The Games

Chain smoking cigarettes and crowded around cold steel park tables, the group of Chinese men yelled and gesticulated their objections to every carefully considered move being made by the players. Cloudy skies, a steady wind, and chilly temperatures did not deter the participants, the term here referring to both players and advice-givers, from having enough numbers to completely obscure the table from outside view, occupying every viewable vantage point. Over time, teams of supporters seem to congeal, offering tips to their player. Exclusively. Periods of calm build and gather into punctuated equilibriums of encouragement, criticism, and mockery. The scene is competitive, without being contentious. The games went on for hours.

Video game photos: NYU Game Center featuring members of the Starcraft team.