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StarCraft 2 ’s HomeStory Cup tourney series is one of the most entertaining esports issue around , and it ’s a formula that should be re-create - at least , some of its elements should be - by more organizers propel forward . It ’s yet another illustration of howStarCraft 2has supervise to continue relevantdespite occupying a more niche theatrical role in the world of esports , and tournaments like HomeStory Cup are precisely why , as they embrace the role of the game instead of seek to artificially inflate it to level of viewership and ubiquity it does n’t presently call home .
For those unfamiliar , HomeStory Cup is a tourney organized by Dennis " TaKe " Gehlen . It first began with TaKe take in players from around the world to contend in his home studio for a cash prize , and has grown into one of the premiere result of the yr whenever it takes position . For setting , the most late HomeStory Cup , it ’s 19th looping , ultimately awarded $ 4,000 USD to the success , with many players who participated receive no money whatsoever . Despite this , role player look frontward to the tournament more than most , and viewers count it as something that ca n’t be missed . Why is that ?
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To lead off , HomeStory Cup is a unique tourney setting that fix histrion in rather small spaces with each other in a more relaxed environment . The tournament features several other distractions - a bar , to name one , but also side - games aplenty - and thespian who have n’t played yet or have already been eliminated regularly mingle into the crowd to watch out other game . It ’s a community event for the players , the casters , and the viewers , and it do to cue each of them thatStarCraft 2is a plot - no matter how many fourth dimension it feels much bigger than that .
The biggest understanding HomeStory Cup is such a wonderful tournament series , though , is that it allows players to showcase their personality in ways that no other tournament serial publication go . participant can jump onto the couch to commentate game with each other , often demonstrating both perceptiveness and amusement in equal part . For some , it ’s not a surprisal , but for others , the Book of Revelation that they ’re more than just stone - cold mechanically gifted killers is a massive boon . South Korean players in exceptional get a probability to show off personality that is usually lost in translation in other configurations . player like Zest and TY have manage to earn grand more devotee thanks to their cagey interviews and personalities , and that does n’t ordinarily become an accent at the other tournaments they play in .
We ’ve argued before thatStarCraft 2 , by nature of being an game decide in a 1 vs. 1 place setting , secern the skilful stories in esports -soO last ending his second - place swearing , Marubecoming the most dominant Korean player we ’ve ever seen before immediately falling from grace in 2019 , and Serral ’s once - in - a - life run in 2018 are all proof of that . At HomeStory Cup , though , those taradiddle get a chance to shine in less striking style . This past weekend , it was Zest ’s Immortal and Warp Prism push versus the collective dismay of the entire Zerg race . It was Serral , nonchalantly consult to as the Night King despite being nothing like a dashing hopes , casually dismissing opponents while show some nervy personality along the way . We watch Stephano get a brief moment back in the sun , and Lambo proved if professional child’s play ever lead off tire him that casting could easily be his calling .
All of these things , realistically , would never have been demo in another tourney setting . That ’s what ’s significant about HomeStory Cup - it glow a spotlight on some of the narrative and players who might otherwise never see it , or who might have thousands of devotee waiting to bosom them if they only begin to see what they were like outside the game too . It serve build brands , personalities , and viewer investment in a tournament series that will never , ever , get anywhere close to the viewership or prize puddle of massive events like The International 2019 , which is currently on pace to hit a $ 30 million prize syndicate .
What it does do , however , is something that ca n’t be exchange . Prize pools get along and go -StarCraft 2players have sex that better than anyone , really - but personality and entertainment are timeless . More esports organizers outside of games that are wholly prevailing should appear at HomeStory Cup and realise there ’s money , and security , to be find in letting players , not money , be the selling compass point .
Next : StarCraft 2 ’s Best Player Is n’t Obvious In 2019
Source : TaKeTV / Twitch
