have tea with the queen, but I think you get the idea
The Don’ts
Choke:
So you’ve spent months practicing hard for the combine and one of your opponents is a well-known and formidable player. Don’t let their alias get to you. When you sit down to play the game don’t think «Oh no, I’m playing the famous ____ of course I’m going to lose this because he/she is so much of a better player than I».
Then all those months of preparation will go down the drain. You can’t go into a match thinking you’re going to lose because chances are with that mentality you will. Think about it: you’ve been training to get better than the top players so why be intimidated just because they’ve got a reputation? Think about your own game, not who you’re playing.
Party all night:
This one may seem obvious but it’s a mistake I’ve seen time and time again with players that are at their first tournament and have the potential to go all the way. It’s exciting that you’re at your first large tournament and you finally get to play against all those people that were previously faceless opponents online. But don’t let that distract you from the fact that you’re basically at a job interview that’s in the form of a gaming tournament. What will the managers think of you if you are playing awesome the first day and then show up the next day totally hungover and playing like crap? They won’t take you seriously and you may get surpassed by someone that you’ve previously beaten.
Underestimate your opponent:
Kind of on the same page as choking to a reputable player, you also should not underestimate opponents who you have not heard of. Like you, they too have probably been practicing a lot and may have a few unexpected tricks up their sleeve.
So with all that said, you should be ready for a CGS combine - Best of luck to everybody attending.
So you’ve spent months practicing hard for the combine and one of your opponents is a well-known and formidable player. Don’t let their alias get to you. When you sit down to play the game don’t think «Oh no, I’m playing the famous ____ of course I’m going to lose this because he/she is so much of a better player than I».
Livia with «Ricochet» at last year's Combine. Photo: Paul «RedEye» Chaloner
Then all those months of preparation will go down the drain. You can’t go into a match thinking you’re going to lose because chances are with that mentality you will. Think about it: you’ve been training to get better than the top players so why be intimidated just because they’ve got a reputation? Think about your own game, not who you’re playing.
Party all night:
This one may seem obvious but it’s a mistake I’ve seen time and time again with players that are at their first tournament and have the potential to go all the way. It’s exciting that you’re at your first large tournament and you finally get to play against all those people that were previously faceless opponents online. But don’t let that distract you from the fact that you’re basically at a job interview that’s in the form of a gaming tournament. What will the managers think of you if you are playing awesome the first day and then show up the next day totally hungover and playing like crap? They won’t take you seriously and you may get surpassed by someone that you’ve previously beaten.
Underestimate your opponent:
Kind of on the same page as choking to a reputable player, you also should not underestimate opponents who you have not heard of. Like you, they too have probably been practicing a lot and may have a few unexpected tricks up their sleeve.
So with all that said, you should be ready for a CGS combine - Best of luck to everybody attending.
Related content by this author:
10. May, 2008
20. April, 2008
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sWooZie
Posts: 574
Location: Paradise City
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Cjw_Evolved
Posts: 375
Location: Pensacola
Nice Article! My biggest problem would probably be the media. Which is weird because I usually like attention.
Last modified on 5/17/2008 at 11:07 am EST
www.myspace.com/cjwevolved
Last modified on 5/17/2008 at 11:07 am EST
www.myspace.com/cjwevolved
xchickamungusx
Posts: 59
Location: Douglasville
Good read Livia! Give it your all girl (well I know you will) and show em' who's boss!!
www.ChiXamungUS.com
www.ChiXamungUS.com
OffbeatNinja
Posts: 143
Location:
Pro Gamer
Great tips, I agree for sure. and good luck with the draft!
www.myspace.com/adande
www.doacentral.com