Tue, Apr 13, 2010 | 17:06 BST
Professional StarCraft players in Korea accused of cheating
Professional e-sports players in Korea have been accused of match set-ups and illegal betting through StarCraft.
Celebrity player sAviOr, Ja Mae Yoon, is one such player being accused.
Reports stating that the players are intentionally losing matches, and leaking replay files to illegal gambling groups have surfaced, via GamePron.
Teams involved are at the moment talking freely and naming names and an investigation into the allegations is underway.
Here’s a blurb:
The drama all started several years ago – in 2006 – and exploded properly in 2008, when the betting sites started to contact various players inquiring about rigging their matches. Apparently, retired pro gamers, a former pro gamer coach, a former match announcer and a pro gaming scene reporter brought out their address books and contact lists to play a large part in the deals being made. Coaching staff and camp directors are also implicated, allegedly taking money for charging player entry fees.
…even more sinister: E-sports organizers allegedly knew about the situation and had attempted to solve the issue themselves, with the illegal businesses going further underground. A closed conference even saw the organizers discussing the possibility of co-existing with the illegal betting sites.
While it is illegal to post the names of those involved in an investigation by Korean law, a blacklist surfaced on the internet, and included the following names: Myung Soo (Yarnc), Chan Soo (Luxury), Sang Ho (SangHo), Jung Woo (EffOrt), Yong Hwa (Movie), Jae Yoon (sAviOr), Taek Yong (Bisu), Byong Goo (Stork), Jae Wook (BeSt), il Jang (hero), Myung Hoon (fantasy), Heui Seung (UpMaGiC), Jae Dong (Jaedong), Sang Moon (Leta), Jong Seo (Justin), Chang Hee (go.go)
Sounds like a big mess.
More through the link.
Thanks, Evil Avatar.
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Posted in: Activision Blizzard, Korea, Legalities, PC, Strategy
Tags: e-sports, professional starcraft players, starcraft, StarCraft I
11 comments
#1
Gekidami
13/04/10, 5:19 pm
Koreans have really lame user names dont they.
#2
Syrok
13/04/10, 5:21 pm
All of them are better than “xXxSniperkillerxXx” and “N008SlaYeR666″ etc.
#3
Yoshi
13/04/10, 5:23 pm
Haha Syrok very very true XD
#4
Gekidami
13/04/10, 5:37 pm
I think i prefer “xXxSniperkillerxXx” to “Hero”, “Luxury”, or “Movie” honnestly.
I’m reminded of that part in Dragon Ball Z where Ox-King has a massive list of random item names to suggest a name for Gohan.
#5
DarkElfa
13/04/10, 5:50 pm
Betting on Starcraft; hilarious as it is sad.
#6
Gekidami
13/04/10, 5:55 pm
Not really any different then betting on any other competitive activity really. As long as theres a winner(s) and a loser(s) its all the same.
#7
endgame
13/04/10, 6:13 pm
Geki’s right. u ppl should show respect for other ppl cultures.
#8
Uncontested
13/04/10, 8:00 pm
Starcraft betting.. LMFAO.
#9
OlderGamer
13/04/10, 8:15 pm
“Professional e-sports players …”
Pretty much says it all.
Maybe next year I will turn pro in FIFA.
#10
Phoenixblight
13/04/10, 8:37 pm
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06207/708718-96.stm\
If there is competition there will always be money involved.
#11
abbe
13/04/10, 9:36 pm
Thats quite a big bunch of big players, I’m a huge fan of the competitive SC scene, its a bit disappointing for me that these news have come up.