Earlier in 2019, the esports community and Blizzard community were shocked when one of the most amazing StarCraft 2 players and casters, Geoff “iNcontroL” Robinson, passed away. Blizzard hasn’t forgotten iNcontroL’s incredible contributions to the StarCraft scene, and in the recent patch, they released a free bundle of in-game content honoring Robinson. More than that, Blizzard took a moment to honor iNcontroL ahead of some amazing StarCraft 2 matches.
The StarCraft 2 World Championship Series Global Finals took place at BlizzCon 2019. Just ahead of the match between Kim "Classic" Doh Woo and Lee "Rogue" Byung Ryul, Blizzard staff paused for a solemn moment to speak to iNcontroL’s passing and dedicate the 2019 World Championship Series to his memory.
This one's for you, Geoff. ?
— StarCraft Esports (@esportstarcraft) November 1, 2019
The 2019 #WCS Global Finals are dedicated to our friend and colleague, Geoff 'iNcontroL' Robinson.
En Taro iNcontroL. pic.twitter.com/wXbs9J3qGC
Blizzard did more than deliver a message honoring Robinson at BlizzCon. The StarCraft 2 4.10.4 Patch launched on October 22, 2019 as players prepared for competition at BlizzCon 2019. The patch included a free bundle for players that featured an announcer pack, a spray, and two portraits dedicated to iNcontroL. All players had to do was log on any point after October 22 and the bundle would be unlocked for free.
Many in the esports scene will remember when back in July 2019, Geoff Robinson died very suddenly from what was eventually discovered to be a pulmonary embolism. He was 33. Robinson’s passing was shocking to say the least. Though the former Evil Geniuses player had retired from active play, he was still a very constant voice and personality within the StarCraft esports and news scene, beloved by many. Blizzard wrote in their blog introducing the iNcontroL bundle that it was intended to memorialize him in the StarCraft community that they hoped he loved.
“We’d like to believe that StarCraft was important to Geoff,” wrote Blizzard. “But what we know, beyond any doubt, is that Geoff was important to StarCraft.”
As the weekend rolls on, the heartfelt love for one of the legends of esports is certainly one thing that Blizzard has done right recently, and hopefully Robinson’s memory will live on in everyone who enjoys the game and its greatest stars.
[Image by Activision Blizzard]
