"Is it alive or dead?" - the current state of StarCraft 2

StarCraft II

10 Nov

Andre Guaraldo

In the ever-evolving world of esports, StarCraft 2, a game born in 2010, endures as a resilient competitive entity, even in the absence of new content releases. As the question "Is StarCraft 2 dead?" looms, the community's dedication remains unwavering, with an active player base and regular tournaments sustaining its vitality. Yet, the absence of developer support raises doubts about its long-term prospects, casting a shadow of uncertainty over its future in the esports landscape.

This article digs deeper into the nuances of the game current state, scrutinizing viewing numbers, tournament dynamics, and regional disparities, to provide a comprehensive assessment of whether this iconic title is truly dead or alive in the ever-evolving world of competitive gaming.

An iconic legend: Starcraft 2 managed its way into the hall of the greatest games ever created (credits: Blizzard)

StarCraft esports - A living legacy

StarCraft 2 might be perceived as a stagnant game by some due to a lack of developer support. Nevertheless, its competitive community remains steadfast, constantly seeking innovative strategies and tactics to keep the game vibrant. But does this dedication suffice to keep the game alive?

Despite being more than a decade old, SC2 maintains an active player base and regular tournament participation, resulting in short queue times. However, the withdrawal of Blizzard's support raises concerns about the game's future. This uncertainty is more evident in the esports domain, where viewing numbers and tournament structures exhibit some challenges.

StarCraft 2 tournaments - The pulse of the game

For those pondering the fate of this iconic game, a good starting point is to examine its tournament scene. The game still hosts a respectable number of tournaments, with no significant drop-off in comparison to previous years. While the competitive calendar may have appeared busier in the past, StarCraft 2 continues to boast a decent roster of events, making claims of its death exaggerated.

It's worth noting that the prize pools have diminished compared to their peak levels. Yet, high-level events still offer substantial rewards, outperforming many other games. Nevertheless, there is one notable metric where StarCraft 2 tournaments have experienced a decline – the number of events across all competition tiers. This decline suggests that the game may be approaching a plateau in its esports journey.

Look at the size of this Starcraft 2 trophy: does it look like a dead game to you? (credits: ESL)

Look at the size of this IEM Katowice 2023 SC2 trophy: does it look like a dead game to you? (credits: ESL)

Regional disparities in StarCraft 2 esports

The state of StarCraft 2 tournaments and esports is further influenced by regional variations. In Asian regions, there is notably more activity at the highest levels of competition due to the game's popularity and the concentration of top talent.

While it may be premature to declare the game's death based on its tournament presence, it does encounter some challenges. Unlike some other games, StarCraft 2 lacks a widespread distribution of events in every region. Smaller tournaments struggle to capture as much attention, potentially attributed to the game's format and, notably, the absence of developer support.

Evaluating viewing numbers

Viewing figures for an esport can provide insight into its popularity. Although StarCraft 2 has never reached the viewership levels of certain titles, it has consistently attracted a substantial audience for major tournaments. In 2022, the IEM Katowice tournament achieved a peak viewership of 50,635 and an average of 27,318 viewers. These figures represent a drop from 2021 when the peak viewers reached 87,479 and the average viewership was 42,565. This decline might be partially attributed to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on esports viewership.

By reviewing past years, we observe that StarCraft 2's viewing figures do not follow a linear downward trend. While the most recent numbers are less impressive, the game has experienced years with fewer viewers in the past without a lasting decline. The viewing numbers remain within a reasonable range for the game, especially considering its reliance on community support.

While it is true that the peak viewership numbers are long gone, the game still keeps a loyal community watching Starcraft 2 streams (credits: Twitch Tracker)

The Road Ahead for StarCraft 2

Is StarCraft 2 on the brink of extinction, or does it have the potential for resurgence? The game's esports scene is at a crossroads, marked by an absence of developer support and limited opportunities for expansion. The responsibility now rests largely on the shoulders of the community to sustain competitive StarCraft.

At present, the game appears resilient enough to persevere, thanks to its dedicated fan base. However, the future remains uncertain, and further declines in viewership could pose challenges. With Microsoft's impending changes at Blizzard, there is potential for StarCraft 2 to receive renewed attention. The fate of this beloved title is yet to be determined, and for those who doubt its viability, the future may hold unexpected surprises.