The Rise and Evolution of RTS Esports: A Starcraft II Retrospective

This chapter explores the transformative impact of Starcraft II on the esports landscape, focusing on the early days of competitive gaming from 2000 to 2013. The speakers share personal anecdotes from significant tournaments and discuss the cultural relevance of RTS games, highlighting their unique gameplay dynamics and challenges. They also analyze the rise and decline of Starcraft in comparison to other genres like MOBAs, addressing the evolving audience engagement and the shifting dynamics of the esports community.