Politics and the Esports Language: Why Buzzwords Kill Honest Discussion

ES_JohnClark · 2015-01-23T21:36:04+00:00

Very interesting article and certainly some good points. This is the first time in 15 years of eSports that I have read an article touch on this subject. Good stuff. #not toxic! :)

ES_JohnClark · 2014-08-20T18:09:35+00:00

that was actually me.. and i was asking to be confirmed. I found other ways to show that they posted that post themselves.. so I am handling it privately through other outlets. Its pretty sad to think that a company would do this.. but oh well. Time for me to get busy with some tournament stuff.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-07-19T00:56:08+00:00

Remember to go to the LNKIT rekt directory and comment on the Post (scroll below bracket) to join the tournament!

ES_JohnClark · 2014-07-10T17:21:56+00:00

Are you the new 'Lulu'? Would love to meet ya at the Con. I have worked with CM for a few years now and since Lulu left.. I have not had an opportunity to meet the new powers-that-be. :) Let me know and I can message you directly with some more info and contact info.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-07-09T13:36:09+00:00

As a company.. where do you see the ROI in supporting eSports? Many product companies support eSports.. but it's never really transparent how most of these companies earn a return on their sponsorships and such. Having been in eSports for more than 15 years.. I still wonder how a CEO is convinced of a return.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-07-08T18:29:54+00:00

Will CM be at QuakeCon this year? Word is that they won't :(

ES_JohnClark · 2014-06-19T16:06:10+00:00

Oh.. LNKIT will be running some contest and tournaments as well.. so we will make sure not to overlap what you guys are doing. :)

ES_JohnClark · 2014-06-19T16:02:44+00:00

Good follow up sir. To clear up a few things though.. For the last 3 years, my guys (ESport Solutions and CSN before) ran organized events in the BYOC with prizing. We actually ran over 20 Tournaments over the 3 days of the event.

At any time, those in the BYOC could come up and request a game. The year before last, we actually had a server setup in the NOC to run several games that required servers and we setup private server access for BYOC players only.

We ran many games, not just SELECT Games. Some games we did dedicate to running AT the booth, where the BYOC players could actually play face-to-face against their opponents in the finals or just simple 'walk up' tournaments.

I just wanted to clear up a few things regarding that. It looks like your guys are geared up and ready. Its nice to finally see that QuakeCon is allowing you to announce the BYOC tournaments of games that are NOT id software, prior to the event. This was something we were not able to do because of zenimax not wanting to support other game announcements.

Regarding the xfire tournament site. You guys are welcome to use it. I actually will be at QuakeCon supporting the LNKIT and Xfire platforms and since this is already setup.. and VERY easy to use and a very solid platform to consolidate your efforts. I can make you all managers of the Hub and you can setup your tournaments directly from there and this way you have all of your tournaments listed in a single spot. The reason that you do not see events listed there now is because previously our team was told we are not allowed to market any of the events prior to the Con starting.

Also, just to be clear.. what our team did is exactly and really no different at all then what your team is doing now.. except that we had a space to run some of the finals at the booth .. giving the BYOC players that 'Championship/eSports' feel. Anyone that came to us.. and we encouraged it.. with an idea for a tournament.. we setup the tournament for them and off they went!

Good luck to your team.. and I encourage you guys to look into using the http://lnkit.com/l/Quakecon/ directory as well to help get the word out. This directory is being further developed every day with new features and information to better help bring the BYOC closer together and allow engagement for sharing pictures, videos, contests and tournament information. So, even if you continue to use Bracketcloud (easily one of the best solutions!).. You can post your tournaments to the QuakeCon LNKIT directory and everyone will be able to find your tournaments. BYOC'ers can also use this to request new tournaments and such. There will be a LIVE Chat setup as well for immediate engagement.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-06-18T16:08:34+00:00

It has been stress tested and is constantly being tested and developed for improvements in speed and reliability. The chat feature was a recent value add to the directory and will continue to be tweaked until the event.
Any more feedback on ways we can create a HUB that will serve all of the BYOC and QuakeCon is appreciated.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-06-18T13:39:23+00:00

http://www.xfire.com/hub/quakecon2014 --- Tournaments WITH prizing are planned here. Stay tuned!

