FAQ
Explore our FAQ section. We will update this area as we see questions repeated from our Tribe members.
About G&P
What is G&P's goal?
G&P wants to bring more voices to the table and marginalized minorities into leadership roles in games. We take care of our tribe, no one is a black sheep in our community.
80% (or more) of our employment and content on G&P platforms will be focused on minority voices. As defined, our minority voices include: Disability, Gender and Sexuality, Veteran/Military, Older Adult, BIPOC, and Religious.
How does G&P plan
meet its goals?
First, we will listen. Others have made tools for the games industry and didn't listen to what users were saying. Secondly, with the information given, we will transparently pivot how we approach specific events, topics, and grant systems. We have in place a 2-year business plan and as we build out a board for the nonprofit, we expect to expand that to a 5-year plan and goal.
For hiring and grantee recipients, we will be tracking who applies, where we advertise the listing and ensuring with ID verifications that they are a primary candidates.
Grantee recipients will be judged anonymously once they are screened and identifying information is removed. Job candidates will go through a detailed DEI hiring process, including an anonymous review by a hiring board separate from the interviewer.
We are trying to reserve no more than 20% of our funds for other talented individuals who may not fit in our minority category but would be hirable due to qualifications.
What makes G&P different?
G&P focus is wide reaching so we have built strong partnerships with existing members in the various game communities so that everyone's bucket is filled. We can focus on our minority voices and push our cooperative overhead, while our partners can do what they do best: marketplaces, tournaments, career workshops, mentorships, etc.
We're also different because we are cross-sectional with our focus, our grants, and our employment. There is no other platform like ours, literally.
How is G&P tracking
their goals?
Every time we engage with someone, whether it is a hired staff member, a freelancer, a grant recipient, or a member of our inner community, we are keeping aggregated statistics. We review those statistics to ensure we keep 80% or more of our roles held by marginalized members. We plan to follow up long term with our professional members to see how G&P have impacted their professional development to check that we are making a positive impact in their careers.
Why was G&P founded?
The games industiry lacks real infrastructure that branches different game titles, communities, and different parts of the ecosystem together. G&P was founded with our goal mission with an additional focus building real infrastructure. Not sites that are monetized by VC firms, sites that don't listen to the communities they're supporting, but a true cooperative experience that will boost multiple stakeholders in our communities.
Who founded G&P?
After working in various community organizations, nonprofits and start-ups, Belverly Cutchins wanted to fix the painpoints she saw clients experiencing. She brought on trusted colleagues that shared similar backgrounds and collectively, we grew G&P together.
Where does the name
GOATs & PROs come from?
GOATs & PROs is the name of Belverly's first esports organization. It was born out of necessity and was quickly merged into Apollo Esports. The name itself is a reference from Step Brother (2008). If you see the connection, you are now my best friend.
What does the name G&P mean?
In the Footer of every page, we explain what being a GOATs & PROs means: here it is again.
To be the Greatest Of All Time, you need to know the industry, in and out. To be a Professional, you need a clear head on your shoulders. Join our tribe of GOATs and PROs to learn the ropes and to finally have a seat at the table.
GOAT also comes from the games industry and is a common acronmy generally used in a positive way.
Why is community called a Tribe?
Fun fact, you can call a group of GOATs a "Herd" or a "Tribe." Personally, we think Tribe reflects more positive associations with communities vs herd. All of our community members who want to increase minority voices in esports, improve mental resiliency, and make esports a positive career can join our Tribe!
The Three R's
What are the Three R's?
G&P's approach to breaking down barriers in gaming is our Three R system. As literary nerds, we couldn't help but pick a great alliteration to help not only us, but our Tribe (our community) of GOATs and PROs remember. Resourcefulness, to build cooperative infrastructure, Resiliency, to build mental wellness and strength, and Reflective, to bring more varied voices and free professional development. As we grow our Three R's, we plan to build a more complete image of what the online gaming communities and industry have to offer. Check out the Three 3's in depth below and on our page for the Three R's.
What is Resourceful?
Resourcefulness is a shortcut to finding great organizations, tournaments, colleges, and professional communities within gaming. There's a ton out there, but very few people are exposed to them because we lack the proper infrastructure to share things in gaming. You have to know someone who knows someone typically to get specific information or event and see a community exists! We don't plan to only be a passive social media sharing site, our Tribe members will be able to suggest communities, and rate them properly. G&P will additionally be planning cooperative partnerships with other organizations to bring our entire community up. Read more about Resourceful.
What is Resilience?
