All information asymmetry is reduced and eliminated as the game progresses. But as the information is revealed, the spectator is entertained in the process. The revelation of this information, slowly teased out, creates suspense for spectators and players. In an article of ―why Starcraft attracts crowds so often‖ listing 14 examples of exciting spectacles [4], the majority were cases of information asymmetry leading to suspense. The examples were: crazy unexpected strategies (player has information advantage), air chases, mine drags, storm blankets, reavers, and the clash (outcomes are highly variable and thus unknown), lurker hold position trick, arbiter recall on mines, and nukes (the spectator has an information advantage over the victim player). For example, as flying transportation vessels float over enemy frontlines, spectators watch in anticipation, wondering if they will be shot down by the opponent‘s turrets or if they will make it to the mining workers, devastating the opponent‘s economy. Starcraft‘s strength in attracting spectators lies in its many situations of long teasing information asymmetries of all three types. These drawn out unknowns build suspense for the spectators and their release is a source of entertainment.
Silicon Avatar wrote on May 17, 2011, 15:32:
I can't think of many things more boring than to watch a stranger play a video game.
I don't find the game very fun to watch personally, I'd rather play it. Unfortunately Starcraft 2 is much like a having a second career that you need to dump copious amounts of time into so that you can compete effectively.
MrTA wrote on May 17, 2011, 09:05:
NeOCidE you can do it from the game but then it is called watching replays. Look for a sort of video camera icon in the menus. When u watch streams go to sites like www.gosugamers.net or www.teamliquid.net and look them up. You can also google for big leagues like IPL, GSL, NASL, MLG etc etc. But the two sites linked above is a good start.
Oh another good source for SC2 games is Youtube search for StarCraft 2 Vods (video on demand).
NeOCidE wrote on May 17, 2011, 08:52:
Sorry to be a newb, but how does one actually spectate on a Starcraft 2 game? Is this feature built in to the game?
NeOCidE wrote on May 17, 2011, 08:52:
Sorry to be a newb, but how does one actually spectate on a Starcraft 2 game? Is this feature built in to the game?