Home Gaming Swedish politicians battle it out in StarCraft

Swedish politicians battle it out in StarCraft

1 min read
33

For Zumatuul

Oh Sweden, you do so many things right. Paid maternity leave for what, a year? And paternity leave. And the government will pay for you to have a day at the spa because, you know, you need to relax. Now, politicians are settling their differences in an eSports match, just in time for elections.

The tournament is called Politikerstarcraft and is essentially just for bragging rights. However, last tournament’s champion, Mathias Sundin, saw his party carry the election – maybe it is a good indication of which way the votes will go.

The tournament is the brainchild of Jonathan Rieder Lundkvist, who in 2010 thought it would be a good way to raise awareness of eSports and gaming among politicians, and also get gamers more involved in politics. I need to pause here just to point out that Lundkvist was a member of the Pirate Party when he had this idea. Now, the party focuses on issues of copyright, patent reform, internet censorship and net neutrality, but truly they have the most awesome name.

The match is taking place on Sunday, and you are welcome to tune in with an English shout caster on twitch. Of course, you probably won’t understand the political quips – just imagine the total pacifist party building up their troops. Oh the political irony that can thrill the soul.

Can you imagine something like this in South Africa? I don’t want to see them play StarCraft, though – I think it would be awesome to watch them play Left 4 Dead 2. Let them lick each other to death. Or maybe co-op some Logistics Simulator so that our politicians can actually pretend to be doing something.

Like esports?
Check out esports central

Last Updated: April 16, 2014

33 Comments

  1. Umar's Sin

    April 16, 2014 at 15:03

    Well done Zoe!

    Reply

    • Ultimo_Cleric N7

      April 16, 2014 at 15:20

      Another header of the week

      Reply

  2. Jaded_Reprobate

    April 16, 2014 at 15:03

    can’t get past the header to read the article… Winner there Zoe

    Reply

  3. Rince the Unhuggable

    April 16, 2014 at 15:06

    Make love, not war #2 open.

    Reply

  4. El Capitan del Blade

    April 16, 2014 at 15:07

    Also, Interesting factoid, the last time they did this, the Winner’s Political Party won the election….

    http://076dd0a50e0c1255009e-bd4b8aabaca29897bc751dfaf75b290c.r40.cf1.rackcdn.com/images/files/000/006/087/original/original.0

    Reply

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    April 16, 2014 at 15:08

    Header lol. He shouldn’t be a Marine, after the whole pool saga he should be a Firebat.

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    April 16, 2014 at 15:09

    “the government will pay for you to have a day at the spa” right time to pack my bags, it’s been fun

    Reply

  7. Norm the Horrible

    April 16, 2014 at 15:18

    Tetris would be too erm… taxing for them. And that’s a matter of erm.. VAT.

    Reply

  8. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    April 16, 2014 at 15:19

    The only Space Marine that costs 500000000 minerals.

    Reply

    • DrKiller

      April 17, 2014 at 09:14

      Thats if you can afford the Barracks 🙂

      Reply

      • Ultimo_Cleric N7

        April 17, 2014 at 10:31

        But remember, it comes fully upgraded, even if you didn’t ask for it.

        Reply

  9. Admiral Chief in Space

    April 16, 2014 at 15:25

    Hehehe, Zoe is still not over that “lick of death”

    When are we jamming again? Since I have ADSL now, I’m keen to try this again!

    Reply

    • Ultimo_Cleric N7

      April 16, 2014 at 15:27

      Just got it too!!
      @lantic ftw. uncapped, unshaped.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief in Space

        April 16, 2014 at 15:57

        Price?

        Reply

        • Ultimo_Cleric N7

          April 17, 2014 at 08:37

          R50 per month. Works like this:

          You buy their pay per gig service and start with 1 gig for the whole month. While this is nothing, that’s from 6am to 6pm during the week. Its a R50 once off setup fee, and every Gig after the first costs R15.

          However, most of us are at work that time anyway.

          Then just add their bolt-on service. R50 a month for uncapped, unshaped internet from 6pm – 6am the next morning during the week, and for the whole weekend.

          Boom. R50

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 17, 2014 at 08:41

            GIVE THAT MAN A BELLS!

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      April 16, 2014 at 15:28

      Me too! must get Geoff in on that action, too 🙂

      Reply

  10. Kromas

    April 16, 2014 at 15:26

    Drop em all in DayZ …. also invite all the bandits … scratch that … hero’s for a little hunt.

    Reply

  11. Jedi JJ

    April 16, 2014 at 15:30

    The first time I want a space marine to be left behind.

    Reply

  12. HvR

    April 16, 2014 at 15:38

    South African SC political match chat:
    BigJacob: Hi Zille Hamba!!! Still building my big base!!! Leave me alone.
    Zille94: All your Nkandla are belong to us!!!!

    Reply

    • Jedi JJ

      April 16, 2014 at 15:43

      Haha. Zuma would have the largest base but with no offensive or defensive units while Zille would have a crapload of offensive units and a tiny base.
      The Vryheids Front would have neither but make a lot of noise.

      Reply

  13. Richard Pretorius

    April 16, 2014 at 15:42

    love the pic.. Captain Jacob Raynor!!! Captain of the Nkandla, Leader of ANC Raiders!

    Reply

  14. Morne Nell

    April 16, 2014 at 15:57

    Will not work they don’t understand the computar

    Reply

    • Morne Nell

      April 16, 2014 at 16:01

      On second thought Thief might be a good game

      Reply

  15. Matthew Holliday

    April 16, 2014 at 16:15

    Dont forget:
    -government employed babysitters who will babysit your kids for free, so you and your other half can go out for dinner to get your groove on to increase the national birthrate.
    -fibre optic lines to your doorstep, anyone for 200mb dsl thats comes with your phone contract, which in total, is still cheaper than 2mb internet here.

    Reply

    • derp

      April 16, 2014 at 16:37

      And if you clap your hands three times, a valkyrie who is paid by the government comes to you to do your bidding. 😛

      Reply

  16. derp

    April 16, 2014 at 16:38

    Our leaders should play Simcity for 4 hours. The one with the happiest people and best economy wins.

    Reply

  17. Kensei Seraph

    April 17, 2014 at 08:17

    We need this.

    Imagine a co-op game between ANC and DA.
    Spectator A: “How long do you think before they realize Friendly Fire is disabled?”
    Spectator B: “Well they’ve already run out of ammo… so soon?”

    Reply

  18. Kensei Seraph

    April 17, 2014 at 08:18

    Battlefield 3 or 4 (if the server’s have been fixed) would probably be a good game.

    Reply

  19. Gerhard Davids

    April 17, 2014 at 09:17

    Header of the week! Zoe you make me proud.
    For Zumatuuuul!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Sony has bought the EVO fighting game tournament series

Sony is betting big on esports entertainment, and it's taking that first step forward with…