https://esportsobserver.com/starcraft-ii-esports-essentials/
While Starcraft 2 remains active in some capacity as a competitive esport, the franchise has a long legacy of popularity in Korea. This is one moment of cross-currents as Blizzard, an American game developer surged in popularity overseas. Professional matches were broadcasted nationally and even lead to Starcraft being considered as a national sport. Starcraft become popular to the point that Starcraft: Brood War, a game released in 1999, was remastered in 2017 specifically for the competitive scene. Koreans also dominated many of the professional tournaments.