I Guess We Won't Be Playing Like S1mple Anymore

Summary

The video script discusses the short-lived 'Play Like Simple' Counter-Strike educational project, launched by renowned player Simple and ESL FACEIT Group. It promised 60 interactive sessions for $100/year but quickly collapsed, issuing refunds amidst speculations of conflicts of interest and community backlash. The partnership's lack of transparency and potential violation of Valve's rules on entanglement are highlighted, questioning the project's intent and execution.

Takeaways

• 📢 In May, a revolutionary opportunity was announced where fans could learn to play Counter-Strike like the renowned player 'simple'.
• 💡 The course 'Play Like Simple' was marketed as an educational video series with more than 60 interactive sessions focusing on in-game skills and career growth.
• 💸 The course was initially priced at $100 per year, but later, participants were reportedly issued refunds.
• 🤔 There were concerns about the partnership between 'simple' and the ESL FACEIT Group, which raised questions about conflicts of interest.
• 🚫 Richard Lewis, a journalist, was allegedly blacklisted by ESL and FACEIT for his inquiries into the partnership and its implications.
• 📉 The course appears to have collapsed quickly, with mass refunds being issued just 11 days after its launch, suggesting operational or strategic issues.
• 📊 The project was promoted as a comprehensive educational program in partnership with FACEIT, offering premium features and exclusive content.
• 💬 There were speculations that the course might have failed due to community backlash against 'simple' and the perceived lack of value in the course content.
• 🤝 The partnership with ESL FACEIT Group was highlighted as a key feature of the course, promising insights into professional gaming and industry opportunities.
• 📈 The initial response to the course was strong, with claims of 10,000 sign-ups in 48 hours, but this was followed by a rapid downturn.
• 🕊️ Despite the course's collapse, there has been no official statement from 'simple', ESL FACEIT Group, or Allstars Promotions regarding the reasons or the future.

Q & A

What was the 'revolutionary opportunity' announced in May related to Counter Strike?

The 'revolutionary opportunity' referred to the launch of a project called 'Play Like Simple,' which aimed to teach players how to improve their Counter Strike skills in real time by learning from the renowned player Simple.

What were the concerns raised about the 'Play Like Simple' project?

Concerns included the sustainability of such educational platforms, the diminishing returns on pre-recorded content, the potential for content to be screen recorded and shared without permission, and the challenge of maintaining engagement over time.

Why did the 'Play Like Simple' project receive criticism for its partnership with ESL and FACEIT?

Criticism stemmed from the perceived conflict of interest due to Simple's business relationship with a tournament operator and a pugging system that offers money to pros, which could potentially influence his participation and the integrity of the tournaments.

What was the initial promise of the 'Play Like Simple' course in terms of content and pricing?

The course promised a series of videos with more than 60 interactive sessions focused on in-game skills, strategies, and career growth outside the game, offered at an introductory price of $97 per year.

What happened to the 'Play Like Simple' project according to the Reddit post mentioned in the script?

According to a Reddit post, the 'Play Like Simple' project was reportedly closing down, with refunds being issued to those who had purchased the course.

What was the reaction of the community to the closure of the 'Play Like Simple' project?

The community reaction was mixed, with some speculating on the reasons for the closure, such as potential conflicts of interest or dissatisfaction with the content provided, while others reported receiving refunds.

What was the role of Allstars Promotion in the 'Play Like Simple' project?

Allstars Promotion was involved in marketing the course, but there were issues with payment to content creators who had made promotional TikToks for the course.

What were the expectations from the partnership between Simple and the ESL FACEIT Group as described in the press release?

The partnership aimed to bring a comprehensive educational program to the global gaming audience, with exclusive access to FACEIT's premium features and exclusive on-platform content, as well as insights into the professional gaming world.

What were the criticisms regarding the authenticity of the quotes attributed to Simple in the press release?

The criticisms pointed out that the quotes seemed inauthentic and not representative of Simple's actual voice, suggesting that they might have been fabricated for the press release.

What speculations were made about the potential reasons for the 'Play Like Simple' project's failure?

Speculations included issues with the partnership creating conflicts of interest, dissatisfaction from the community due to the content quality, and potential pressure from Valve regarding entanglement rules for tournament participation.

What was the final outcome for those who had paid for the 'Play Like Simple' course?

The final outcome was that refunds were issued to those who had paid for the course, indicating that the project had indeed shut down.