SearchStarcraft training: iNcontrol does coaching for cash
Posted by Sebastian "PolygonreVue" Sjöberg 6 months ago
Geoff 'iNcontrol' Robinson is a name that any visitor of this site will be aware of, and many of you will also know that he for some months already has been giving coaching lessons in Starcraft as an enterprise. Now, as a way of making ends meet as a college student as well as a gamer passionate for Starcraft, iNcontrol is re-launching his coaching services, and in the mini-interview below he tells you why it's a good deal. Read on to find out if it's worth $10 of your money:
PR: As you write in your post, you are now offering your services as a coach to aspiring Starcraft players, where you for $10 an hour give comprehensive feedback and advice in order to improve their game play. What, more exactly, does a player get for that money? Do they get to play against you in any match-up, or is the teaching limited to your expert field of Zerg?
iNcontrol: The coaching program I have set up follows the model of a personal trainer for like tennis or piano playing. I will play right alongside with you in whatever matchup it is you want to work on, be it 1 or many.
We will work on the map you want and we will even go more specific on the matchup in terms of micro, macro, timings, counters etc.. etc.. whatever it takes to make YOU the customer a better player.
These sessions are done with ventrilo for most effective communication and they are fully capable of being tailored to the needs of the specific client. I have worked with A- skilled players and I have worked with D- skilled players.
Both ends of the spectrum are capable of receiving beneficial training from me since my true worth isn't necessarily found in my specific skill with this game as a gamer (while that does help) it is more fundamentally found in my knowledge and understanding of the game but further my ability to convey said knowledge and coach to each individual.
PR: How long have you been doing this kind of coaching, and how many clients have you had so far?
iNcontrol: I have been coaching like this for 3 months now. I have had over 30 clients with many repeat sessions. I have customer reviews published so people can get a sample of the thoughts people have expressed following one of our sessions.
I always offer these reviews to my students as they allow me to improve upon my services but also they offer information for prospect students who want more knowledge of what they are getting themselves into! The customer reviews can through the link at the bottom
PR: There is a lot strategy resources online around the Starcraft community that any player can access to get help and learn how to get better at the game, but very few people with the high enough skills offer this kind of coaching. Why is that so, and is it about to change, do you think?
iNcontrol: The reason you don't see more top players coaching is because it is time extensive and for the most part, not cost effective. Spending hours to help someone with their SCBW game is nice but laborious. This is a very complicated game and it took me many years and many more hours to get to where I am.
I enjoy teaching and coaching so this is part hobby and part passion. I have no dreams of making this my professional career but while I am finishing my degree, and working another job, I have time to spare and engaging in a mutually beneficial endeavor is a fantastic exchange. I get to help the community but at the same time receive payment (albeit small!).
There are countless resources for players these days. Replays, instructional vods, daily podcasts (day9), strategy sections etc etc.. those are all fine and good and people can and HAVE benefited from the information there.
However there simply is no substitute for someone working directly with you on all that information and more importantly: showing you how it is implemented in the logic, philosophy and eventually the direct game play of SCBW. I am very confident in this and the results have spoken for themselves.
Give me 2 hours with you and you will be far better in TvP than you would have had you spent 6 hours watching vods, replays and reading strategy guides. It boils down to are you willing to spend a few bucks to expedite the process?
Additionally many people don't learn from self researched info.. some need it shown to them. And for those, I am unique and effective.
PR: You are a sponsored professional gamer and you're playing for the team Evil Geniuses, EG. Many of your customers are players that want to break away from the low- or medium skill level where they are, and become good enough to compete with the foreign elite. Some even have the dream of going pro. Starcraft is very challenging, but is it possible with the right help and determination to go fram C- to A- in less that a year, would you say?
iNcontrol: It is possible for sure. SCBW requires a talent and dedication to be amongst the best. Some have that ability. Some do not. But the determining factor isn't ability alone but who you work with. If you do not have access to training with top tier gamers but aspire to one day be a top gamer, I offer a resolution.
If you have top tier training partners but aren't benefiting, I offer a resolution. Going from C- to A- in a year is difficult but not impossible. For most I would say a year of training, including sessions with me, could improve them around that much. I am not making promises mind you since your benefit is determined entirely upon how much you implement and work on what we talk about.
