Those with teenage kids of their own may have heard of cyber games and that of Counter Strike (CS) a tactical action game that challenges players to compete against opponents in mission-based campaigns across the globe. Players take the role of either terrorists (T) or counter terrorists (CT). CT will try to prevent T from planting bombs or to defuse planted bombs in online servers, LAN or in competitions. Each group will try to outwit and kill opponents to complete their stipulated mission within a fixed timeframe. Therefore CS involves strategies as well as shooting skills which require frequent practice, training, analysis of the game tactics and the opponents. CS tournaments are held nationally and worldwide every year for teams (comprising of five players each) to compete against each other for fabulous prizes and sponsorships. Total prize monies for a CS world tournament can be in excess of USD 100,000/=. A princely sum for teenagers and a dream come true for the eventual winners and runners up, before taking into account of incentives or expensive equipment provided by their own sponsors.
A couple of years ago, my son decided to pick up the CS game again when the developers came out with an improved version with better graphics, new guns and equipment. As usual one has to learn to play these types of strategy games to analyze the game strategies for him so that he can enjoy it much more, which also allow us to communicate and spend quality time together. When he acquired better skills in the game and aimed to represent the country one day to play in world tournaments, I began to study more into the technicalities of the game and pointed out the flaws in his strategies which are to be improved upon. I also suggested that he find a good local team to join and to check with me before making a final decision on the team. Once he found an acceptable team to train with, I provided all the necessary support, advice and encouragement for him to play well, notwithstanding the grumblings from his mother, uncles and aunties as he was spending more time on CS than his studies. His team (all teenagers) slowly made progress through the local rankings last year and finally won third placing in a national competition early this year, but some team members were deciding to leave the team next year to concentrate on their studies. Two months ago, the top national CS team invited him to join them and I advised him to take up the offer only after checking and clearing with his own team members. Although the team members were reluctant they decided to release him because of its uncertain future (as members will leave next year).
After two months of training with his new team, the national finals were played over the weekend with the eventual winners representing the country in the world grand finals to be held this November. As usual I would give him some moral support and a word of advice before the next day’s competition. This time as he was ready for it, I gave him a paraphrased advice from Sunzi’s Art of War (together with an explanation):
“Like a good general, do not overestimate your own skills or underestimate the skills of your opponents.”
They are equally good if not better when they can participate in the national championship. Play carefully and to the best of your abilities to win for your team. (I also explained to him how he played well when he was careful and not over eager to get top frags (number of enemies killed) in the game.) Other team members will play their part too. Credit will be given where it is due.
His team qualified for the final early under the winners’ bracket after beating the number 2 team in the country in the semis. His former team assisted by a ‘mercenary’ player (who filled the place vacated by my son) was playing under the losers’ bracket and eventually qualified for the final too. This so-called mercenary plays for various top teams in the country and a neighboring country and is considered one of the best CS snipers in this region.
Fearing my son may get too lenient with his former team mates in the final, I advised him that a champion is a champion because he is hungry to win, shows no leniency during a tournament match and concentrates on winning the competition for himself or his team.
The mercenary was on form during the final and his sniping skills won several rounds for his team in the first map, De_Dust 2. Reaching the final from the loser bracket, his team has to win another map to be the eventual champion. Overestimating his own skills, he decided to challenge my son’s sniping skills in the second map, De_ Train. To date, most top teams (in both the country and a couple of neighboring countries) have learned to avoid clashing with my son when he guards a section of the map wielding a Magnum sniper rifle. Therefore the mercenary underestimated my son’s skills. (By overestimating his own skills and underestimating the opponent’s skills, the mercenary totally ignored Sunzi’s thoughts contained in the Art of War.)
After three rounds of such challenge where he was outgunned and killed each time, the mercenary lost both his courage (he always turned back when he knew my son was guarding the area he intended to go to) and his form crucial to the winning ways of his team. Thereafter my son’s team won several rounds easily. Later, my son being sole survivor of the five men team single-handedly killed three remaining ‘enemies’ to clinch the winning round and the national championship, making him a hero of the day. Thereafter his team manager and team mates thanked him for helping the team win.
The prize package for each member of the winning team equates to a year’s salary of a stenographer. A princely sum for any teenager and a wish come true. What is more important is that my son has achieved his aim to represent the country and to play among the best in the world. An experience probably he would not forget too easily. Hopefully as he grows older, he will learn more from Sunzi’s Art of War and know how to apply ancient thoughts to his everyday life.
Yes, one must admit, he is smarter than his father in both playing CS and his studies! But that is life!
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