EPTEvent coverage of GSL Ro64 Day 2
Luckily, the moderators of GOMTV's forums provided me with a google map for their new venue, as the event was not held at the KBS 88 Olympic gymnasium, but rather GOM's home turf - a technical high school which houses a GOM studio. Finding the event was easy, and when I arrived there were people setting up an match calender.
The entrance was signed nicely:
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Upon entry, I found many techies, production managers/assistants etc. getting ready for the event (I was over an hour early).
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Eventually, I had a chance to meet with Tasteless and Artosis, who were chatty and quite friendly. After Tasteless got his makeup done, we had a quick chat about how intimate and oldschool the studio is and then he and Artosis were off to set up.
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As you can see the studio is decked out with a great suite of cameras and screens for viewing audiences live and at home. The Korean commentator booth is at the far back, while the weagookin broadcast booth is off to the right just past the ...4 o clock gaming booth.
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I haven't had a chance to watch the steams yet, but there were technical difficulties present at the live cast, and I'm guessing they manifested in both the Korean and English streams. The Gom staff were working at a breakneck pace to correct any wrongs. They were an extremely dedicated and cheerful bunch, as well as professional.
Once the games got started, things ran smoothly for the most part. The first match was Lotzeprime v. Golmgh. In my opinion, there was nothing special here. Both played well, but GolMgh was merely outmatched, and Prime got it's first pass of the season.
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golmgh preparing for his match.
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Cool as a cucumber - Lotzeprime preparing for his win.
The second match was for many the most confusing. oGsLeader - the head of the clan oGs, versus a relatively unknown WeRRa member. Things seem typical with Leader taking the first game with relative ease. Then, as if he was being lured into a trap, Leader losses twice to two similar builds - a battle cruiser timing push. oGsLeader wasn't sticking around for pictures, and I didn't manage to get any before the match, but I did have a quick chat
Me: Annyeong Haseyo *small bow*
oGsL: It's okay, I speak english.
Me: Great playing, that was surprising.
oGsL: I didn't practice nearly enough.
(I could tell he was upset)
Me: Strange build, I have never really seen it.
oGsL: Me neither,
Upon which is bluetooth headset rang and I let him go. I had a feeling he wasn't in a mood to talk about the match.
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"I read that they were nerfing cruisers, so I decided to add one to my build."
Next up came the small tech difficulties. Junwi's computer/equipment wasn't behaving as it should, and he was unable to make the match start time. Luckily, due to the venue's 4 pod setup, the next match was pretty much ready to go anyway, so they merely switched sets 3 and 4, and it was time for NesTea and NexLiveForever.
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GSL's ref and a tech head taking care of business.
Overall, this was an entertaining match. A bonus was was at the start of every match, when the english voice comes on and dictates each player's tag; whenever "NesTea" was said in an authoritative tone, many in the audience couldn't help but break out laughing. After game 1, LiveForever had little problem dispatching his opponent.
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Finally it was time for set 3: junwi vs. LegalMind. Junwi I knew, but Legalmind I was unaware of. During the nestea/liveforever game he was sitting in the audience chatting with friends and watching the game, and seemed quite cheerful and happy, so I decided to sit near his booth.
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Tankboy chilling in the audience, checking out the competition.
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LegalMind had a hill to climb. But, at least he is ready.
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Keeping his cool while in the spot light.
This matchup was my favorite, especially since Legalmind was against some steep competition. Legalmind's forcefield work is quite commendable, and each game was quite gripping. I was very surprised that Junwi was conquered, but Legalmind earned it, and was pleased.
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Elated.
Last was what I would call a quaint match up, and a good one to end the evening with; two clan members facing off against each other. I could tell this would be a good match up when I approached tank boy's booth.
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The esports smile, a sometimes rare commodity.
Tankboy was typing away and chuckling. I realized that he and Aory must practice together often, and that I was about to watch two players that are comfortable together and understand each other's limits and skills.
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Aory's body is posed, but his eyes are focused on macro.
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Team mate or not, Tankboy had his eyes on a win.
Through some superior maneuvering, and some tricky drops, Tankboy proved to be the victor. While he may have played Aory many times in the past, I could tell both players were giving their all.
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"You know what I say: 'drop, stim, pickup, move, repeat'"
Overall, GOMTV is working their ass off to run this event. They have had problems, but seeing this event live has proven to me that an extreme amount of effort is going into making this the best possible. Furthermore, Artosis and Tasteless are always working to improve as well. In between matches Tasteless would crack a small pack of power-stuff and toss it back, chasing it with water.
Me: Whats that?
Tasteless: Chinese throat medicine. I've never casted this often and it's taking its toll.
Me: Does it work.
Tasteless: Yeah, but it tastes horrible.
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Their production director/assistant/impromptu interview translator was ever present, keeping the peace, and assuring stability.
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If anyone is in Seoul and wishes to attend this event, I highly recommend it. While the audience was small, it will only continue to grow, and right now, you have the rare chance witness esports in a very intimate atmosphere. Soon, these events will be in bigger impersonal venues which can accommodate more viewers, and this kind of closeness will be hard to achieve. Send me a PM and we can meet up and watch some GSL.
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Again, I commend all the technical staff and commentators for putting on a great and entertaining show. Congratulations to the winners, and to the losers, well, theres always season 2.
Next, Tuesday's matches, to be posted most likely on late Wednesday, which will hopefully include an interview with Torch if I can steal some of his time.