PR: 2010 will likely be the year when Starcraft 2 is released, and a new chapter of progaming begins. Many are waiting for that and the fresh chance it provides, as well as the new possibilities it may bring for eSports. Few of us have played The Sequel yet, but still, if you start learning Starcraft: Brood War now, will those skills translate well into SC2 – in your judgement?
iNcontrol: I have played SC2 through the various stages of it's development and I can tell you that the SCBW skill you develop now will transfer. Especially since Blizzard is working fairly hard to make the games as similar as possible and still remain within their desire to create a new game.
There will of course be entirely new skillsets that we ALL have to learn, but going into the biggest CPU game release of the decade with a pre-set of skills that are transferable sounds mighty good to me!
If that sounds interesting to you, contact through the link below
| Links |
| Teamliquid - Original announcement |
| PolygonreVue.com - Audio interview with iNcontrol |
23
| That's good way to make some money ;) GJ And of course train some Novices for upcoming SC 2 :) |
| Yeah if u got some extra $, why not. I guess you find out really early in the practice stages if it's something that will help you, and if not, you can quit without losing to much cash. |
| If Geoff makes decent money out of this and enjoys it then good on him. Beats most shitty student-jobs out there. But personally I would never pay someone to teach me a game. |
PsychoBaBas: I would never pay someone to teach me a game. |
| Maybe 4-5 years ago someone could pay for that, but NOW, is so easy to learn the game. yoy must be a retard if you dont learn, you have VODS, reps, FPVODS, guides, ladder's, tourneys, etc etc etc anyways gl :) |
| ahgaghaghaghahgaghhgahaghgh that just ridiculous There are 901283019823 ppl who would help other ppl to improve and master the game. Why should some1 pay incontrol who even is really bad player nowadays that's just ... ROFL |
| Sounds interesting, I'd totally settle for a B level teacher though. 10 bucks an hour is almost what I make at my physical job* The point is pretty valid though, unless you iCCup like a mofo it can be difficult to find a skilled practice partner ready to help you fix your flaws. Good luck Geoff |
| srsly i would never pay anyone to teach me a game, thats just waste of money. In like 10 years you will ask yourself: "What the **** i did ?!?!? i payed someone to teach me Broodwar and now we play StarCraft 3" But on the other side there are enough guys who are just so fanatic... Anyway gl iNc- |
| #6 +10 xd |
| #8 iNcontrol: I have played SC2 through the various stages of it's development and I can tell you that the SCBW skill you develop now will transfer. Especially since Blizzard is working fairly hard to make the games as similar as possible and still remain within their desire to create a new game. That's the same if you pay for example AutoCAD 2010 course and after 10 years you will say. "What the **** i did ?!?!? i payed someone to teach me AutoCAD 2010 and now we have AutoCAD 2020"  |
| I believe this is nothing to be surprised by. What's wrong with that? If I didnt enjoy my nobity I'd happily pay for a lesson or two, but I don't play for rank only for fun. Besides, at UMS it would be rather me teaching Geoff :D And 10$ for hour is not that big price. Few hours work more per month and you can easily afford a session or two. Edit: Striker, I beg you. Nothing about AutoCAD. I currently hate it. |
| #10 How much do u earn from SC? How much does the best players earn from SC? .... How much u can earn from autocad? How much does the best engineers do earn? (and how many they are?) ... Don't u see the point. ROFL I thought it's 15th of January not 1st April lololololololol P.S. With $10 I can buy 10 beers... And i preffer to drink beer all night than wasting money on BW. In fact if I had never played BW and used this time for better things I believe I would have earned x1000 more money then i currently have in my pocket (about $20). |
| LOL no one should spend money to be coached in starcraft. LOL even if its from incontrol. I would rather have someone better coach me. |
| making money on teaching rox, i didnt go public with it yet tho ^^; a simple win win situation, think its expensive then they buy it :D best of luck to incontrol this money he gain (10$ for 1 hour) is actually really much even for the sponsored gamers (i suppose the EG gamers get payed a salary) |
| How can someone actually pay for that. omg how stupid ppl are. He doesn't even have a website for these "customer comments" |
| lol sad... ^_^ |
| Well there are people that is willing to pay for lessons, which in my opinions is pretty "rofl" But they do it, and if incontrol can get money out of it why not? |
| Nice business, Geoff as alaways been a good player and i feel like if he can earn money doing this that's a really nice point! Good luck teaching the game man! |
