GTL: Scandels In Esports And The Effects On Gaming Arenas
By Twin Galaxies Editorial Staff ·
While Overwatch League has spent its time banning and policing toxic players throughout its arenas, the NBA Esports League faces problems in its infancy with how pro-players have been selected for participation in its competitions.
This episode of Game Talk Live approaches the recent controversy in the Overwatch League that led to a player being outright released, as well as other players being under scrutiny. It also explores the growing pains of the NBA's new esports league and the problems that have come out of its recent initial handling. Host Mandie Roman is joined by Electronic Gaming Monthly reviews and previews editor Ray Carsillo, esports fanatic and Inven Global journalist and manager Nick D'Orazio, and grassroots esports tournament enthusiast and organizer Alexis Henson.
It was only recently that Blizzard Activision took the final decision to remove Dallas Fuel player Félix “xQc” Lengyel from the Overwatch League after so many incidents of toxicity in and outside of league play. It appears Christian ‘Cocco’ Jonsson and Timo ‘Taimou’ Kettunen may also be under the microscope after similar recent incidents. It brings up the question of how justified Blizzard or the players are in their actions. Debate considers who or what factors are at fault in these particular instances and what examples organizations have to set in ensuring a sporting playing field.
The panel also looks at esports professionals as role models in the society who must tend to their image and be a better public example for their fans. Was it entirely on xQc to tend to his actions and take responsibility for what he did or was it on Dallas Fuel to have a better hand in helping him to keep track of himself and be better?
“A lot of #esports fans can be against this type of #policing. It feels like, 'Oh, so now the top players in the league aren’t really the best– they’re just the best who can also play nice.'” -@nickdorazio3rd
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 14, 2018
Watch Live: https://t.co/CfU4fOSFIX #blizzard #dallasfuel #gamers pic.twitter.com/zJuoo3UcO6
The matter moves towards what organizations must do in the public eye to handle their staff and players. Do all public figures need training in public relations and social media? How is any given organization expected to conduct itself and to what extent must they go to ensure these incidents don't happen? The panel considers the case of some players who have fallen more silent on streaming and social media, possibly in order to protect themselves or not harm their teams.
The question of whether or not the sentencing is too heavy-handed comes up as well. With so much policing, Overwatch League officials searching streams, checking into incidents, and more, it brings up concerns of whether or not the teams can still enjoy themselves or whether officials are hurting the fun in the game. On the flipside, panels offer opinions on the justification of these practices and how a new era has come in which these toxic practices cannot and will not be tolerated. The consideration of why viewers come to watch the show is also hotly debated.
"I don’t care how much money you make. I don’t care how good you are. WE’RE NOT TOLERATING YOUR GARBAGE ANYMORE. The #culture has to change and it’s starting now... WE ARE REMOVING THE CANCERS FROM @PlayOverwatch AND IT STARTS HERE.”
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 14, 2018
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/CfU4fOSFIX#gamer pic.twitter.com/x521ISQ7iK
Moving on, the new NBA-sponsored esports league has gotten off to a rocky start with fans and entrants crying foul at the entry systems for getting in on pro play. The panel takes a firm look at where the issue began and how the NBA esports league could have better handled its recruitment campaign. That includes looking at how the league sifted through the players and how the best of the best were picked, along with speculation on whether or not this was actually a controversy or whether the game was rigged.
The panel also looks seriously at whether the NBA Combine was simply using their esports system as a marketing gimmick with pre-selected players, or whether it was a legit competition from the get-go. In favor of it being a real competition, panelists consider the fact that many selected players were entirely unknown players. That said, some players comparing stats that were better than those players selected points to the idea that a better social media presence or other factors may have also been involved in the selection process. The question comes up as to whether it's a good idea for esports leagues to have open recruitment at all and what truly makes a player a true esports athlete.
“Without quitting your job, without quitting college, the dream that anybody can play a video game professionally is a viable one."-@RayCarsillo
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 14, 2018
Watch Live: https://t.co/CfU4fOSFIX#progamer #esports #progaming #gaming #GamersAreGood #gamerguy #gamergirl #videogames pic.twitter.com/pioLndO44G
Today's show has wrapped, but you can watch it in it's entirety above. Be sure to check out the previous episode as well where Game Talk Live talks about the specifics of toxicity, as well as Hollywood exclusivity and the success of movies like Black Panther.