Husky (commentator)
Encyclopedia
Mike Lamond, better known by his online alias Husky or HuskyStarcraft, is an electronic sports
shoutcaster currently specializing in providing commentary for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, a video game published by Blizzard Entertainment
and played on the online gaming service Battle.net
. Most of his casts are done through his YouTube
channel, which as of July 2011, has over 500,000 subscribers and more than 200,000,000 video views.
video games, Husky first learned of StarCraft
when he was 10 or 11 years old. He stated that he played for 12 years, and spent most of his time on Blizzard's online server Battle.net
, accumulating several thousand played matches. Husky began following the electronic sports
community when he discovered GOM TV, a streaming service in South Korea
that broadcast StarCraft gameplay from professional gamers. This prompted him to begin a YouTube
channel where he provided his own commentary on StarCraft: Brood War professional competition. The channel started expanding beyond Husky's own expectations, and at one point Husky was uploading around 100 videos per month. While his channel became popular among other StarCraft: Brood War commentators, he gained a meteoric rise when he decided to exclusively commentate on StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty matches with the game's beta release in February 2010.
During the beta, Husky collaborated with fellow commentator and friend HD
to host the HDH Invitational, a StarCraft II tournament consisting of 16 of the top professional StarCraft II gamers. The tournament was played in an entirely virtual environment over the Battle.net server, and the games were later broadcast on YouTube. The tournament was sponsored and cash prizes were awarded.
In July 2010 Husky and HD along with several other game casters, participated in the launch of a new YouTube channel titled The Game Station which seeks to emulate an ESPN
-esque presentation of gaming videos of all genres. The channel quickly grew in size, and its success has been attributed partly to Husky's own success on YouTube. Later that year, Husky moved to Los Angeles
to pursue a full-time job working at The Game Station.
To explain his view of why StarCraft is an exemplary video game for both casting and spectating, Husky stated, "Nearly every single person I have introduced competitive StarCraft to has completely fallen in love with it[...] The level of skill and mental precision required to play StarCraft 2 at the highest levels is completely mind blowing. This is why it is an extremely fun sport to watch." Husky's commentary style has been described as matching the fast-paced progression of the game, with him often losing his breath at eventful moments. This is contrasted with HD's more composed and analytical approach to casting. In describing his passion for video games and the electronic sports scene, Husky stated, "Gaming has always been more than just a hobby for me. I wouldn't say it's a lifestyle, but I just get so much joy out of it that I will forever try and be involved with it as much as possible[...] No outside job will ever limit me when it comes to gaming."
Electronic sports
Electronic sports comprises the competitive play of video games. Other terms include competitive gaming, professional gaming and cybersports...
shoutcaster currently specializing in providing commentary for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, a video game published by Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce and currently owned by French company Activision Blizzard...
and played on the online gaming service Battle.net
Battle.net
Battle.net is a gaming service provided by Blizzard Entertainment. Battle.net was launched in November 30, 1996 with the release of Blizzard's action-RPG Diablo. Battle.net was the first online gaming service incorporated directly into the games that make use of it, in contrast to the external...
. Most of his casts are done through his YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel, which as of July 2011, has over 500,000 subscribers and more than 200,000,000 video views.
Career
An avid fan of real-time strategyReal-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
video games, Husky first learned of StarCraft
StarCraft
StarCraft is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The first game of the StarCraft series was released for Microsoft Windows on 31 March 1998. With more than 11 million copies sold worldwide as of February 2009, it is one of the best-selling...
when he was 10 or 11 years old. He stated that he played for 12 years, and spent most of his time on Blizzard's online server Battle.net
Battle.net
Battle.net is a gaming service provided by Blizzard Entertainment. Battle.net was launched in November 30, 1996 with the release of Blizzard's action-RPG Diablo. Battle.net was the first online gaming service incorporated directly into the games that make use of it, in contrast to the external...
, accumulating several thousand played matches. Husky began following the electronic sports
Electronic sports
Electronic sports comprises the competitive play of video games. Other terms include competitive gaming, professional gaming and cybersports...
community when he discovered GOM TV, a streaming service in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
that broadcast StarCraft gameplay from professional gamers. This prompted him to begin a YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel where he provided his own commentary on StarCraft: Brood War professional competition. The channel started expanding beyond Husky's own expectations, and at one point Husky was uploading around 100 videos per month. While his channel became popular among other StarCraft: Brood War commentators, he gained a meteoric rise when he decided to exclusively commentate on StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty matches with the game's beta release in February 2010.
During the beta, Husky collaborated with fellow commentator and friend HD
HD (commentator)
Alex Do, better known by his online alias HD or HDStarcraft, is an electronic sports shoutcaster specializing in providing commentary for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, a video game published by Blizzard Entertainment and played on the online gaming service Battle.net...
to host the HDH Invitational, a StarCraft II tournament consisting of 16 of the top professional StarCraft II gamers. The tournament was played in an entirely virtual environment over the Battle.net server, and the games were later broadcast on YouTube. The tournament was sponsored and cash prizes were awarded.
In July 2010 Husky and HD along with several other game casters, participated in the launch of a new YouTube channel titled The Game Station which seeks to emulate an ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
-esque presentation of gaming videos of all genres. The channel quickly grew in size, and its success has been attributed partly to Husky's own success on YouTube. Later that year, Husky moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to pursue a full-time job working at The Game Station.
To explain his view of why StarCraft is an exemplary video game for both casting and spectating, Husky stated, "Nearly every single person I have introduced competitive StarCraft to has completely fallen in love with it[...] The level of skill and mental precision required to play StarCraft 2 at the highest levels is completely mind blowing. This is why it is an extremely fun sport to watch." Husky's commentary style has been described as matching the fast-paced progression of the game, with him often losing his breath at eventful moments. This is contrasted with HD's more composed and analytical approach to casting. In describing his passion for video games and the electronic sports scene, Husky stated, "Gaming has always been more than just a hobby for me. I wouldn't say it's a lifestyle, but I just get so much joy out of it that I will forever try and be involved with it as much as possible[...] No outside job will ever limit me when it comes to gaming."
See also
- Electronic sportsElectronic sportsElectronic sports comprises the competitive play of video games. Other terms include competitive gaming, professional gaming and cybersports...
- StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
- HD (commentator)HD (commentator)Alex Do, better known by his online alias HD or HDStarcraft, is an electronic sports shoutcaster specializing in providing commentary for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, a video game published by Blizzard Entertainment and played on the online gaming service Battle.net...
– StarCraft 2 commentator - Sean PlottSean PlottSean Plott , commonly known by his computer nickname Day[9], is a former professional StarCraft: Brood War player as well as an e-sports commentator for StarCraft II, known for his Daily netcasts. Sean qualified for the World Cyber Games in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and won the 2007 Pan-American tournament...
(Day[9]) – StarCraft 2 commentator - John Bain (TotalBiscuit) - Gamer and StarCraft 2 commentator
- Kurt Hugo SchneiderKurt Hugo SchneiderKurt Hugo Schneider is an American film director, producer, singer and songwriter, who is noted for his production of YouTube music videos in collaboration with other musicians...
- Nerd Alert member