Here we are. Some 26 years after Red Alert 1's release (1996). Some would say we are lucky that the game is still played at all, given the thousands of possible new games players could choose. Most players are now in their 40s having played this game as teenagers or college students. It's pretty cool that some of the best players were not even born when this game was first released! (Jacob and Fordy, among others, for example). I would say the fact that tournaments and video streaming content still exists for this game is a testament to its greatness. It has truly stood the test of the time. Of all the games from 1996, only a handful are played competitively online at all, and Red Alert is 1 of them.
Maybe it's too much to ask for more "pro" level players and games given the above. Kids want to play the latest cool games such as Fortnite or COD. Old time players have families or demanding jobs/social lives (Milo, for example) or generally grow out of competitive video games. However, it's pretty sad that night after night for the last few months, it's been the same 10 or so players playing in pr0 2v2 games, and the ladder is pathetic with only really myself, yuz, dynamic, rob, bart, santi and a handful of others keeping it alive.
This isn't new. In the last 5 years I can only think of 3 people who have gone from "average pro" to "super pro". These are Jacob and Mclovin (3 years ago now), and Dynamic (who was already a super high level player in similar related C&C games, so doesn't really count). So what I'm basically saying is there has been no new blood.
Bart in his last article touched on this subject but he seemed to complain about lack of opportunity. I would actually disagree with him and say it's a lack of effort. I want to officially call out players such as Petersky, Castle, Ahlem and the dozens of other "decent average pros". These guys have all now been playing for years and their playing level has stagnated. They are happy to just play shitty laggy liquid or p4 casual games which mean nothing and don't really increase your skill set. If even 20% of these guys (yes I'm talking to the Dutchys, Kobas and BAT-Metzs of the world as well) put in the effort, the game would benefit massively. This is not a difficult game in which to reach a high level. It just requires speed and dedication. "Practice makes perfect". There's people with 85 IQ scores in the pr0 games (Muadib and Lordy, for example).
So what's the answer? Pretty simple: put in the effort. No more complaining about lack of opportunities or games being too toxic. You have a very well designed ladder system that was made by volunteers. You can even play anonymously so no one will care if you lose. Everyone loses. Don't care about losing. For some reason people have anxiety about losing in 1v1. It's a game for fuck sake! I guarantee if you guys put in the effort and started grinding ladder, your overall playing level and drive to get better would increase. Yes you might start off losing to the Yuzgens and Katshs of the world, but it will give you motivation. You will learn, and maybe one day overcome them. You only get better by playing better players and learning from them. You will not get better playing random custom 2v2 games with one dimensional game play.
Another way to get better is to find a mentor. Study milo's guide here Milo's Red Alert Bible or watch the 100s of pr0 videos on YouTube.
Then the complaints of "no opportunity" will no longer exist. Once people start seeing you top 5 on the ladder beating up rob and yuzgen, you will get the respect. You will be welcomed in the superpro 2v2 games with open arms. People will be excited to have new players. Bart actually got it wrong in some ways in his article. There's a misconception that the pro games are elitist. Conversely, the pro rooms are realistic. No one wants to play uncompetitive 1.5v2 or 2v1.5. I can guarantee you however that the R3sistants and Leighs of the world would love nothing more than for a guy like TKT-Ahlem to reach the next level and jump in the game.
I hope this message gets across and reaches someone. I don't mean to pick on anyone individually - just using examples. There's so much potential in this game. It's just depressing to see some of these talented players wasting away and not breaking through to the next level. We need new blood to come through and ascend to the top, or the game will indeed die as has been so often predicated by the pessimists as of late.
Imagine a world in which there are 50+ "superpro"s instead of 10. The range and diversity of games. The tournament possibilities. The potential is endless.
I just hope at least 1 person reads this and benefits from this. The game needs some new top level players coming through. If we ever want to see Tournaments again then it is needed. There's not enough decent players to make it worthwhile nowadays.
Thanks for reading. Step up to the plate!