| If incontrol wants to make money why u don't charge him for ad on the site. And he is free to post his own blog if he wants. Let's make news: "iF.Borislav wants to teach u in SC for 7 $/h. I can speak Bulgarian, English and understand Russian and lil Spanish." I don't want to be competition to iNcontrol, I'm just the better one... Anybody else? |
| ROFl do ppl actually pay for that shit? |
| people pay for tennis lessons, why shouldn't they pay incontrol to give them a few pointers - it's their money it's their decision. maybe some people want to improve with as few games played as they possibly can because they have a busy schedule. i wouldn't pay money to get starcraft training either, mainly because i'm pretty much done playing this game but you people are being dicks. time is a valuable resource, spending too much time on sc (WHICH I'M SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE DONE!!!) is much worse than spending a little money. so think twice before you call somebody a sad loser. |
| incontrol vs mana bo3 arm wrestling match gogo, lol just compare these pics :D |
| i have neither a problem with inc offering this nor people using it, but this seems like nothing but cheap advertising, with nearly no information value at all. |
| This shouldnt be on the news This is Ad ^^ If ppl want to pay him why not? I dont see why flame but ok...Ignorance is a bless ( is like my english) #17 MANY MANY players who are better than incontrol who will help for free, I mean come on i get helped all the time by gosu A- ++ rank koreans, most people dont really mind helping others... I think im going to make a SC teaching / training / helping community to teach others for * FREE * LOOOOL this a joke because i laugh hard ^^ First if you get help by gosu A- ++ is because you friend of them Some ppl dont know "gosus" in bw For teach you need skills and good gamer wich you dont have (but i dunno if is a joke or not my english is to low to understand sometimes) If you guys talk about incontrol i would i to read what say about Combat-ex ^^ |
| Wow gosu A- ++ rank koreans get on ventrilo for an hour with you? that's fantastic!!!! |
maybe gg.net its receiving 50% of the earnings  thats why they put this advertisement  |
| Damm guys, if there are people who can and want to pay, I see no problem, is supply and demand ~ Bussines are bussines... Regards |
| LoL i would coach for like x20 less money ( or free! ) than incontroll is asking. Paying money to learn sc its not really needed... i play the game because i love playing not because i wanna get A- rank or become progamer or w/e. Kinda wierd that he teaches from D- to A- rank players when he is barely A- dunno what can he teach an A- player how to fail at muta micro?? lol! But yea if there is so much ppl to actually pay him well good for him ! |
| Poeta im sorry this is not buisness, this is starcraft, the community is here for a reason, to help others... Do you think the players who helped incontrol when he needed help asked him to pay them? ... i highly doubt it, we were all helped / taught / coached by someone at one point , b/c we were all newbs at one point , When You ( Anyone ) were a newb, did the person who was helping you ( a friend, a random person , maybe someone at this site ) ask you to pay them? I highly doubt it seeing as how 75% + of the ppl would say " LOL " and laugh it off, IMO the reason these communities exist is to help people for free, thats one of the huge beneficial factors of a community like ggnet, atleast that is my take on it, starcraft is not a buisness, its a GAME, if Incontrol was in Idras shoes, id say its a different story, but hes not. OR if he was any pro gamer, there is kor's on west in Byclan and alot of other prestegious clans that help me / my other friends for free all the time....I dont think incontrol should be given any special treatment , and thats what i feel is going on, im sorry if i offend anyone but this is my opinion. |
| GosuGamers receive nothing other than different opinions from posting this information, it is only news - and clearly of the type that stirs up all kinds of emotion. |
| #31 I just remember the hamachi time (= yoyo ~ ;; haha (= |
| OK im going to be a ballbreaker and say this (AGAIN!) it's PAID NOT PAYED!!! XD telecom has a very good point |
| i would like to point out that Westside was at one stage offering to coach for 50 games 50 USD. NOW THAT IS A DEAL !!! Incontorl i wish you the best in your endevours. |
| It isn't just an advertisement guys, it is something that has been going on and has been used by many people within the community. I have taught 40+ and the number is growing, I am booked each week for 10+ hours. THis isn't a brag but rather a "hey, don't knock it cause it is doing great." If you don't want to spend money on SCBW that is fine. MANY others do (myself included) and why not? We spend hundreds of hours on these forums, the game and talking about the game.. if we can improve our experience with this game by becoming better why is that a bad thing? Thanks to those that are supportive. In general I'd ask that the people who have something nasty to say hold off but .. that is probably a futile thing to ask lol |
| but ya westside does offer 50 games for 50 USD and hes way better then icontrol dont want to give out his skype but im sure if he post here and hes up for it hell put out the info |
