StarCraft

StarCraft was developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released for Windows PCs in 1998. It was followed by an acclaimed expansion pack, Brood War, later that same year. The game quickly became a dominant force in the emerging esports scene, particularly in South Korea.

The game features three distinct, asymmetrical factions: the human Terrans, the insectoid Zerg, and the advanced alien Protoss. Unlike other real-time strategy games at the time, these factions do not share identical unit trees or playstyles. This balance created a deeply strategic rock-paper-scissors dynamic that took years to master.

The overarching antagonist of the franchise is Sarah Kerrigan, originally a Terran Ghost operative who is betrayed and left for dead. She is captured by the insectoid Zerg and mutated into the powerful Queen of Blades. Her transformation drives the narrative of both the original game and its Brood War expansion.

StarCraft achieved unprecedented popularity as an esport in South Korea. Matches were broadcast on national television networks, and professional players were treated like major celebrities. The game is widely credited with single-handedly establishing the modern esports infrastructure in the country.