[PHOTOS] Special Force Live.

NeverGG

United Kingdom5399 Posts

October 11 2008 02:47 GMT

Last week I managed to finally discover the filming schedule for the Korean FPS Special Force (Thanks to my friends on the OGN camera-crew.) I was told that Special Force actually runs the largest league in Korea next to Sudden Attack. The current league is sponsored by Shinhan Bank (who are also the Proleague sponsors and even have a hand in the latest Dungeon and Fighter tournament.)

The set up for Special Force is another interesting innovation regarding fan participation. The event is set up like a casino/party and fans can bet upon who will win during the games for in-game points and other goodies.

At the evening I attended two teams from the offline leagues were set to battle it out: AnDra and Ever'S. Both teams consisted of four male players and one mandatory female player. There is an all-girl squad who took second place in the last league and is none of than the OGN Sparkeyz team. Two members of the group had come to the event as well as another cluster of players including one member who was ranked first in subsequent matches. They all joined in with the party atmosphere including betting upon the matches (using plastic casino chips.) with the special dealers sent to each table.

One of the appealing aspects of Special Force (and other FPS live events.) is the difference between the players in comparison to Starcraft. You have a group dynamic which isn't even seen in team play games (since Kespa removed them from the Proleague rotation.) and the outgoing nature of the way in which the teams express anger when they lose and elation when they're victorious makes for some interesting viewing. This is not to say that they lack in good manners or that Starcraft doesn't have its entertaining moments beyond the booths, but the emotion of the events feels pronounced in the most literal of senses.

The games themselves were fast paced and filled with tension. Over the course of the numerous rounds the players battled it out. Sinking back into their chairs with hands pressed over their faces if they were amongst the first to fall or high-fiving their team mates when they successfully demolished the opposition.

At the end of the fighting the players lined up and shook hands, demonstrating once more the communal and mannered ideals of Korean esports. Unlike most of the Starcraft games Special Force is played upon a Sunday evening at 7pm and aired every Wednesday afternoon at 5pm. However, the friendly and welcoming status of the live events is something best experienced in person.