For one reason or another, this year’s Digital Life has failed to attract the star power of its predecessor. The list of qualified players does not include a single Korean, just one European and not even America’s poster boy, Nilknarf. Still, a handful of top American players will compete for the $12,500 prize which is at stake this weekend. Continuing a growing trend in gaming events (and a frustrating one at that) the list of competitors is not complete with just twenty-four hours to go until kick-off. On the one hand, this might mean Moon could show up and a couple of European players. On the other, however, it makes the event practically impossible to predict and difficult to write about. Never mind though, because I’m going to try anyway. Wish me luck!


Nilknarf

Now, it’s important to point out from the start that America’s WCG representative is not actually listed to attend but there are a bunch of spots left open to “turn up and play”, as it were. Were the human player to turn up as things stand he would doubtlessly enter the event as favourite. Having seen off his fellow countrymen with consummate ease at the WCG qualifier, he appears unstoppable on home soil right now. In his prime, Shortround might have been able to rival Nilk, but he is far from his prime right now and what’s more, he isn’t listed to play either.

Whether or not he shows up is pivotal to Nilk’s chances. If he does he should walk away twelve and a half grand richer; if not, he probably won’t.


Moon

This is a bit of a long-shot but GGL claims that Moon has professed a wish to attend the event – “Meet Your Makers have not confirmed sending their star player to the event although Spirit Moon himself expressed on many occasions that he wants to come.” With a single day until the event and no announcement from mYm to the contrary, it seems unlikely that the Korean will in fact be in New York this weekend. A shame for the man himself, whose last trip to The Big Apple made him considerably richer (at least in theory) and saw him walk away with a free laptop.

Like Nilknarf before, Moon’s chances of victory will be damaged by the fact that he is unlikely to attend – more so than the American, in fact, who could actually plan a trip to NY City on such short notice. If he somehow does appear at the event then he is still by no means the number one favourite. His form lately has been far below what one would expect for such a famous character. Throw in the home soil advantage for the other players and there is a big chance that Moon could lose this event, adding to the possibility that he simply will not attend.


Sonkie

Finally, we come to a player who is actually qualified! In Nilknarf’s absence, should that be the case, Sonkie is the most likely to fill in that empty “guy who will probably win” place. As runner-up in an all-human WCG USA final Sonkie might even hope Nilk does show up so he can plot his vengeance. Recent form is not on his side though, with his last two WC3L appearances being 2-0 losses against Fire_de and Creolophus. However, considering that his main rivals this weekend are team-mates this means little, since none of them have won many games lately either. This tournament is getting even harder to predict. Sonkie’s performance at WCG might give him an edge psychologically and in such an evenly matched field every little helps.


Glaive

According to GGL’s own preview there could be some trouble around Glaive’s nationality: “…Alexander "GLaiVe" Angleby who got second in the Swedish WCG qualifier and fifth in WSVG London. A second place in the U.S. is not necessarily the greatest thing to brag about in the Warcraft 3 scene…” Whether he turns up representing his native Sweden or his apparently adopted America is irrelevant. As the only European in attendance Glaive has a lot to live up to. Europe has a 100% record in previous Digital Life events after Grubby’s victory last year and Glaive has a good chance to continue this trend. He will know his rivals’ games well since they are mostly team-mates at Verge.

He too has had a tough WC3L season but his performance in the Swedish Extreme masters qualifier was impressive. His only losses came against SaSe and Elakeduck but with no players of that calibre at Digital Life this is a good chance for Glaive to make a name for himself.