[Written by Daily eSports Nam Yoon Sung journalist thenam@dailyesports.com] *Together in the eSports world with SK Telecom (www.sktelecom.com)
National largest item transaction site Itembay, has sponsored the 8th Sonic Starleague (SSL) hosted by game jockey Sonic. Rather than the numerous leagues with Starcraft 2, we were curious why he chose to sponsor Starcraft: Brood War (SC1). Starcraft 1 is not an item that Itembay could use in trades, and it is not a game where you need to level up or items. Also with Starcraft 2 becoming the official league nationally, Itembay thought it wasn’t too late step in and support Starcraft 1. Daily eSports met up with Itembay CEO Lee Chang Seok on his decision.
◆Starcraft 1's memories still remains.
Itembay says that the reason they sponsored the 8th SSL is because the the number of users are still abundant. Progaming teams may not play SC1 anymore, but SC1 is still recorded within Gametric's top 10 ranking. SC2: Wings of Liberty are in the upper 20th places and is higher than the recently released SC2: Heart of the Swarm. If you're a gamer inside S.Korea or have interest in games, the fact that everyone has memories of SC1 is the reason Itembay has sponsored the Sonic Starleague.
"The person who uses the ID Sonic, Mr. Hwang Hyo Jin sent me a proposal. He asked not just to sponsor our Starleague, but our memories, and the memories we will make in the future. I believe for Itembay in 2013 that our business model can relate to this, and we decided to sponsor."
For Itembay, they increased their 2013 business model's outview. Of course online games, game business, and they mentioned that they will become a site to include those areas. They want to win over the gamers to their side by grabbing the gamers' interests and that the proper medium for this is SC1.
"If you're a person that plays, knows, and enjoys playing games that person must have memories about SC1. Doing teamplay inside PC Cafes, Boxer, Yellow, Reach, and watching Nada's play and being amazed by their skills, and I read an article about Gwanganri gathering 100,000 fans, and I have a variety of other memories. The official league has been closed, but I believe that the memories about the gamers have not ended."
◆The charms of a carefree appearance
Lee Chang Seok CEO mentions he signed the contract before meeting 'Sonic' Hwang Hyo Jin in person. Sponsoring a considerable amount, the reason he agreed without even meeting or speaking with him is that through his broadcasts and watching contents on Sonic TV, he confirmed Sonic's passion for SC1 leagues.
"After receiving the proposal I looked at the VOD of his SSL very carefully. There was no standardized frame for him. He attempted to do singing, become a coach for gamers, and a commentator hosting his own tournaments. He wasn't overly commercial either. The tournament wasn't made to uphold a cause or show formality, but what gamer's like, and I see him try his best to make an enjoyable gaming culture. Our company can learn from that kind of passion."
Lee CEO mentioned he has spectated the SSL personally. After deciding to sponsor, he mentions he watches the broadcasts live and if he short on time that he watches every VOD he missed.
"To be honest I'm not that good at SC1. I'm not a playing gamer. But I can definitely tell who is winning or losing. Because the game is intuitive, it makes you focus. I believe this is one of SC1's qualities that attracts viewers to Starleagues even now. Also I read articles that mentioned it was getting good viewership."
Lee CEO mentions he hopes word spreads and more people watch SSL. Not just thousands, but he wants tens of thousands. Through that more attention would come to Itembay, and he hopes Starleague receives the public's attention and stays as lasting contents instead of being labelled as a league without a future.
◆To grow with the game industry
It was mentioned earlier but SC1 is not a game where you can purchase items. But with an item transaction industry, one relationship exists. In 2008 when Hanbit Stars Progaming team almost broke up, a company called Itemmania offered to take over. Also after with the official leagues for SC1 ending, Itembay offered to sponsor SSL on AfreecaTV.
Lee CEO mentions about the present state, "eSports is the best way to promote games."
It is still a fact that people have stereotypical views about game related businesses and item transaction companies. A portion of game companies mention their discontent about their items being used by outside companies. Not too long ago that inside the game industry that they are the most harmful branch.
