StarCraft, Warcraft III are the bread and butter for some very lucky and talented individuals. And if you are into the video gaming scene then these names will be familiar for you. Over the years in Korea the online gaming industry has become more lucrative than ever before. The manager at WeMade FOX stated, "We are concerned with it (training). There aren't many first class players in Korea, and the training condition is pretty poor so players usually train with foreign players." However, this not becoming the case anymore, due to some pro games and a new show that will bring gaming to a whole new level.
The professional competition circuit started in 2002 for StarCraft and took gaming to new heights in Korea. The two major channels to watch in Korea are Ongamenet and MBCGame which run a Starleague. Eventually, the players in the Starleagues became organized and made teams which turn got the pro gamers sponsored by large Korean companies such as Samsung, SK Telecom and KTF. StarCraft is by far the most popular and most competitive competition and with the annual World Cyber Games and thanks to the Korean fan base it has become the largest computer and video competition for the world.
Also, this year Lim Yo-hwan or the BoxeR as he is known around the pro gaming circuit is the first pro gamer to feature a new Korean revenge TV show which players face rivals in special matches. This further demonstrates the lucrative professional gaming industry that has risen in Korea. The show will pit someone who has had epic matches or someone who has ended a winning streak. The gamers will battle then be interviewed afterwards. For example, it could show epic rivalries as BoxeR versus the legend himself NaDa.
Lee Yoon-yeol (NaDa), Lim Yo-hwan and recently Jang Jae-ho (Moon) who has became one of the most illustrious players in the pro gaming circuit now. Who signed a three contract with WeMade Fox that is worth 700,000,000won or roughly US$473,000. However, NaDa signed the highest contract with WeMade Fox worth 750,000,000won in 2007. With these three illustrious players and up and coming gamers will keep the pro gaming industry in Korea booming for many years to come.
