Blog 9: The Justice

Sport: eSports (Starcraft: Brood War)
Location: South Korea
Matchup:
Link:

Starcraft: Brood War Part II: Dream on,an analysis on the cultural impact of Brood War on the world. (Modern Examples)

Part 2 will dicuss the impact Starcraft has had on Korean culture and its people.


Starcraft Documentary

An excellent, short 2007 documentary done by CBC about the nature of Starcraft in South Korea.

The video follows KTF Magic'N's (now KT Rolster) and their (former) ace Kang Min (Nal_Ra)

Its clear how deeply ingrained Starcraft has become in South Korean culture. Back in its golden age (the mid 2000's) they were akin to movie stars. SlayerS'Boxer (Lim Yo-Hwan) the most famous progamer was at one point, one of the most popular people in South Korea (moreso than celebrities).

With the fastest internet in the world, and PC cafe's on every corner, the infrastructure of S.Korea was perfect for Brood War, and its exploded. Academies, schools, courses are offered, and clans and amateur leagues flourish in this digital country.

Korean Air OSL Commercial

(turn on CC)

Exagerated? yes, but not as far from the truth as you may think. The most recent example being "Baby" a player who debuted at 13 years of age, and was inspired by watching his heroes play Starcraft as a kid (well, he still is)

Did anyone expect Starcraft to do this well? not at all, back in 1995 (The original Starcraft) when the game launched it was a stroke of luck that caused this global phenomenom that is the envy of eSports everywhere. Blizzard, attempting to emulate Starcraft's success in Korea, based their recent hit, Starcraft 2 of the original 1998 game. (The expansion, known as Brood War, the game hereafter)

Starcraft is unique in the way it has become a part of mainstream culure. Other games like Counter-Strike and World of Warcraft, have large followings but not quite the same success as Starcraft has had. Every eSport game dreams of establishing a similar structure in their own respective countries. Can it be done? The Starcraft phenomenom is truly unique, and to emulate this in another country would be very difficult, particularly with "The West's" perception of video games and culture. The people who work to change these views are optimistic, and dream of being able to accept video games as not just a hobby, but a true "sport"

While eSports is very much a work in progress, Starcraft has proven that video games, and the geeky teenagers that play them, can be something more than just a hobby.