Written By Daniel "gummerz" Baker
17 September, 2008 12:01 AM

Watcha talking about Commy?

The CSS community is in dire need of help. Terrible clans and terrible players abound, everywhere you look. These teams play with each other, get it in their head that they’re the greatest thing since tomato sauce and then play a CEVO-I team and get 16-0'd. A lot of these teams remain clueless as to why they failed so hard against another team when they’re topping GA and therefore resort to accusations of hacks. The skill level gap between these teams and most of the teams in the GotGames community is enormous and it’s all because the newbie teams have to make it by themselves.

That’s a Problem?

It certainly is. Most of the poor form of new teams is entirely due to inexperience.They have a lack of understanding about the basic mechanics of counter-strike which hurts them badly. They’re not ‘bad teams’ as such - they simply haven’t played enough to know what’s what. What it means is that when they play against a better team, that team runs in circles around them with auto shotguns and paras and they get mercilessly slaughtered without knowing what’s going on. They dismiss that team as hackers and do not learn from their mistakes.

But it’s not all bad news…

And here is the crux of the article. While nothing gets done most of the time, quite a few professional gamers have stepped up to the plate to help these new teams. I caught up with a few of these personalities and chatted with them about their efforts in this area.

Guide for New Teams by dannyG

Danny Grimn, from Fighting for Freedom (f4f) , turned heads with his guide for new teams. The lengthy article explains everything in depth, from team roles to team conflict. I would recommend this guide as basic reading material for anyone who wishes to start a team, or simply wants to understand what being in a team is all about. I talked to Grimn about his guide recently...

Commy: How do you feel this article has helped out the amateur community?

GrimN: I tried to produce a well rounded article that would give most new teams a sense of direction in how to remain active for longer than 2 weeks, and to constantly be improving, so they didn’t get stuck in a hole. That being said, I think even teams that have been around for some time could take some pointers regarding in game confidence and raging, particularly on its consequences to what’s meant to be a professional gaming team.

Commy: Why did you choose to write this article?

GrimN: I decided to write this article because I was tired of seeing players striving to reach a higher level of competition, but changing team every fortnight. I wanted to at least give some players an insight into some of the team dynamics and basic structure of a well developed team. I thought that someone needed to step up and show to these amateur teams why precisely the top teams in Australia are where they are today. I’m not arrogant, but I’m proud of what f4f has achieved - with Souljah now inactive, I’m the only original member of f4f still kicking. I’d like to think that in writing this article I have increased the survivability of CSS teams, and as a consequence have promoted a greater level of competition amongst the CSS community.

Commy: Was writing the article an overall rewarding experience?

GrimN: What I found most rewarding was when people in the community took up the offer in my article and contacted me to practice with them. I showed them quite basic stuff – basic defaults, retakes, working the numbers games etc. but it made a surprisingly large difference to their game. I’ll be the last to say that I’m the greatest player ever, but if I can offer insight from my years of experience, and a team makes a genuine improvement in their ability because of it, I feel a sense of achievement that I’ve helped that team improve as a unit. I’ve also given individual lessons to players who ask about positions I’ve played in the past, which also makes me feel good, although it might feel bitter sweet if I ever lose a round to one of those players because of it :P

Commy: Will you continue to write articles and help people into the future?

GrimN: Well, whenever I have the free time I will always help those that ask. For future articles, I have an idea brewing. I have considered an in depth article on money management and not just your basic eco twice before the gun round - I would go into more detail for a range of scenarios with the money game. I haven’t begun this yet, and it’s still just an idea, but it should get written eventually. Part of the problem with articles is that ultimately CSS is a diverse game - each player has to learn it themselves in the end, and put in the time and effort to improve themselves. Being surrounded by talented players helps you improve faster and guides like mine do help to some degree, but at the end of the day players have to improve themselves. I have also considered a smaller article on this subject - an in-game analysis of yourself - but it has been done before and I think it would end up being quite generic and similar to other articles…but you never know

Huk and Boomser gained some degree of infamy when they announced that they were willing to help out amateur gamers…for a small fee. I caught up with Boomser and asked him how the whole thing turned out.

