Australia's Cs:Go Scene: What's Holding It Back?

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Australia's geographical isolation has led to a unique development of the CS:GO scene there. The vast distances within the country and the time and cost involved in travelling to other countries have resulted in a fragmented local scene. This, coupled with a relatively small population, has hindered the growth of a robust competitive circuit. Australian CS:GO players have also reported issues with cheating, smurfing, and toxic behaviour, including racism, within the community. However, some players have found that playing against better players has helped them improve their skills.

Characteristics Values
Loss of talent Big names with international experience did not make the switch from CS 1.6 and Source to Global Offensive
Lack of guidance Loss of influential cores and veterans meant less guidance for the new wave of players
Geographical challenges Australia's size caused ping issues and made it costly for state-based teams to attend LANs on the other side of the country
Insufficient infrastructure Australia had a small and growing community, with fewer players and servers compared to other regions
Toxic community Reports of racism, abuse, and discrimination within the Australian CS:GO community
High competition Even in lower ranks, players face challenging opponents, making it difficult to climb the ladder

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Lack of veteran guidance

Australia's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) scene has struggled to find consistent success on the international stage, and one of the key factors contributing to this could be a lack of veteran guidance and mentorship. Veteran players, often referred to as "IGLs" (in-game leaders), play a crucial role in the development and success of any CS:GO team. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and strategic insight to the team, which can make a significant difference in high-pressure situations.

In contrast, the Australian CS:GO scene has seen a constant flux of players and teams, with few veteran players sticking around to guide the next generation. This lack of continuity makes it difficult to establish a solid foundation for growth and improvement. Veteran players have often "moved on" to other teams or retired, taking their valuable experience and leadership skills with them. As a result, Australian teams may find themselves starting from square one, rebuilding strategies and team dynamics instead of building upon a solid foundation.

The presence of veteran players also contributes to a team's consistency and stability. Young players can learn from their mentors, not just in terms of strategy but also in maintaining a positive mindset, dealing with pressure, and understanding the importance of teamwork. Veteran players act as role models, instilling a sense of discipline and work ethic in their younger counterparts. This guidance helps cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, where players are driven to refine their skills and strategies, pushing the entire team to perform better.

Additionally, veteran players often possess a vast network of connections within the esports industry. These connections can be crucial in securing sponsorships, organizing boot camps, and providing access to international tournaments. Their industry knowledge and experience can open doors for the entire team, exposing them to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. This support system can be instrumental in helping Australian players and teams gain a foothold in the highly competitive global CS:GO scene.

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High costs of attending LANs

The vast size of Australia has historically caused issues for CS:GO players due to the high costs of attending LANs on the other side of the country. In the early days of CS 1.6 and Source, each Australian state had its own scene, with players and teams operating within their own state due to the financial burden of travelling interstate. As internet infrastructure improved, state-based teams became less common, and the Australian CS:GO scene became more homogeneous, with New Zealanders also joining. However, the financial challenge of travelling to LAN events remained, as illustrated by an anecdote from a player who travelled to Jönköping, Sweden for a tournament. The team had to hire a car and drive an hour each way to reach the venue, incurring additional costs on top of the significant expense of international travel. These high costs of attending LANs have been a contributing factor to the challenges faced by the Australian CS:GO community in establishing their presence on the global stage.

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Toxicity in the community

One player recounted their experience of being targeted for their South African accent, while their English housemate faced similar treatment due to their accent. They described the Australian players as "racist and bitter for no reason", noting that the issue extended beyond the game to how Aboriginal people are treated in the country. The player also observed a lack of teamwork and a highly competitive, individualistic mindset among Australian players, which could contribute to a toxic environment.

Another player, who spent two years in Australia, shared a similar experience of constant hounding for being British. They also observed a particular animosity towards Asians among Australian players. While they eventually found a group of Australian players who were welcoming and kind, the majority of their interactions were negative.

The toxic behaviour is not limited to in-game interactions, as some players have taken to online forums to continue the abusive behaviour. One player advised newcomers to avoid the forums, as this is where a small but toxic community resides, engaging in negative behaviour such as "talking shit to each other".

