Earlier today, the Philippine online gaming community went in turmoil because of a public statement of one of our respected congresswomen, Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquiel. In an article published by Hackenslash, the congresswoman was quoted saying that:
“DOTA, or any role-playing game for that matter, may be fun, but it won’t be able to teach you the skills you need for your first job, or for higher education.”
This was the message of AKYBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel during the commencement exercises of the University of the Philippines Cebu College, a copy of which was sent to media.
Hontiveros-Baraquel said that online games should be treated as an addictive game and should be played in moderation.
“You may protest and extol the virtues of being Mogul the Axe for five hours, but unless you are in the brink of developing gaming software and needs the game to test your theories, then play DOTA or any RPG in moderation,” she said.
Hontiveros-Baraquel spoke against online games during a part where she told graduates about the skills necessary to find jobs, as well as the means to survive the current economic situation.
Instead, she stressed the need for the graduates to take up a sport to remain physically fit.
As a retired veteran online gamer, this is what I have to say. I agree with her stand on this. Yes. Why?
When I became addicted to online gaming several years ago, the only thing I really learned was expanding my social network a little bit. But you can expand your social network with any chosen profession, it’s nothing special.
There are no rewarding qualities in online gaming that will truly improve your skills as a professional, with the only exception being if you work in the gaming industry per se. But if your profession is something else, play minimal or no online games at all. I myself am not proud of the online gaming stage of my life as it put my real life to halt.
I may have landed a short job as a gamemaster back in 2005 at Netgames. But I left shortly. Why? Because it was’t really the job that I wanted. That’s not how I want to be remembered. I’m a musician. And again, the congresswoman’s statement is true here, I never learned anything in online games that involves my current music profession.
It’s a good thing I was able to stop completely before it was too late.
11 Comments Received
May 7th, 2009 @5:10 pm
Play World of Warcraft? You’re hired!
May 8th, 2009 @4:45 pm
Erm, while I do agree with Hontiveros’ speech, the same can be said about her leftist leanings–it’s not going to put food on your table either.
May 8th, 2009 @8:43 pm
Let’s not forget that ONLINE GAMES ARE MEANT FOR ENJOYMENT PURPOSES and not as a source of income. tycoons think that way but not on a gamer’s POV.
If that’s how you see the world of gaming, then you’re NOT a TRUE-BLOODED GAMER but merely a business-minded individual trying to use the gaming industry ~ just as how big businessmen used cosplayers for their products’ promotions.
Master Diwa, do not put the blame on online games for what happened to your real life. MMO is merely an object. YOU ARE STILL THE ONE WHO WILL DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL BECOME IN THE FUTURE. YOUR CHOICES caused those mishaps and not the game.
You have been an inspiration to many. It just saddens me that those words came from you.
May 9th, 2009 @1:46 pm
hi diwa. i see your POV on the matter. the thing is that this is a very one-sided opinion.
has anyone cited/considered that gaming is a multi-million dollar industry, and that the philippines is and has been a mecca of outsourcing of graphic artist talents, and that the phillipines is a booming online gaming economy? the problem with this country is that they do not see the possible fruits of being a passionate gamer. a lot of people deny the future of people in gaming because they think that this could not be a source of income. we just need to admit that we are an outclassed nation and fail to see the manpower that every gamer could become. a lot do not see that gamers could be future graphic artists, future game programmers, future software engineers, future marketing specialists… i could go on forever with a lists of jobs that involve gaming.
what’s wrong about gaming in the philippines? people fail to embrace that this is a money-making enterprise… it has been for years and will be for a very, very long time. countries like south korea, USA and EU countries have specialized and developed educational courses to nurture gaming professionals. south korea for instance, consider gaming a profession.
i’m very upset since i expected people to realize the possibility of having multi-million dollar companies like blizzard and EA Games investing on the talents that we have here.
that’s my two cents. hopes at least some people would see my point that gaming is beyond entertainment. it is a bona fide industry.
May 9th, 2009 @1:54 pm
I’ll quote myself, “There are no rewarding qualities in online gaming that will truly improve your skills as a professional, with the only exception being if you work in the gaming industry per se.”
I agree that this is one sided, because it’s only all about my personal experience. The gaming industry indeed is a very, very profitable industry, and I have seen that countless times with my own two eyes.
My only bottom line is, if you don’t ever see yourself working for the online gaming industry, minimize playing or don’t play at all so you can focus on the real career path for you.
And this is just exactly what I did upon focusing on music. This is a heads up to those who are in similar shoes as mine.
Thanks for your comment.
May 11th, 2009 @2:50 am
OUT OF TOPIC COMMENT:
’twas nice meeting you, here’s to more events!
interesting reads and you sure do get into online gaming. so finally have you done SECOND LIFE?
Haha
May 13th, 2009 @11:36 pm
this article was very interesting. Congresswoman baraquel and master diwa was right. In fact i was an online gamer several years ago. I quit because when I was in my college days and I spent most of my time playing. I almost lost my 4 years of studying because of online games. I studied again just to redeem my self because I felt that I wasn’t competitive enough to land for a better job. Luckily my parents gave me a second chance. To all gamers out there be smart. Think now before it’s too late.
May 14th, 2009 @12:11 am
“I almost lost my 4 years of studying because of online games.”
The MORE ACCURATE STATEMENT WOULD BE:
“I almost lost my 4 years of studying because I got too effin lazy studying and I just played online games.”
srlsy, people who blame others or other things for their stupidity is an EPIC FAIL!
June 1st, 2009 @11:34 pm
Im proud of you Kumpare. Ako, i play at a minimal lang. Ngayon na nga lang ulet kasi wala naman akong work. C yah all soon.
August 1st, 2009 @11:35 pm
Three things
1. DOTA is not an online game(could be but most people play on LAN AFAIK).
2. The game is not at fault if a person wants to spend his time playing it.
3. For a certain MMORPG…use BOT
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