Since time immemorial, education has been perceived as a basic need. But for Daniel Douglas Chok, an avid eSports fan, it is not like that always. He just quit studying at one of Hong Kong's prestigious secondary schools - Wah Yan College, that is.
According to the South China Morning Post, the 21-year-old decided to quit the institution two years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a pro gamer. Chok started playing at the age of nine. A couple of years after, he became one of the best shooting game players in the metro.
From 2007 to 2009, Chok was able to bag the first place in the United States in an online game called "Gunz: The Duel." Now, he is reportedly earning HK$660 (US$84) per hour just by broadcasting his game-playing.
But like any other kids his age, his parents never approved of his dream. Well, at least, in the beginning. Chok said that when his father, Joseph Chok, knew about it, he instantly became furious. For his old man, academics must always take precedence, not video games. He even remembered one scenario where his father yelled at him: "You are not my son! You will be a beggar!"
Chok iterated that while it has been his dream to become a pro gamer, his ultimate goal is to bring pride to his family. He even compared his vision to his grandmother and uncle, namely, Elvie Chok and Philip Chok, respectively. It turns out that both of them manage to win the world championships in lawn bowling. After being able to fully understand his son's passion, the elder Chok reconciled with Daniel and offered the latter his full support.
There is no wonder why many kids nowadays want to pursue a pro gamer career. The eSports industry is so massive that players are paid luxuriously. Take DotA 2 for example. It recently bested its own eSports record with an increased prize pool of $24 million, Tampa Bay Times reports.
"I really want to represent Hong Kong," the younger Chok exclaimed. "I want to let the world know Hong Kong also has top players in eSports."
