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Is KeSPA's Proleague too cheap?

Blogs > Torte de Lini
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Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-12-28 17:39:07
December 27 2012 00:31 GMT
#1
This blog post wasn't serious at all. I was hoping more would catch on, but it doesn't look like it lol.
Back to the drawing/writing board.

I read that topic today here and thought: yeah, it is. As I read further, I realized he was completely right:

There is much talk about the casting quality of Pro League right now, but it seems obvious that the $5 price for 8 months couldn't possibly pay for experienced, established casters to move to Korea to cast. So I'm curious, rather than complaining about something that obviously doesn't add up mathematically, would you pay more for better quality casters?

KeSPA is too cheap. If we compare to how much we valued KeSPA back in Brood War and now, we can see how valued it is and how much prestige KeSPA beholds in their events. Look at what iNcontrol said about Proleague:

On December 27 iNcontrol on Reddit wrote: ATM they both cannot analyze the game at a standard we'd expect at an IPL, Mlg, esl, DH, NASL etc.. So why is anyone ok with it for pro league? The blame here is kespa.Find enough money to make it no question that its worth someone who is established's time to move out. That way we get a polished league with top notch games. If you can't afford that then make concessions to strike a deal with doa's employer and let him cast, it was fine.


On December 27 2012 03:32 Liquid`NonY wrote: I can't help but feel proud of the rest of the world, a pride which perhaps only veteran BW fans could understand, a pride grown from the ashes of nearly a decade of KeSPA (and its predecessors) being the be-all and end-all while the rest of the world was nothing. We had an opportunity to develop and we did. We developed so much that there are a dozen or more established commentators who couldn't be convinced to take the PL job.


How much prestige is Proleague worth? About 300,000,000 KR Wong, that's about 277,000 Canadian dollars. Typical teams are about 8 to 10 players, meaning top two teams only earn 17,312 Canadian dollars for nearly a year's worth of competition and participation.

Only 17,000$ per person. MLG gives 25,000$ per person for three days work, easy money for a KeSPA pro (Flash got fourth without breaking a sweat at MLG Fall Champ). Only 5$ and I get to see some of the best players in StarCraft II compete. GSL gives 42,000 for one player and the GSTL gives about 40,000$ for the two teams and I have to pay up to 39$ for a single GSL Season.

All that extra money is going Tastosis who are veteran players. So I I paid the equivalent amount to KeSPA, maybe they'll pay SNM & Whiplash more money to cast better (maybe even learn Korean and teach us Korean mid-game! I always wanted to say "playgu" in Korean). Maybe with the extra money, they can afford computers and observe each match within the game! That'd be swell!

So all I'm saying is: if KeSPA is so prestige, why are we only paying 5$ for it? That's barely any Wong to afford proper casters. If I throw more money at them, we can improve the casters or better yet; get new casters to assist the current casters to commentate and cast better from a restream across country! If we pay more, we get better content, better commentary, KeSPA pros would play better and no one can criticize KeSPA for being poor [read: lazy].

just 0.02 cents, which I'm deducting from KeSPA 5$ payment.


***
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33578 Posts
December 27 2012 00:33 GMT
#2
Won
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
December 27 2012 00:37 GMT
#3
I used Microsoft Word to correct all spelling mistakes. There are no mistakes in either logic or spelling.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
fabiorlopes
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Brazil17 Posts
December 27 2012 00:48 GMT
#4
It's really cheap, 5 bucks for 8 months almost seems like a lie.
They should charge more, maybe 5 per month? and have better casters/production.
Even being cheap, i didn't buy it yet, cause I dont think the production is worth my money, hehehe...
Never Knows Best
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
December 27 2012 00:51 GMT
#5
On December 27 2012 09:48 fabiorlopes wrote:
It's really cheap, 5 bucks for 8 months almost seems like a lie.
They should charge more, maybe 5 per month? and have better casters/production.
Even being cheap, i didn't buy it yet, cause I dont think the production is worth my money, hehehe...


I didn't buy it yet. I'm saving for the GSL, they're better because all the foreign teams pick up only GSL players.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
blahz0r
Profile Joined December 2010
3030 Posts
December 27 2012 00:57 GMT
#6
On December 27 2012 09:37 Torte de Lini wrote:
I used Microsoft Word to correct all spelling mistakes. There are no mistakes in either logic or spelling.

A second human > Microsoft Word spelling/grammar check =x
Liquipedia
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-12-27 01:05:51
December 27 2012 01:02 GMT
#7
On December 27 2012 09:57 blahz0r wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 27 2012 09:37 Torte de Lini wrote:
I used Microsoft Word to correct all spelling mistakes. There are no mistakes in either logic or spelling.