Resiliency is the mental health component and peer oversight lacking in gaming and esports. We are making better strides as a community, but there are many holes to fill. In Resiliency, we will share free mental health programs, peer programs, apps, and other resources you can utilize. We plan to partner with existing mental health focused nonprofits through our grants and events to bring awareness and reduce stigma. Read more about Resilience and our resources.
What is Reflective?
Reflective is a moment captured by our Expert writers. They will be sharing their professional experience, their emotional journies, and their career insights for others to learn from. Many educational resources for gaming are behind paywalls, logins, or are only focused on beginner OR expert content-- on trend, G&P is trying to support the entire community and we know that our articles can achieve that. Anyone can join us as an Expert writer. Read more about our contract positions and our existing team.
The Grant System
What are G&P Grants?
G&P Grants are just one way that we want to inject good into the community. Grants can be used to cover a variety of costs associated with both Esports and game career development. In the case of equipment, Only individuals over the age of 18 may enter for grants. If a minor wishes to apply for our grants, an adult must do the application on their behalf.
How are G&P Grants distributed?
G&P will be purchasing the equipment directly in lieu of giving the funds to the recipient. As G&P grows, we will be able to order such equipment in bulk and help more professionals at a time and our partners will also be able to donate goods for specific grant cycles.
Scholarships and other educational programs will be paid directly to the institution.
For grants covering travel, events, and other similar costs, the grant money will be paid directly to the recipient winner.
When will Grants reopen?
Our next cycle for grants is planned to open Fall of 2023. We plan to have two major grant cycles a year, in the Fall and in the Spring. As we grow, we hope to increase that number.
Who are the people who keep the lights on?
Who all works for G&P?
We currently have 6 Expert writers, our founding team (4 members--volunteers), and a few future positions that we're holding (like Ui/UX, Deaf Content Creator, Board Members). You can meet all of us at Meet the Team.
How can I see what job openings are available?
We do not have many staff positions open currently, but we do have a couple contract positions available. Check out the information at the bottom of Meet the Team for all of our open positions.
I'm interested in writing or creating content for G&P.
Please contact us through our contact page! We'd love to chat about what specifically you bring to the table. If both you and I are happy, we'll discuss the terms (how often you'll need to submit your work, your rates, etc) and get you onboarded! We are currently looking for a deaf creator who is knowledgeable in Esports and is willing to be an on-screen talent! Check out the information at the bottom of Meet the Team for all of our open positions.
What rates/pay should I expect?
We encourage our Experts, staff, and other contracted professionals to negotiate their rates of employment. You can see all of our current rates on our team page. On average, our writers are getting $50 USD an article.
The Future - Things planned for Winter '23+
What is the Boutique?
The Boutique is a store marketplace planned to be launched in late winter, to early spring of 2024. The boutique will showcase creators, musicians, and artists who fit our Tribe perfectly. Anyone can purchase from the boutique and 10% of the base price (the price before taxes, shipping, and all of that fun stuff) is donated to G&P. Buyers can additionally add a tip that can go to the seller, to G&P, or to both.
Seller booths will be invitational only during alpha and beta versions of the Boutique.
What fees will be on the Boutique?
GOATS & PROs will only be charging these standard fees:
-10% of the base price (what the seller wants to list for). This is used to upkeep the boutique and to fund our grant system.
-merchant fees are added at checkout for the buyer
-shipping fees are added at checkout for the buyer if shipping is not marked free.
- sales tax, duty tax, etc, as required by regulatory laws are added at checkout for the buyer.
There will be no fees to post, edit or remove items, only on sold items. As the boutique scales, we may need to address fee structures in the future.
When is the Boutique opening?
Early Alpha is planned to be released in late winter. Depending on testing and feedback, we plan to move into closed beta by spring.
How do I apply to be a seller?
There will be an application process similar to our hiring process. We first ensure that you meet our Tribe's focus, and we will proceed anonymously once your ID has been screened. G&P will only act as a merchant, not a wholesaler.
How can I sign up for G&P tournaments?
Tournament information will be listed on their tournament pages, including when the tournament is, who can participate, any prize pools to expect, how to register, the ruleset, and contact information.
How can I raise funds for G&P?
Thanks for thinking of us! While G&P operates as a non-profit, we are still in the process of officially finalizing our paperwork in the US. In the meantime, please choose one of the trustworthy nonprofits we have listed in resources, mental resiliency, or reflections on our site. You can raise money for them through Tilify and Streamlabs Charity for free and not have to worry about handling money. We'll definitely keep you updated when we complete our paperwork!
Besides this website, where else can I network with Tribe members?
The G&P has our own Discord and other social channels where you can connect with your Tribe. For even more cool people, be sure to take full advantage of our Three Rs to find fun communities or career-boosting networks.