CPL Prepares for Pro Gamer Drug Testing in 2007

The Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) has begun preparations for testing gamers for drugs at its pro tournaments. CPL founder and president Angel Munoz talks with TwitchGuru about the growing concern over potentially performance-enhancing drugs in gaming, and what his organization is doing about it.

If they were serious about this they would test all semifinalists automatically.

I can understand the logistical and financial nightmare that testing ALL participants would be, but all semifinalists, or even all finalists, would greatly reduce the overhead and make it much more feasible.

All they are saying is that they will have the right to test their participants now whereas previously they did not, but that they do not plan to enact this right unless there are specific allegations.

This is honestly a weak stance.

That is all well and good, but as you pointed out, there ARE cheaters. Trusting people to do the right thing in a competitive atmosphere will always result in cheaters.

When there is money on the line, even more so.

By testing at the semifinalist or finalist level, you are effectively making any benefit to cheating null and void, because the prize will be denied to you as well as any prestige of getting close if you cheated in the earlier rounds.

infornography42 and samir_nayanajaad, I see both your points on the matter. But remember, this is uncharted territory for pro gaming and anything the CPL or any other organization does (or doesn't do) regarding drugs is bound to upset some people.

The simple fact of the matter is that people cheat in every sport, and if there's that much money to be won playing games and people can get an edge on the competition by using drugs, then a significant portion of people will do it. Samir, you point out tha gamers need a "sportsman's attitude" about the purity of competition, but that competition (and attitude) is exactly what will lead gamers to use performance enhancing substances. It isn't about gamers having a natural tendency to use drugs or cheat (which I don't believe the majority do); it's about people's desire to win at any cost.

And Info, keep in mind that the CPL is taking the initiative here. Sure, you'll probably need random testing to really keep eSports clean, but remember that at this point, we're not sure about all the drugs that need to be tested. Plus, we don't know definitively what drugs actually enhance people's skills. There are no studies, to my knowledge, about the effects of Ritilan or amphetamines. All we have is anectdotal evidence. So the CPL and other groups need to get together and figure out what substances contribute to gaming performances and what drugs, both illegal and prescription drugs, should be banned at competitions. That's going to take time. At least requiring all players to submit to testing is a step in the right direction.

It is a step, but it is a weak step. They should start with major prize winners and testing for only illegal substances. If they find taint then they should consider random testing.

Anything short of that is basically relying on stool pigeons and tattletales. People will use the accusation system as a way of getting back at those that beat them, fairly or not. Honest players who suspect drug use by their competitors will often remain quiet while immature squeeky wheels will result in a lot of finger pointing without any reason. The results would be less than reliable.

To be honest, I don't care too much as I am not and will likely never be "Pro" material. I'm just not that good. My honest opinion however is that this wishy washy half step will likely cause more problems than it solves and a solid stance would be much more effective at this point.

Hmmm. Can you drink at these things? I always play better with a couple or 3 brewskies in me.