GameReplays.org Interview with Draco

  GameReplays.org recently had an interview with Polish pro gamer Draco who recently returned home to Poland after a brief stint in Korea as a resident pro StarCraft player. The interview is very interesting and reveals some of the cultural and physical barriers we face in integrating what is most definitely a common interest between societies that are so different from one another.   If you've ever thought you could make it in Korea as a pro gamer, living the life, you may want to read this article. While a bit sobering the article is very insightful. Enjoy!   Valhalla: Did the language barrier become a burden to you?

Draco: The language barrier… These two words which can involve thousands of problems, which even a man with the greatest imagination couldn’t foresee. These two words almost completely answer the question as to why I’ve returned. Starting with hundreds of smaller incidents, and ending with larger misunderstandings. Korean culture is almost completely different from European culture.   You can, of course, read the full article at GameReplays.org or the polish (untranslated) version at Valhalla.pl.

 

lolz ive read the interview from that site, and after all that 3 long pages.. i can summarize that all into few words....

"He moved on"

it wasnt really such an interesting read, as i was expecting more of an sc2 updates or something, but it turned out as a pro-gamers deppressing life of failure.. and in the end he didnt even have much to say about the game sc2 which pissed me off... coz those words are meant for those non-believers and pessimists, perhaps life has really been a struggle in Korea coz of that language barrier, too bad for him coz that experience will certainly leave a scar on his brains..... I honestly dont want him to ever comeback at pro-gaming with that kind of attitude...

 

What ? He gave up. I understand. To be alone in a country where nobody understand you .... I understand that the mind suffers.

 

Exactly what kind of attitude? A pro gamer should not have social needs?:wacko:

I understand why he made that choice. I speak very little German and I could not imagine myself living in Austria for example, even though it's really close, unlike Draco's journey. When I came to the bit where he said he stayed there for 8 months I was like with the circumstances he described, I wouldn't have lasted a week.

Also, 13 hours of practice a day? Damn it actually hurt me reading it. My eyes start to play games with me after staring at my monitor for 2 hours.

I think the interview was useful because it gave an insight into how Koreans take business seriously and that some people are just not meant to become gosu gamers. I especially liked the bit where it said eSports is just another form of sports there, unlike how it's considered in Europe and the US a geek loser pastime. Even though I agree with that to some extent, it is interesting to see how different people from different parts of the globe evaluate the same thing with such diversity. It was a very good read.

 

I actually am intending for him to look more of it as a positive experience to rather be assessful of what has been his journeys effects, and mostly the lessons that he will need to carry on if ever he'll come back into pro-gaming... Its a decision he made to live life in Korea as a pro-gamer and from that point he should have already knowned that Language is definitely gonna be the greatest threat to make or break him.. What im just trying to imply is that he should have first atleast learned the basics about korea before integrating himself into other peoples lives and culture.. which btw is one of the most common reasons for OFWs quitting job abroad...

In all due respect to the Draco fans outthere.. you should also think first twice if you make rash decisions like those, Im not degrading his talent or his integrity, I just want for him to learn from that...

@ kuvasz - i also believe that the probability of foreigners having a lasting lifestyle of a pro-gamer in korea is about 20% chances only... and the main reason is definitely language 2nd is probably racist such as those teammates of Draco which didnt give him the respect he deserves being a senior to other members.. btw I was quite puzzled to know that you dont know a thing about korean lifestyle considering that almost every bit of information about their e-sport culture are even televised and documented on global tv... better watch Arirang tv.. they show all sorts of e-sports there and the way they handle everyday life..

oh and btw his team sparkyz is one of the young yet better teams outthere, i watched a documentation on team sparkyz and in the end one of them became a tournament champion in one of the Annual Major SC league in Korea.. they also showned what are the attitudes of the players and their daily living... which made me sad to find out that some of them didnt quite give Draco the Korean love he deserves considering he sacrificed so much just to be with that team T_T

anyway wether Draco comes back into gaming or not its up to him and ive already stated what i think of..

 

I'll agree with Freedom, he moved on to his life.

 

He learned he didn't want to live in South Korea playing SC 13 hours 6 days a week. It was 8 months not 2 weeks; have you ever experienced culture shock yourself? He also said he was aware of the difficulties he would face before going. He went anyways to give his best and follow his dream. Turned out it's not what he wanted. Whats wrong with that?

BTW I'm Polish myself. This isn't blind nationalism, I actually thought he was a bit of a douche for other reasons. The article was sloppy too. Either it was a single e-mail questioner or the person asking the questions had no attention span.

My favorite:
"Tell us, is there such thing as StarCraft culture in South Korea?"

No....they've never heard of it.

Valhalla.pl is really pushing some negative stereotypes with that one.....

 

lolz... that is what i was talking about with regards in learning from that, I just want to emphasize that he is liable and responsible for his actions and there should be no remorse or whatever... and i also didnt said anything wrong with that...

So lets try this... how about you put yourself in his position; before integration, during and afterwards... what will you do knowing all the rules beforehand?? u might disagree with me but I really just cant say that his decision to be in Korea was a very good one in the first place... I dont blame him for that and even I myself would even do that if I was really an aspiring pro-gamer.. what happened technically was that Draco got enlightened, he realized what he can do better and acknowledged the fact that "dreams are for rookies" lol this is reality and theres no guarantee of goldpot in the end of the rainbow..

Im happy for draco being back with his family and pursuing a life which he deserves better...