The Australian CS:GO community's toxicity has earned it a negative reputation, with some players describing it as the "worst" and calling out the rampant racism and anger directed towards foreigners. This behaviour has potentially hindered the growth and success of the Australian CS:GO scene, creating a barrier for foreign players looking to join and contribute to the community.

It is worth noting that not all Australian players engage in toxic behaviour, and some have acknowledged the issue and distanced themselves from it. However, the impact of toxicity in the community has undoubtedly played a role in shaping the perception and overall experience of playing CS:GO in Australia.

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Racism in the community

Racism in the CS:GO community is not unique to Australia, but it is a significant issue there. Several players have reported experiencing racism from other Australian players, particularly towards those with Asian or Indian accents. This includes making fun of accents, using racist language, and voting to kick non-white players from games. One player reported that they felt depressed and unhappy as a result of the racist treatment they faced, and that they felt they had no recourse as they were outnumbered.

Some players have suggested that racism is more of a joke in Australia, and that it is not taken as seriously as it should be. Others have pointed out that racism is a problem in other countries too, and that it is not unique to Australia. However, the fact that racist behaviour is so commonly reported in the Australian CS:GO community suggests that it is a significant issue that needs to be addressed.

The Australian CS:GO community has been described as toxic and "insulting to other races or cultures". Players from Perth, in particular, have been called out for their behaviour towards people from South-East Asia. This behaviour has been attributed to a broader culture of racism in Australia, which has been described as "renowned for racism" and where race riots have taken place in the 21st century.

Some players have also reported positive experiences with the Australian CS:GO community, finding that most players are friendly and welcoming. However, the presence of racist elements within the community cannot be ignored, and it is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue and make the community more inclusive and welcoming to players of all backgrounds.

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Lack of international experience

Australia's isolation from the rest of the CS:GO world has contributed to a lack of international experience for its players. The country's geographical remoteness has made it challenging for Australian teams to attend international events and gain exposure to different playing styles and strategies. This isolation was further exacerbated by the size of Australia, which, during the days of CS 1.6 and Source, resulted in each state having its own scene due to ping issues and the high costs of travelling to LANs across the country.

The absence of a unified national scene meant that Australian players had limited opportunities to compete against diverse opponents and learn from international veterans. While the improvement in internet infrastructure helped to mitigate this issue to some extent, allowing for greater homogenisation of the local scene and the inclusion of New Zealand players, the sense of locality lingered. This early fragmentation of the Australian CS:GO community may have hindered the development of a cohesive national strategy and hindered the transfer of knowledge from experienced players to the newer generation.

Additionally, the loss of prominent players during the transition from CS 1.6 and Source to Global Offensive further exacerbated the issue. The decision of several big names with international experience not to make the switch or stay and mentor the next wave of players meant that up-and-coming Australian players missed out on valuable guidance. This guidance could have better prepared them for the international stage and helped them navigate the challenges of competing globally.

To address this lack of international experience, Australian teams have recognised the need to attend more events overseas and engage with foreign coaches and players. However, this endeavour is costly, and the expense may be a barrier for many Australian players and organisations. As a result, Australia continues to face challenges in gaining the international experience necessary to compete with more established regions in CS:GO.

Frequently asked questions

Australia has a small but growing community of CSGO players. The country's size caused issues in the past, resulting in each state having its own scene due to ping problems and the high costs of attending LANs on the other side of the country. Additionally, Australia has lost a significant portion of its Counter-Strike talent, with many big names not making the switch to newer versions of the game and passing on their knowledge.

The CSGO community in Australia has been described as toxic and racist by some players. There have been reports of players experiencing abuse and attacks due to their accents or race. However, others have found the community to be friendly and active, with most people using mics.

Internet quality in Australia is generally considered ok for playing CSGO. Players can expect to find ADSL connections everywhere and cable connections with speeds up to 100Mbps in some places. However, there may be variations in ping depending on location and server choice.

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