The feedback on MyGaming’s recent interview with Mind Sports South Africa’s national eSports teams manager Ryan Boyes once again highlighted the split in South Africa’s competitive gaming scene.
In the one corner, you have those who are affiliated with the MSSA, and in the other, you have those who play in private leagues.
Nathaneal Slabbert, chief executive officer of nAvTV eSports Broadcasting, explained that the rivalry between the groups comes from a disagreement with the MSSA’s rules and guidelines.
“This restricts players and or teams to a certain degree,” Slabbert said. “eSports is such a new and developing sport all over the world, that to apply conventional ways of thinking and rules to it does not help the growth of it.”
Round 1: Prize-money doesn’t improve standards, nor help to grow eSports
Boyes told MyGaming that competitive gaming in South Africa finds itself at a crossroads, thanks to increased prize-money from companies for gaming events.
“While the prize-money offered may tempt many gamers, the prize-money does not improve standards, nor does it help to grow eSports as a sport,” said Boyes.
Slabbert completely disagreed with Boyes’ assertion.
“Funding in any shape or form for eSports is a massive step forward,” said Slabbert.
“The eSports Industry is pretty much dominated by the private sector, plenty of private companies and organisations pump plenty of funding into it for the purpose of marketing and advertising their brands.”
Slabbert said that this happens on the international level as well, and that this is also something that is very common in conventional sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket.
“Events like the Telkom Masters build a road for teams and players to start gearing up to make eSports a full time commitment, and that is what our country needs,” said Slabbert.
Round 2: Professional teams fall woefully short of international standards
Boyes also said that South Africa’s professional teams fall woefully short of international standards compared to our national teams, which are ranked 12th in the world by the IeSF.
Slabbert also disagreed with this point.
“The best teams in the world are not teams representing their countries,” he said.
“If you take a team like Fnatic currently, and put them up against the number 1 ranked country team, I can guarantee that Fnatic will beat them.”
Slabbert said that while being ranked 12th in the world is great for the MSSA, the teams they have sent overseas were not South Africa’s best and we should be ranked even higher.
Improving eSports in South Africa
Slabbert said that to improve eSports in South Africa, further investment is the first thing that is needed.
The greater the funding, the better the results from teams will be, events will be bigger and better-looking, and attendance and interest will grow.
More money also allows for teams to focus, attend more overseas events, and gain the exposure South Africa needs.
Bringing international events to South Africa is also another avenue to expose our teams to them, Slabbert said.
“Money means commitment, more work, it is that extra thing that makes you practice more because you want to be rewarded,” said Slabbert. “It is human nature to work towards a reward.”
More on eSports in South Africa
South African eSports industry set to take off: Bravado Gaming
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Money = accountability. This will be from the teams playing to the to the caster and production. If any of those factions do not perform money goes to someone else simple.