♥ Princessa's Royal Diary ♥ - Royalty has never been so PINK!

CGS stands for Championship Gaming Series, in case you're wondering.

One saga after another... Bad publicity attempts never fail to hit the front page of newspapers, lately.

Yet another ODEX-style publicity attempt? Tsk.

Pardon me, but whenever something goes bad, I tend to think of ODEX. I guess it's because the only reason why I "got to know" ODEX is because of the bad publicity they harvested.

I feel very distant from the gaming scene. Not a shocker though. After all, I do not exactly play "games" anymore. Somewhere along the way, I outgrew "gaming"?

Yesterday, the newspapers published an "article" about the draft selections for the CGS Singapore team.

Good news? Not even close.

If you're updated on the gaming scene in Singapore, you'd definitely know the Titans. They're like the pioneers to the pro-gamers generation, bringing Singapore pride with their love for e-sports, and the numerous victories gained in tournaments. Geez. I've somewhat lost count on the number of times they were featured on the newspapers and TV (if I were counting in the first place).

Apparently, General Manager of CGS Singapore team, Mr. Chris Soh, doesn't quite see eye to eye with me. Despite the victory over their opponents, XTC, they were not selected for the CGS Singapore team.

"What! Are you sure" - Don't look at me! I'm not the one who wrote the article. But yes, at least that was what it stated in yesterday's front page under the HOME section of The Straits Times. And let's not forget the countless sites discussing this commotion.

And it with that, it began the CGS Saga...

Apparently, Mr. Chris Soh, GM for the CGS Singapore-qualifier also happens to be the Chairman of the SGGA (Singapore Gamers Association). And months ago, SGGA was somewhat been "recruiting" pro-gamers to go under its wing, providing travel and lodging expense for any subsequent offshore tournaments. But to seal this deal, these gamers had to sign a contract that states they will give 50% of their earnings back to SGGA.

Seems fair, I guess. After all, those that would consider "deal" would probably not be the cream of the crop. And if they don't win any $$$, SGGA has nothing to gain.

So, who signed the dotted lines? Not the Titans that's for sure. It's the co-stars for this saga, XTC.

Many are now speculating that the GM (Chris Soh) showed an obvious bias towards XTC. In his own defence, he told The Straits Times:

The best players are not necessarily chosen for CGS. We look for a combination of skills, sportsmanship and how well the players can carry themselves on TV.

All this just doesn't make sense. I mean Prasad is way cute, he looks good on TV better then any XTC member, any day, any time. Or are they referring to the middle-finger pointing issues?

Let me go off track a little...

I notice poser acts in Titan's official website, in an entry under comments:

Posted By: Insider from 61.8.226.217

#46: To everyone:

While it does seem that Titans are the victim, this is the real truth to the saga. By the way, I am not affliated to XTC nor SGGA nor CGS.

No doubt, the fact that SGGA is the sponsor of XTC, and the GM is also the president of SGGA, aka Mr Chris Soh.

Mr Chris Soh did ask Titans whether they are willing to contribute 50% of their salaries so that the money can be used to help out the gaming community. Titans did decline the giving of 50%.

Titans won the CGS. BUT, the CGS isnt based on skills alone. Although skills play a huge factor in the consideration of who to pick, sportsmanship and presentation of oneself on television are also some factors to be considered.

The CGS isnt the same like any other tournaments. Winning alone doesnt equal being drafted.

Hence, many people say XTC was chosen mainly because they are willing to give 50% of their share to the GM aka Chris. XTC did have a contract with SGGA in July that they were to give 50% of winnings to SGGA. However, this does not apply to the case of CGS.

If XTC were to have a top 4 placing in Kuala Lumpur and were given contractual salaries, not a single cent from XTC would be given to the GM aka Chris aka SGGA.

If XTC were giving 50% to the GM, I believe they would not take up the drafting because 50% is simply too much.

I was watching the match on sunday in particular, standing behind Titans and watching it with my wife.

In terms of skills alone, Titans deserve to be drafted as they are better than XTC. In terms of the presentation ability on television, both are equal. However, in terms of sportsmanship, Titans lost in this case because of the middle fingers which was pointed towards the opposing team (XTC in this case); twice for the matter of fact.

If Titans did not point the middle finger and XTC got chosen, I would very much disrespect Mr Chris Soh aka GM.

I believe that it was a moment of folly from the Titan player whom pointed the middle finger which is very much the decision not to pick Titans.

