Jon Robinson: What is it about "Starcraft" that has made the game such a phenomenon worldwide?
Gordon Hayward: I was always a console guy growing up and I'm still a big Xbox guy, that's my thing, but "Starcraft" is just so competitive. Each game, something different happens, and the ranking system they have in "Starcraft" is really cool because you're always playing guys who are about your level, then the more you play, the better you get and you move up into a different class and you're able to test yourself against better competition and see where you rank. If you've never played a PC game before, this one is really mental and is a really cool game.
...........
Gordon Hawyard: I think people will just realize that the professional athletes are seeing what these professional gamers are doing and we have a lot of respect for each other.
awesome story. The stories seem to over-exaggerate his skill level tbh. He is just going for fun, he has no realistic chance. Still good to see positive thoughts towards Esports. ESPORTS FTW!!!
Its cool to see this get recognition by ESPN, the most highly regarded sports network out there. It was a pretty good interview as well.
Who knows, some day we may be actually seeing esports coverage on ESPN on regular basis. I laugh imagining all the old-timer sports fans rage at the idea
I really enjoyed the interview. Gordon, I didn't know you as a Basket ball player but I admire what you're doing for the community. We all know you're gonna lose first round, but hey, that's what make it absolutely baller in my eyes !!! Gordon you're seriously awesome to get in the competition just because you feel it's right to do so. You're the medivac of ESPORTS.
Oh jeez, its so sad that he thinks he actually has a chance We all love what you are doing for e sports, but seriously? a plat player in the IGN pro league playing people who train at least 12 hours a day?
This isnt going to be pretty for him, but just to let you know we will all be cheering for you!
Great interview. Much better tone than the cbssports article. It's really strange how this is getting a lot of publicity. It's pretty awesome though.
On September 10 2011 07:20 firehand101 wrote: Oh jeez, its so sad that he thinks he actually has a chance We all love what you are doing for e sports, but seriously? a plat player in the IGN pro league playing people who train at least 12 hours a day?
This isnt going to be pretty for him, but just to let you know we will all be cheering for you!
I'm pretty sure he knows he has zero chances of getting anywhere. If you read the TL interview he says that him playing in the IPL is "like a high schooler playing against NBA players."
On September 10 2011 07:22 KingofGods wrote: Why is "Starcraft" in quotations?
Because it's a title. That's what you do in writing.
Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
lol I bet it's just ESPN wanting to beat CBS and rub it in their faces.
EDIT: also I love the front picture and how they say to imagine a pro-gamer then look at the picture and say it's not what you imagined right? Cause he -like his face- looks exactly like what I would imagine a pro gamer to look like, if not for the basketball setting I would totally believe he was a SC2 pro. Also for some reason the picture looks shopped but that's besides the point.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
Well, let's hear about all the other NBA players who are into Starcraft then
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
Well, let's hear about all the other NBA players who are into Starcraft then
Yea, if there are other professional athletes playing SC2, they aren't very public about it and certainly aren't doing advertisements with gaming leagues.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
Gordon Hayward: I think people will just realize that the professional athletes are seeing what these professional gamers are doing and we have a lot of respect for each other.
On September 10 2011 07:47 isM wrote: Thank god for ESPN.
Amen, this was a great article, open-minded and decently informed. Also props to Gordon Hayward for being such a freakin hero, love you man, he is pretty good at giving interviews.
Guys take the time and write a good response for the article. A lot of people took the time to give CBS bad publicity and ESPN should get just as much, if not more, good publicity for putting out this interview.
This was a very nice article! I'm really happy to see ESports and Starcraft 2 get such exposure these days! Also nice to see Gordon Hayward get some nice exposure and interviews. Just really really nice to see these things come together with such potential, can't wait for the IPL3!
On September 10 2011 07:54 sureshot_ wrote: Guys take the time and write a good response for the article. A lot of people took the time to give CBS bad publicity and ESPN should get just as much, if not more, good publicity for putting out this interview.
