For those that are confused, I'm pretty sure that line means that smartphones and social networks have caused a decline in demand for pro gaming in the Korean military. Before, there was basically nothing to do but train. But I have some friends in the military right now, and you see pictures of everyone just on their smartphones during their breaks. Now, it's train for SC or talk to your family, girlfriend, etc. Not surprised a lot of these guys are choosing the latter.

HotShizz

France710 Posts

July 23 2012 07:56 GMT

#265

I thought they were doing relatively well with the sc2 transition. Pretty sure it accounts for the majority of their games won in PL... Can't say I'm a particular Ace fan, but still sad to see them go

SkelA

Macedonia13069 Posts

July 23 2012 07:57 GMT

#266

Who didnt see this coming ?

RIP true esports you will be missed.

Shana

Indonesia1814 Posts

July 23 2012 08:00 GMT

#267

Nooooooooooooooooooooo

zazone

Romania460 Posts

July 23 2012 08:05 GMT

#268

Don't know but if fans will continue to not show any interest in sc2, other teams might disband as well in future.

corumjhaelen

France6884 Posts

July 23 2012 08:09 GMT

#269

I had to laugh a bit.
Still, the memories...

Koshi

Belgium38799 Posts

July 23 2012 08:10 GMT

#270

So this means that SCII players can't play when they are in the army? I am hoping they are making a new team for the new talent.

aRyuujin

United States5049 Posts

July 23 2012 08:15 GMT

#271

wtf ace
why not just make an sc2 team

JiYan

United States3668 Posts

July 23 2012 08:18 GMT

#272

can someone provide a list of when everyone's contracts end?

Ribbon

United States5278 Posts

July 23 2012 08:18 GMT

#273

On July 23 2012 17:10 Koshi wrote:
So this means that SCII players can't play when they are in the army? I am hoping they are making a new team for the new talent.

May 16th - oGs disbands
July 13th - Zenex ceases to exist as an independent team, will merge with Startale
July 23rd - Air Force Ace announces plan to disband

The Korean scene is collapsing.

I wouldn't be surprised to see 2-3 more teams disband in the next few months,.

KadaverBB

Germany25657 Posts

July 23 2012 08:21 GMT

#274

Fuck, this is terrible -.-

KobraKay

Portugal4231 Posts

July 23 2012 08:23 GMT

#275

There goes the dream of having TBLS members in ACE rulling PL....or at least making strides in the playoffs.

Another sad day and another bullet to the chest how much more can it/we take?

hp.Shell

United States2527 Posts

July 23 2012 08:31 GMT

#276

Slow deaths are the worst. It's a shock when something dies, but to watch it die is something else entirely. It's less painful for the onlooker if it takes longer to die, but the pain is spread over a longer period of time. If something dies nearly instantly, it's extremely painful. It can even be traumatic. I'm just glad KeSPA didn't say "Okay so, BW is done in a week, at the end of SK Planet proleague Season 1. Thanks for the memories."

larse

1611 Posts

July 23 2012 08:35 GMT

#277

Well, the Korean scene was so big in the BW era, so with the ending of the BW scene, the whole Starcraft scene will shrink. As the article pointed out, the gaming industry is diversifying quickly since 2000, so BW is not the only game to play these days.

The only reason people are seeing Western scene rising is because that the Western scene was like zero before LOL and SC2. There are some WC3 and CS events here and there, but that's pretty much it.

Still I doubt the Korean scene will decline to the point where Western scene can surpass it. I see the Western scene more as a bubble rather than something that will sustain. Even though the Korean scene is getting smaller, it's sustainable to a smaller scale.

papaz

Sweden4149 Posts

July 23 2012 08:41 GMT

#278

It's very unfortunate and sad but not surprising.

An era comes to an en and big changes will follow. Retirements of famous pro gamers that doesn't want to/can't switch to other games as well as sponsorships ending and teams disbanding.

Unfortunately I am waiting for bad news in the couple of months where we get to hear the retirement of many famous and popular BW stars

I'd love for the Kespa player to do well in whatever e-sport they choose so I can keep cheering for them.

But this is indeed very sad

starfries

Canada3508 Posts

July 23 2012 08:47 GMT

#279

Sucks, but I can't say it came as a surprise