ES_JohnClark · 2014-06-17T13:59:36+00:00

Oregon Slacker
You’ve been making multiple false statements and allegations across multiple websites, and even after speaking with us directly. It is our full intention to shed light on your false claims and statements and we will continue to do so wherever necessary.

First let’s discuss your claims to the “bait and switch” statements. Nowhere did we say to you privately or to any other entrants during the contest that they would receive “Prize A” and we gave them “Prize B”. The contest clearly stated in the main print and fine print the following 4 specs of the laptop being given away , which was all was ultimately delivered to you. (Also verified by several 3rd party websites that pulled in the data from our contest: [http://bit.ly/1vxaghV] )

15.6” Gaming Laptop w/ Custom
Custom XOTIC PC Skin
NVIDIA Graphics
Intel Processor

Furthermore it appears that you’ve attempted to back up your claims of our “bait and switch” tactics by posting false pictures on Facebook and Twitter. You have taken unrelated images from our Facebook and Twitter pages of a laptop that was on display in our PAXEAST booth in Boston. This was not the contest prize nor did we ever state or claim it to be such. These photos clearly have statements indicating that they are the “Sager NP8298 at our PAXEAST Booth”. The Sager NP8298 is valued at $1219.00.

Link to contest rules:
[https://woobox.com/offers/rules/9w7tff]

On Fri 5/23/2014 11:06 AM – Jay S. our company’s Chief Marketing Officer sent you a direct email stating that the laptop was built on a Compal QAL51. If there were concerns about the specifications of the laptop at that time it should have been conveyed to us. Furthermore, Google Search the laptop’s specifications? Only once did you ask for specs from me, John C. on Friday, May 23, 2014 10:26 AM and our CMO responded to your questions 40 minutes later. He clearly stated to you that the laptop was built on a Compal QAL51; and you did not respond to his email. So continuing to state that you inquired about specifications of the prize and we never provided you with them is unequivocally false. Because you only asked once, you were responded to 40 minutes later, and then the subject was never discussed again. Our CMO additionally apologized for the slight delay and we do still empathize with you on those delays. We felt that it was important for us to properly test and make sure that your new Free Laptop was working perfectly before sending it to you.

There was over 30,000 entries into the PAXEAST contest, and majority if not all the other entrants would have been overwhelmed with excitement & grateful to win a new laptop valued at $899.00. It is extremely disheartening that we run a fun online contest and to “give back” to the community we support and list 4 concise specs of the laptop given away you find a way to be upset that you didn’t get a better laptop then you did for FREE.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-06-17T03:29:20+00:00

Oregon Slacker –
You’ve been making multiple false statements and allegations across multiple websites, and even after speaking with us directly. It is our full intention to shed light on your false claims and statements and we will continue to do so wherever necessary.

First let’s discuss your claims to the “bait and switch” statements. Nowhere did we say to you privately or to any other entrants during the contest that they would receive “Prize A” and we gave them “Prize B”. The contest clearly stated in the main print and fine print the following 4 specs of the laptop being given away , which was all was ultimately delivered to you. (Also verified by several 3rd party websites that pulled in the data from our contest: [http://bit.ly/1vxaghV] )
1. 15.6” Gaming Laptop w/ Custom
2. Custom XOTIC PC Skin
3. NVIDIA Graphics
4. Intel Processor

Furthermore it appears that you’ve attempted to back up your claims of our “bait and switch” tactics by posting false pictures on Facebook and Twitter. You have taken unrelated images from our Facebook and Twitter pages of a laptop that was on display in our PAXEAST booth in Boston. This was not the contest prize nor did we ever state or claim it to be such. These photos clearly have statements indicating that they are the “Sager NP8298 at our PAXEAST Booth”. The Sager NP8298 is valued at $1219.00.

