The Heat Behind CGS Malaysia GM Selection

September 21, 2007 by Chapree

As though it’s not obvious enough, the first Championship Gaming Series live qualifier in Malaysia attracts almost every competitive gamer in the country. It happens naturally since it involves a whole bunch of moolah. Many believe this event will eventually materialise pro-gaming since the first international game tournament took place 7 years ago.

The unconfirmed USD 30,000 annual salary for a drafted gamer is at stake. But the real deal will be the GM position; who will earn even more money for one year including endorsements and sponsorship deals for the drafted team.

A GM will be involved in building e-sports or competitive gaming through marketing in the assigned country utilising the pool of gamers that he/she will draft during qualifiers. No one knows how extensive a GM’s task will be as contracts have been vaguely speculated from other parts of the world.

Multiplay received numerous reports/gossips/rumors that have arised due to the frenzy fight for the GM’s post. After the controversial news by our Singapore counterpart, many more speculations mushroomed with everyone having something to tell.

More news after the jump.

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After the recent CGS Singapore’s GM fiasco, many already spill their opinion about CGS Malaysia’s GM position. Who is it going to be? How the selection is being done? Who are the contenders? A lot of question have being thrown around and left unanswered.

There are already a number of contenders in the selection, according to our little gossip birds that hung out outside our windows. But one name have been mentioned far more than others: Albert Lim or also popularly known as FMJ | Grifter.

Among concerns were the integrity of the selection process as Grifter has great ties with many parties; especially with the Korean GM Crystal Sung. A number of local CS enthuasists expressed their concerns about this issue and further speculates that IF Grifter gets to be the GM, FMJ will have the upperhand to be drafted. They further pointed out that if that happens, there goes CGS Malaysia GM neutrality.

The problem is, this is all a big IF.

The man himself. Will he be our GM in few more weeks?

No one exactly knows how a GM will be elected as some sources mentioned. An official from Astro have boldly commented that “Astro will have the final say” and “everyone should stop fighting for the post as it will be someone near” as they are the official broadcaster for this event.

Other speculates that the GMs will be selected by a pool of CGS officials through a series of shortlist notes.

Amongst many other Tom, Dick and Harry’s, it is confirmed that Nigel Goh (previously the leader of the popular FIFA clan Windz) is also running for the spot as well. Also rumoured are a Malaysian tycoon, some ex-gamers and a local writer.

But no one can question the power that a GM could hold (other than money of course). He/She will definitely be the person whom will determine the course of cyber-gaming in Malaysia; thus many qualities needs to be equipped before the person can be elected.

Many members of the gaming community had mistaken that GM’s will definitely make money once they are one. But many do not realised that GM’s will ONLY make moolahs if the national drafted team WINS at least top-4 in the Asia Qualifiers. Based on sources, only 6 countries including Malaysia will be competing for the top-4 spot.

So it is only common sense that a GM will only draft a strong and marketable team. And he can only be allowed to select based on the performance of the players during the qualifiers so that the best contingent would be acquired.

No GM would have the right mind drafting a weaker team only to lose in the Asia Qualifiers thus losing the money opportunity.

That is of course unless the GM is an idiot not gaming literate. And that would probably cause the greatest opportunity in Malaysia’s gaming scene go down the drains faster than toilet flush.

So long as the GM post does not fall on incapable hands, Malaysia’s competitive gaming scene will still have a chance to improve.

Most importantly, the focus here should not be the fight for the GM post but rather to get the team drafted. Because the moolahs will only pour when the team wins.

For the team to get drafted is not as easy as it sounds. In order to win the contract, all game units have to work together to score crucial points. For those who don’t know, individual games only contribute a certain fraction of points. Players from different game must work together to support each other because every point counts.

So what is more important? How much a GM would gain? Or how can Malaysia win this?

Unfortunately, the integrity of the GM has already been questioned even before anyone is drafted. Be it jealousy, a strategy to gain the GM post or a diversion from the real focus; only time will tell.

What is the focus? You decide.

Posted in Championship Gaming Series, Commercial, Gossip Time!