Attention pro gamers: stop taking drugs

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Dec 6th 2006 at 6:55PM }

An interesting article on Tom's Hardware reveals that the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) is preparing to introduce drug testing at all of its gaming competitions next year. Ignoring the kneejerk observation that gaming can be a drug all on its own (we frequently test positive for Lumines), there are two ways of looking at this development. The CPL having to test for drugs sends an unfortunate message about gamers we've known for quite a while -- some of them just like to cheat. On the other hand, such serious measures imply that professional gaming (or, sigh, "eSports") is being treated in the same manner as "real" sports, with all the rules and repercussions that accompany them.

The founder and president of the league, Angel Munoz, is clearly concerned about dubious drug activities in league events. "The potential for [drugs] being an issue absolutely concerns me. It should concern anybody in eSports, because as the stakes get larger, as in any sport, people will look for an edge." In case you were wondering, some of the chemical concoctions under consideration are crystal methamphetamine and Ritalin, both of which could be used to enhance mental alertness and twitch reflexes.

Luckily, Munoz rules out the banning of Red Bull and the like, mostly because it would prove too difficult to regulate. He must also be astutely aware that gathering a large group of gamers (apologies -- cyberathletes) and robbing them of caffeinated beverages is an invitation to unmitigated disaster.

[Via CVG]

See also: LAN parties meet drug parties

Tags: CPL, cyberathlete professional league, CyberathleteProfessionalLeague, drug testing, DrugTesting, game addiction, GameAddiction, pro gaming, ProGaming

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Invader Alex @ Dec 6th 2006 7:04PM

No Ritalin?
ADD haters!
Meh, I have ADD and i take some medicane for it but not Ritalin, i used too... but for only for school...

Lixie @ Dec 6th 2006 7:07PM

Nothing helps fragging noobs like a high-baller.

SirPasta117 @ Dec 6th 2006 7:22PM

O noes, I fail the Crackhounds test everytime :O

Vexorg @ Dec 6th 2006 8:11PM

You know, none of this would have ever happened if they had just kept putting that "Winners don't use drugs" screen into video games...

ackmondual @ Dec 6th 2006 7:32PM

Ritalin should be allowed for those who have a prescription for it

Brian (the REAL Brian) @ Dec 7th 2006 8:45AM

Do they test for narcotics?

Cause man... videogames are twice as fun ON WEEEED!

(true)

rjg @ Dec 6th 2006 7:43PM

Wow, without pot I'm wondering how any of those guys can maintain a pro ranking! Seriously.

Ned @ Dec 6th 2006 7:44PM

Wow. That's sad. 70% of all those guys toke up. And really who takes kiddie crack to be pumped up for a game?

Thatdude_001 @ Dec 6th 2006 8:04PM

If a vast majority of video game companies dont drug test to work for them why should people have to take a drug test to compete in a video game competition? If anything most drugs slow down your brain making people worse at thinking fast in games.

Marc @ Dec 6th 2006 8:04PM

Hmm, I'm interested in what they're really trying to get at here? Simply to prevent finger-pointing and cries of foul play? Meth may increase alertness, but it certainly doesn't increase accuracy or mental acuity (despite the fact that people under the influence of meth and cocaine feel otherwise). Pot certainly isn't going to help someone get an edge over other players, and I wonder if they are even testing for that. What other drugs could they possibly be interested in testing for?

Eaode @ Dec 6th 2006 8:48PM

@ Mark

Ritalin.

Since it's for people with ADD I'm assuming it helps concentration.

CYRiX @ Dec 7th 2006 6:39PM

Why does this article seem to be biased against Professinal Gamers? What is wrong with pro gaming?

blackbelt013 @ Dec 6th 2006 8:27PM

I LOL'ed when I read this. As an avid REAL sports fan, I am trying to imagine a baseball steroid user and a retalin abusing cyberathlete standing side by side. God that would be funny. As someone who takes medication for ADHD, I can vouch that it doesnt make me a better gamer (I get fragged by everyone in Halo2) In fact, I've actually experienced better twitch time when off it. SO what's going to be next, banning those comfortable gamer chairs because they give cyberathletes an ergonomical advantage? LOL

otakucode @ Dec 6th 2006 8:40PM

Every sports league that exists needs a parallel "no holds barred" league. It could push the development of performance-enhancing technologies (not just drugs), cybernetic limb replacements that outperform real limbs, etc.

If participation is consentual, I have no qualms about people destroying themselves for their sport. NFL players do it already, and they are continuously hampered in the pursuit of a truly remarkable performance. Laden with pads so overly protective you can barely tell there's a person under there, rules constructed to make the game easier on them (fair catch rule), etc. And yet they still know that when their career is over, their body will be destroyed.

Sinnix @ Dec 6th 2006 10:12PM

Anytime someone uses the term "eSport" or "cyberathlete" and angel loses her wings.

illovich @ Dec 6th 2006 9:54PM

In all seriousness, there will probably be an exception for people who have current, valid subscriptions from an M.D., e.g. folks with ADD/ADHD on ritalin/adderall.

I would guess that a player barred from the league or not being able to take their medication would be able to sue under the provisions of the ADA or some such.

