Tara's G-Spot - EVENT SPECIAL GAMECLUCKS STARCRAFT II TOURNAMENTS by Tara Babcock - www.impulsegamer.com

EVENT SPECIAL GAMECLUCKS STARCRAFT II TOURNAMENTS
BY TARA BABCOCK

Few tournaments in the circuit would allow a player as god-awful as myself to join in the fun, even when I present to them an entrance fee comprised entirely of United States Dollars. Gameclucks, however, opened their hearts to my plight and let me enter the Bronze and Silver league bracket!

THE EVENT IN VIDEO FORM:

Look forward to tons more of these cute blog-style videos from my gaming event adventures!

I walked into the familiar LAN center, Gameclucks, on an uncharacteristically beautiful Saturday afternoon in Seattle. Gameclucks is not your average LAN center, no. It is home to the most prominent eSports professionals in the Pacific Northwest, often housing tournaments for games such as StarCraft II, Marvel vs. Capcom, Super Smash Bros., League of Legends, and everything in between that can be considered a game, and played competitively. I was ridiculously early, and found the very first computer in the place to set up my Razer gaming gear. I plopped down next to aspiring StarCraft II progamer, MYiSony, and watched him plow through game after game of Zerg versus Zerg, while I chatted with the other nerd patrons. The day was already looking bright as more potential competitors streamed through the door.

As for a little background on the Gameclucks venue, they are sponsored, like myself, by NOS Energy Drinks, and welcome a barrage of Master and Grandmaster-level players from all around the Northwest of the US and Canada, many of which are on professional gaming teams like LighT, My Intent, and Legit Gaming. Caliber, Golden, and KawaiiRice from Team LighT frequent the venue, and many are GSL Code A contenders, and superior professionals who are utterly exciting to watch compete... and they're super sweet people to boot! Sound impressive enough yet? Well, that is just their StarCraft repertoire!

MATCH 1

Chris, owner of the venue, comes up to me excitedly, "You'll be the first casted match... so, whenever you're ready!"

I shiver. I'm used to playing in my home, on ladder, against different people each match. How was I supposed to play a best-of-three against people and still surprise them with my build and harass!? I was nervous, but I went for it! After all, I am given the handicap because I'm a girl, but I wanted to prove myself!

My whole best-of-three with my first opponent, caster Hadoken.

I nearly effortlessly beat Hadoken in my first match, and I was feeling pretty invincible. My multi-pronged Banshee harass had done the trick, and his early Protoss push hadn't hindered me as much as he'd expected. I wondered, catching my breath, when it would get easier to be two places at once. The pros always made it look so easy!

Game two was a mess. I lost my whole diverse army of Tanks, Marines, and Marauders in the middle of the map while I wasn't looking. How discouraging... I didn't have a second strong build in mind for a Protoss opponent, and things were starting to look grim.

Game three, I went in with my standard build and effortlessly defeated Hadoken, my Protoss opponent. I even added a bit of flair, dropping half of my overpowering army into his base for a perfect surround. Yes, I did it!

MATCH 2

My best-of-three with roach-rusher, Kingdopp. Not cool to lose to an all-in! Boo!

The next set of games, I wasn't so lucky. A roach rush all-in blew me away twice. The lack of lower-league players worked to my advantage anyway-- by a technicality I was allowed to advance to the winner's bracket finals!

The most amazing thing about eSports isn't the incredible APM of the players, nor is it the tremendous skill or time they take to practice, it's the awesome feeling you get of family when you're in the community. Of course, there will always be the negative people, or trolls who will try to get you angry, but, as a whole, the gaming community is so supportive, kind, and such a tight knit group of people. Everyone respects one another, and is always willing to welcome newcomers, give advice, and give praise where it is due. You can feel this when you enter Gameclucks, especially. I feel at home, and I am more comfortable coming up to new people and instigating friendly banter there than pretty much any other event venue. It's so much fun!


The sexy nerds hard at work practicing, laddering, and going head-to-head in the LAN tournament! Go team!

Tensions mounted as Master and Grandmaster level players battled it out, creating a rise out of the casting room that could be heard through half of the LAN center. Who would win the ultimate prize pool?

Throughout the night I played two Masters-level players. I know, you're thinking, two!? She must have beaten one and advanced through the bracket, until I confirm the fact that it was a double-elimination style tournament. One day, Guys, one day...

UNEVEN-RANKED MASTERS MATCH

My best-of-three with one of the Masters players I was forced to get beaten by. It's kind of amusing, actually!

Not only is playing video games a fun way to pass time, it is also a way to train many of your skills, and use them toward real-life goals. It is a way to connect and keep in touch with friends on the same level that a website like Facebook lets you stay updated, but with much more depth... and excitement! eSports is the next step in gaming entertainment. It is a way for serious players to make money, and akin to the huge world of professional sports. If you take anything out of this article, it should be that electronic sports are awesome, and, if you're ever in the Seattle area, you must stop in and see me at the Gameclucks LAN center! After all, it is one of the longest running and most successful LANs in the US!

EPIC EXTERNAL LINKS:

Gameclucks Official Website

Gameclucks on Twitter

Gameclucks on Facebook

Team LighT Official Website

Team LighT on Twitter

Meanwhile, in Tara Land...

I know it has been a while since I have been able to release an article. There has been way too much going on with me, from a stomach flu, to my computer being hacked, travel, modeling, and the untimely release of the ultimate addiction: Diablo III.

I think I'll jump right in to the Ask Tara question of the article: "Have you played Japanese sex games?" This one is amusing. Yeah, I have, over my vast amount of years, played an anime sex game or two. They are so funny. Pretty much, you talk to a curvy anime sex babe and answer questions and interact with her, with the intention of sleeping with her in the end. If you win, you get a graphic hentai sex scene. It's pretty epic! I think I've actually played something similar in the Gameworks arcade downtown! I hope you guys have enough tokens!

While I am on the topic of eSports, and gaming events in general, I'd like to announce that I will be covering E3 and MLG Anaheim Spring Championships for Impulse Gamer! I am incredibly excited, but also a bit nervous. Writing is one thing, but instigating conversations and interviews with people that I admire sounds terrifying! Wish me luck! I'm also cosplaying a bit and I purchased two outfits! Here's a teaser for one... Dragon Ball! YAY!

 

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Follow Tara at her official website, www.tarababcock.com

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