Other [Issue 38] So You Wanna Be a Pro Gamer

[sonofchrysalis3 3,719]

As a little pupa living in the Changeling Hive, I had only two things on my mind: eating and not making Chrysalis angry. Both were essential to my survival, and surviving was all I cared about.

 

Then, when fled and took refuge with Celestia, I realized how much life has to offer. The time I spend with my family and friends, the happy memories I can make and savor, and the love I can give to the world provides more fulfillment than I am capable of comprehending. It all makes me happy enough to pop.

 

I also realized who and what I am. I am a unique individual with a special set of gifts and talents, and a desire to use them to the fullest.

 

That desire is not unique to me. Every pony and every human has a little something they wish for, a goal they want to accomplish, a dream they want more than anything to see happen. That dream motivates their every word and deed, and the hope that someday, somehow they might experience the joy of achieving it puts them to sleep each night with a smile on their face.

 

My dream is to create written works of art that enrich the lives of everypony who reads them. I have been plotting and planning and working and wishing for this to come true for a very long time. Along the way, I have learned the importance of maintaining a firm grip on reality as I pursue my dreams.

 

This is a lesson I am trying to teach to my friend Chocolate Cherry.

 

She longs to be a professional Tanki player with an unspeakable passion.  You think you’re obsessed? The girl tattooed a Hornet and a Railgun onto her left cheek. BY HERSELF. Her mother saw it and nearly... well, better keep this family-safe.

 

When the smoke cleared, I invited Chocolate Cherry to the local café for a meal and a heart-to-heart talk about pursuing her dreams. She listened with a smirk on her face, and her little plush Gold Box held close, as I tried to get through to her:

 

1. You must know what your dream is based on.

 

My dream is based on the ability I have to express myself in written word and my desire to show love to everypony. When I was younger, I dreamt of becoming a professional hoofball player. I had never even played hoofball, but I saw some guy who looked pretty cool galloping across the field to make a touchdown, so I naturally wanted a piece of that action.

 

The problem with that hoofball dream was that I had nothing substantial to base it on. I lacked (and still lack!) the athletic physique necessary to compete in such an exerting sport, which was a pretty good indication that I was never truly meant for it. Thank goodness!

 

You must be sure that what you want and what you’re capable of are in the same ballpark. If not, you’ll chase that dream only to find disappointment.

 

2. You must keep your priorities straight.

 

So you’re twenty-one years old and you want to become a professional gamer? Good for you! Do you have a solid income that will cover your expenses? Do you have reliable transportation? How about a place to rest your head at night? Have you spent time with the ones who care about you?

 

I don’t mean to be a killjoy, but I have to agree with what your mother has been screaming into your headphone-laden ear: keeping food in your belly and a roof over your head is what’s important now. You can’t be the next NukemDukem if you die of starvation.

 

And don’t take the lazy route by mumbling “Well, my mom cooks me dinner every night and I sleep in the basement when I get home from jamming with my garage band.” Yeah. Way to be an adult there, Ms. Independent. I can understand if you’re twelve years old, but if you’re old enough to legally play Saint’s Row and your Dad is dropping subtle little hints, like tacking an apartment brochure to your forehead, then it’s time to get off your flanks and make something of yourself.

 

Benefitting from what someone else made without putting in any of your own effort is the definition of a parasite. Not hatin’, just sayin’.

 

3. Plan, Pursue, Persist.

 

You need to PLAN how you will PURSUE your goal of professional gaming while still living comfortably on your own.

 

You rolled your eyes when I said “plan”. Your plan is 1.) Become a pro gamer, 2.) Enjoy being a pro gamer. It’d be nice if I could wake up one morning, clap my hooves, and instantly become the next Syd Field. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen; there’s a little more work involved.  No one ever failed because they made a plan. They failed because they failed to plan. You need to sit down and think about what you are trying to accomplish.

 

Do some research.  You've memorized every tip and trick to help you win, so now you need to read about keeping a job, budgeting your money, and maintaining a home.  Learn how to support yourself. Put the two topics together, and voila, there’s your plan. Follow it persistently.

