If it was the player's sense of humour or insolent arrogance - I couldn't tell - doesn't matter too much. Having seen all the WoW players walk onto the stage, the distinct paleness of some of them, their hands hidden in their pockets and how out of place they looked, being entertained by the Koreans like that was the last thing I expected.
"What kind of a person goes to their first ever international event and says something like that after winning it in front of six thousand people?"
What kind of a person goes to their first ever international event and says something like that after winning it in front of six thousand people? Only one that would know what to do and how to act without having been in a situation like that before. Someone that has seen it before live or on television and knows in the spotlight rightfully thinks "I am those people's entertainment right now."That to me proves the power of Korean esports more than the results of the WWI. They sent "rookies" to perhaps the biggest WoW event in history and they were unafraid to be stars outright. After getting to know players like June "Lyn" Park or Jang "Moon" JaeHo I have realised that almost each of them is stardom-ready and that I was mistaking extreme politeness for timidity.
If you look at the results, they tell the same story. Koreans took all the spots on the podium in StarCraft, they got first and second in Warcraft 3 and Council of Mages, the team that won the WoW invitational, said that they were not even the best team in Korea.
"Another interesting observation to be made in Paris was that the Warcraft 3 final was the only one that was not played on the major stage but on one of the smaller stages."
The WoW final moment also signifies another thing that we will have to deal with. In some time, the WoW players will be ready to be international esports stars and they, along with their game, will take their chunk of the attention that esports will be getting.The WoW competition was a very popular part of the WWI schedule and, interetingly, it gathered a much more diverse crowd than the other two games. WoW simply attracts more casual people of all ages and walks of life. Would this be the vessel to bring esports to the mainstream?
Another interesting observation to be made in Paris was that the Warcraft 3 final was the only one that was not played on the major stage but on one of the smaller stages. While it is obvious that WoW just had to be there, StarCraft being picked over Warcraft 3 by Blizzard (!) seems to indicate which directions to look in for the future.
If I interpreted it correctly, then Koreans will own White Dudes for a very long time. At least at Blizzard's games.
Anyhow, Blizz picking SC over WC3 makes a lot of sense from a promotional standpoint, given SC2 is coming...
Koreans winning SC was as espectet but at least it was a bit close in WC3. WoW doesn't matter, its no esports to me :X
In SC2 it will be most likely Korea again. They got their large fanbase and pros that seem to be just living for that one game so they will play it day and night while european players try to have a real life.
^^
Sasha Tsapaev is the rocks!
+1 for the article btw, really truthful
Apart from that, there are no physics involved exept pc hardware.
Why not simply answer the question, Carmac?
The physics just tell me that korean gamers have less life.
Chess...
But in general, sport requires physical activity.
But again, answer the question or admit that you can't.
You wouldn't do that if there wasn't skill involved.
if you say chess is a sport, you can't say that playing a computer game is not as both require one major skill above all the others: intelligence.
I know you like asslicking WoW but destroying Chess' good name in the process goes too far.
But to give you another chance: Name another sport that is performed just mentally! Chinese Checkers? Intense!
would you like to tell me what games do you play actively? or why wc3 or sc can be esports and wow can't as all are pretty much the same, move your mouse and use your keyboard.
Now quit trying to make up your personal definitions of what a sport is or should be to degrade any other game out there. People play WoW competitively and there are companies out there willing to support it. It does not matter if you like the game or not. Accept it and stop being a child.
Did you know pigeon racing is an officially sanctioned sport in the UK?
but good to see you compare WoW to those nice games from 4 generations ago. I'm pretty sure this means WoW is "the future".
"as all are pretty much the same, move your mouse and use your keyboard."
is there an apm program for WoW? I'm curious.
And next to that what physical skill do you need for WC3, SC, CS or CoD4? All those games find their skill in your ability to observe and act on what you observe and process in your mind, and the actions you then take are greatly controlled by your hand eye coordination, so my question to you, what skill do you need for esport other then beeing able to move a mouse, click a button and hit some keys on your keyboard?
Seriously, the amount of teamwork and timing involved is unreal.
WWI certainly opened my eyes.
thats why we should play diablo3
Just for reference, I don't play StarCraft either, though I did download it and mess around a bit after 6 months of following Korean SC made me curious.
note: There's no 'Korea'.
note II: I'd rather be Grubby, finishing third and having a relaxed lifestyle and beautiful girlfriend.
Also, it is not about relaxing lifestyles and beautiful girlfriends, it's about competition, winning and being the best.
I never thought Korea would win in WoW
and WC3.. uhm yeah asia won this tournament but far from all.
SC2 on the other hand will show which nolife gamers are the best, Asians nolifers or Europeans nolifers.
Hai blizz