The South Korean Navy is following in the footsteps of the Korean Air Force and is starting their very own pro gaming team to "develop the talents of pro-gamers in the service." South Korea has compulsory military service, so this is a win-win (I guess ...) move of giving those pro gamers who also have to serve in the military something to do while providing the Navy or Air Force with 'low-cost publicity.' What will they be playing? Starcraft, of course.

When the Air Force uploaded a feature on its website of the military life of gamer Im Yo-han, known as the king of the Terran tribe in Starcraft, it was temporarily overloaded with a crush of video game fans trying to access the page. Visitors to the Air Force's website have doubled since it founded its gamers team.

The pro game industry has welcomed the establishment of the military teams. Many pro gamers who have postponed their military service start dates will have to don their uniforms by the end of this year.

The Army is also considering starting their own team. The Navy team will be going by the moniker "Aegis" while the Air Force has dubbed their team with the slightly cooler name of ACE (Airforce Challenge E-sports).

Korean Navy to Launch Online Game Team [Digital Chosun Ilbo - English Edition]

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