If you don't want to spend money on SCBW that is fine. MANY others do (myself included) and why not? We spend hundreds of hours on these forums, the game and talking about the game.. if we can improve our experience with this game by becoming better why is that a bad thing? [spoiler] Sure everyone wants to improve our experience of the game by becoming better, and its not a bad thing, but to pay someone $10 / hr , or anything at all to learn, is not worth it or even right of you to constantly be asking tlnet / ggnet for people who want to be taught / coached... in my opinion, because despite the fact your a good player and of your few known accomplishments like at WCG , or wcg ultimate gamer or w/e, i dont think anyone should pay anyone $ to be taught unless its someone teaching who is a pro coach of a pro team from korea, or any pro , semi pro , maybe an amateur player from korea, at the least a player like westside could probably do far better imo....just because it seems clearly hes a higher level player, still regardless im against people trying to coach for $ If you don't want to spend money on SCBW that is fine. MANY others do (myself included) and why not? ... You give $$ to someone to teach you? or how do you spend $ on SC ? the way you said this makes it seem like an ongoing thing, as if you spend $ on SC alot. Just curious. im 100% totally against anyone ever paying $ to be coached unless its by an A+ / olympic player / pro coach / pro gamer / semi pro / retired pro , maybe at lowest an amateur player, people should be willing to give back to the community the way that others used to give to them when they were in the same position |
| telecom you are a pretty big troll around here so I will give you 1-2 responses before taking my own advice: No pro coach from the korean leagues is offering to coach so your ultimatum is ridiculous and completely arbitrary/wrong. A korean pro coach wouldn't do a good job cause they don't speak english. Also why do I not "have the right" to coach for money? That is some garbage you are asserting there. And who cares about westside? Sure he can do fantastic, if that is the case pay/play with him! Why does that have to stop me? Not to mention I disagree, but even if I didn't, how the hell is he relevant to me? And why is westside a higher level player? Where was he in TSL? I have paid hundreds of dollars to travel around the world for BW.. that was what I was referring to. I have paid money for SCBW expenditures and will/would happily pay more. If I was in a position to be taught by someone who could teach me I would.. the point was it isn't as ludicrous as you seem to think it is. But basically you are just trolling with stupid claims like "westside is superior" and "korean coaches would be better" .. even if those things are true (they aren't) they don't belong here so either discuss this with me or don't but trolling will get ignored after this post. |
| Geez, I can't even understand why this "telecom" guy is crying so much. I remember that in high school people would actually pay me to tutor them in counter strike, it was all informal, no hourly rates but the point is that I don't think I am the only one who has ever get payed for teaching something they're good at, and if there's demand then what's wrong with doing it? $10 an hour isn't even that much because it's not like he can make it a secure stream of income. I can actually see myself getting tutored by a pro in SC2  |
| #42 Maybe if you were someone, but since not even your mom gives a fuck about your existence I don't think so. |
| We made a thread in the strat forum years ago, where people could look for teachers and students. Guess what was lacking, good teachers. And lots of people wanting to be taught. It's not like you can just go out and find a vastly superiour player to teach you regularly and seriously for free easily. If you can, grats for you! Take the chance! I'm sure there are lots of better teachers than Inc. The thing is, I don't think 99% of the people here have access to them, and definetly not for free. As to for the money. I could basicly any day I wanted find a job (but I don't since I'm studying) that pays twice of what Inc is charging. Even in the current financial climate. I'm sure Inc could do the same. So he's hardly earning big bucks on this and it's hardly much money to pay, it's probably the least possible amount to actually make something of a difference in a normal person's bank account. Especially since this time could have gone to practice time instead. As for Inc being a good player or not. He is good. If you've played him in a serious tournament you would know this. I'm a decent player, I'm like B- when I'm in shape. I was in shape when I played Inc in Zotac. After that game I didn't play BW for two weeks. That's how badly I got raped. That's the difference between a top foreigner and a decent ICCup player. He is definetly qualified to teach at least 95% of this community. Had I been interested in improving in BW today, I would probably have signed up. I'm not anymore