Although I only played Brood War for a few months before the release of SC2 and play SC2 as a decent diamond protoss (~600 PSR and rising), I still enjoy watching games of Brood War SOOOO much more. SC2 is just too clean. BW has primitive mechanics (e.g. archaic pathing, cloning, no worker rally, reaver scarab pathing) that became a part of the game that truly raise the skill cap sky high. When you see a skilled player navigating all of these flawlessly, you can appreciate his skill so much more.
Also, I find that even though I can only understand some of what the Korean commentators are saying in casted BW games, I like them so much better than I do SC2 English casters. Korean casters just have so much more energy than the oftentimes lethargic and uninspired droning of even professional SC2 casters.
SC2 is still a top-notch game, but I just love watching BW so much more.
Leave why you voted as you did in the comments.
Poll: Which do you prefer to watch played?
BW; I think it will stay this way. (141)
65%
BW, but it might change. (46)
21%
SC2; I think it will stay this way. (29)
13%
SC2, but it might change. (0)
0%
216 total votes
Your vote: Which do you prefer to watch played?
(Vote): BW; I think it will stay this way. (Vote): SC2; I think it will stay this way. (Vote): BW, but it might change. (Vote): SC2, but it might change.
edit: changed the poll since I didn't accommodate for evolution.
On August 19 2010 17:17 Shiragaku wrote: SC II needs some more time to evolve. It is not like I enjoy going back to games in 2002 and seeing players play at my own level.
Watching D+/C games isn't actually that boring. There's a lot of fun stuff at the low levels.
BW but it might change is the only reasonable answer for me. SC2 obviously isn't finished refining and I'm not gonna pass judgment on it in comparison to broodwar until that happens.
I've actually come to prefer watching SC2, but it is admittedly mostly due to the fact that it's easier on the eyes. We can pretend as much as we want that graphics don't matter, but in reality for a spectator e-sport it's an important factor, especially given that BW will never have definition beyond 640x480. I also think the new-factor plays a big role, and the interest in seeing how SC2 evolves.
I voted BW at this point simply because I think it is still a heck of a lot more exciting. I gave SC2 another chance last night watching the IEM matches, it was okay at best, even with day9 casting (the matches were kind of bland, I didn't react much). I get two very different reactions when I see storms in BW (face up close to monitor and a lot of OMFG!111!) and storms in SC2 (mmmm smart cast). I do admit though that SC2 is a beautiful game, and hopefully through it's expansions it will become more exciting.
Also why couldn't you just post this in the other SC2 vs BW thread?
On August 19 2010 17:27 stafu wrote: I've actually come to prefer watching SC2, but it is admittedly mostly due to the fact that it's easier on the eyes. We can pretend as much as we want that graphics don't matter, but in reality for a spectator e-sport it's an important factor, especially given that BW will never have definition beyond 640x480. I also think the new-factor plays a big role, and the interest in seeing how SC2 evolves.
BW by far atm. Game is deeper, more dynamic, readable, exciting. Just a lot more fun to watch to me.
SC2 is a pretty fun to watch as well (at least the recommended games) but imo that's mostly because it's fresh and new. The actual stuff that is pulled off has been quite bland so far compared to BW. And I don't see it changing too much over the years, at least not until the expansions.
BW still. The maps are varied and great, there are many subtle changes to the general strategies that make them unique, the game is very clear and easy to follow. I could go on, but you get the picture.
I tried to watch SC2 and enjoy it... but it's actually really boring and I don't understand what is interesting about it. It's basically impossible for me to tell how much of that is inherent to the games themselves as opposed to obvious differences personal to me.
edit: another thing is the players involved. When you're watching korean BW there's an entire history to the players and your attachments to them. SC2 less so. Another thing is it's basically impossible to tell who the best SC2 players are because of the lack of a universal ladder and the multiple realms. But even then; watching B- or higher BW players stream their first person view is still more exciting for me than the SC2 equivalent. I used to watch Lzgamer stream BW and it was entertaining. Then I watched him stream SC2 but I never actually watched I'd always change to something else because it didn't hold my attention. I would guess part of it is that SC2 has less interaction between players than BW?
Broodwar by far. SC2 is more fun to play for me, but SC2 is pretty boring to watch on a whole. Nowhere near the grace and finesse of BW. Not to mention it doesn't have PLAAAGUUUUU!
Completely agree with OP. When I watch a SC2 where the players just 1a their armies into each other, I think "wow that's so lame even I can do that". When I see them with perfect macro I know it's easy because of MBS, automine, and smart rallying. When I see someone do some sick micro I know it's largely facilitated by smart casting. Whereas in BW, even something as little as a worker being sent off to mine is manually ordered by the player.
The mechanics and skill of a professional BW player are insane. Not so in SC2 and will probably never be. I don't think I will ever be able to stand watching SC2 when none of the players have the skill of a random B-team practice partner in BW.
Voted bw, though it could well change. i still love watching bw games like nothing else and while i play starcraft2 now i often lose interest when i try to watch sc2 games T_T
On August 19 2010 18:22 writer22816 wrote: Completely agree with OP. When I watch a SC2 where the players just 1a their armies into each other, I think "wow that's so lame even I can do that". When I see them with perfect macro I know it's easy because of MBS, automine, and smart rallying. When I see someone do some sick micro I know it's largely facilitated by smart casting. Whereas in BW, even something as little as a worker being sent off to mine is manually ordered by the player.
The mechanics and skill of a professional BW player are insane. Not so in SC2 and will probably never be. I don't think I will ever be able to stand watching SC2 when none of the players have the skill of a random B-team practice partner in BW.
Well, Idra does. Since he IS a B-team practice partner in BW.
BW has so much small details that the audience can appreciate. The intricate details of timing and pushing with Terran metal, the gusty speedlots busting lurker formations, the shuttle drops and flanking by protoss armies, the sparky MnM versus zerg. The insane storm carpet at crucial moments in game.
There is no doubt, BW was beautiful, it was one of a kind.
Where did they all go? I have to say I'm really bored with Sc2 at the moment.
BroodWar wins for me. With the super unit pathing and clumping of sc2 it's just ball vs ball... I really miss those hudge 3 screens battle from broodwar
EPT