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

It was hard to tell if my sermon had any effect on Cherry. She never lost that indignant little smirk that says “You have no idea what you are talking about, but I’ll humor you by giving you a bit of attention.”

 

She tells herself that to ward off the nagging voice in her head that says He’s right, you know. She has her way that she wants to do things, but sadly, that way is not realistic. You cannot pursue a dream life without first living a sensible life. You must have a starting point, a launch pad, if you will, from which to build and progress.

 

Your dreams are what you live and breathe for. They put the spring in your step and the glow in your heart.

 

Please don’t starve to death because you pursued them incorrectly.

 

Edited January 7, 2018 by Hexed

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

Well written son :)

 

As a little pupa living in the Changeling Hive

This made me laugh in the beginning when I started to read  :lol:

Edited August 14, 2015 by Darren4Turbo

[anuclearbomb 220]

i spent 10 minutes trying to figure out if blue and red made purple... 

great article

[sonofchrysalis3 3,719]

i spent 10 minutes trying to figure out if blue and red made purple... 

great article

I cannot tell you how hard it was to make this emblem of my cutie mark in Windows Paint. It lacks the shimmer and glory of my real cutie mark, but it's the best I could do.

[Cute_re 582]

noob mod , nice .

[CTaen 214]

noob mod , nice .

Youre the one noob here lol

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

noob mod , nice .

What mod? he is a reporter and he isn't a noob  :angry:

[HichigoShiiro 4,378]

Rlly tho who made the wall of text guy a reporter

[Mirsaab707 240]

Nice

[sonofchrysalis3 3,719]

What mod? he is a reporter and he isn't a noob  :angry:

He saw my title, ForumNewspaperModeratorsEN, which means I moderate the Newspaper. It's one of a Reporter's duties, in addition to doing Lhamster's laundry.

[BlazingCoder 108]

I'm happy that you become a Reporter son

[sonofchrysalis3 3,719]

Thanks BlazingCoder :) I'm happy too.

[anuclearbomb 220]

why 3? why not 2.5? or 4? 

[sonofchrysalis3 3,719]

why 3? why not 2.5? or 4? 

What are you talking about?

[anuclearbomb 220]

What are you talking about?

your name, why 3?

Edited September 1, 2015 by anuclearbomb

[sonofchrysalis3 3,719]

your name, why 3?

Oh, the number at the end of my username. I have two dormant alternative accounts, sonofchrysalis and sonofchrysalis2.

[Ihajkiller 39]

.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Ihajkiller

[anuclearbomb 220]

.

he is guilty of spam, not murder...

[Ihajkiller 39]

he is guilty of spam, not murder...

Sorry my bad xD

[anuclearbomb 220]

Oh, the number at the end of my username. I have two dormant alternative accounts, sonofchrysalis and sonofchrysalis2.

oh... i was hoping for some sort of novel on how you were the third chosen one, and you needed to save the universe from the dark clutches of the turkey eaters... but that works to;)

[anuclearbomb 220]

Sorry my bad xD

it's cool, just try to keep that to a minimum.

[sonofchrysalis3 3,719]

oh... i was hoping for some sort of novel on how you were the third chosen one, and you needed to save the universe from the dark clutches of the turkey eaters... but that works to;)

And what exactly makes you think that I am not this, too?  :P

[anuclearbomb 220]

And what exactly makes you think that I am not this, too?  :P

dunno... i mean according to some you have a sidekick... (TNT, hello, if your reading this...) it all makes sense... 

lol

[creepercaster_1679 2]

:0 really why u so addicted to mylittlepony ( ni affense) and dat show suck. Well to me it does but dats my opinion and evry1 els has an opinion 2 but thats good! Best wishes to all tankers!!! :) :P vood luck out there and dont get bann!!! Add me and PM me if you did

[creepercaster_1679 2]

My plan was to just be a BOSS and kick some BUTT XD＼(^o^)／