The top South Korean cyber-game player of Age of Empires II -- the Conqueror (AOC), Kang Byung-geon, yesterday avenged his defeat at the hands of Taiwan's Tseng Jeng-cheng (曾政承) in last December's World Cyber Games (WCG) final in Seoul.
Tseng, nicknamed "Kitty Boy" (貓弟), was defeated in 37 minutes yesterday. He had crushed Kang in 28 minutes in Seoul to win the title.
Although Kang lost, he is still ranked as the world's No.1 player of AOC.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
"I am angry at myself," he said in a depressed tone. "I knew I would lose today, because I haven't practiced for a long time. Even when I practiced, I did not really take it seriously."
Asked whether he is as determined as ever to participate in this year's WCG, Teng's simply said: "It depends."
Tseng did not deny media reports that suggested he had lost interest in cyber-gaming because of the heavy pressure after his earlier successes in the game, due to his fans' great expectation for victory at the next WCG.
He said he would not completely give up playing cyber-games, but would make his decision whether to participate in the next WCG only after some psychological adjustment.
In response to Tseng's remarks, Kang said: "That is nonsense."
Kang said if Tseng gave up before the next WCG, he would disappoint his fans.
Asked whether he would like to encounter Tseng in the coming WCG, Kang said: "Not particularly."
Tseng and Kang's showdown yesterday was viewed as the highlight of a two-day international exhibition organized by Internet service provider Hinet (
The two players' game drew an estimated 300 Taiwanese spectators, which surprised Louis Cheng (
"I had no idea the [Tseng-Kang] showdown would attract so many spectators," said Cheng.
Many WCG medalists from several countries were invited to take part in the weekend's exhibition matches, including Guillaume Party from Canada, Grospellier Bertrand from France and Lena Lee from South Korea.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College