Korea: Nation of Gamers | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Korea: Nation of Gamers

3 of 4 Semi-Final teams in the League of Legends World Championship

10
Korea: Nation of Gamers
LoL Esports

I have previously touched on how esports aren't just a game, but are treated in much the same way that traditional, physical sports by their respective players and fans.

When you look at traditional sports, there usually isn't a team or country that is dominant enough at any one sport to be the "undisputed" best players of their sport. The idea that anyone country could be the dominating force in multiple sports is unheard of. Unless you count the US as being the best at those sports we have created, like Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Even then, looking at the 2016 Olympics, you can tell that the US can't keep its top spots in multiple sports at once.

In esports, the story is quite different. When you look at "classic" esports, like Starcraft and its squeal, Starcraft 2, you will begin to see hints of who the best gaming nation is. Starcraft and Starcraft 2 are typically played as 1v1 games where each player picks 1 of 3 different "species" and acts as a general, spawning and positioning units, in order to destroy the enemy base. Tournaments are often 2 teams of 5 to 8 players who will fight 1 at a time. The loser of a head to head match will be taken out of the line up, the winner will continue to verse the losing team's next player.

Competitive tournaments, even World Championship events, have been called Korea vs. The World. A team of players from Korea would face off against a team of players hailing from across the globe, the US, Spain, Russia, China, etc. Most of these events of this caliber were won by the Koreans. In the few cases where the best Korean players did not quickly dismantle their opponents, and a the tournament was drawn to the match between each team's final players, as in the 2011 Championship, the Koreans would still come out on top and be that year's champions.

Moving to the current most popular online video game in the world, League of Legends, and its on-going World Championship Tournament. It is clear that, regardless of the tournament's outcome, Korea is still the most dominant force in competitive gaming.

3 out of 4 Quarter-Final matches have been completed. Out of the 16 teams that get to travel to the World Championship tournament, any of the regions can send at most 3 teams, and Korea's 3 teams are the first 3 teams to be locked in to the Semi-Final matches.

This League of Legends dominance isn't something which is only visible in this World Championship. One of the Korean competitors, SK Telecom T1, is home of perhaps the best LoL player in world Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok and 2 of the previous 5 World Championship Titles. The region as a whole has produced some star talent in the game. Like in traditional sports, teams can attempt to trade or purchase players from other organizations. Korea's top players have been purchased by the 3 other main regions, US, EU, and LPL (China), as well as "wildcard" regions like South America and OCE.

It is easy to see why Korean teams are considered the favorites to win worlds and now the top 3 Korean teams are all ready to face off next weekend.

Today we will see whether a European team or a Brazilian team will be joining the South Korean teams that were locked in as of Saturday night in the battle to break out of the Semi-Finals and do battle in the Finals for the "Summoner's Cup" and the 2016 World Championship title.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190390
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15003
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457934
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26679
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments