UKTerrorist

The Loss of Multi-National Clans

Posted by Vixen at 12:48, 21/2/2006

There seems to be a definite divide these days between all the UK-only, single-nationality clans and the mixed European clans. It seems that the era of cross-borders gaming from a few years back has decayed and left us with separate UK, separate German, French, Italian and other games communities. And, of course, there are reasons.

Strange as it may seem, but I have always had more experience and more contact with mixed nationality clans. Being a child of MoHaa (Allied Assault) and CoD (Call of Duty), I was a member of clans mostly based in Scandinavian countries, but containing a mix of western Europeans.

Through my entire time online, playing through the communities of three games, going through six clans, five of which were multi-national, I’ve never found language to be a problem. It really shows something about the UK, the fact that most Scandinavians speak impeccable English, while most Brits can hardly speak it at all, like innit? English is taught as second language in some (most) European countries, and in all fairness, Brits should start learning some European languages for use in the online world, which is always becoming more integrated nationally. You’ll always notice that mainland European leagues’ sites, or clan’s sites are written, more often than not, in English, even if the nationality is say, Dutch. It may be that the need to use English to attract first-language English speakers and maybe some non-first language English speakers is creating bad feeling towards English speaking CS players, the idea of “going it alone” always seems evident to me.

Over the last few years, as well as clans splitting into single-nationality groups, the spotlight has really been turned on single-nationality leagues. Before, back in my old MoHaa and early CoD days, it was unheard of to not be registered on clanbase. To be without an account would earn you a sharp whipping with a rusty chain from any potential clan leader. Now, the most talked about leagues are ones like Enemy Down, which mainly cater to the inhabitants of one country. Sure, still the most prestigious awards belong to multi-national competitions, but local (national) competitions are more popular. It’s most likely this way because it’s easier to communicate with those you’re playing against, the lack of time difference makes match scheduling easier etc., but on the other hand, if you were to play an international competition, you’d probably get on with those you’re playing better, because you don’t speak the same language when playing. It makes all the swearing and b***hing less evident. =)

It really does seem a shame to lose all the crazy Belgians and Danes I used to struggle to understand over TS or Vent. The accents were…Comical. But on the upshot, like said before, the lack of time difference makes match scheduling a hell of a lot easier, coupled with the Warfinder IRC, a match is always available and, of course, our foreign friends make an effort to learn and speak English well, despite the fact that most Brits can’t be arsed to speak any language.

Overall, CS is thankfully a game that only restricts people by their internet connection, not their country (although the feared Ping does have some effect). And, although leagues may be better off as national, I’m always up for playing some Pub with a bunch of Norwegians. Rock on CS.

-Vixen