On September 10 2011 07:54 sureshot_ wrote: Guys take the time and write a good response for the article. A lot of people took the time to give CBS bad publicity and ESPN should get just as much, if not more, good publicity for putting out this interview.
Wow before sc2 came out I coudn't believe the hype that it could become a nationalally respected "sport" in America. This is surreal to see. maybe one day we'll have isl finals in a stadium with thousands of fans watching
On September 10 2011 07:54 sureshot_ wrote: Guys take the time and write a good response for the article. A lot of people took the time to give CBS bad publicity and ESPN should get just as much, if not more, good publicity for putting out this interview.
Absolfreakinlutely lets show ESPN how much thanks we can give them when they write a great article like this.
On September 10 2011 07:54 sureshot_ wrote: Guys take the time and write a good response for the article. A lot of people took the time to give CBS bad publicity and ESPN should get just as much, if not more, good publicity for putting out this interview.
Really good idea. Better to give the good articles more hits.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
Well, let's hear about all the other NBA players who are into Starcraft then
On September 10 2011 08:15 ki11z0ne wrote: he blows at SC2 why is this such a big deal!?!? he is just getting attention.... but gratz on Esports coverage...
Are you really confused or are you facetiously trying to make a (poor) point?
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
Word got out that he was streaming for the lols and people flocked to see. Some community sites have decided to reached out since then like IGN, WP.org and TL. It's not unusual to see celebs/athletes get interviewed about their gaming at gaming events when they show up. In this case, he showed his interest by streaming. You don't usually see non-gaming outlets ask people about what games they play or whatever.
Clearly ESPN was being pretty demeaning of esports and I quote "an organization that refers to their competitions as esports" and was even poking fun at Gordon Hayward stating he was odd for playing Starcraft while others play COD and NBA 2k. Read the sentence, that's how he states it.
Maybe I'm overly defensive, or the writer doesn't know how to write. Either way I don't like the interview.
If you think I'm reading into the subtext then why is Starcraft in quotation marks everytime, and why is Hayward answering defensively?
this was the smartest thing IPL has ever done. so many new people are exposed to sc2 and gordon hayward does a great job explaining that it isn't just for kids and a waste of time.
lol, I smell a hint of jealousy from some of these posts. I honestly think this is great news since it helps promoting SC2 and eSports. Besides, Hayward is a likable guy from watching his stream and his friend, Boris, is pretty funny sometimes. Of course he isn't a good player yet since this is just a hobby that he does in his spare time. Why does it matter if he is good or not? It is a game that he has fun playing. You guys are probably the type of people who complain when someone uploads a gameplay video and cry that the person playing sucks right?
EDIT
I wish he didn't say that progamers played 18 hours a day.... Such exaggeration.
Good article. I wouldn't have expected this of ESPN, but they have broken my prejudice. This is one more step in the process of Esports becoming widely accepted.
Imagine a future, if you will, where the nerds become jocks. That's where I want to live.
On September 10 2011 08:50 Acritter wrote: Good article. I wouldn't have expected this of ESPN, but they have broken my prejudice. This is one more step in the process of Esports becoming widely accepted.
Imagine a future, if you will, where the nerds become jocks. That's where I want to live.
We all know competitive gaming is going to get big at some point, whether the game to lead the charge is StarCraft II or not. I'm sure whomever is sitting up in a skybox somewhere calling the shots at Disney doesn't want to piss off this gigantic potential audience, particularly with NBCUniversal looking to push Versus as a force to compete with ESPN.
It's not easy, being in the spotlight and being in front of a group of peers who will likely scoff at the idea of pro-gaming, to speak so candidly and positively about esports. Mad respect Gordon. I'm impressed you're so dedicated to your physical training as well as your mental training.
Also, I liked how the interview's main focus was Starcraft and esports, not some paragraph buried in an NBA lockout article.
On September 10 2011 08:38 Terranist wrote: this was the smartest thing IPL has ever done. so many new people are exposed to sc2 and gordon hayward does a great job explaining that it isn't just for kids and a waste of time.
Well, we still have to see what happens when ESPN Realizes that won't do amazingly well.
