[WCG Qualifiers, MC Internet Cafe, Melbourne]
Before I entered ‘MC Internet Cafe’, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Scattered groups of teenage guys crowded around rows of brightly lit monitors, some cheering, some yelling and others transfixed with the events on screen. Today though, today was going to be different. Teams of men in their early to late twenties sporting matching uniforms with their on screen names printed on the back. Talks of whether ‘flanking hard left while the ‘mages’ (magic units) support from the right’ was a viable option based on the replays of their opponents they had no doubt spent hours analysing.
Teams were engaged on the other side of the dimly lit, second floor room. No cries of jovial laughter or friendly trash talk. Focused eyes and concerned stares from observers was the closest thing to emotion coming from these players.
Their match finishes, an epic 35 minute struggle ends with ‘Victory’ flashing on screen. The uniformed team sits back in their chairs with sighs of relief. They turn to one another and congratulate each other on their hard earned victory. Their opponents, lacking a uniform but definitely not dedication don’t seem too concerned about their loss at all.
