EPT
Every once in a while, there's just something we have to tell everyone. We have to say that "THIS IS THE BEST FUCKING THING EVER." Yes, it's hyperbolic, but sometimes you just want to gush about how much you love something. Nerds love to talk about what they're into. This is how I indulge that impulse. Welcome to Best Fucking Thing Ever, a regular segment where I talk about something that's awesome, regardless of its flaws.
Today's Topic: TEMP0.
Like Lando, Temp0 is not a thing (or a system). Temp0 is a man. Specifically, Temp0 is a Starcraft 2 devotee with extraordinary musical talent. His expertise is famous in the SC2 and TeamLiquid communities because of his parodies, Weird Al-style lyrical rewrites which give existing tunes a Starcraft 2 focus. Temp0 also writes original pieces about the same subject, though those are fewer and farther between. Although he was not the first to write a hugely successful SC2 parody song (that distinction goes to Nerd Alert's Banelings), Temp0 nevertheless outclasses many of his creative contemporaries. Even his first song, "Thank God for Day[9]," is a step above the efforts of most similar artists.
First off, it's catchy as hell. AS HELL. Which is extremely impressive. Nerdy as I am, my tolerance for geeky music is surprisingly low, though this could be because most of it is bad. That Temp0's is a delight to listen (and relisten) to is a testament to his musical artistry. The song's message of gratitude is even more incredible. Sean "Day[9]" Plott is an unmitigated eSports success, acknowledged by the gamers and non-gamers alike as intelligent, business-savvy, and entertaining. Yet Temp0's music contains a quality that sponsorship offers and magazine reviews cannot hold: the honest and unfiltered appreciation of Day[9]'s massive fanbase. Pieces like "Thank God for Day[9]" give a united voice to Day[9] lovers everywhere, fans whose comments would be lost in emails, Twitch chat logs, or forum posts. Temp0 and his music forges a connection between fans and famous that cannot be ignored.
Temp0's songs also capture moments in eSports more effectively than many other methods can. While reading a long-winded article on Wings of Liberty history could be boring, listening to certain tracks can evoke powerful memories and intense nostalgia for the time. "Thank God for Day[9]" is one example of such a musical time-capsule, as is his collaboration with another Starcraft songwriter, Suspense, in "That's Why Noobs Don't Get GGd."
The song may feature amusing complaints and sarcastic balance whine, but it also immortalizes certain events from the early days of competitive Starcraft 2. For viewers of the GSL Open Seasons, this piece conjures memories of early foreigner prominence in Korea, days when there were several successful non-Korean players in GOMTV's signature league. Later seasons rarely hosted more than one (usually Naniwa), but listening to "That's Why Noobs Don't Get GG'd" brings me back to the days of IdrA, HuK, and Jinro's trials and triumphs in Korea. "Thank God for Day[9]" recalls Starcraft events even further in the past such as Day[9]'s King of the Beta tournament just prior to SC2's 2010 release. The names and events in Temp0's tracks will be remembered through patches and tournaments and expansions because they are indelible parts of his addictive music.
Day[9], inControL, HuK, IdrA, Artosis, Tasteless, Naniwa, Ret, Apollo, Stephano, Nestea, MVP, MC, MarineKing, Parting, Leenock, Roro... the Starcraft 2 scene is chock-full of famous names. Yet for all their differences, it is Starcraft skill which sets them apart from the rest of us. While this aptitude makes them respectable, intriguing, opinionated, or incredibly good, it also makes them moderately unapproachable. They're the best of the best, and their jobs are to entertain and amaze fans from their rooms, casting desks, or game booths. This disparity of skill and role fosters a separation between those titans and the regular players. No such division exists between the fans and Temp0 because, above all else, Temp0 is a fan. Take his K'naan parody "When I'm Grandmaster" for example.
Temp0's most popular song to date is one with which much of the eSports-watching, Starcraft 2-playing can identify. A lot of casual SC2 players (myself included) dream vaguely of playing against pros on the stage of a GSL or MLG, even if they can't play on that competitive level. Instead we slog through the ups and downs of the ladder, improving slowly but steadily in spite of cheesy losses and raging opponents. The unending trial of playing Starcraft with a desire to improve, coupled with the joy found in watching professional players, is captured perfectly in Temp0's cover. Few other things so accurately portray the casual SC2 experience, and Temp0 can only do so because he struggles through that experience like everyone else. Songs like "When I'm Grandmaster" paint a picture of the everyday Starcraft, the Starcraft outside of the spotlight, the Starcraft of the cheering masses rather than that of the trophy-grasping champions. The relatability of the music's subject matter makes it all the more dear and makes Temp0 all the more awesome.
Temp0 is not merely a fan; he is one of the best fans. This is obvious from the effort he puts into creating music, interacting with fans, and participating in eSports events, but that's only the beginning. Temp0 loves and believes in eSports. On a near weekly basis, someone new on Reddit or TL discusses why Starcraft is dying, why eSports are going to shit, and which other games are systematically dismantling interest in the SC universe. With such effervescent negativity, it's tough to be optimistic about the scene, even if you're confident it will be alright and assert that gamers of all stripes should get along. Temp0 not only stays positive, he waxes inspirational.
No blame game, no fear, no doubt. Temp0's "ALIVE" reflects on the greatness of eSports through the present and his confidence that its greatness will survive in the future. Why worry about the impact of new competitive scenes, a single cancelled tournament, or slightly fewer stream viewers? Starcraft 2 is an amazing game that will last. After all, Brood War stuck around for over a decade; there's no reason why SC2 won't either as long as there continues to be fans who love the game like Temp0 does. He chose to send an incredible message to the SC scene, and I respect him immensely for doing so in his creative and evocative manner.
Temp0 is the best fucking (person) ever because he represents the relentless positivity and passionate creativity to which all eSports fans should aspire. You can't fake the joy with which he composes his lyrical accounts of the past, present, and future of Starcraft 2. Plus, he made a fucking awesome Lion King parody. It's somewhat poetic that Temp0's first SC2 video was a tribute when now he is worthy of the community's highest praise himself.
So thank you Temp0. You fucking rule.
You can read more hyperbolic tributes and more besides at the N3rd Dimension.
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