Everyones mindset is that Titans are the victim and XTC and the GM are losers.

What the majority knows are the distorted facts and obviously what the local media wrote, people would generally believe them.

This is my disappointment in both Titans and XTC:

I am disappointed in Titans for the unsportsmanlike behaviour displayed and trying to get the media advantage to make them seem like they are the victim.

I am disappointed in XTC for the failure to clarify the facts to the public and thus, contributing a part which made XTC and the GM seem that they are controversial.

In a nutshell, this whole thing was a misunderstanding. Many things were assumed and not clarified, hence making this matter huge and destroying the reputation of XTC and Chris, in particular.

I'm just wondering, they pointed the middle finger after or before knowing that they aren't drafted?

If it's before, let me ask this questions - "Why the hell would someone point middle finger at another person if he/she won?"

This wouldn't be a case of poor sportsmanship, it's more of an issue about mental stability.

If it's after - "How the hell did Mr. Chris Soh know that they would point middle finger, if they have yet pointed it?"

Psychic?

Where was I? Oh yes... Posing...

It seems only one person noticed and the rest won't aware?

Posted By: passer-by from 165.21.154.113

#61: XTC or Chris Soh should just quit hiding behind dumb nicknames and grow some balls.

Though the "accuse" is denying it:

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#62: Hi #61. None of my XTC members are using random nicknames to post anything, this i assure you.

But, it's quite obvious isn't it?

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#16: ...

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#19: ...

Note that both their IPs are the same as:

Posted By: Insider from 61.8.226.217

#46: ...

Okay. Some may argue. "Maybe he at LAN shop, after he left the com, someone else use it and post?"

Though I doubt the world is so small until the next person that uses the com would be posting on the same entry. But, okay, I give him the benefit of doubt.

Unfortunately, he chose to expose himself right after:

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#62: ...

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#73: wtf i did not post #72 hor.

Yeah I'm sure you didn't. But the "I am not affliated to XTC nor SGGA nor CGS" act, is seriously not working out for you.

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#75: ...

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#77: By the way #74 XtC is giving 50% of our $ to sgga? maybe for other competitions but not for cgs. We give 5% to other teams? Dont believe go ask those "teams".

What im disappointed most is that apart from the main issue, other people are trying to destroy XtC reputation.

Its up to you to think how we got 2nd and 3rd. If you compare with last time this time our hardwork has paid off.

And let me tell you something #74. Ever since i was in XtC i was always emphasising on strict attitude and discipline.

Go ahead and impersonate me all you want. It just shows others how lifeless are you.

This argument is very interesting. A case of "pot calling the kettle black".

Posted By: Xt[C].XtReM!St from 61.8.226.217

#90: anyone can choose to believe what they wanna believe.

This incident/investigations did not demoralize my team. In fact, we are more determined to train even harder and answer back to critics by achieving good results in future tournaments.

And if you wanna flame, dont do it on titans website. go to xtc website forums if you wanna flame or post feedback.

Before i end off, i just wanna say that i hold the team's name with the highest regard and respect, much more than my own name.

Cheers

Actions speaks louder then words.

Hmmm... I thought XTC was a FPS gaming clan, didn't know they were into RPG too. No wonder Mr. Chris Soh thinks so highly of them. Clearly this particular member shows multiple talent.

I bid XTC best of luck because it seems, the final decision is not firmed yet. As published at CGS's official website:

New Singapore General Manager - September 11, 2007

Following the controversy surrounding last week's CGS Singapore Qualifier and Draft, and after conducting a detailed investigation with all parties concerned, CGS and Chris Soh have mutually agreed that he will no longer serve as acting General Manager of the Singapore team. Effective immediately, Steven Yong will act as the League's interim GM of the Singapore team. Steven is a seasoned veteran in competitive gaming and will manage the team until a permanent replacement is announced.

Mr. Yong will be making final draft selections for the Singapore team in the immediate future and CGS looks forward to announcing the members of the Singapore team soon.

The league regrets any inconvenience which may have been caused. The best interests of the gaming community remain the league's top priority.

I doubt the accuracy of the published date. But whatever the case is, this may be good news?

Before I end...

To be honest, I doubt that Chris Soh picked XTC over Titans because of mere bias-ness. In fact, it seems more like an "ability to control" issue?

Though I do not know StykerX or Squall that well. But I'm quite sure, both of them aren't the "willing to be manipulated" kind. And the way things "look", it does somewhat seem like Chris Soh wants to control "his players"?

I may be wrong of course.

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