Here's also an extended interview with Hazelynut
+ Show Spoiler +
Where do you see e-sports in the future?
I'm optimistic about e-sports. It's tough to guess what the SC2 phenomenon will end up becoming in the future - whether it'll continue to snowball or whether it'll turn into WarCraft 3 - but I think e-sports in terms of StarCraft 2 has been in safe hands. Smart, dedicated, and enthusiastic people are inventing BarCrafts, bringing competition to another level with GSL/MLG/IPL/NASL, and making SC2 fun for everyone. It's now cool to like a video game. I like that and I hope the trend continues.
A "culture" basically consists art, language, beliefs, tradition, and society. Do you consider e-sports as a "culture"?
Yes. There's certainly beauty in SC2 and in just one short year, it's created a community and sub-culture (it even has its own reddit sub forum!). Once people start watching SC2, talking about SC2, and caring about SC2, it becomes a cultural experience that we can all share. Drama about chairs becomes a big deal, memes like "line 'em up" become ingrained in our vocabulary, ESPORTS influences people's dress codes (standard ESPORTS shirt and pants)...e-sports is most definitely a culture now.
What is it like being an active female contributor to a male dominant community?
It's not as bad as you might think! Two years ago, being female was a little scary because every time someone "came out," voices in the community would inevitably say: "pics or gtfo," "G.I.R.L (guy in real life)," or other jokes with sexual innuendo. Nowadays with the rise of SC2, more girls are playing and that sort of behavior gets moderated and frowned upon.
How do you think gaming events such as FallCraft influence gamers and lovers of the game?
It's an opportunity to come together and realize that StarCraft goes beyond the screen and game. There's nothing cooler than being able to share in the experience of SC2 - turning to your neighbor and celebrating a baneling drop because your neighbor is equally interested and yelling equally as loud. FallCraft was also particularly special because it brought gaming into the lecture hall. We've played the game - and now we're thinking about the game.
Are you going to hold more CSL events?
Absolutely. Regional LANs are coming up in Baltimore and Texas. I'm really excited about the idea of holding lecture series and THINKING about the game more, so we'll be working to make that happen!
Where do you see CSL in 5 years? What is your goal/dream for CSL?
In 5 years, CSL will be running its 10th season with over 1,000 schools across North America. Teams will be university-recognized and have backing from the student government to go to LANs and compete live. Students will be able to receive scholarships and have an edge in admissions by writing down that they play SC2 at a competitive level. CSL will bring lecture series by progamers and ESPORTS professors alike to campuses across North America. Pro-gaming teams will scout for talent from the best CSL players.
That's my hope, anyway!
I'm optimistic about e-sports. It's tough to guess what the SC2 phenomenon will end up becoming in the future - whether it'll continue to snowball or whether it'll turn into WarCraft 3 - but I think e-sports in terms of StarCraft 2 has been in safe hands. Smart, dedicated, and enthusiastic people are inventing BarCrafts, bringing competition to another level with GSL/MLG/IPL/NASL, and making SC2 fun for everyone. It's now cool to like a video game. I like that and I hope the trend continues.
A "culture" basically consists art, language, beliefs, tradition, and society. Do you consider e-sports as a "culture"?
Yes. There's certainly beauty in SC2 and in just one short year, it's created a community and sub-culture (it even has its own reddit sub forum!). Once people start watching SC2, talking about SC2, and caring about SC2, it becomes a cultural experience that we can all share. Drama about chairs becomes a big deal, memes like "line 'em up" become ingrained in our vocabulary, ESPORTS influences people's dress codes (standard ESPORTS shirt and pants)...e-sports is most definitely a culture now.
What is it like being an active female contributor to a male dominant community?
It's not as bad as you might think! Two years ago, being female was a little scary because every time someone "came out," voices in the community would inevitably say: "pics or gtfo," "G.I.R.L (guy in real life)," or other jokes with sexual innuendo. Nowadays with the rise of SC2, more girls are playing and that sort of behavior gets moderated and frowned upon.
How do you think gaming events such as FallCraft influence gamers and lovers of the game?
It's an opportunity to come together and realize that StarCraft goes beyond the screen and game. There's nothing cooler than being able to share in the experience of SC2 - turning to your neighbor and celebrating a baneling drop because your neighbor is equally interested and yelling equally as loud. FallCraft was also particularly special because it brought gaming into the lecture hall. We've played the game - and now we're thinking about the game.
Are you going to hold more CSL events?
Absolutely. Regional LANs are coming up in Baltimore and Texas. I'm really excited about the idea of holding lecture series and THINKING about the game more, so we'll be working to make that happen!
Where do you see CSL in 5 years? What is your goal/dream for CSL?
In 5 years, CSL will be running its 10th season with over 1,000 schools across North America. Teams will be university-recognized and have backing from the student government to go to LANs and compete live. Students will be able to receive scholarships and have an edge in admissions by writing down that they play SC2 at a competitive level. CSL will bring lecture series by progamers and ESPORTS professors alike to campuses across North America. Pro-gaming teams will scout for talent from the best CSL players.
That's my hope, anyway!
This assignment was a pleasure to do and I made lots of friends in the process. I hope to do more