This could either A: be really good for eSports because ESPN Would be watching Hayward and in effect watching the entire event and realize how awesome starcraft 2 is (Depending on how much fun the crowd is having) or B: Hayward would lose like he probably will in a very embarrassing series and ESPN won't look at StarCraft 2 ever again and eSports credibility is hurt again...
ESPN has more of an open mind towards e-sports because they had to go through all this shit when they started showing WSOP and people complained that poker wasn't a "real sport". Good for them.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
Zanooku shutup
i hate how people are dissing him even though hes giving Esports so much publicity, im sure he knows hes not going to win it but its for fun and he knows that.
Prett awesome article. Its innd of weird to think that of all the great sc2 players out there, in the past week alone Gordon Hayward has probablyy done more than all of them to make eSports" mainstream" from all this coverage he's getting. Awesome.
On September 10 2011 06:28 iyoume wrote: :D thanks to Gordon Hayward for growing ESPORTS!
when do we get on sportscenter? ;d
I was actually watching all the talk shows this afternoon hoping one would be like "well during the NBA lockout one player is finding something interesting to do.. starcraft 2" but none that i saw soon though.. soon.
Thanks IPL and Gordon! And espn for such a good interview. Love watching me some espn everyday. Can't wait for ipl3 and all this exposure is amazing <3
On September 10 2011 09:10 Robonord wrote: ESPN has more of an open mind towards e-sports because they had to go through all this shit when they started showing WSOP and people complained that poker wasn't a "real sport". Good for them.
Wasn't there supposed to be a partnership between MLG and ESPN? I've read that somewhere. Anyway, pretty sure people froth at the mouth at auto racing being a sport too and so they just call it "motor sports" now. But I wonder what they'd call horse racing? Some people think "sport" means an exclusive set of activities that involve a ball i.e. basketball, football, soccer.
I wish he didn't say that progamers played 18 hours a day.... Such exaggeration.
I thought broodwar pros sometimes played 18 hours in a day. Or perhaps I am mistaken.
12-14 is closer to the real number I think.
Some BW players have mentioned that they practiced 18 hours a day to prepare for an event (though not for more than a few days straight ofc) but that includes time spent watching replays and roughing out contingency strategies etc. They still probably practiced maybe 14-15 hrs a day for a few days though.
On September 10 2011 07:22 KingofGods wrote: Why is "Starcraft" in quotations?
It's the name of a video game, you see "Halo" and "Call of Duty". It would look weird without the quotes.
I honestly believe Esports will grow to MMA levels within 10 years. This is inevitable. So happy to see it in the beginning stages.
that doesn't mean it should be in quotes, that just means they should be capitalized. I, too, wonder why the writer put them in quotes. It's as if he's using the names figuratively, which i doubt is true.
As for those complaining that he thinks he has a chance, I think he very well knows he has no chance. At the end of the interview he talks about how he hopes for his sake that they train him well, and that the guys he's going up against have serious skill. He's just doing it for fun and to show gamer nerds that athletes can be nerdy too!
This is it, guys! ESPN, the omega of Sports coverage. Starcraft II is so lucky to have someone as publicly recognized as Gordon talking about SC2. We have to comment, respond, upvote, anything to everything on this article. Not just here, but at ESPN. ESPN will not come to TL.net, we have to blow this article out of proportion. Give it more comments than any other article, review, etc ESPN online has ever had. That's how we show them there is an audience for SC2.
All in on year guys... Starcraft 2 and ESPORTS has appeared numerous times in Forbes, PC gamer, Giant bomb, ESPN, g4, local newspapers (barcraft mainly), and now ESPN. We've gotten exposure in other places as well. I hope the train doesn't slow down.
Man, they really are bringing a ton of attention to this guy for playing SC2.
I guess press is never a terrible thing for the community but I didn't think it was something really significant. I'm out of touch with what other people follow up on it seems. I didn't know who this guy was before he streamed a couple of months ago.
Quite the juxtaposition to the cbs sports article released the other day lol. Thank you Jon Robinson for being a boss posting about star craft on espn.com!!
