UTP ESC 09: Gamers Forum

On Sunday 8th of March 2009, i was invited for UTP ESC 09 Gamers Forum to talk about gaming in terms of a pro-gamers view. It was a really happening forum i have to say due to the fact that there were 3 different speakers present to give their views in gaming. From the student view we have Mr. Khairul Ridhwan Project Manager of ESC 09 and from an academician view Dr. Mohd Fadzil Bin Hassan(BSc, MSc, PhD) Senior Lecturer Of Computer and Information Sciences Department. The crowd consist of students,gamers and even school students accompany by their teachers. I was inform that they was actually the one who call up to ask if they could participate in the forum as well.

They had recorded video of the forum but unfortunately due to some technical problem some of the video files is missing. Therefore i've taken the initiative to summarize the discussion and debates during the forum.


The forum format consist of 3 rounds which the host will ask 1 question in each round to be discuss. A set time of 20 min was given for each round. In between the round there will be a few min break as well as Q&A session from the crowd.

So without further due, here are the questions that was directed to me during the forum:


1st Round

Host: There are a lot of cases that students neglect their studies because of gaming. How do you perceive gaming activities among student? Is it a positive or negative? Could you give more examples on that?

Rinie: I would say both. First of all we need to know why do the student play games? How do they perceive gaming as? Do they play for casual or play to be a pro? If they are playing to be a pro then there are more positive than negatives. For example, most people thought that those who play games neglect their studies. But do you know that almost all the best pro-gamers in the world are college and university students? It shows that if you wanna be the best, if you wanna be a pro-gamer, you gotta be smart. You cant be good in what you're doing if your not smart. All the best pro-gamer in the world are smart intelligent people. So kids if you wanna be a pro- gamer, if you wanna be the best, stay at school!

Crowd: Play games suppose to reduce stress. But losing will also make you stress. What do you think?

Rinie: We all like to win. Nobody like to lose. As the Malay saying goes "Menang kalah adat permainan". But do you know that losing or failure is the 1st step to success? You got to lost to learn how to be better. When you had learn your mistake you will be better and stronger in the future. Even i myself have to face a lot obstacles to be where i am now because success takes time. So everytime you lose, tell yourself this "Im 1 step closer to success"!

2nd round

Host: What are the positive aspects of gaming that everyone should look for and bear in mind?

Rinie: There are plenty to be honest but i will state the benefit in terms of competitive gaming scene. The most obvious aspects would be your fluency in English. You will definitely need to use English to communicate with other gamers around the world even in Malaysia. Although i myself came from an English speaking family; my dad speak English while my mom speak Malay.. thats another reason why im not really close to my dad (LOL) but my English improve a lot because i participate in tournaments and play with gamers all across the world.

Second aspect will be your typing skills. Even while your still studying, you will notice that assignments and projects were done on Microsoft Words thus require good typing skills. Gamers easily develop this skills and can finish a 1000 words assignments in jst a few minute. Here gamers have extra advantage compare to those who are not familiar with computer.

Beside gaming act as relieving stress, it actually educate you to learn how to manage your time efficiently. Like my previous statement, pro-gamers have to balance between studies and gaming therefore they need to create a time table for their activities. When i was still studying, i have allocated in the day for studies and at night for gaming. You dont have to allocate that much, just 2 hours of good quality gaming will do. The key word here is quality and consistency, not quantity. And as you can see it works. Therefore there are just more reason why you should never quit school and should play games to be the best.

Crowd: What type of games help in terms of improving reaction? Maybe football games? Racing games? FPS?

Rinie: All the games helps in reaction. Ok when you use ur right hand to write, which brain did you use?

Crowd: Left!

Rinie: What about if your left handed?

Crowd: Right brain!

Rinie: Now if your playing game, which brain did you use?

Crowd: Both!


3rd Round


Host: In a broader sense, what is your opinion on the prospects of gaming career?

Rinie: Ok this time i will be realistic. Usually gaming clan in Malaysia get paid RM4000 per month but this is divided accordingly to each members. So we can safely say that RM800 was given to each member of a clan consist of 5 members. But they still earn a bonus from tournament prizes thus we can estimate their earnings around RM1500-RM2000. This depends on how many tournament they won. As you can see its not that much but efforts has been made to improve our local scene. We are not there yet but we are going there. Its coming. I predict in 5-6 years things will change.

However, this shouldnt stop you from pursuing your dream. Gamers in Malaysia must be creative in finding sources of income, and there are plenty available here in Malaysia. Myself for example had expand from being a pro-gamer into having a partnership in a cybercafe. Not to mention have my own company Rinie ICT Solution which provide consultancy and reseller about TM and Celcom products. And im also one of the founder of Spotgamers which emphasize to give exposure to gamers in Malaysia. Currently im giving out tuition and classes teaching FIFA. I charge only RM50/person for the time being just to test out the effectiveness of the class. Its not that much but wait till it works!

So as you can see, there are tons of opportunities gamers in Malaysia can explore. If you really love gaming, doesnt mean you have to be a pro-gamer. You can also be a journalist in gaming like our friend Marcus Ho (MYM, Gameaxis Singapore) and he is still 21! You can operate your own cybercafe and organize your own tournament. You can even be marshalls and pro-marhsalls are in demand and in need in almost all tournaments. There are just plenty and all are in demand. Just we lack the supply at the moment. But believe me, things are changing and will come.


Crowd: What are the obstacles that you had face to be a pro-gamer?

Rinie: There are plenty. The most obvious one and everyone had to face is from your family. I am glad to have my mom because she was very supportive even in the beginning. But my dad was not. He will always say "Study 1st, Play later" but i will say "Play 1st, Study Later" (LOL). But the worst part was that my father pass away 1 month before i join my first tournament in 2003 which is WCG 2003. It was really sad but that gives me more reason why i want to join tournament. Because i want to prove to him, to everyone that i can be the best, that i can be no.1 in the world. And with that spirit i bring into every tournament. If others they usually target for just get through 1st round or quarter final or anything. But my target was always to be the champion. Nothing less. Like my uncle use to say "Whatever your going to do, make sure you be the best!".

Friends were not really supportive as well in the beginning because most of my friends are those who are really academic base. Once i was surrounded by 10 of my friends confronting me and telling me that my decision to be a pro-gamer is a waste of time. So obviously i dont really care what they think but i understand their concern. But now they have saw how succesful i've been and they have supported me since then. In this world its all about proving your worth. Everyone face obstacles but those who never give up will strive to be on top.

And of course i've face losses to in tournaments. Success doesnt just come easily like that. It takes time. It may look easy but its not. But whatever happens never give up. It jst a phase, a test to see if your worthy to be call the best. As always, failure is the 1st step to success. Always remember that.


Thus the last question marks the end of the forum. We are still waiting for the Gamers Forum Video to be release and hopefully they manage to find all the missing files.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank University Teknologi Petronas Electronic Sport Championship committee who had invited me to the forum. I believe that UTP ESC effort to give exposure to the gaming scene thru conducting forum will be the 1st step in revolutionize the gaming scene in Malaysia. And not forgetting appreciation for your kindness in "layan-ing" me during my stay there. Hopefully we will meet again next time.

Till then, Majulah E-Sukan Untuk Negara!