In June, the ESL company announced the resumption of tournaments in Australia — IEM Sydney. This step could significantly impact the development of Counter-Strike in the region. Bo3.gg, in collaboration with G2 Esports player Justin jks Savage, investigated what hinders the development of CS in the region and what steps need to be taken to improve the situation.
How CS:GO Works in Australia
The Counter-Strike ecosystem in Australia and Oceania as a whole is at a crossroads of opportunities and challenges. The region has faced a number of factors that affect its development in the esports world.
At first glance, the region cannot boast a plethora of tournaments and competitions in CS:GO. Especially challenging is the situation with tier-1 events, such as IEM Sydney, which have almost disappeared from the calendar for several years. However, the return of this tournament after a four-year hiatus is a kind of breath of fresh air for Oceania. This event could be an important impetus for the development of CS esports in the region, sustaining players' and fans' interest and enriching the regional gaming community.
For the successful development of the ecosystem, active support from local esports organizations and politicians is essential. This might include establishing contacts with tournament operators and looking for ways to bring tier-1 competitions to the region. Efforts in this direction can significantly increase the visibility and attractiveness of Oceania as a gaming hub, ultimately promoting the development of talents and the formation of strong teams.
The situation where clubs, like the hypothetical Grayhound Gaming, can't continue to progress due to a lack of competition can be a wake-up call for the region. It's a call to focus on creating a more vibrant and competitive environment for esports athletes. More tournaments, more training opportunities, and the exchange of experience with global leaders can help Oceania teams rise to a new level.
It's really tough for them because Grayhounds have to fly back and forth to every tournament. I know flying that far is really stressful on your body, and it's also super tiring, so I think it's really difficult for them. They have to manage VISA days as well as make sure they don't go over the visa limit. Like, all this stuff that goes into coming overseas for tournaments, and they can't just focus on CS alone. So I think when they get the chance, they would have like a one, one and a half week bootcamp, and then they need to show what they've done.Justin jks Savage
Coaching and Management Level
The positions of coaches and management in the CS:GO realm in Oceania require special attention from both organizations and players. The lack of experienced mentors affects the development of the gaming scene in the region.
The reason for the lack of coaches in Australia's top teams could be both insufficient funding and limited resources, as well as a lack of awareness of the importance of professional coaching input. This leads to esports players being left without an objective opinion from the outside, which in turn can affect decision-making in the game.
Experienced mentors play a key role in creating the right training process, defining strategy and tactics, and maintaining a healthy atmosphere within the team. Their professional knowledge and experience can help teams grow and reach new heights.
To improve the level of coaches and management in the region, clubs may consider the possibility of attracting mentors with experience working in European organizations. This can enrich the region with valuable knowledge and personnel, contributing to the overall development of Counter-Strike in the region.
And I think it's just super difficult when they have to go back and forth all the time. And every time they come over to Europe, they probably go back home, probably lose about half of what they've done in Europe, then they have to come back overseas again. So it's always like up and down for them. I think if they had like some sort of stable living environment like in Europe, it would be much better for them. But, obviously, that's really difficult.Justin jks Savage
Flights and Fatigue
Flights and fatigue have become a serious issue for CS:GO teams worldwide, affecting their performances at international tournaments. Lengthy and multiple flights, accompanied by time zone changes and acclimatization, significantly impact the condition of esports athletes, making it challenging for them to achieve peak game performance.
When teams from Oceania successfully qualify for international championships, they face the inevitable fatigue that accumulates from long flights. It's essential to understand that this process affects both the physical and emotional condition of esports athletes, which can impact their end results.
A case in point is the Grayhound club, whose players are constantly on the move due to the need to participate in international competitions. Constant flights and time zone changes pose additional challenges in maintaining high concentration and effectiveness in the game.
To overcome this problem, club management should pay special attention to developing flexible and appropriate calendars for their teams. A balanced approach, including ample time for rest and training and a thoughtful selection of competition participation, can reduce fatigue levels and help esports athletes better adapt to flights and new conditions.
I think they're all like individually really good. It's really difficult with like their situation right now. And I think when you watch them play, they have a lot of close games vs tier one, tier two teams. It's just like they can't finish out the games. And I think like maybe it would help them if they had someone else on the team who's more experienced, like a coach, who's more experienced, or I don't know, someone who can push them over the line. Because they are getting really close when they play the top teams. And they have a lot of good individual players on the team, they just need to find that consistency.Justin jks Savage
Conclusion
IEM Sydney is an excellent opportunity for Grayhound and other local teams to show their best. They won't have to recover from a long flight or undergo acclimatization. Grayhound has a lot of work ahead and needs to plan their preparation for the home tournament wisely. Efforts from just the captain won't be enough, and a coach is necessary, as pointed out by jks.
One can only hope that the development of the Counter-Strike ecosystem in Oceania will move towards increasing the number of tournaments, attracting top teams, and developing young talents. With the support of local organizations and esports leaders, the region can become a prominent gaming hub on the global stage. However, for successful development, the evident need is to attract experienced staff from abroad. A combination of quality management, experienced coaches, and motivated players can make the region more competitive on the world stage.
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