In the latest of the regular feature on Cadred Richard "ritch" Gibbs of Fragmasters Toxic talks about his views on Professionalism within the CS:S scene.

This column is the sole opinion of the author and does not represent the opinion of Heaven Media Ltd or the opinion of any affiliates.

Introduction

During one of our routine work meetings the Cadred editorial team wanted to kick some ideas around for new content for the readership, something that was a little bit different to the interviews and columns that were usually published. Although some never really started to take shape despite being otherwise fine, if in some cases impractical ideas, one really stuck with us. It was straight-forward enough in principle: take an e-sports personality that is well known for whatever reasons and get them, in their own words, to explain how and why they are good at it. Perhaps they could give some pointers along the way almost like a “how to” guide… But perhaps more importantly it would hopefully give a unique insight into that particular personality and how they operated.

After coming up with a few obvious ones based around gaming mechanics and techniques we also wondered whether it would be possible to expand it into personality traits, to actually look at the psychology of competitors in what is a largely unexplored and unique field of sports. It was clear that while there had been many guides on how to improve published over the years, there wasn’t a lot about the behavioural aspect of gaming. The thinking behind this was that it might well reveal not only the individual’s perceptions of certain matters, but it could also detail some of the situations that we all know exist within e-sports but are not really documented.

Richard "ritch" Gibbs

He has been around the scene since it began and his name seems to be synonomous with controversy. He has been called many things and at times has behaved in ways that would justify those labels. Yet his team-list reads like a Who's Who of UK CS:S. As someone who has known him, worked with him and at times fought against him I have always known that he is a more complex character than any simple label could sum up. In the build-up to CGS he was part of the 4kings team that looked a shoe-in for the draft. He had often talked about his desire to be a professional player and earn a living from his hobby. Without warning he quit the team over something seemingly trivial, which he put down to a "fear of flying" - in the end he missed out on CGS as a result and I always felt there was much more to that decision than met the eye.

He did get his chance, playing for one season for London Mint. When his name was announced he was roundly booed, the only name that was. Yet for the entirity of that season, on the outside at least, he was a model player. After CGS collapsed he seemed to come back to his old ways - outspoken, abusive, tactless. But was there a method in this madness? He always maintained that at times he said things to gain an advantage, or to reinforce something as "fact" if it would further the ends of his team. If you're in a team with him he will back you to the hilt publicly. If you are on the other side, then you can expect no verbal quarter to be given.

A hate figure with a lot of fans, a player whose reputation outside the game seems to eclipse his considerable achievements, an egotist who engages with people at all levels and someone who can be as complimentary as he is abusive. He maintains that this is part of what he needs to do to be professional and to keep his winning edge. Who better then to tell us their thoughts on professionalism?

The Art of Professionalism... By ritch

So professionalism is something I've always been questioned about. My abuse, my outspoken ways... Sure, it's something I do but how can anyone question it when I'm still here. I mean, I've been playing Counter-Strike: Source since 2004 when it was released. I remember loading it up and having 60 fps and asking my friend why it wasn't higher and he was banging on about how it's fine and the human eye can't determine more, all that bullshit. I go back to the start.

Anyway, from the day I went into competitive Counter-Strike I have been like I am, "unprofessional" as the majority of you would describe me. I'll be honest with you, maybe that is the way I come across, but at the end of the day I get the job done. I've been successful playing the game I love, made it into a job and visited countries I'd probably never had visited otherwise. So most of you probably wonder why I act like this, right? Once again I can guess most of you believe it's insecurity, but you'd be wrong. It's called an ego and if you don't have one then chances are you're never going to excel at something competitive. As the saying goes, show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser. But is this fact or opinion? Well I guess it’s only my opinion but I couldn't have my mind changed.

I can one hundred percent agree with the comment "You can still have an ego and be respectful to other players". So I want to say something I very rarely say, I'm going to use PhP as a prime example here, the amount of abuse I have given that kid over the year is unbelievable.

Do I mean any of what I say to him? No, of course I don't. Label that as immaturity if you wish but that is just my way of dealing with playing against him, If I want to dish out abuse I will do so if there is no rule to stop me, I'll do it.. but this is the thing, I have so much respect for him as a player. He is excellent and a perfect role-model.. If I had to give someone advice on "Professionalism" an example being someone asking me who is one of the best players, who acts like a true pro, it'd have to be him - the guy can deal with winning without gaining open arrogance and he can deal with loss without open abuse. But then if someone asked me who to watch for entertainment in an official game, I'd say someone like KritikaL or me, someone who is dishing out the abuse. For the record, not that it needs saying, racist abuse I can fully understand is basically unacceptable, I have been guilty of it when using "banter" yet I am in no way racist.