"You can't separate Itembay from the game industry. The game industry has to become popular for item transactions to be active and grow. Also for the gaming industry through eSports uses another medium secure a gaming audience and live a long live. Whether it's Itembay of eSports, they're and industry all connected through the medium of a game. For the revival of eSports the reason Itembay is sponsoring is for the entire gaming industry to grow."
◆Grow, and prosper
There's a stereotyped but important question that is asked to every eSports league sponsor, are you going to continue sponsoring the league.
Lee CEO, instead of confirmation he showed his expectations. "I hope the day comes, not just a small company like Itembay to sponsor SSL but major companies nationally and globally sponsors SSL."
Itembay helping out SSL in a tough situation, they can be satisfied taking the role of a catalyst. Hoping this Starleague will become successful, receiving a giant sponsor, and be connected with tens of thousands of fans, one can interpret that they will try to connect them to a brighter future.
"If the beginning of online games was Lineage, the start of eSports was Starcraft leagues. Even if it's a league becoming forgotten, it is still the most familiar contents to the current gamers. With Itembay's sponsorship, I hope their passion for the game rekindles. If we can become a catalyst for improving the game industry through this, I believe our role can be shown in a new light."
CEO Lee Chang Seok ends with, "We received a lot from the game industry and gamers and with the sponsorship of SSL we repaid a small amount. If you all send us interest and affection for SSL and Itembay, through more activities and support we'll do our best to contribute to the game industry."
Wow i really have alot of respect of CEO Lee Chang Seok for stepping up and doing something for the SSL , he seems to really have a great overlook of the leauge and why it is awsome ! this kicks so much ass ! LONG LIVE THE SSL !!!!!!!
On March 21 2013 09:11 SlowBullets wrote: What an amazing company & CEO.
Truly an honor. Sonic of course is one of the most important figures in Brood War now.
Props to ItemBay for keepin it real and sponsoring the real man's game, unlike that other garbage.
deserves a warning at the very least... what a terrible comment.
On October 03 2012 22:34 NuKE[vZ] wrote: No because Starcraft2 is bigger internationally which is appealing to sponsors in the Korean market. Not to mention Starcraft 2 isn't a bad game, and HoTS will be better than BW.
Play it for fun, but please come over to Sc2/HotS and help us grow it even bigger than ever.
User was warned for this post
Oops. Hypocrite.
On August 05 2012 06:32 NuKE[vZ] wrote: Grew up playing the game.. love it dearly, but let's move on folks.
Let's unite under a great game(even though you don't believe it to be), Starcraft 2 is future, and so are you men and women!
Is there a Twitter or a Facebook page or anything where we can send our thanks? It's the least I could do for a good man to help a legendary game like this.
On March 21 2013 09:58 Treetop wrote: Is there a Twitter or a Facebook page or anything where we can send our thanks? It's the least I could do for a good man to help a legendary game like this.
On October 03 2012 22:34 NuKE[vZ] wrote: No because Starcraft2 is bigger internationally which is appealing to sponsors in the Korean market. Not to mention Starcraft 2 isn't a bad game, and HoTS will be better than BW.
Play it for fun, but please come over to Sc2/HotS and help us grow it even bigger than ever.
This seems so reminiscent of BW's rise to me. A bunch of passionate gamers whose love for StarCraft would eventually draw in bigger sponsors and bigger crowds. Perhaps Brood War is like a Phoenix, and we're here watching it rise from the ashes.
I haven't been following the BW scene lately but I'm really glad to see sponsors continuing to step up and lead the original and true eSport year after year. Much praise to itembay, CEO Lee Chang Seok, Sonic, and everyone else involved in making this happen. Also thanks Kimoleon for the translation.
"If you're a person that plays, knows, and enjoys playing games that person must have memories about SC1. Doing teamplay inside PC Cafes, Boxer, Yellow, Reach, and watching Nada's play and being amazed by their skills, and I read an article about Gwanganri gathering 100,000 fans, and I have a variety of other memories. The official league has been closed, but I believe that the memories about the gamers have not ended."
This is so fucking true. After joining my universities Korean Student Association, I asked many of the guys whether they knew of Starcraft or even played it - the common answer between those who said yes had memories playing money maps/custom games and watching players like Boxer and Yellow back when they were in Korea.
