If they aren't planning on fully disbanding until 2014... hm. I guess they either stop Proleague at the end of this season, or do they participate until their roster is too small to continue... then have a minor presence in individual leagues (presumably OS2L only?) until the last player is discharged?

Or do they just stop playing entirely, but still maintain some sort of "team" structure until 2014?

Still, not surprising. Unfortunate, but... not surprising.

zOula...

United States898 Posts

July 23 2012 06:04 GMT

#223

Sad day. I remember when ACE formed and when BoxeR went to the military...I thought it would be the end of progaming when the emperor left. Oh well, life goes on, it's only natural. With the death of broodwar comes the death of the golden age in esports. RIP, may the fond memories remain forever.

ricemonkey

United States6 Posts

July 23 2012 06:09 GMT

#224

the matchfixing scandal was the beginning of the end for BW. I'm incredibly sad to see ACE go. I think everyone knows but just doesn't want to say it, that SC2 is never going to be as big as BW in korea.

Here's hoping that esports grows nevertheless

lbmaian

United States689 Posts

July 23 2012 06:10 GMT

#225

On July 23 2012 14:58 Black[CAT] wrote:
I already had a feeling that they would disband but it would be because of their results.

When's the last time you heard of a team saying they're disbanding because of lack of results (other than the occasional western example)? Even if that is the real reason, they need another excuse(s).

moopie

12605 Posts

July 23 2012 06:14 GMT

#226

Another one bites the dust.

HaruHaru

United States988 Posts

July 23 2012 06:14 GMT

#227

Wow this is extremely depressing news. Air force ace is one of the most unique thing about korean pro gaming culture. Nowhere else in the world is there a professional gaming team in the military... Seems like just yesterday when boxer had to leave for the military

DNA.MPK

United States50 Posts

July 23 2012 06:16 GMT

#228

A sad day for Korean starcraft...

Holgerius

Sweden16951 Posts

July 23 2012 06:19 GMT

#229

Wow, such sad news.

ShadeR

Australia7535 Posts

July 23 2012 06:26 GMT

#230

ace recognises that beyond BW there is no game that is or can become culture.

hitthat

Poland2266 Posts

July 23 2012 06:29 GMT

#231

This. Is. Pure. Sadness.

ne4aJIb

Russian Federation3209 Posts

July 23 2012 06:30 GMT

#232

+ Show Spoiler +

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Hesmyrr

Canada5776 Posts

July 23 2012 06:31 GMT

#233

Can't believe anyone did not see this coming. I had to facepalm pretty hard when some people supported the news of SC2 implementation on grounds that it will allow better results.

mdb

Bulgaria4059 Posts

July 23 2012 06:32 GMT

#234

ZachFreeman

Australia484 Posts

July 23 2012 06:35 GMT

#235

Nikon

Bulgaria5710 Posts

July 23 2012 06:41 GMT

#236

On July 23 2012 14:58 Black[CAT] wrote:
I already had a feeling that they would disband but it would be because of their results.

Eh, Ace has never had good results to be honest... they're just disbanding due to shifts in game popularity. I guess they should transition to LoL if they want to keep the team but that's not an easy task.

Such a sad announcement. Show me another game that had a military progaming team.

SpeaKEaSY

United States1070 Posts

July 23 2012 06:41 GMT

#237

I liked ACE, because it was fun rooting for the players that I rooted against while they were on other teams

densha

United States797 Posts

July 23 2012 06:41 GMT

#238

On July 23 2012 11:11 JunkkaGom wrote:
Let me explain the matter with smartphones and SNS. There has been numerous articles about this recently in Korea.

Back in 90's and 2000's the trend was to enjoy gaming together. Together I mean as going to PC bang and play with friends side by side. My generation is the generation that went to arcade and played console together with friends.

The trend now is much more individual. Now every person has their own PC and smartphones. Because of internet and various appliances, one can be connected with others without actually physically being together.

The trend is also clear in PCbangs, which originally started out as a place to play game 'together' with others. In my days we went to Pcbang after school and played team game of BW or Counter Strike, etc. Now the game is more diverse. You see more and more people who come alone and play game of their own taste. Because of better technology more people play game at their home. It is no longer a neccesity to play and enjoy same game as others as you can still be part of the 'gang' and feel you belong somewhere through SNS and smartphone. Gaming is no longer considered group activity but rather an individual hobby.

Will people still go to PC bang and play games with friends? Sure, but they can also stay home and meet them on internet. Will people still go to gaming event to watch pro gamers play? Sure, but they can also stay home and watch on internet, while chatting with friends. Enjoying game as being part of physical group is no longer the big thing.

This is the reason why people(or so these articles claim) that while eSports will definitely grow it will be difficult to see a single game dominating entire population and creating the phenomenon BW did. The scene needs to evolve to meet the demand of viewers that are becoming more and more diverse. One can no longer make huge investment in single game and expect great success as easily as before.

Awesome post John, thanks for the insight!

SC2 may never be as huge in Korea as BW was, but not necessarily because of the game itself, but because of cultural changes/differences from that time.

My only question is if an organization like Kespa can survive when the GomTV model has proven so successful. I guess time will tell as we continue through this unpredictable phase in eSports history.

Xinflames

United States17 Posts

July 23 2012 06:43 GMT

#239

On July 23 2012 10:46 rift wrote:
the glory days of esports are over

ehhhhh, mabye the "golden era" is behind us, but esports has a looooooong way to go. Starcraft 2 lead the charge!!!

MooMooMugi

United States10531 Posts

July 23 2012 06:49 GMT

#240

Albeit they didn't have great success in the PL and OSL, they had really likeable players that left an impression on most people, mostly Boxer, FBH, Kal, and M18M(Flash killa).