A second human > Microsoft Word spelling/grammar check =x


Several humans made Microsoft Word and thus indirectly have corrected everything wrong with my post.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
KalWarkov
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
Germany4126 Posts
December 27 2012 01:02 GMT
#8
most ppl that payed the 5 bucks for it all wouldve also payed 10 easily. i dont know how they came up with those 5 bucks
DiaBoLuS ** Sc2 - Protoss: 16x GM | Dota2 - Offlane Immortal | Wc3 - Undead decent level | Diablo nerd | Chess / Magnus fanboy | BVB | Agnostic***
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
December 27 2012 01:05 GMT
#9
On December 27 2012 10:02 KalWarkov wrote:
most ppl that payed the 5 bucks for it all wouldve also payed 10 easily. i dont know how they came up with those 5 bucks


I pay 10 for other stuff, I would have paid 20 for those stuff too.
I'm guessing multiples of 5 or 10-digit prices are strong persuaders for purchases.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
MountainDewJunkie
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States10344 Posts
December 27 2012 01:13 GMT
#10
On December 27 2012 09:51 Torte de Lini wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 27 2012 09:48 fabiorlopes wrote:
It's really cheap, 5 bucks for 8 months almost seems like a lie.
They should charge more, maybe 5 per month? and have better casters/production.
Even being cheap, i didn't buy it yet, cause I dont think the production is worth my money, hehehe...


I didn't buy it yet. I'm saving for the GSL, they're better because all the foreign teams pick up only GSL players.

You mean like Jaedong and Sea?
[21:07] <Shock710> whats wrong with her face [20:50] <dAPhREAk> i beat it the day after it came out | <BLinD-RawR> esports is a giant vagina
NotRandoMNamE
Profile Joined August 2012
80 Posts
December 27 2012 01:14 GMT
#11
KESPA and poor don't go together in a sentence unless there is an "is not" in the middle. The prizepool is considered bonus (I think?) on top of the salaries that they make, and the salaries are actually pretty substantial.
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-12-27 01:20:19
December 27 2012 01:19 GMT
#12
On December 27 2012 10:13 MountainDewJunkie wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 27 2012 09:51 Torte de Lini wrote:
On December 27 2012 09:48 fabiorlopes wrote:
It's really cheap, 5 bucks for 8 months almost seems like a lie.
They should charge more, maybe 5 per month? and have better casters/production.
Even being cheap, i didn't buy it yet, cause I dont think the production is worth my money, hehehe...


I didn't buy it yet. I'm saving for the GSL, they're better because all the foreign teams pick up only GSL players.

You mean like Jaedong and Sea?


No, like SSon & Luvsic

On December 27 2012 10:14 NotRandoMNamE wrote:
KESPA and poor don't go together in a sentence unless there is an "is not" in the middle. The prizepool is considered bonus (I think?) on top of the salaries that they make, and the salaries are actually pretty substantial.


They all live together, I'm sure they're paid more than GSL players considering they dont have bunk beds and can afford rulers.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
lazyitachi
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
1043 Posts
December 27 2012 01:19 GMT
#13
Nice fonts

Can you throw some wongs at me too? Cant have too much wongs nowadays!
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
December 27 2012 01:20 GMT
#14
On December 27 2012 10:19 lazyitachi wrote:
Nice fonts

Can you throw some wongs at me too? Cant have too much wongs nowadays!


Comic Sans MS is banned on TL ):

Sending you wongs and devil dogs now
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
arioch
Profile Joined May 2010
England403 Posts
December 27 2012 01:21 GMT
#15
Quite frankly, and I want to say this nicely, but the Proleague matches themselves haven't been worth anything so far. Charging GSL levels of subscription for their current product just simply would not cut it for me.

I am not talking about the Flash's and the Soulkey's, those guys are obviously amazing, but the general quality of even Code A surpasses the quality of proleague by such a large margin that I would not consider paying much personally.

In my mind they are going to have to wait until the level of play gets to a level where it is actually worth paying anything before revisiting their model.
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
December 27 2012 01:30 GMT
#16
On December 27 2012 10:21 arioch wrote:
Quite frankly, and I want to say this nicely, but the Proleague matches themselves haven't been worth anything so far. Charging GSL levels of subscription for their current product just simply would not cut it for me.

I am not talking about the Flash's and the Soulkey's, those guys are obviously amazing, but the general quality of even Code A surpasses the quality of proleague by such a large margin that I would not consider paying much personally.