It's heart warmimg to see people that keep appreciating and investing ressources into BW, not because of the numbers it pulls, but for the emotion and the passion that it moves.
He is so right, as for now, it's about 2 months since i'm Korea and I play everyday in a PC bang. The first thing that striked me is that everyone is either playing LoL or SC:BW! You should have seen the face of the manager of the PC bang when I told him that Brood War was over, he literally laughed at my face saying that it's so deep in the conscience of Korean gamers that it'll never die!
This is amazing! For me it's a win win situation. I love SC2, especially now in HOTS, and I'm stoked to see my favorite BW pros play it, but I still can't forget my roots. Having TLS and now this is crucial in keeping up the legacy that is Brood War. Up to this day it is an absolutely timeless masterpiece of a game, and so much fun to play and watch.
May the memories of over a decade live on. Thank you so much to itembay, and a special thanks to Lee Chang Seok. I only wish more people saw things like you do.
It's good to know that the league is sponsored by someone like this, rather than a person who hasn't got a clue about gaming and only follows the numbers. Thanks for the translation and long live SSL+Itembay!
Thanks for this! I think we should all make sure we "like" itembay on facebook and write a comment or two on their page. Let's show itembay that they are gaining great publicity for this.
Thanks for the translation Kimo! Awesome guy and hope he keeps sponsoring SSL for many years to come! Hope that other giant companies start to take interest and BW to be revived! :D
On October 03 2012 22:34 NuKE[vZ] wrote: No because Starcraft2 is bigger internationally which is appealing to sponsors in the Korean market. Not to mention Starcraft 2 isn't a bad game, and HoTS will be better than BW.
Play it for fun, but please come over to Sc2/HotS and help us grow it even bigger than ever.
On August 05 2012 06:32 NuKE[vZ] wrote: Grew up playing the game.. love it dearly, but let's move on folks.
Let's unite under a great game(even though you don't believe it to be), Starcraft 2 is future, and so are you men and women!
<3 BW, thanks for everything.
Oh wait.
Except I didn't bash BW ever? I grew up on BW... me saying let's move on folks, or let's unite under one banner is the same as someone calling starcraft 2 'the other game' and saying it is garbage? Come on now, you can't be that dense..?
On March 21 2013 09:11 SlowBullets wrote: What an amazing company & CEO.
Truly an honor. Sonic of course is one of the most important figures in Brood War now.
Props to ItemBay for keepin it real and sponsoring the real man's game, unlike that other garbage.
deserves a warning at the very least... what a terrible comment.
On October 03 2012 22:34 NuKE[vZ] wrote: No because Starcraft2 is bigger internationally which is appealing to sponsors in the Korean market. Not to mention Starcraft 2 isn't a bad game, and HoTS will be better than BW.
Play it for fun, but please come over to Sc2/HotS and help us grow it even bigger than ever.
User was warned for this post
Oops. Hypocrite.
On August 05 2012 06:32 NuKE[vZ] wrote: Grew up playing the game.. love it dearly, but let's move on folks.
Let's unite under a great game(even though you don't believe it to be), Starcraft 2 is future, and so are you men and women!
<3 BW, thanks for everything.
Oh wait.
Except I didn't bash BW ever? I grew up on BW... me saying let's move on folks, or let's unite under one banner is the same as someone calling starcraft 2 'the other game' and saying it is garbage? Come on now, you can't be that dense..?
Look, don't talk about 'moving on from BW' in a thread about how things are looking up for us here in our little subforum. Thats what gets you warned 'round these parts.
Anyway, has anyone found out how much the company is actually worth? Great advertising for the company in general, probably gained massive respect within the Korean gamer community for minimum $
EDIT: Without a proscene this is more than enough money to ensure a steady growth. The important thing now is to keep BW 'fresh/active', growth comes naturally after that. Companies in time will see that sponsoring BW is a very good skill toi have.
"moving on" implies Brood War is either dead or inferior...neither of which describes BW thanks to the efforts of awesome people like Sonic and Lee Chang Seok
Wow we need more CEOs like him, but honestly though it's a smart marketing move considering SC2 fails in comparison to LoL in all the Korean PC cafes. much respect to this guy for sticking to his roots!
EPT
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