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...I guess it would be interesting to see some pro-guys playing a game which I have tried to master, and figuring out how they think.
You can always download the replays of the latest cybergames for starcraft (others too), it would be interesting to have this commented out by somebody else, but hey, its better than nothing.

Knock yourself out: WCG Starcraft tournament2003 WCG Starcraft finals

The Counter-Strike finals at the CPL Europe a couple of weeks ago saw 10,000 people spectating over the internet using HLTV, I was among them. Likewise the final matches of all the major tournaments (WCG, CPL, CXG) see similar numbers of online spectators. In fact ALL of these tournaments have trouble keeping up with the demand for HLTV slots for spectating. I'm sure soon we'll be seeing numbers going on 15,000 to 20,000. And as others have pointed out, places like South Korea have 3+ TV stations dedicated to video games and spectating. Whether or not e-sports will ever get to the level of NBA, NHL, NFL remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure it's growing fast.

That's a great misconception. Quantity does not always equal quality. They are competitive, but overall, no better than Europeans or gamers from other Asian countries. WCG has them at #3 in the final medal tally.

As for the topic at hand, good for S.Koreans. It's nice to see a nation thinking forward and wiring it's population with a forward thinking attitude. The government has its finger on technology's pulse. Unlike in US, where we still have anti-competitive carriers/ISPs monopolizing regions and not getting reprimanded for it. We, as Americans, are behind the progress curve, in terms of broadband connectivity. There is a huge chunk of population still using 56k modems. I mean, Christ. Broadband should be a cheap commodity and a requirement in every house.

While Asia, Europe and other continents are focusing on the future and doing something about it, our politicians are dicking around with special interests and not thinking of the implications 10 years down the line.

South Korea: Lets build a grid and give every citizen access to broadband.
United States: Let companies decide instead of the consumers. Profit comes first.
South Korea: Technology is the future. Internet access is a basic human right.
United States: Intellectual Property is being violated, lets greenlight tyrants like **AA to set the agenda. MP3 Downloading has to stop.
South Korea: Open Source in Government? Lets keep our options open.
United States: Let Microsoft get away with everything, as long as they contribute to political campaigns.

As you can see, we'll be still arguing about having pioneered the Internet and other technologies in irrelevancy, while other nations surpass ours and make the rules.

Counterstrike - AGREED. This is the #1 tournament game in the world. But why no team competition? CS requires teamwork more than almost any other game.

Counterstrike - AGREED. This is the #1 tournament game in the world. But why no team competition? CS requires teamwork more than almost any other game.

Nevermind. Found them here. I should RTFS more carefully.

It amazes me that there is so much difference between USA and some other countries...

Back in Russia and Korea (slashdot reported this wired article a while ago, look for baang word) they are so popular.
In fact, I used to work in one in Moscow. They are called gaming clubs back there. Huge market.

The funny thing is the economy... I mean one hour costs from 0.5 to 1.5 US$ back there and there are always people there (some regulars too), even if they have computer at home. Most of the market is covered by small clubs though, 20 or so computers with average hardware (for a gaming machine) and internet access.

Back here in USA all you have is internet cafes, and you really can't find one... people do LAN parties, but that's it.

I am not sure if that is the reason for World Computer Games results (if you even know what that is)

I thought that the biggest LAN party in europe is Shrimpwars?(anyone know more?)

And that the biggest championship is World Cybergames I mean look at the prizes!

Total Players : 63

Participating Countries : 33
Purse :
Gold US$ 20,000
Silver US$ 10,000
Bronze US$ 5,000

Though the webcam view was cool :)

The team leave for Korea on Thursday with Miss World Cyber Games Australia, Anna George, and Dimitri's mother as chaperone.

I almost feel sorry for her. :|

The team leave for Korea on Thursday with Miss World Cyber Games Australia, Anna George, and Dimitri's mother as chaperone.

I almost feel sorry for her. :|

I was wandering around the site when I found the qualifying finalists list. Digging up the Half-Life USA team, I can't find a single person born before 1980. I guess we old-timers ( "gen-X" ) don't have a chance.

. . .isn't that there is a World Cyber Games.

It's the purses that go to the winners. $20,000 for FIFA 2001, $40,000 for Quake III and Counterstrike!!!

And did you take a look at the sponsors? This is no America/Canada/UK "world cup". You've got companies from Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America, Australia/Oceania outnumbering the Americans/Canadians/British. I'd imagine that the competitors are also hailing from these nations.

I'm amazed that this thing is so huge and so world wide.

I do think it ironic that the goal of the games is "promoting harmony of humankind" when most of the games are won by destroying or conquering the rest of humankind.