The quick Finger on the trigger is not enough to make the Ego-Shooter-game Counter-Strike career, says Titian box Bush. The 22-year-old German makes, especially in the professional scene.
Counter-Strike-professional Titian box Bush (left) in action at the ESL One Cologne 2018
Kill or be killed – so Counter Strike, one of the most successful first-person Shooter games on the laity. However, behind the digital bloodshed, a strategy hidden game: The player must rely on their team mates, they navigate through a virtual world, the Details of which you have memorized, you will have to acquire resources, to turn the opposing team one after the other and try to survive until the end. Since 2012, Counter Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO). However, the game quickly became so popular, that players made it their profession.
The German CS:GO player Tizian “tiziaN” Feldbusch is one of those professionals. The 22-Year-old started playing at the age of 12, inspired and motivated by his brother who knew the game already. First it was just about winning the competitive battle with the brother to dominate but then the game really. 16 Titian from his first Team was committed. Today, he plays CS:GO at the Berlin International Gaming (BIG), a Team that was created in 2017 and the market leader in the German eSport wants to develop.
“One of the best experiences of my life”
Finals of the ESL One Cologne 2018, which is considered the most important eSports tournament in Europe, made the team at the beginning of July for sensation. Even if the Team could not secure at the end of the tournament victory, it was for Titian was a huge success. The event was also a Testament to the growth and the potential of Counter Strike in Germany. For three days, the hall in Cologne was sold out with 15,000 spectators. “The Arena, the Fans and the feeling to play there, was one of the best experiences of my life,” says the Titian in the DW.
To win requires Teamwork
eSports Competition at this level is hard work. Titian spends eight to ten hours a day in front of the Computer. In the morning he starts with a unique warm-up exercise, then he studied the histories of the game. In the afternoon, he meets with his team-mates to get together to discuss about strategy and practice.
At first glance, it seems Counter Strike only on the skill to arrive, with the single player shoots and moved on the playing field. At its core, the game is a team sport in which strategy and planning are two keys to success. “You need good players,” says Titian. “But you need to adjust to the Team and can play not just alone.”
$ 25,000 in a month
The financial basis of eSports has changed dramatically in recent years. Titian remembers the beginnings of CS:GO, as it was difficult to find a cash-rich team. At the time, the players were speculating on the price of funds and hoped to Wake up with good performances, the interest of one of the few big Teams. Today, Titian, could pay most of the Teams, their players salaries. Some of them earned $ 25,000 (the equivalent of about 21.500 Euro) per month, or more. In combination with prize money and revenue from Social media “you can have a good life, while enjoying his Hobby,” said Feldbusch.
ESL One Cologne 2018 – a three-day sold-out hall, the 15,000 spectators
The end of the flag pole is not reached for a player such as Titian for a long time. eSport-top earners in Games such as League of Legends can range in the year, around a Million Euro in prize money once.
Acceptance is missing
If talent is to be encouraged, need to invest in someone in you. In this point, Germany is still lagging behind significantly behind other countries, e.g. from Scandinavia. Players from Sweden, Norway and Denmark are represented in the Counter-Strike professional scene. For box Bush this has to do mainly with the support they receive in their home countries, where eSport enjoys greater acceptance than in this country. So there is in Scandinavia right eSports academies. “It is easier to fulfill his Dream, if you’re born in these countries,” says Titian. There is also in Germany a lot of players, “but not the same support for those who want to make it to the top”.
Counter Strike A Sport?
The professional believes that it would help, if eSports would be officially recognized as sports. At the beginning of February, the Grand coalition of CDU, CSU and SPD had expressed this intention. A corresponding law has not been adopted, however. Moreover, Titian, this could give a huge boost, in terms of talent development. If eSports would be officially recognized as sports, may apply for a club the Status of non-profit associations. Then you would have to pay less taxes. You could settle for them donations and the money for tax purposes.
The growth of eSports was “indisputable”, says Titian. “It’s only a matter of time before it becomes Mainstream.” The Counter-Strike players fight back against the prevailing negative Image of their Sport to glorify violence. Even for killing sprees, the computer has made the game responsible. Titian box, Bush hopes that he will be perceived one day as he sees himself: as an athlete and not only as a “Nerd who sits all day in front of the PC”.