UPDATE 2 12:53 AM: Requirements for achievement lowered to Top 16 for Premier events.

Heyho guys and babes! As you are reading this, I am no longer at the place where Malaysia's e-sports basically centered at, which is the capital itself, Kuala Lumpur. I'm now back about 200 kilometres away from the place to pursue my studies for my degree in Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Seri Iskandar, Perak and if everything is well, hopefully I'll be back in the e-sports scene on full-time basis as I will be graduating on end of this year. While speaking about my studies, I might be pondering about what do gamers plan for their life after they put to their e-sports playing career.

Literally, most of the gamers are full-time students and only a few are actually working adults with the notable example such as [T2.W|nDs]Jotaro, [ToRn@d0]YouQi, the old C&C player - Vic Viper, our webmaster, Strifemare and the rest of the guys. And not many people stays for a long time and only some exceptional guys have a feat to stay in e-sports for more than 5 years, some even reach 8 to 10 years in their e-sports involvement. As we grow old, our skills, accuracy, game-reading and abilities are starting to wane and the champs won't stay at top forever. There would be some new and young bloods are ready to take over the torch. However, it is noticable that the players just leave the scene after they felt they are not at the prime anymore. They didn't stay and contribute to the cause of e-sports behind the scenes and that may be one of the major reasons why the e-sports in Malaysia and maybe the whole South East Asia could not grow further.

There are too many players who play for tournaments, joining clans and play competitively, but there are not many people that are willing to be those behind the scenes of bringing the e-sports scene to the level as par in Europe and South Korea where becoming a professional gamer has been one of the options for career and even after retirement, the gamers can contribute through either team management, tournament organization or maybe become the media or the backbone of national's e-sports federation and ICT sector.

I do notice the lack of the people behind the scenes. However, as I still have the urge of playing competitively and become those who have the role behind the scenes, I don't really mind now as I'm still a student for the time being. However, as I'm starting to have a full-time job if I might have to serve my sponsors (yes, I'm sponsored to study. Lol), I am kinda worried with the exodus that might happen if I have no other choice except to call an end to my e-sports career. However, if those who are working manage to spare time to support the youngsters in the scene, I surely do have the drive to inspire youngsters to play and study at the same time.

Speaking about youngsters, my big concern about studies mainly on our young talents who will be sitting for SPM just around the corner. They might have their targets rise high for e-sports career but I would be afraid for their future if they flunked their grades. After much consideration, I hereby put a challenge to the young Malaysian professional gamers out there:-

I am hereby offering RM500 to the our young pro gamers who manage to score 7A's in this year's SPM (2010). Yes, indeed. I'm not lying at all. I have conducted this practice to my juniors back in my school and I felt it's time to put this practice to our young talents to not neglecting the talents they have and also put the importance on their studies as well. However, the reward comes with a catch

• The gamer have to be a competitive player for 2 years (provide involvement in 2009 & 2010)
• Achieve at least Top 16 in one of PREMIER events throughout the involvement such as WCG, ESWC or Spotgamers E-Sports League
• Only competitive gamers, managers are not liable for the reward
• The reward will only be given on next year in an yet-to-be announcement. 

Surprised with my challenge? I'm indeed throwing the gauntlet for the challenge and yes, I don't mind if I have to spend a lot of money as long as I can motivate the young gamers to achieve success in both areas. I might be considering to expand this to Singapore as well but I have to see how is the grade standard for their O-levels.

With that, the announcement concludes The Psycho Speaks for this week. For those who just returned to their college today, welcome back to their colleges and for the young SPM gamers, I should say, LET THE GAMES BEGIN! :D