E- Studs in South Korean Starcraft

I am probably very alone in this, but watching someone else play a video game rates right up there with being trapped into trying to say something nice about someone’s 150 frankly homely baby photos. I’d just rather not.

Imagine my surprise to learn that this has become a top rated televised spectator sport in South Korea, where the nimble fingered e-gamers are treated like rock stars, making the ladies swoon, and holding the rapt attention of the nation. I can only pray that this fast form of stardom doesn’t reach the states where we know there are many who are in training, or at least that’s what they can tell their moms now when they pound on the door with that old favorite “go get a job!”Wearing a silver and white space suit, the current e-stud is Lee Yun-yeol, age 22. The game? Starcraft. Lest you think he’s in it for the flashy wardrobe, adoration of fans, and wide exposure alone, he makes over $200,000 a year in prizes and endorsements, having clicked his way to the top. Literally millions tune into channels devoted to live tournaments and top players enjoy the same status as our top sports stars. Yes, they watch others play games. I submit you can probably do that in any suburban home with children or teenagers in this land,many of whom hold their own Starcraft tournies, but without the rabid viewer attention of their South Korean counterparts.

South Korea is holding it’s collective breath, when it was announced that a sequel will replace the real time strategy game “Starcraft”. (Just when they were getting good after ten years). The new game isn’t much different, being called Starcraft Two. While some are optimistic, saying that the new sequel will keep the original storyline (yawn) about wars between three species in a sci-fi universe, others are reluctant to lose the edge they’ve honed low these many years, and prefer not to trade them for the new and better graphics, and changes in game playing strategies.

Lest you think this a flash in the pan, even the South Korean Air Force has a team, and big companies like Samsung and SK Telecom sponsor games and leagues.Starcraft has sold 9.5 million copies since it’s debut in 1998. Millions tune in to watch the tournaments, and are rabid fans. “Dancing With the Stars” isn’t seeming so silly to me these days. Then again, I’m always choosing the losing vocational direction, so don’t pay any attention to me. Just stay tuned to Kick, and hone your Starcraft Two skills, if you must. Rhee So-eui - Reuters 6/15/07 from “World of e-sports Braces for a Change