Sunday, 16 January 2000 - Griff
OGA Interview

Griff: Hi Rupert, aka rauper. I guess most of us read the OGA press releases but again can you say in some short sentence what the OGA stands for?
rauper: The OGA (Online Gamers Association) is a new organisation which is trying to improve online gaming, right from your casual tetrinet player up to your hardcore Quake3 "professional" gamer.

Griff: Ok what exactly do you want to improve?
rauper: We are working with Games providers, leagues, games developers and more to help online gaming and competitive gaming to be more enjoyable for all, and get it established as a credible sport.

Griff: Ok and how do you want to do this?
rauper: The main issues we are trying to tackle are to provide effeciently run leagues and tournaments, ISPs who care about their service, cheating (especially aliasing) and more... The first step is our interactive player and team database (www.theOGA.com) which will act as a "player register" and also as a portal for gamers who want to play online, both in friendly and competitive games. We have two guys working around the clock on some OGA technology which we believe will enhance online gaming and restrict the problem of "aliasing" and more.

Griff: Ok so you want to gather player datas to prvent aliasing right? Combined with some sort of e-bay comment system on players?
rauper: Yes - OGA admins (representatives from leagues across the world) and staff will be able to post comments about players. Also, after we have been established and are affiliated with the major leagues and tournaments around the world, player bans will be able to be carried out across all events and other such useful things. There is also the possibility for a proper player ranking system, with statistics being taken from all the tournaments in the world.

Griff: Ok I think I know now what exactly you want to do, I think though that big leagues/tourneys will move to Lans cause of the higher competition factor what do you think?
rauper: Yes, I think that "professional" gaming is much more suited to LAN play - And the OGA recognises LAN events as an important part of competitive gaming, and we hope to provide services to LAN based tournaments too (our staff all have a background in running LAN events). However this does not stop prize events being run online, and online is where most of the cheating and abuse takes place.

Griff: Thats true and I guess you are really looking one step further. At the moment aliasing and stuff are not major problems but when there is much money involved I can imagine a player registering multiple for price online tourneys etc, is that what you target?
rauper: As soon as prizes become involved, cheating becomes a major problem. We have seen it happen again and again over in the UK. But there is also a more friendly aspect. If you have played someone on a public server and want to know who the opponent is, or what team he plays for - perhaps for a rematch, you can use the OGA database to find this player.

Griff: How much people are working for OGA and with the databse idea? What type of backup do you guys have?
rauper: There are currently 5 guys working on the OGA full time.. We are also taking on part time "helpers". However for the OGA to be a success it will need the support of the gamers, others involved running the events, ISPs and websites!
As time goes on we hope to establish the OGA as the place to go if you are getting started in online or competitive gaming - You will be able to find local competitions, the best ISPs (as voted by the OGA members) and players to chat and play against.

Griff: That sounds like a really sweet idea, with your high plans you need like a big financial backuping, who's behind or supporting OGA for their goals?
rauper: EuroGamer (www.eurogamer.net) are behind the OGA - Although the OGA as a non-profit organisation, which has been set up for the good of the gaming scene. This is why there are no big adverts on the OGA site etc!
We are putting the sponsors who want to get involved in touch with the leagues and events - So hopefully the guys who have been doing it for fun get some rewards now! This again benefits online gamers, the online gaming scene and the future of the sport - which is a great thing!

Griff: What you think will happen in the next couple of months for pro gaming?
rauper: Hmm.. that's a tough one.. The CPL is really doing well in announcing this big money tournies, which makes professional gaming more of a possibility. I don't think it will really hit for a while, but I'm sure with CPL Asia and some possible European stuff soon, it's gonna be big! 
I think gaming should be promoted more to the spectators - Proxy viewing, more demo sites + big game coverage.. I'm a bit disappointed with Quake3 in this regard. I think competitive gaming on the TV is not far away now!

Griff: Thx for the interview.
rauper: np