though. So it would clearly be a waste of money for me. Doesn't make it a waste of money for people that want to improve. The "looking back at your life" argument doesn't really work, unless you live in a developing country and earn $10 a month. Yeah, that would be a bad way to spend that money. Most of the people here don't, and I assume none of Inc's current students do. I'm gonna go as far as to assume the $10/h Inc's charging is not making them even the slightest in debt. Perhaps they have to cook their friday lunch themselves instead of eating out. That's how much they are sacrificing. "i dont think anyone should pay anyone $ to be taught" I find this part of telecom's post funny. You are making up rules for others what they should do with their money? Clearly you have a right to do that. |
| trolling? im pretty sure im just stating my opinion, which there is nothing wrong with, i mentioned westside due to the fact all these ppl commenting about him in this thread, i dont know about his teaching lessons, how can you say no pro korean coach wouldn't do good b/c they dont speak english? what if you can speak enough korean to understand, or there is a translator to help? For instance I have spoken with protoss coach of SKTelecomT1 (Kwan Oh Hyuk) , Bisu's Coach, and he very willingly gave me advice, replays, tips and alot of help for free, What if there is plenty of players who are korean that are willing to help for free? Because there is.I very easily recieve help from all kinds of kor's on west that are im sure , no offense, higher rank than you on iccup and a better player, which is irrellevent considering im not trying to talk badly about your skill, its the fact that there is so many recources in this game that I think this is why such a small amount of people are willing to pay for it. It would seem 50 games for 50$ seems like a better deal and thats why i was commenting on what other people are saying in this thread about westside's deal, im not saying hes better than you though, i mean have you ever played him? i'd like to know the results of you and westside's games out of curiousity, but the fact you say im trolling is kind of ridiculous, I think theres plenty of people here who would agree with me , just dont have the balls to say how the feel completely edit : i didnt mean inc doesnt have the right to coach / teach for $, i meant i didnt understand bassically how his advertisement makes ggnet front page news and im sure there are tons of other ppl willing to coach for $ but they dont advertise on ggnet / tlnet ALL THE TIME (which i guess is nothin wrong w/ ) but i see these things all the time, but only by inc, thats why i was trying to understand why hes like the only guy doing this, not trying to offend anyone im clearly stating my opinion / valid info lol, sry if ppl get mad =0 |
| why would someone pay incontrol who has a style outdated ? but anyway, it`s not my money.. ps.. this really looks like an advert, indeed |
| this is so stupid .... plz Tell me how can incontrol can teach to micro? or having discipline on macro? the only thing he can teach is Bo's and seriously if one cant learn by him self( guides, reps, vods) he should play legos instead. I got from e/d- to d+/c- in a few months without almost any help. Somtimes i feel like ppl want te become A+ players without any effort. telecom i totally agree. |
| Telecom, drop it. If I see one more of your posts in this thread after my post, you will be warned and locked. If you speak Korean, you are probably the lucky 1% here that does. Enjoy the privelege. Not everyone has it. I got from e/d- to d+/c- in a few months Great for you. You do realise the big roadblocks are ahead of you right? Reaching d+/c- is not an achievement that gives you any ethos. |
| Still... ther are allways clans, in-game friends etc etc and its all for free :) |
| And working yourself up to a decent clan with players of Inc's caliber would take literally years, if you ever get there. |
Post comment
You are not a logged in, or you are not registered. Create an account or login to be able to post a comment.
Advertisement
Latest news
Jul 29
VIDEO: Parody trailer for Sunday Night StarCraft
(47)
Jul 29
Blizzard are 'up-to-speed on the console platforms'
(18)
Jul 28
StarCraft editors wanted
(11)
Jul 22
Templars of Twilight comes to an end
(85)
Jul 15
The OSL Group Ceremony deleyed because of SKT T1
(14)
Jul 15
It's time to get psyched up
(21)
Jul 15
iNfeRnaL dominates on WCG Germany
(50)
Jul 15
Mouz The Movie - coming soon
(29)
Jul 12
ESWC community contest over, winner inside
(15)
Jul 9
Battle.net forums are not to feature Real ID
(29)
Most read last month
1.
VIDEO: Close-up on Moon, NaDa in Razer's Hax Life
(41)
2.
Jaedong vs Bisu: The Game Was Out of Control
(33)
3.
Notice anything different on the site?
(35)
4.
Unlocked Content: Special Starcraft Video
(28)
5.
Real ID heads to Battle.net Forums
(63)
6.
It's time to get psyched up
(21)
7.
Battle.net forums are not to feature Real ID
(29)
8.
CONTEST: Guess ESWC winner, win signed Razer Orochi
(11)
9.
Templars of Twilight comes to an end
(85)
10.
ESWC community contest over, winner inside
(15)