LAN occasions are integral to the Overwatch neighborhood. It could be that because the inception of Overwatch esports, LAN has all the time been current. This stems from in Korea the APEX seasons have been at OGN in particular person and at the start of the inaugural season LAN occasions have been on the Burbank Enviornment. The OWCS Korea department is making certain that that custom doesn’t die via the arduous work of WDG. The Korea OWCS highlighted the immense work the area has carried out to maintain the LAN power and spirit alive!
The Venue
The venue of the Korea OWCS is within the Daehan movie show. This constructing itself has an extended historical past of being the primary trendy theater in South Korea, and now’s housing the following technology of leisure of Overwatch LAN occasions. The placement is nice as it’s centrally positioned with it being proper outdoors Exit 1/2 of Chungmuro. There may be movie show popcorn and drinks that followers are capable of get on ground one, with a Starbucks above earlier than heading to the seventh ground, which many followers depart to get throughout breaks within the gameplay.
The sign-in desk is instantly on the elevator earlier than going across the nook into the theater. As that is an outdated movie show some parts appear pure to the constructing however made a giant distinction for an esport occasion. The structure is an amphitheater so not like the traditional chairs on the identical degree wanting on the stage all followers are capable of see over the folks in entrance of them. The casters are within the again however nonetheless seen to the followers as they solid in the identical room. The chairs are movie show chairs so it’s not the arduous folding chairs that followers are used to for a lot of LAN occasions.
The gamers are in entrance, however with no soundproof shell round them, the followers can hear the groups’ comm proper in entrance of them. It gave a really private really feel with the way it was arrange and the gamers might see the indicators of assist and listen to the cheers.
Fan Interplay
The Korea OWCS finals gave followers one thing to stay up for when viewing in particular person. It began on the check-in desk, and for every ticket that was bought, followers have been capable of attain in for a fortunate draw likelihood of a signed Polaroid from gamers. The followers additionally obtained a memorabilia ticket for the match as a souvenir. The traditional posters have been additionally out there for followers to attract their assist for gamers and groups. There was additionally an Instagram occasion the place followers have been capable of put up utilizing gifs of the official account for an opportunity to win!
In the course of the broadcast, the indicators have been highlighted throughout breaks within the gameplay making the time go faster. The Korean followers have been displaying footage of pets on their telephones throughout the breaks which additionally saved the group entertained. There may be additionally the ever-present fan cheers at the start of every map the place the followers will yell the group identify and “화이팅” to assist their group. All of this collectively reveals how Korea OWCS has created their very own ecosystem of followers that builds on the historical past of esports however can also be pushing ahead into the brand new.
The Gamers
All of the matches have been full of Overwatch League execs. It was a who’s who when it got here to the groups. The ultimate match was Falcons vs WAC. This match-up had all of the historical past of the Overwatch League behind it.
It was becoming that the coaches was Moon “Moon” Byungchul beforehand of the Shanghai Dragons and Park “Crusty” Daehee beforehand of the San Francisco Shock. Each of the Dragons and Shock have been powerhouses inside the Overwatch League within the final seasons. Each coaches have proven their ability and prowess in serving to develop new gamers and synergize a group collectively. They have been two of the most important teaching names within the Overwatch League and to see them once more within the Finals of OWCS Korea cemented their names in Overwatch esport historical past.
The Groups
When it got here to the gamers it was a mismatch of role-stars and MVPs from the Overwatch League. Falcons’ group is comprised of Han “Chiyo” Hyeonseok, Kwon “Fielder” Joon, Choi “Hanbin” Hanbin, Kim “Correct” Donghyun, Majed “SirMajed” Alrashied, Yoo “Smurf” Myeonghwan, and Jeong “Stalk3r” Hakyong. Smurf, Hanbin, and Correct all hailing from Crusty’s outdated lineup of the Shock with the brand new additions of the assist group and Stalk3r. In the meantime, WAC has Choi “MAX” Sumin, Kim “Shu” Jinseo, Lee “LIP” Jaewon, Park “Junbin” Junbin, Chae “Heesang” Heesang, and Sung “CH0R0NG” Yoomin on the roster. Coach Moon and LIP labored intently collectively on the Shanghai Dragons. There are a number of Overwatch League winners and role-stars in these star-studded lineups.
The narratives don’t cease with the coaches. The Atlanta Reign DPS Duo of Lip and Stalk3r confronted off. Each of them have been popping off on the completely different maps. Stalker had superb performances within the first 3 matches, whereas LIP refused to go down with no struggle serving to WAC pull it again for two matches. MAX and Junbin from WAC hail from Crusty’s outdated group of the Shock. They have been the tank duo whereas Smurf and Hanbin have been additionally the Shock Tank duo from a distinct Overwatch League period. There was LIP who was MVP in 2021 whereas Correct was MVP in 2022 placing two huge DPS stars in opposition to one another.
Korean OWCS Finals
The Ultimate of the Korean OWCS was full of motion and a whole lot of nice Overwatch. Falcons received the title of Champions and clinched their spot within the total bigger match. Although WAC didn’t win, their efficiency helped them safe a signing to the Japanese group Loopy Raccoons the place the entire group was picked up!
WDG’s arduous work is creating magic. Not solely is the manufacturing on level however the neighborhood that has been created. LAN is so vital to Overwatch and it’s WDG and OWCS Korea that’s conserving that alive. It was magical to be within the theater watching the gamers that the neighborhood has come to like nonetheless be capable to play skilled Overwatch in entrance of their followers. With the demise of the Overwatch League there have been fears of how it could affect the neighborhood, however Korea OWCS has proven that with the best decisions and arduous work followers nonetheless there ready to have the ability to present their assist!
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