In my mind they are going to have to wait until the level of play gets to a level where it is actually worth paying anything before revisiting their model.


If you gave them more money, maybe they can motivate the players to play better. That's ultimately why the NA scene is failing, not enough circulation and money.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
lazyitachi
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
1043 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-12-27 01:35:00
December 27 2012 01:30 GMT
#17
On December 27 2012 10:20 Torte de Lini wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 27 2012 10:19 lazyitachi wrote:
Nice fonts

Can you throw some wongs at me too? Cant have too much wongs nowadays!


Comic Sans MS is banned on TL ):

Sending you wongs and devil dogs now


srsly the wongs and the weird fonts are very painful to the eyes ><


OT: throwing money might be a solution but then again Kespa may have their own agenda on choosing those casters.
Tbh was kinda disappointed I cant watch vods but then I found some Youtubes with Korean commentary and it was great watch despite zero korean language skills.... I find that a good solution if I ever miss the live stream.

But then again I like watching the nice strats (JD multi prong infestor funguuuu) )
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
December 27 2012 01:32 GMT
#18
On December 27 2012 10:30 lazyitachi wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 27 2012 10:20 Torte de Lini wrote:
On December 27 2012 10:19 lazyitachi wrote:
Nice fonts

Can you throw some wongs at me too? Cant have too much wongs nowadays!


Comic Sans MS is banned on TL ):

Sending you wongs and devil dogs now


srsly the wongs and the weird fonts are very painful to the eyes ><


the smaller fonts is just pointless context that don't alter my quoting's intention whatsoever.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
arioch
Profile Joined May 2010
England403 Posts
December 27 2012 01:41 GMT
#19
On December 27 2012 10:30 Torte de Lini wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 27 2012 10:21 arioch wrote:
Quite frankly, and I want to say this nicely, but the Proleague matches themselves haven't been worth anything so far. Charging GSL levels of subscription for their current product just simply would not cut it for me.

I am not talking about the Flash's and the Soulkey's, those guys are obviously amazing, but the general quality of even Code A surpasses the quality of proleague by such a large margin that I would not consider paying much personally.

In my mind they are going to have to wait until the level of play gets to a level where it is actually worth paying anything before revisiting their model.


If you gave them more money, maybe they can motivate the players to play better. That's ultimately why the NA scene is failing, not enough circulation and money.


The problem with that is that 95% or more of the starcraft 2 fans do not have any loyalty or even fond memories of the proleague as they never watched it, (myself included!).

Expecting the foreign scene to throw money at a company producing poor games with horrible production and having caused so much controversy in the short life of starcraft 2 is not a realistic option, even when they have Flash to wave around as collateral.

They have not proved themselves to anyone other than the old school fans who are few and far between these days unfortunately.

I would like to see them succeed and produce really good and exciting content, similar to the broodwar heyday, but I am not sure if KESPA is flexible enough for it to happen...
Torte de Lini
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Germany38463 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-12-27 01:48:41
December 27 2012 01:48 GMT
#20
On December 27 2012 10:41 arioch wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 27 2012 10:30 Torte de Lini wrote:
On December 27 2012 10:21 arioch wrote:
Quite frankly, and I want to say this nicely, but the Proleague matches themselves haven't been worth anything so far. Charging GSL levels of subscription for their current product just simply would not cut it for me.

I am not talking about the Flash's and the Soulkey's, those guys are obviously amazing, but the general quality of even Code A surpasses the quality of proleague by such a large margin that I would not consider paying much personally.

In my mind they are going to have to wait until the level of play gets to a level where it is actually worth paying anything before revisiting their model.


If you gave them more money, maybe they can motivate the players to play better. That's ultimately why the NA scene is failing, not enough circulation and money.


The problem with that is that 95% or more of the starcraft 2 fans do not have any loyalty or even fond memories of the proleague as they never watched it, (myself included!).

Expecting the foreign scene to throw money at a company producing poor games with horrible production and having caused so much controversy in the short life of starcraft 2 is not a realistic option, even when they have Flash to wave around as collateral.

They have not proved themselves to anyone other than the old school fans who are few and far between these days unfortunately.

I would like to see them succeed and produce really good and exciting content, similar to the broodwar heyday, but I am not sure if KESPA is flexible enough for it to happen...


Dawn of War & Age of Empires used to be the best RTS game for foreigners to watch. Now they all left and went to StarCraft II. I had so many fond memories watching those two RTS games + WCG.

KeSPA bends where the money blows, we can beat Korea in terms of payment and have them on our side. MLG is doing half the work for us.
https://twitter.com/#!/TorteDeLini (@TorteDeLini)
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