I have a question that you guys can reply to this "Art of.." with the answer, do you think for one second it matters what I say? Who actually cares if I give someone some personal insults? It's not like I don't get insulted back, or insults thrown at me. Who cares? It's a game. I can fully understand in a televised game, or something children are watching (should they be watching Counter-Strike in the first place?) that the abuse isn't needed. I didn't abuse anyone at the CGS in televised games, but we sure had a good time in the practice rooms abusing Carolina Core.

The only time I have ever acted like a true professional 99% of the time was during theCGS; but even then I had some times where I just couldn't help myself, but at the end of the day to the public and to the right people I didn't slip up. For anyone who says why can't I act like that all the time, well.. that just isn't me, but CGS was the perfect job for anyone my age, you can't deny it. It was definitely worth changing for. That's a key thing. It is not that I can't act professional, but it has to be worth it to reign in my personality. The money was good and I got to travel to the US, doesn't get MUCH better in gaming really it also meant I got to play with my old team mates again which I did quite enjoy! But for now I'm back to how I was way back in the old times, why? Because I can, because that's who I want to be it was so much more fun hearing people crying about it.

In the latest of the regular feature on Cadred Richard "ritch" Gibbs of Fragmasters Toxic talks about his views on Professionalism within the CS:S scene.

This column is the sole opinion of the author and does not represent the opinion of Heaven Media Ltd or the opinion of any affiliates.

I can almost guarantee that a lot of this article is messy. I'm trying to remember as I go along the random things I want to talk about, but as I mentioned above about PhP. he's a great role-model and I believe everyone who wanted to be good at something competitive should follow someone like him, whether it be a real sport, or a computer game. That is how, PhP. made himself into a success in Source. But then there is my way, which is where my arrogance, like it or not, comes into this whole thing. The way my ego tells me I made it.

PhP. at TeX 09 (Image: Heaven Media)

I did make it through pure skill. Shoot me down, write a load of insults, I don't give a shit. From day one I had aim that was superior to 90% of the people that played the game, and as time went on I got better, I became a smarter player. But I still looked up to people like HeatoN, etc all the top 1.6 players, who also act just like PhP.. so surely you'd think I'd attempt to go down the same road. But the thing is, I'm pretty certain those players before they were "big" e-superstars were abusive. Most of you do not know how the top players act, but I promise you its not at all how you imagine, and I can guarantee you so many players are backstabbing "rats" and say things to one person and something else to another. I know for a fact the top 1.6 players before they were big, abused people, they've admitted it, but they amended their problems and anything that stopped them from getting their success.

I believe, going back to how other top players act between each other is another quality where I shine through. You can ask anyone of the people I've ever fell out with, the likes of beta, HenryG, url (the whole Mx, London MiNT fiasco), FrankstaH. The list is quite long. I admitted where I was wrong, and when we didn't like each other I didn't pretend to like them in front of them, and be their friend and slate them behind their backs and when I do like them, obviously there is the odd comment where you get annoyed at any time (just like real life) where you give them some abuse, but its easily forgotten.

I've been outspoken about things going on in the scene and some say that shows a lack of respect to my colleagues and fellow players. There are unanswered questions within the competitive scene. Obviously like stated a million times now I'm very out spoken about people and teams. The whole calling ALTERNATE aTTaX onliners as an example, I'll let you know more. Blank your mind for a second, now put yourself in my position. You've played this game, since 2004, you've played ALTERNATE at LAN 3-4 times, you've won easily every time (bar one, the greatest come back ever). I'll give you my full view on this whole matter.

I do NOT think ALTERNATE cheat in any shape way or form, it'd be ludicrous to believe they do, they attend LAN's, they win EPS.de etc all that shit. But I do believe that you can be an awful LAN player and still perform online. LAN is completely different. It is more mentally demanding. This is what myself and other members of top teams mean when we call people onliners. All these top teams can sit here and say "wow, how are you speaking for all of us". You're lying, 100% lying if you sit there and say you have never called ALTERNATE onliners, the amount of rubbish people say about them behind their backs is pathetic. At least I'm the one spouting it in the open because it is the truth.