On September 10 2011 10:12 EnderCraft wrote: All in on year guys... Starcraft 2 and ESPORTS has appeared numerous times in Forbes, PC gamer, Giant bomb, ESPN, g4, local newspapers (barcraft mainly), and now ESPN. We've gotten exposure in other places as well. I hope the train doesn't slow down.
Yea this is great for SC2 . Mainstream media in Sweden has been streaming the DH invitationals too. Aftonbladet (our biggest newspaper) apparently had 300k viewers on their DH Stockholm stream which is 3% of the entire Swedish population.
On September 10 2011 10:12 EnderCraft wrote: All in on year guys... Starcraft 2 and ESPORTS has appeared numerous times in Forbes, PC gamer, Giant bomb, ESPN, g4, local newspapers (barcraft mainly), and now ESPN. We've gotten exposure in other places as well. I hope the train doesn't slow down.
Yea this is great for SC2 . Mainstream media in Sweden has been streaming the DH invitationals too. Aftonbladet (our biggest newspaper) apparently had 300k viewers on their DH Stockholm stream which is 3% of the entire Swedish population.
Do you know if they will also stream the Valencia Invitational?
On September 10 2011 10:12 EnderCraft wrote: All in on year guys... Starcraft 2 and ESPORTS has appeared numerous times in Forbes, PC gamer, Giant bomb, ESPN, g4, local newspapers (barcraft mainly), and now ESPN. We've gotten exposure in other places as well. I hope the train doesn't slow down.
Yea this is great for SC2 . Mainstream media in Sweden has been streaming the DH invitationals too. Aftonbladet (our biggest newspaper) apparently had 300k viewers on their DH Stockholm stream which is 3% of the entire Swedish population.
Do you know if they will also stream the Valencia Invitational?
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Exactly, this is giving e sports so much publicity it is actually crazy. I've read some of the articles posted by sporting sites and they are absolutely stunned that he calls this 'computer game' as competitive and as hard as actual NBA basketball, and are whinging that the NBA has gotten 'soft' and so on. I dont know if this is good or bad but it sure is getting a lot of people talking about the game, so good on ya gordon!
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Yes, lets get people who know very little about the game (Platinum level knowledge, basically no knowledge) to help represent it. Good idea gov'na, too right tally-ho.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Yes, lets get people who know very little about the game (Platinum level knowledge, basically no knowledge) to help represent it. Good idea gov'na, too right tally-ho.
Its not like he's explaining the intricacies of the game's strategy. he's telling people the game is dope, and as hard as NBA basketball, why you got to be such a hater? And yea I think someone as charismatic and universally liked in the sports world as Gordon Hayward is the perfect person to represent eSports to the mainstream sports world.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Yes, lets get people who know very little about the game (Platinum level knowledge, basically no knowledge) to help represent it. Good idea gov'na, too right tally-ho.
Its not like he's explaining the intricacies of the game's strategy. he's telling people the game is dope, and as hard as NBA basketball, why you got to be such a hater? And yea I think someone as charismatic and universally liked in the sports world as Gordon Hayward is the perfect person to represent eSports to the mainstream sports world.
Don't hate yo
I beg to differ, look at the shitstorm that has occured. He's representing "eSports" or "StarCraft 2" in all the wrong ways for people to actually realise "hey this isn't just a game anymore, it's a lifestyle for those dedicated".
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Yes, lets get people who know very little about the game (Platinum level knowledge, basically no knowledge) to help represent it. Good idea gov'na, too right tally-ho.
The way to get people interested in the game isn't to get them bogged down in details, though. They need to understand the core principles and I haven't seen a single flaw in the way he's talked about Starcraft (aside from maybe the 18hr a day schedule mentioned once). He's drawn attention to the scene and has always been positive about it - its basically Day9's philosophy; if you ignore negativity (hurr videogames) and just focus on the positive, (ie: The game is challenging, very cerebral, people are making their living off it, knife-edge decisions and action for the viewer) then the negative just looks shallow.
He understands enough, he's helping the community in a major way. That's why we should support him. Hell, you could argue that Day9 is no longer professional but if I wanted to introduce a new audience to the game, he's who I'd point to. I wouldn't send them to IdrA for example because, although incredibly knowledgable, he presents the more mechanical and technical aspects rather than "this is why this is awesome and you should love it".
The short of it is, people want to know why he's playing Starcraft, the big sporting websites are interviewing him, and those interviews are going to attract a lot of hits. I'm not exactly sure how someone could see this as bad unless its some kind of strange elitism.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Yes, lets get people who know very little about the game (Platinum level knowledge, basically no knowledge) to help represent it. Good idea gov'na, too right tally-ho.
It's called growing E-Sports, not about making this a secret elitist club for hardcore gamers. It's like saying that people who follow and support the NFL should have at least played Division I college ball or else they shouldn't be involved at all.
And it isn't about him representing the sport as a whole, but rather cross-pollinating two communities and giving exposure to one another, in this case professional sports has a MUCH bigger following (obviously) and thus people are excited at the possibility of E-Sports gaining many followers and gaining respect as a very competitive (E-)sport from the masses
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Yes, lets get people who know very little about the game (Platinum level knowledge, basically no knowledge) to help represent it. Good idea gov'na, too right tally-ho.
Its not like he's explaining the intricacies of the game's strategy. he's telling people the game is dope, and as hard as NBA basketball, why you got to be such a hater? And yea I think someone as charismatic and universally liked in the sports world as Gordon Hayward is the perfect person to represent eSports to the mainstream sports world.
Don't hate yo
I beg to differ, look at the shitstorm that has occured. He's representing "eSports" or "StarCraft 2" in all the wrong ways for people to actually realise "hey this isn't just a game anymore, it's a lifestyle for those dedicated".
The chowder heads who think like you do should stop being snobs. You all sound like the jerks I saw at the Mortal Kombat Pdp tournament, who eventually realized they were being assholes when one of the competitors they were trolling explained what his biggest inspiration was in an interview.
One of the best players in fighting game history had taken the time to teach him a things; because he had the right attitude to compete even if the level of his skill wasn't there at the time. That guy even made top 8 in that tournament. It doesn't matter what skill level they have as long as they have a strong enthusiasm to compete. We all start at the beginning.
On September 10 2011 07:32 AZKziek wrote: Why is this guy getting so much publicity... I'm sure he's not the first person to start playing an online game from a sports background. He's not even "good" at the game so it's not like there's anything he has to show for it.
It's called exposure you goddamn downer.
Yes, lets get people who know very little about the game (Platinum level knowledge, basically no knowledge) to help represent it. Good idea gov'na, too right tally-ho.
Its not like he's explaining the intricacies of the game's strategy. he's telling people the game is dope, and as hard as NBA basketball, why you got to be such a hater? And yea I think someone as charismatic and universally liked in the sports world as Gordon Hayward is the perfect person to represent eSports to the mainstream sports world.
Don't hate yo
I beg to differ, look at the shitstorm that has occured. He's representing "eSports" or "StarCraft 2" in all the wrong ways for people to actually realise "hey this isn't just a game anymore, it's a lifestyle for those dedicated".
You clearly don't know a thing about publicity. And what shit storm are you talking about? The cbs article? You realize the journalist admitted he was wrong and now may end up at a live event covering it in a positive light, right?
Hayward isn't representing anything. He is drawing attention to pro sc2. We have seen articles on cbs, espn, yahoo and deadspin about this story. People that read those stories now know that there are $100,000 sc2 tournaments out there. no one else in the community could really get us the attention that Hayward has gotten us because these sports sites don't care about Huk, Day9 and so on. Hayward has done a great job in getting pro sc2 attention it wouldn't have gotten before.
On September 10 2011 07:16 Zzoram wrote: If he's still Platinum by the time IPL3 happens, he's going to lose in round 1. Hopefully PainUser trains him well.
If he practices 1-1-1 enough he can take a few wins against Protoss
Awesome interview by ESPN, a lot better and more professional than that CBS(?) article that came out a few days ago. I'm so glad this is happening, good job IGN for giving SC2 the mainstream exposure that it needs.
really hope he takes out a few people at the IGN league. It's really cool to have his support and for him to be backing up SC2 despite the criticism he gets =)
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
He is probably just trolling or not really a fan of e-sports to say that this has no impact at all on the scene.
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
And what does that accomplish? Yay, a bunch of sport jocks now know there's a competitive side to online gaming. Please explain how that will help, and how it will honestly help.
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
And what does that accomplish? Yay, a bunch of sport jocks now know there's a competitive side to online gaming. Please explain how that will help, and how it will honestly help.
Your stupidity is unreal, i'll let someone else connect the dots for you...i need my sleep
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
And what does that accomplish? Yay, a bunch of sport jocks now know there's a competitive side to online gaming. Please explain how that will help, and how it will honestly help.
I really hope you are trolling.
It means that a ton of new people are exposed to the pro sc2 scene, bringing in more fans. You would be surprised at how many "sport jocks" play sc2 too. I come from a sports background, as do most of my friends and we all enjoy gaming and pro gaming as well.
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
And what does that accomplish? Yay, a bunch of sport jocks now know there's a competitive side to online gaming. Please explain how that will help, and how it will honestly help.
Trolling or not, you're hurting esports by marginalizing this huge step forward.
This is no huge step forward at all, the difference this guy is going to make is going to be almost non existent in comparison to much better methods of exposure.
On September 10 2011 15:18 AZKziek wrote: This is no huge step forward at all, the difference this guy is going to make is going to be almost non existent in comparison to much better methods of exposure.
Yes, getting a pro sc2 article on CBS Sports, ESPN, Yahoo and Deadspin isn't big at all...
On September 10 2011 15:18 AZKziek wrote: This is no huge step forward at all, the difference this guy is going to make is going to be almost non existent in comparison to much better methods of exposure.
I'm not sure if you're trolling, high, drunk, or something of the sort. Come on, do you think the guy is really going out there to win? He's an ambassador more than anything, getting the word eSports out into the more general public. You can downplay this all you want, but having someone like Gordon Hayward playing Sc2 and speaking highly of it as a competitive game (I hesitate to use the word sport for fear of 20 people quoting me on how sc2 isnt a sport) is good for sc2 and eSports in general.
On September 10 2011 15:18 AZKziek wrote: This is no huge step forward at all, the difference this guy is going to make is going to be almost non existent in comparison to much better methods of exposure.
The way I see it is that any progress is good progress, no matter how small. I'd love to see eSports (not just Starcraft) on ESPN or on a separate dedicated channel one day. It would finally give me a reason to turn on the tv.
Professional gaming has been my passion since watching my very first MLG back in 2004 and having someone who is known to millions creating positive exposure for Starcraft can only benefit the eSports community as a whole. This is the first time in history that someone of his status has promoted professional gaming.
On September 10 2011 15:18 AZKziek wrote: This is no huge step forward at all, the difference this guy is going to make is going to be almost non existent in comparison to much better methods of exposure.
What's better then getting exposure on the most mainstream sports site in existence?
On September 10 2011 08:37 KatuStarcraft wrote: f*** espn
User was warned for this post
Sorry, didn't think I needed clarification.
Clearly ESPN was being pretty demeaning of esports and I quote "an organization that refers to their competitions as esports" and was even poking fun at Gordon Hayward stating he was odd for playing Starcraft while others play COD and NBA 2k. Read the sentence, that's how he states it.
Maybe I'm overly defensive, or the writer doesn't know how to write. Either way I don't like the interview.
If you think I'm reading into the subtext then why is Starcraft in quotation marks everytime, and why is Hayward answering defensively?
Because titles are suppose to be in quotations or underlined, you are forgetting that he is a writer so they use everything correctly. I don't know how people don't understand this yet.
So ridiculously awesome. When I started watching broodwar, I thought I'd have grown children before this day came.
This is a man with massive balls. Huge respect. Gordon fighting.
Fuck that cbs sports writer with the nerd alert article.
Also, count me in with the crowd that wants a spacecraft2 tshirt.
EDIT: Part of my post was bullshit. I should not try to think at this hour. Otherwise, does anyone know his handle? I'm not sure which player to look for.
So fucking awesome, we need LeBron to play SC2, so we can watch him choke =D
I know this 39 year old guy, pure bussiness man, think Wall Street Michael Douglas, was talking to him about boring shit, like the economy. He made it very clear that he dosent game, then later on out of nowhere he says "but i play League of Legends on a nightly basis" i was stunned. So many people are gamers and they dont even know
On September 10 2011 08:15 ki11z0ne wrote: he blows at SC2 why is this such a big deal!?!? he is just getting attention.... but gratz on Esports coverage...
You've completely missed the point. He's an NBA player and was the star of a cinderella Butler team that barely lost to Duke in the NCAA championship tournament game. It's not publicity for him, it publicty for Esports.
The ESPN interview is actually awesome, and is very professional
but in the other is this dude giving the interview serious? SpaceCraft? Then asking if his gf was virtual? This dude is seriously should not be allowed to interview professionals since he can't even act like one..
I hope he wins some games tho, he doesn't stand a chance much like any pro player would lose against him playing basketball but he will help get attention and get esports a bit more mainstream!
I really like this kid, seems a nice and humble guy, I will root for him in the NBA!
Congrats and I'm sure the interviews won't end there. In either case, I'm glad the guys at IGN contacted him as he is a great spokesperson for the game.
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
And what does that accomplish? Yay, a bunch of sport jocks now know there's a competitive side to online gaming. Please explain how that will help, and how it will honestly help.
Dude, you know that a lot of 18-35 year olds both tend to like sports and video games, right? There's no contradiction there. I go to ESPN.com to read up about the Steelers. Not everyone lives in your imaginary 'I must live with one interest and it will characteristically define me' world.
But I guess you're just an arrogant nerd who will never admit that people who like sports are intelligent enough to comprehend your infinitely complex video game, right? I don't mean that seriously, but stereotypes work both ways.
AZKziek is just an ignorant person. This is great for ESports and could even bring new interest to Starcraft2 genre with people seeing pros playing it.
On September 11 2011 07:06 mrKamiya wrote: MLG/ESPN partnership, one can dream
dont dream for too long sc will be mainstream eventually its happening already ^_^ i just cant wait till it happens so i can rub into all my friends faces that i made the right choice 8 long years ago.
The eve of ESPN StarCraft matches is upon us. Huzzah for a step in the right direction. I mean they have poker on ESPN and not StarCraft... something is wrong there.
If anyone has any good ideas that could help bring e-sports on to ESPN, please PM me! I figure TV isn't the right medium for SC, but there are plenty of other platforms that ESPN serves up to. I want to try and help, but it's hard without any hard data to back up the growth.
On September 11 2011 16:11 inamorato wrote: What is this the BBC version of ESPN?
Lol it's like the exact opposite of the BBC.
It's a bunch of "lads" talking about stuff that "lads" are into like football (soccer) and birds and vans. Their sports presenters are Alan Brazil who spends the entire time either drunk or telling people his stories about when he was drunk and Andy Gray + Richard Keys who were fired from SkySports (our ESPN) for being sexist pigs
Then they round it off at night with some right wing Bill O Reilly type to talk about how the worlds awful and that we need to become fascists to save it or some other bollocks.
to be completely honest I could see something like MLG being bought out by espn in the near future if it keeps growing. It would add a huge numbers of viewers to the channel especially for season of the year when they have few sports to play on tv like during summer and such. If pro bowling and poker can be on espn no reason that starcraft 2 and other e-sports can't be. Plus MLG already has a strong fanbase and i feel is pretty "american" enough to get tagged from espn. Cant wait
One day, when todays gaming generation is 40, we'll sit and watch ESPN or whatever sports channel, and tell out kids about the good old e-sports heroes. (Yes I realize that a lot of gamers are 40 right now)
Amazing interview! so much respect for Hayward. LOL never thought i would ever see the words "starcraft" "Terran" "Protoss" and "Zerg" in the comments section of an article on ESPN. This is great!
This guy is in high Platinum, with hopes of getting to diamond... They might as well have been interviewing me as a professional basketball player as that adds up to some where at the middle school competitive level in basket ball in my mind: Code S Some Code A (other major tournaments top 4) = NBA stars Code A Some of B and top 25 or so in other major tournaments = You made it to the NBA, but your not a star Grand Masters/competitive at tournaments, but very unlikely to win if someone if the above groups enter - College Masters = High School Diamond = Junior varsity Plat = ?Middle school? Gold- Pick up games a few times a year for fun only, not much experience prior
I'm happy to see a big site such as ESPN not frame SC2 as absolutely awful. Definitely good promotion for the game, gogo Gordon Hayward for SC2 promotion!
On September 14 2011 21:07 perfectchaoss wrote: This guy is in high Platinum, with hopes of getting to diamond... They might as well have been interviewing me as a professional basketball player as that adds up to some where at the middle school competitive level in basket ball in my mind:
It's called publicity. No one wants to read an interview about you. People actually care about Gordon Hayward. Why do people get so sensitive when he's called a progamer, lol. Just chill and have fun.
On September 14 2011 21:07 perfectchaoss wrote: This guy is in high Platinum, with hopes of getting to diamond... They might as well have been interviewing me as a professional basketball player as that adds up to some where at the middle school competitive level in basket ball in my mind:
It's called publicity. No one wants to read an interview about you. People actually care about Gordon Hayward. Why do people get so sensitive when he's called a progamer, lol. Just chill and have fun.
Also hes a big fan of the pro scene. For example lets say that the son of Bill Gates or someone played in chess tournaments at a local level. Compared to the professional players he would be lucky to take a game in 100 but if someone wants to get a sense on the scene and if he knows his stuff he would definitely be a better player to interview than a semi pro player who would easily beat him whenever.
On September 10 2011 13:14 AZKziek wrote: Alright, ask yourself this. How many big NBA fans that read and follow this lads articles are into watching a competitive game of SC2?
thats the point, to make those who are unaware of pro sc2, aware of it. How are you not getting this?
And what does that accomplish? Yay, a bunch of sport jocks now know there's a competitive side to online gaming. Please explain how that will help, and how it will honestly help.
Dude, you know that a lot of 18-35 year olds both tend to like sports and video games, right? There's no contradiction there. I go to ESPN.com to read up about the Steelers. Not everyone lives in your imaginary 'I must live with one interest and it will characteristically define me' world.
But I guess you're just an arrogant nerd who will never admit that people who like sports are intelligent enough to comprehend your infinitely complex video game, right? I don't mean that seriously, but stereotypes work both ways.
It doesn't even matter. The article is on ESPN's videogames blog. Which basically means no one but people who already follow videogames will see it. I can't even figure out how to get to the videogames blog from the main ESPN page to be honest. You guys are just arguing about nothing.
While I really love this coverage, ESPN, being American, won't cover it beyond a niche blog unless there's an American superstar at the top.
Around 2000, ESPN actually televised professional Magic: The Gathering matches. This was when Jon Finkel, an American player, was #1. Right after Jon lost this status to Kai Budde, viewership dropped and ESPN eventually pulled out. The general American public wants to see American heroes, unfortunately. Want another example? Golf before Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Maybe ESPORTS will be mainstream in 20 years, but not this generation. =(
spacecraft....really??? could ya get the name right when talking about the fact it has given out 1.5 million in prizes but overall a good thing for esports
Wait... did he say the progamers playing in IPL play 18 hours a day? That is no where near true, the NA pros (top pros) get 8-10 hours in a day. and Korans like 12 hours.
EPT
soon though.. soon. 
![[image loading]](http://stk.dimemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/gordon-hayward-20.jpg)
