EPTI'm not going to lie. I didn't like the venue of MBCgame that much because it was much harder for people in the back to watch the game through the big screen, and it was harder to see the players on the benches because of the two pillars on the side that showed FPVODs, which were only visible to people in first 2~3 rows. Even then, it was hard to see what the players were actually doing.
All the negativity aside, I couldn't believe that MBCgame was shutting down this past summer. I know that there have been rumors and twitter exchanges among the commentators pretty much confirmed it, but I couldn't believe it was happening. And here is why.
Going back to SKT vs CJ Entus, both team's final match in Proleague 10-11 regular season. Though the match did not matter because the 1st and 2nd places were locked in for post season, I wanted to visit for few reasons. It was my first visit to MBCgame, and I was supposed to meet up with some CJ Entus people.
Turns out, the venue is smaller than OGN, and its harder for people to watch from the back. However, researching everything beforehand, I was able to get a 2nd row seat after writing my name down at 9:30AM. It was enjoyable, and although CJ Entus lost, I was having fun.
What struck me, however, was that the crowd was not silent. In fact, the commentator's voices were turned down (same for OGN) and many people were talking among themselves. There were few microphones around the stadium to pick up fan's reactions, but they must've lowered the volume from the microphone input a LOT. People were interested in the game. The fan girls knew the build and they knew the situation very well; some of them were able to predict much better than me. They loved this game. And as few sets passed, the stadium became full, and people had to stand in the back.
Let me clarify, the place where Loox was located sucks. How much? My parents did not want me to wonder around that part of the town, and I understood why. At night, many drunk people walk around the YeongDeungPo Station. The Loox venue was located few blocks away, but it was shady at night. If you were unlucky, you would have gotten yourself into a fight with wrong people. Even during day, people would not walk to the Loox area because there's NOTHING THERE. Loox was supposed to be the 'big mall' of the area. Instead, Times Square stepped in 2 blocks away, and that became huge. Loox had poor venue, and with Times Square moving in, there was no reason for people to visit Loox (and let me tell you, Times Square, although located next to YeongDeungPo Station, is one of the best malls I've ever been to, and with so many teens in the mall, I did not feel threatened. At first, my parents did want me to go there because of YeongDeungPo station. However, after visiting the mall, we frequently visited Times Square).
Don't believe me? Here's a video of me going from Times Square to MBCgame Loox Hero Center:
(P.S. This was taken in the morning, so the mall was still closed except for the CGV Movie Theater)
Anyways, cutting back into the game. Seats were full or almost full, and late comers (KEITT) were standing in the back. It didn't matter because everyone was into the game. Fans were cheering for their favorite players, some players gave ceremonies, but no matter what happened, everyone was enjoying the games.
![[image loading]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/Kirara17/Untitled-2-1.gif)
Then I did remember that I promised to put some names on the camera, so I went ahead and wrote a cheerful.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/muD9e.png)
Let me say this: MBCgame understood English, and they loved signs. They loved the fact that fans were making these signs and they tried to get every single one on broadcast. OGN was very picky with this; however, MBCgame loved putting up these signs (sorry Sayle T_T).
Compared to the Ongamenet experience that I had the day before, I loved MBCgame. Sure, it was located in a shitty place, but it didn't matter. Once Proleague started, people started to gather at the Hero Center, and it's probably only time of the day where Loox center gathers many visitors.
I was not sure if I wanted to visit Ongamenet again. But I knew for sure that I had to return to MBCgame. The exciting commentaries, the amazing games, and great interaction with fans. It was THE place to be.
I knew that I had to bring my brother along and watch at least one series before leaving Korea.
(Clarification: If you were late, it was harder to see the match through the main screen. However, there were side TVs to compensate for people in the back)
Continued in part 2.
