EHOME recently signed a top Korean Overwatch team, formerly known as UW Artisan. They are well known for both their second place finish behind MiG Frost in the Nexus Cup: Recall Season, and for the false cheating allegations aimed at their Zarya, Geguri. With Korea currently enamoured with Overwatch, the support of EHOME could be what the team needs to push them into global relevancy.

EHOME are a large organisation within the Asian scene, with teams in CS:GO and Dota2; the latter is currently at The International, having qualified through the Wildcard Tournament. They have already topped Group B and are now fighting for a spot in the Upper Bracket Finals. Being able to replicate that kind of success in their Overwatch team would be a dream for EHOME - especially if it comes with prizepools anywhere close to Dota2.

The organisation stated in their announcement that the Overwatch roster would be run slightly differently to their other teams, given their location in Korea. This apparently does not equate to reduced support though, as they are already looking to move into a gaming house this month. With the intense Korean attitude to practice in esports, the move to a gaming house is likely to accelerate progress for EHOME even more so than comparable Western teams.

Korean players and teams are known for their intense, at times bordering on fanatical, attitude to esports once a game has taken a cultural place in the country. They have historically been dominant over Starcraft and League of Legends, both of which have been deeply adopted into the Korean popular psyche. League of Legends had, for four years, been the most popular game in Korean PC Bangs until just over a month ago, when it was overtaken by Overwatch. Overwatch now sits at 34% to the 24% of LoL after continuing to rise, signalling that the game is not simply riding its initial launch hype.

If Korea does welcome Overwatch into its mainstream for the future, history tells us to expect incredibly impressive Korean teams. EHOME are one of the litmus test teams as part of the country’s elite group of Overwatch rosters, and one of the best supported.

EHOME’s ownership had this to say in their announcement:

Very happy to be able to sign Korea's strongest Overwatch squad and coach. With EHOME's rich esports experience, we aim to build a top tier Overwatch team in Korea and the world.

While EHOME’s Overwatch coach and former player Lime stated:

Even now I can't believe that we are joining EHOME, a club with so much history. Big thanks to EHOME for giving us this opportunity, we will work endlessly towards achieving good results.

In the announcement, EHOME also notes the false cheating allegations and subsequent vindication of their Zarya, Geguri, who was accused by other pros after their performance in the Nexus Cup. The situation led to death threats, saw Blizzard make a direct comment about her innocence, and ended with two professional players leaving the scene in disgrace. A situation like this shows how seriously cheating is going to be taken in this fledgling esport, and also shows how excellent some of EHOME’s new players are.

As of yet, there have been no global LANs for Overwatch. The upcoming Atlantic Showdown and Overwatch Open both feature six-figure prizepools but neither contain or allow for teams outside of Europe or North America. EHOME, much like their Australian counterparts Untitled Spreadsheet and a plethora of others, are desperate for global competition. As the game develops and these regions become more talented and more supported, it will become inevitable for the scene. It will also provide some incredible competition.

The roster for EHOME is:

  • Kim "NoMi" Min-Yong (support)
  • Cho "Ian" In-Chan (offense)
  • Jang "AKaros" Ji-Soo (offense)
  • Han "JJinNu" Jin-woo (offense)
  • Kim "Geguri" SeYeon (tank)
  • Kim "NoRu" Jae-dong (tank)
  • Park "Lime" Shi-Hoon (coach)