EPTMy relationship with RTS games started with Warcraft II. My drywalling Step-Father (Who would later introduce me to Starcraft simply by buying it) and his construction worker friends would set up lans between our house and the neighbouring house (owned by my uncle) when I was seven. Later we would get internet access for the purpose of using battle.net and playing IP games. I didn't understand much of what was happening at the time, but it made my usually slimy and sneering Step-Father into a completely different person, and watching him play was the only time I felt safe being around him. The game entranced him so I had nothing to fear.
My brother and I both eventually picked up Starcraft, My brother always had the mentality when we were young that if he lost at something he should never play it again. I haven't played my brother in chess since the first time I beat him. So you can imagine that he dropped interest in Starcraft pretty quick, and picked up Diablo II. Now he plays Starcraft II so I imagine his mindset has changed quite a bit, but I don't know if he's likely to pick up Brood War any time soon.
I on the other hand am glutton for mental punishment. I've always relished in delight when someone beats me in chess. The moment after you lose, when you re-analyze the game and see the flaws that your opponent exploited, your missed opportunities, and the overall mindset that caused you to fail. This is why I've played 13 years of Brood War with friends here and there.
I have finally decided to play through the campaign to completion and then to begin playing online. I have always considered myself of lower ability than the online community. Saying "people online are too good for me" or "I'm not good enough to play online." I now realize that mindset is exactly why I am not good enough to play online. I just spent a year and a half in a full time acting program, analyzing human behaviour and the art of winning and losing.
For those that aren't familiar with the craft of acting, each scene is a battle. At least as a man raised on the writings of Sun Tsu and Miyamoto Musashi that's how I look at it. Some might look at each scene as more of a game, however in good acting the stakes are always life and death. With this type of training in the mindset of life or death stakes for something that at the end of the day really isn't life or death I have finally begun to understand the mindset of sports, and more importantly (for me anyway) e-sports.
I now understand that improving my skill at winning is half the fun, and as I improve to the level of those I have rightfully put on a pedestal because of their superior skill, I will have even more fun in the moment (of panic =]).
I have completed the first two campaigns of the original game and I am beginning the first Protoss campaign. I have improved rapidly through study of pro-games, Day[9]'s podcasts and inspirational videos, Liquipedia, and Articles here on the forums. Every ounce of my (small, but) improved skill can be attributed to TL.NET in one way or another and I'm proud to be among you at long last. I'll keep you posted.