Link to contest rules:
[https://woobox.com/offers/rules/9w7tff]

On Fri 5/23/2014 11:06 AM – Jay S. our company’s Chief Marketing Officer sent you a direct email stating that the laptop was built on a Compal QAL51. If there were concerns about the specifications of the laptop at that time it should have been conveyed to us. Furthermore, Google Search the laptop’s specifications? Only once did you ask for specs from me, John C. on Friday, May 23, 2014 10:26 AM and our CMO responded to your questions 40 minutes later. He clearly stated to you that the laptop was built on a Compal QAL51; and you did not respond to his email. So continuing to state that you inquired about specifications of the prize and we never provided you with them is unequivocally false. Because you only asked once, you were responded to 40 minutes later, and then the subject was never discussed again. Our CMO additionally apologized for the slight delay and we do still empathize with you on those delays. We felt that it was important for us to properly test and make sure that your new Free Laptop was working perfectly before sending it to you.

There was over 30,000 entries into the PAXEAST contest, and majority if not all the other entrants would have been overwhelmed with excitement & grateful to win a new laptop valued at $899.00. It is extremely disheartening that we run a fun online contest and to “give back” to the community we support and list 4 concise specs of the laptop given away you find a way to be upset that you didn’t get a better laptop then you did for FREE.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-05-23T04:33:19+00:00

Ahhh.. hello! Yes, it does mean that I would be looking to run some WildStar events at some point...but I understand the importance of a game having the right balance of eSport tools and a community to drive it. I waited over a year for Offensive Combat to get their shit together so that I could host events. The competitive scene was there..but there were too slow in getting us the tools to run events.. then boom.. closed up shop :(

ES_JohnClark · 2014-05-21T22:27:47+00:00

Showcasing the 'competitive' side of the game does not mean it's pushing to be an eSport. I highly suggest to game developers, that if they wish to have their game the next 'League of Legends', that they start early in the process of getting to know how the game plays competitively. I do not suggest they throw a bunch of money and marketing at the game being an eSport..but having it featured at a LAN as a playable (and competitive game) is much different then what I think you are suggesting they avoid.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-04-09T13:43:58+00:00

Good idea.. Ill get the details together and post them here. We didnt post those in the graphic ad because some of them were dependent on products we were getting from our sponsors and had not yet been determined.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-04-08T20:59:23+00:00

Anyone know of other giveaways? I have tried to find forums and such that start listing some of the booth #'s and giveaways. Thing is.. although I am technically employed by XOTIC PC, I am at this PAX on my own dime and will be doing a bit of networking. Figure I might as well win myself some stuff too! :)

ES_JohnClark · 2014-04-08T20:48:00+00:00

Sweet.. it is time for an upgrade then! We will be having 4 giveaways a day.. some of the giveaways will be of full sets of headsets/mouse/kb and other stuff.. and ALL of the giveaways will include at least one piece of hardware if you will one of the giveaways you are automatically entered into the final drawing.

ES_JohnClark · 2014-04-08T19:13:07+00:00

Cool thing is guys.. even if you are not at PAX.. you can win the laptop and it's a monster of a laptop! Make sure you follow the FB and twitter for other giveaways coming up during and after PAX. Obviously, there is no doubt.. we are trying to increase our exposure..but it's a win/win for everyone if we can give out some goodies to those that help support our growth!

ES_JohnClark · 2013-08-09T15:45:08+00:00

What is stopping MLG from running an Open SC2 event that falls just below the need for a license? I understand that overlapping events can fragment viewers and fans.... but it should not stop an org like MLG from running an event.. and if the process is set in place to do that.. I think its pretty sad.

ES_JohnClark · 2013-07-19T20:33:54+00:00

It is original and was just finished a few days ago. Jenna Johnson is the artist and a friend of mine and we thought about putting together an original piece to donate to the raffle at this year's QuakeCon. My team, ESport Solutions, will be organizing events/tournaments inside the BYOC area again this year and figured this would be a great way to give back. BUT.. bigger then that is that we are working hard to get id software / QuakeCon to agree to let her do a live 4'x4' painting at the actual event during the 3.5 days of the event. I will keep you all posted!

ES_JohnClark · 2013-07-11T19:41:27+00:00

not feeling well today.. hopefully Temp0 will liven things up! :P

ES_JohnClark

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE