Describing why I love StarCraft II is a difficult prospect because, as self indulgent as this is, it's an incredibly complex and wide spanning question. I wrote a blog when I was feeling sappy last winter that largely describes my experience in esports—for me it is all about the people—but my relationship with SC2 is a lot deeper than that.

The release of SC2 completely altered the course of my life. I remember the moment I knew I wanted to work in esports, it was in a car after MLG DC 2010 where we were driving back to the newly minted NYC TLHQ. I had spent the past week in New York first at the IEM American Championships, a tournament with no Zergs where we watched Counter-Strike 1.6 for two hours waiting for the grand finals (it was the only way to get seats). Reflecting on the week I had, the people I met, and just how much love everyone had for what we were doing made me never want to leave.

I broke up with the woman I was dating about a month later when I realized I was routinely ditching her to play SC2 4v4 with a rotating crew of TL staff. Eventually I was given an opportunity to try it out with a full time and be among peers who shared the same passion I did. Growing up my only goal for adulthood was to find an area I could be passionate about and dedicating myself to it, though I never knew what that was going to be. Going to events, meeting people, and immersing ourselves in a singular pursuit we all shared and loved was what my life became.

Esports is more than just a career, it's a lifestyle. And without SC2 I never would have found it.

The reason I love StarCraft 2 is pretty simple -- the game keeps on giving. I could tell you stories about my ladder adventures during the early years of SC2's life and some of the epic sets I played against Corthinthos and Jimdiddy. Or some of the amazing team play memories of carrying games with blink stalkers and four gates with Mulder and Manifesto7. Or perhaps stories of the sheer joy in seeing TeamLiquidPro succeed in tournaments. Or even the immense feeling of pride seeing the TLMC become so successful and seeing many talented mappers get their work played at the highest level. While all of those (and more) were amazing, they're not why I love this game.

I love this game because as my own life changes I can enjoy SC2 in different ways.
I love this game because it still gives us great games, like Snute vs Classic on Cactus Valley from this on-going IEM.
I love this game because at the heart of it all there is an amazing community.

When I heard of the sequel to StarCraft I was so excited. Back when I was in highschool (1998-2001) I used to play it on the school's computers in abandoned computer labs with my friends. So the game for me had a lot of nostalgia attached to it. I, like hundred thousands of other people, did not have beta access at the start of the beta. So I took to YouTube, finding HD and Husky. Watching them broadcast really great players and games, watching HDH Invitational when the final matches were streamed live(!), being mindblown by White-Ra’s game sense to scout on Metalopolis like he did to find TLO’s hidden starports. I was hooked. The game wasn’t out yet, I hadn’t even played it yet but I was already in love, with StarCraft II as a game and as a sport.

I have since spent countless of hours watching the game, becoming a fan to some players, anti-fan to others. I also started contributing to the wiki and that journey given to me by SC2 has been amazing. The game has given me friends from all corners of the world, and even a job. Both of which are amazing. I’m really hoping for 5 more amazing years just like these, to watch the rise and fall of new stars, and to be able to follow them just as passionately as I have followed my old heroes.