Does this mean I don't like them or that they can't like me? They don't have to like me but me and hossa get along great, or at least we used to. I can't be sure now since the whole incident, but I still like him and think he's a great guy. I think he is a decent LAN player too, but I certainly know his team aren't good on LAN. I can give you a whole list of German players who aren't good at LAN - JLN, ej, mEiJin, BLackG7, Head - the list goes on. The funny thing is, even dav1d is better at LAN than those players I listed and the guy has to cheat to try and stay in a team, what does that say for the German Scene? But now the German fans will come out and type "WELL ALTERNATE WON EPS LAN LOL" - I don't really see that as a LAN achievement as collectively they are all playing each other so the standard is low. They have never, not once, impressed at an international LAN with any top teams attending, but I have. In my books this makes me entitled to this opinion and I'm entitled to write it, shout it, wherever I want. That is freedom of speech, which is something that people never talk about when calling me unprofessional. They never mention that assumed professionalism is little more than a method of control and censorship.

In the latest of the regular feature on Cadred Richard "ritch" Gibbs of Fragmasters Toxic talks about his views on Professionalism within the CS:S scene."

This column is the sole opinion of the author and does not represent the opinion of Heaven Media Ltd or the opinion of any affiliates.

When people look to use examples of professional teams they will often use the new ROCCAT as an example. They have been in the spotlight for some time now. Yet I think they have players who are a prime example of a "bad" Professional in terms of attitude, just like me. I've seen them typing things in game, I've seen them flaming on forums and I've seen them adopting a completely unrealistic arrogant standpoint. Why? Well, they had a good run at a few events, but the vast majority of what people say about them is a myth. Just like people pretending they are squeaky clean when they are not, people also like to pretend they are unstoppable with it, as if the two go hand in hand. Are they unstoppable?

No, of course they are not, they have three players who are in my mind, exceptional. They are undoubtedly amazing players, and remember that when you read the rest of this paragraph, I have first hand player experience and it is my opinion. ROCCAT are nothing special, shoxie is a diamond in a box of coal in that team. I believe myself that he is one of the best players, alongside ferus, that has ever played this game. He is the one player that 100% replicates his online play. His BYOC LAN play is the same as his non-BYOC LAN play. The rest do not. They are just your average team with good teamwork.. I honestly mean that when I write it. It is not denial. It is not bitterness. It is the truth as I see it. I do not mean to piss these players off, I'm merely stating my opinion, as for one, I don't want to piss them off, some of them are great guys, I especially like the guy that works in management with ROCCAT, Markus. He is a great guy with his heart in the right place and I wish him the best of luck with everything he does. I'm saying let's not build a team up as great when they are not, let them earn that title. Saying this causes wave after wave of argument and people saying it's wrong to say it, but does any of this make me unprofessional? If they respond are they unprofessional?

Recently someone asked me "if you're so good why aren't you in Power Gaming or Dignitas?" and they put it down to my personality. Why am I not in a team like Dignitas? I really don't know. It could be because I'm not professional enough, or I know me and beta didn't get along too great after/during crackclan at some stage, and no, no grudges held between me and Tom, I like him. I could fully understand ODEE avoiding me (if that was, not saying it is) the reason I'm not in that team. Or yeah, maybe its because they just don't think I'm as good as any of them, which is fair enough, but I just wanted to tell people.

As for PowerGaming I think some people don't remember but I was in that team. I just left after a few pcw's. No one really knows why but I'd just had enough at that time. I came back, was using a new mouse, new mousemat etc and it just wasn't fun, yeah the people were fun, but the playing just didn't cut it,there was a lot of losing. I felt I was damaging the team, and letting them down and I didn't want to do that because they're my friends. But after one PCW I just quit, texted George, and never joined the vent again. Maybe an asshole thing to do, but they found a replacement who I believe is very very very good and they've been extremely successful.

I also never get recognised when I try to do things to help out the community. I've gone through stuff with upcoming players, given talent chances in teams with me, but no-one likes to talk about that. It's not as interesting and not as in keeping with what the public think of me. I tried to do a lot of work to help out CSPromod to tell them what problems are wrong with the game. It's just not right at the moment and I want it to get better. The reason I know what is wrong with it is because I'm a perfectionist, ask any players of a team I've been in, I can't stand it if something is wrong, it irritates me, its like OCD, I just can't cope if it isn't right. But so far I've been ignored. Still, I take the time. It's not as if I don't care.

So to summarise, Yeah I'm a prick but take it with a pinch of salt, its the internet and I have an ego, so what.. for anyone who says it matters how you act all the time is wrong.. I made it to the top and I'm still here making headbooms with some of the best and safest css players I've ever met, we'll be appearing at every lan we can, see ya there.