EPTIf you’ve read any of my past blogs (and I sincerely want to thank you, Reader, if you have) I have mentioned many times that I have a good friend called Fallen. We’ve been on a lot of adventures and I’ve known him forever. In terms of StarCraft, I think 2011 was something special for him.
![[image loading]](http://www.complexitygaming.com/uploads/news/news_132051873928.jpg)
This is the post that changed 2011 for myself and especially Fallen.
I’m pretty sure that we both saw this post at about the same time. By this time I was a diehard TL troll. We might have even instant messaged each other about the post within the same minute. Unfortunately I’m chobo and nowhere close to Fallen’s level so I obviously was not going to apply. But he was all over it.
The next step was that we needed to make that NASL-esque application video. So during a break in the action during MLG Columbus 2011, we made a video. It was filmed at my house and I’m interviewing him. And I’d like to take the time to apologize for the silly pink walls, odd window placement, and monotone question-asking voice. I was nervous too haha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wr2r4CG8wk
We did like…five takes? Who knows? Then watched MMA kill his own CC against Idra
After he uploaded the video and sent in the application, I’m pretty sure I didn’t talk to Fallen for a few days. He went into hardcore practice mode; donned his game face and went to win a spot. His eligibility to compete in the Compelxity Academy qualification tournament was announced on 6/14/2011. I was ecstatic. I could finally vicariously live out being a “pro-gamer” through Fallen. And more importantly, Fallen could potentially be promoted to a Complexity main squad player.
The tournament had been announced and the brackets posted. Fallen was placed in a pool which also had a one Goswser. Readers may recognize him as the guy with the funny name who beat Polt at MLG Orlando.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/PlpVm.jpg)
Polt-killer is a pretty sick nickname.
As it turns out, I couldn’t sit down and fully watch the entire tournament. I was headed home from my internship to see some family friends. So unfortunately, I couldn’t watch the entire tournament. But I was determined that I’d somehow will Fallen into the Academy. Somehow I could do it.
I blitzed the shit out of Facebook. Everyday for a week leading up to the tournament, I hyped it up. I’m not sure how many people watched or who even cared but it didn’t matter. I just wanted to put the word out and hopefully get some support.
The tournament finally started on 6/25/2011. I remember putting the tournament on so that I could try and watch at least one match. I snuck off to watch Fallen versus Lagrangian, a PvP. If I can recall correctly, it ended in a colossus battle where Fallen won because he had better micro. The next match was Goswser versus Fallen. And I think I always kept Goswser in the back of my head after watching these next two games. Goswser’s macro was really good and he always seemed to know the right angle when engaging. And of course, the caster Adebisi tripped over the confusing name.
Last two matches of Fallen’s tournament run found him up against two Terrans: opticalRH and Cheec[h]. I think Fallen was scared of 1/1/1 or just wasn’t totally together mentally. He dropped the set against opticalRH and then lost the fight for 10th place against Cheec[h].
It sounds simple enough but for those last 2 matches, I was driving back to my internship with my roommate. I had loaded up the bracket on my Droid and was furiously refreshing it to try and follow the score. I remember trying to text/instant message anyone and everyone; I wanted a live report. I was so amped up at this point. I was on edge, consumed almost to the point of obsession. I wanted these wins so bad. When Fallen lost, I just looked at my roommate like I just found out someone killed my dog. I was devastated…
Fallen was so upset that he took time off from StarCraft 2 for a few days. We thought that was it. And then the unbelievable happened. Two of the Academy members were released, making way for the players who earned 11th (Fallen) and 12th (Damncats) place in the initial Complexity Academy tour. Even though it wasn’t the way we thought he’d make it on the squad, Fallen had accomplished his goal. What a wild roller-coaster of a summer...
For every Select, Naniwa, and MMA, there are tens or even hundreds of players looking for their shot at going pro. And because StarCraft 2 has become so big, other teams are looking to foster talent like Complexity did. I know off the top of my head that vVv, Dignitas, and eSahara have had similar academies. Take a look at one of these smaller tournaments and support the little guy; you could be a hipster and become a fan of a future MLG or GSL champion. Or maybe just support a friend.
Here’s to the little guy.
Edit: Complexity's COO Mr. Jason Bass was recently interviewed by ESFI and shared some of his thoughts on the Complexity Academy. Thought it was pretty cool to hear the opinion from the top of the food chain at coL.
+ Show Spoiler [Endgame Interviews Jason Bass] +
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE0eD-h9MXw&feature=player_embedded#t=56m40