Commy: In what way have you helped amateur CSS players?

Boomser: Well, during my off season contract last year, Huk and I decided to set up private lessons with any players or teams that were interested for a small fee. We received a lot of interest in this program, but only a few were willing to pay the money for the lesson. Since I got back from LA however, I have been spending a lot of time with clans for free during the day, dry running with either the clan leader or the team in the server. I usually enter the server and ask what they would like to know, and if they’re having any particular problems. Some teams message me weekly for CEVO to help them with upcoming matches, or just for an assurance that they’re doing the right thing. So far a lot of teams have taken up my offer, but sometimes people get nervous and aren’t that willing to open up and just talk to me.

Commy: Why do you help these aspiring players?

Boomser: Well, obviously it is partly to give back to the community, as this is something that isn’t done nearly enough in Australia. Mostly however, it’s because if I help Australian CSS grow, then it’s only going to support professional CSS in the long run. It also might get me some extra respect in the community.

Commy: Did you find helping out these amateurs rewarding?

Boomser: I have no idea why, but a little thankyou can go a very long way. A lot of teams message me back after a proactive session and say stuff like “Dude, that A hold was awesome, it worked in CEVO really well’! Sometimes it’s more important for players to believe in a strat and stick to it, rather than the quality of the strat iself. Either way, it’s always good to hear good news from happy customers.

Commy: Do you see yourself continuing to lend you services in this way?

Boomser: Yes, but not nearly as much as I used to. My nights are far busier than they used to be because I know play a lot more games other than source. That being said, if a team is of CEVO-I level or higher, and can get their core 5 in server during the afternoon, then I’ll be more than happy to help.

This is a name that may surprise many; given Snow is easily one of the more impressive banterers on the GotGames forums. Underneath the internet, however, is a bloke committed to helping out amateurs in the CSS community.

Commy: How do you help amateur players out in the community?

Snow: Basically, whenever players ask for me to slut, they do it mostly so they can destroy that team and feel good about it. Whenever I play with an amateur team, I am constantly giving them feedback on how they can improve their game. I give advice on hold positions and what they should have done, or should do, while I watch. It’s also good for them to watch you play and try to understand the clue behind your actions.

Commy: Why do you choose to help out these gamers?

Snow: It’s hard to explain - there are numerous reasons. On one hand, it helps me personally as a player. I get experience dealing with different people as a caller, while also reminding myself of the absolute basics. Every player needs this sometimes. It’s also very rewarding in the sense that when you play with people who are willing to listen and learn it boosts your confidence in yourself as a player. That, and I honestly just like to help people out.

Commy: When did you start helping people out in this way, and will you continue to do so?

Snow: I started helping new people with their game a very long, long time ago, far before Huk or Boomser started doing it. I’ll continue to do it because I like seeing people come through who I’ve helped out, even if they end up turning into disgustingly online players =P. At the end of the day, it’s better to have more clued up people around and a good understanding of the players out in the community. I’m happy to help anyone who asks, atm I’m helping out Odin – I’d like to see him go large.


A call to arms!

These players have taken time and effort to help out aspiring amateurs, and in doing so have contributed to the community. Unfortunately, I can't end the article on such a ooey gooey high note though.

To me at least, CEVO-P players, and to a lesser degree CEVO-I players, need to seriously re-appraise their role and how they are viewed by the CSS community. CEVO-P players and above need to realise that they are revered and respected to such a degree where most amateur gamers will feel nervous about even talking to them. You’re the rock-stars, sports-stars and excessive banterers rolled up into one, and the community can’t get enough of you. We would happily fling our bras at you if we had some. This can be seen in the above player’s experiences with amateur gamers.

Not that all CEVO-P players should feel obliged to do this sort of thing. This sort of work is obviously voluntary and some people lead very busy lives. What I would humbly ask you instead is whether helping out others is a truly rewarding experience. I would ask you to consider how a single hour of your time laying down the fundamentals for a fresh team will affect that team’s future. And I would try my utmost to get you to realise that you have a fan squad of thousands at your disposal if you’re willing to reach out and give back to the community that loves you guys with a passion.

- Commy