The revelation earlier this month that the famous professional Starcraft player known as "Savior" may have thrown games in order to receive payoffs from professional gambling syndicates was received as big news in the game-crazy nation of South Korea.
Savior had recently experienced a devastating loss in front of the usual partisan crowd watching the match against rival Bisu on a large widescreen projector, and this was thought to be responsible for his recent drop-off in form. However, new information seems to indicate that Savior might have received payment from professional gamblers in exchange for losing matches.
Sports commentary blog Deadspin reports that, in South Korea, "there are two separate channels devoted to gaming, and the top StarCraft players are treated like, well, star athletes. Big ratings mean big business, and when there's that much money in play, gambling is sure to follow."
The effects are already being felt. Gaming news site Kotaku says that the scandal has impacted other players and professional gaming teams, who have taken steps to distance themselves from the named players.