In my experience, someone who has ADD is most likely disadvantaged playing twitch games while on their medication, so it may not be a real issue for people that actually have the condition.

Nintedophile @ Dec 6th 2006 10:09PM

Green and Monkey Ball FTW!

Tom Hayden @ Dec 6th 2006 10:11PM

There is a pretty funny episode of Entourage where Turtle competes in a Fight Night tournament. He ends up sucking because Drama tells him that they drug test (they don't) and he is unable to play well unless he's high. He ends up being beat by a little kid.

Qtrain2Bklyn @ Dec 7th 2006 4:40PM

Madden is definately better played when high on crack. But for fast paced games like GoW and Devil May Cry, i tend to look toward my syringe. Still, nothing beats a handfull of mushrooms before Gears Online..

Sunny @ Dec 6th 2006 11:47PM

I have a feeling that about 95% of the people tested will be kicked out.

Jesuit @ Dec 7th 2006 12:44AM

Why can't they take Dexedrine or Ritalin. Jet fighter pilots take it to increase their awareness and you don't see the enemy complaining that they are cheating(Aside from the Canadians complianing about "friendly fire" deaths) If It makes them better and more enjoyable to watch I am all for it. Remember when all the baseball players where on riods it was so much more exciting. Whats the difference between taking vitiman b in large doses as a "supplement" and taking a dexedrine or redbull.

Judd @ Dec 7th 2006 1:31AM

Sure it's a generalization brought about by movies like "Grandma's Boy", but how many gamers are stoners? Ok it's a different kind of gamer who is really into PS2 Japanese games like Final Fantasy or Metal Gear Solid, and kids who play Nintendo, but Xbox gamers? Just look at all the gamertags on Xbox Live that have some kind of pot reference. I mean I myself am not a stoner, but I've tried it in the last couple of months, that I'd probably fail a drug test. Honestly, if you tested most gamers 18-35 they'd probably fail a drug test. The All-American night consists of Halo 2, a bong, and Mountain Dew.

jesus_bon_jovi @ Dec 7th 2006 2:48AM

are they gonna outlaw bawls and mountain dew?

Mr. Dark @ Dec 7th 2006 3:46PM

This is an insanely stupid concept. I'm definitely not pro-drug on any level, but what idiot thinks being cranked will somehow give you an edge when playing video games? Yeah, because being wiped out on meth really aids in your concentration and focus over long periods of time. Being shaky and jittery does wonders for your fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination. Asshats.

zer06ame @ Dec 7th 2006 3:01AM

Judd: How are you going to fail a drug test if you tried it in the last couple months? You'd have to be toking up more than three joints a week to test positive after more than 3 days. For those of you who are doubting the use of uppers in these tournaments, it's very likely the drugs of choice. Do some coke and play something like CS or UT and see how focused you are, shit, just take 800mg of caffeine and see how much better you play. I would probably be doing the same things these guys are doing if I was near or at the pro-level to help myself out a little more.

NyaR420 @ Dec 7th 2006 5:24AM

zer06ame wtf are you talking about? your estimates are way off, your result varies on the ammount of built up thc not a magical number of joints (which by the way arent even a measurement and can vary from fractions of a gram to fractions of an ounce)

Mephistopheles @ Dec 8th 2006 1:04AM

We wouldn't want gamers taking steroids. That would be an unfair advantage.

Dave Smith @ Dec 7th 2006 7:45AM

Oh God can we please keep the Morality Police out of gaming? If you want to 'enhance' yourself then be my guest, but that 8 year old Halo champ is still going to kick your ass.

KilgoreTrout XL @ Dec 7th 2006 9:44AM

"So I can frag harder, so I can kill more noobz, so I can buy more zoot, so I can frag harder, so I can kill more noobz, so I can buy more..."

Ok, so it ain't a perfect fit.

Blue Sam @ Dec 7th 2006 11:04AM

why complain? You all guys have to think of being role-model to kids. That's similiar as professional sports, they're doing.

Gonzo @ Dec 7th 2006 2:33PM

Exactly what drugs will they be testing for? If it's all of them, they're going to have a hard time finding people. I don't think meth would help too many people to get better at games; except for ones like cow tipping and circlejerking. Meth seems more like a performance weakener than enhancer. Caffeine on the other hand could help some people; but they're going to let that through? Why bother? They going to test for steroids too.
Hallucinogenic shouldn't be tested for either. Besides it rooting out most of their contestants, a fat blunt wont make you better at video game. It'll sure make them a whole lot more colorful though.
Don't do drugs kids.

It's not like I'm ever going to watch this crap anyway.

You guys see that episode of Entourage when the guys trick Turtle into quitting weed for a week while he prepares for an xbox tournament? When he asks the girl there about the drug test, the look she gives him is hilarious.

Ian @ Dec 8th 2006 11:05PM

Ritalin is a bunch of crap, its basically for parents to lazy to raise their own children. Rather than help the child learn and work with them just give them some medicine and drug them up then throw some books in their face. Yes there are some people who really need it but diagnosing ADD is like having a listening to a book on tape, its easier to do and the lazy way out so you don't actually have to confront the problem.