The StarCraft: Brood War resurgence continues with the 10th Sonic Starleague with OnGameNet (SSL 10) and Kongdoo/HungryApp Starz League (KSL). Sonic has endured as both a passionate fan and successful entrepreneur to bring the BW community the SSL series, this time broadcasting on OnGameNet, of all places! At the same time, the streaming gaming network and mobile game producer, HungryApp, has joined forced with the e-Sports management agency, Kongdoo, which has previously organized a number of BW invitationals, to hold the inaugural Starz League. The two major tournaments feature some of the largest prize pools and bring together the top players of the current Korean scene.
Which players watch football (or soccer) more than play BW? Which prefer throwing their chairs over sitting on them? And which players don’t like spending their streaming hours gawking at pictures of scantily clad women? Find out more about the Featured Players, their recent performance, and their Afreeca streaming activities below, in alphabetical order below. As this is a shared player preview for both tournaments, icons for KSL and SSL are used to distinguish in which league, or both, the players are participating.
The three-time MSL winner has largely stepped back from tournaments since winning SSL 9, opting to stream frequently on Afreeca. Despite his MSL success, Bisu has endured difficulty advancing through the preliminaries toward an elusive OSL crown. One of the most experienced Starleague players, Bisu excels in the PvZ match-up, having popularized variations of the FE build. As a result, Bisu has had a number of exciting and contentious battles against the likes of Larva, Killer, and hero, his SSL 9 finals opponent. Among the most popular streamers and a frequent balloon recipient, Bisu often plays show matches. Bisu’s streams are notable for the 1) significant time spent thanking donors (“boing boing”) and admiring under-clothed women (“oooh”), 2) music selection (orchestral soundtracks and off-key singing), and 3) dominant Protoss play. Bisu maintains a number of high-ranking Fish accounts, rotating as competition becomes sparse.
The amiable hero streams several times a week and is very active in competition. Having taken second place at SSL 9 against Bisu, hero has had a string of second place finishes while remaining one of the strongest Zergs, particularly in ZvP. Recently, however, hero has also struggled in this ZvP match-up, with losses in LoveTV SponLeague show matches against GuemChi, Movie, and Jaehoon. At the same time, his recent ZvZ history has seen a string of losses against the likes of Killer, ZerO and Modesty. Altogether, these sometimes middling performances has caused hero to slide down the Elo player rankings. Relatively quiet on Afreeca, hero will warmly thank donors and enjoys playing with his small dog on-screen.
A largely mediocre player in the KeSPA era, HiyA has enjoyed more success in the current scene, particularly with his strong TvZ play. His opening M&M, occasionally with tank support, are some of the most potent and aggressive on Fighting Spirit. HiyA routinely holds Fish Server accounts with among the highest rankings while remaining active in tournament play. Most recently, HiyA has been dominant in the LoveTV SponLeague, winning the first season of the show match series. The popular veteran streams on Afreeca a few times a week, often in the evening hours, while being active in tournaments and show matches. While streaming, HiyA interacts frequently with fans and listens to (and sometimes sings along with) the latest K-pop, as well as joins in on others’ show matches to providing casting.
The popular two-time OSL winner has not played in the competitive post-KeSPA scene since appearances at SSL 9 and GOM Classic 4. Having built a strong TvP reputation against the likes of Flash and Fantasy in the last two OSLs, JangBi will have to endure with inactivity. JangBi only streams on Afreeca a few times a month, generally playing with his many progamer friends and the occasional show match. When JangBi does stream, however, he often garners among the largest BW audience. JangBi has postponed his military service (initially set for January 2015) to participate in SSL 10.
One of the strongest and most accomplished players in the current era, Killer’s ZvZ match-up is particularly dominant, in accordance with his history as a protege of Jaedong. With few strong Zerg players active, Killer’s dominance in ZvZ has seen only a handful of losses to the likes of HoGiL and ZerO. Killer’s ZvP play is also particularly strong, with Afreeca users having grown accustomed to his frequent battles with Shuttle and Bisu, many of which are recommended. Killer’s inactivity, however, may be his greatest foe. Although a regular participant in tournaments and show matches, Killer will take weeks off from streaming altogether before returning to stream a few times a week. Killer consistently tops the Fish ladder with his primary handle, but often plays off-race with his side accounts, frequently playing against Mong for long marathon sessions of 10+ consecutive games. Killer is on the quieter side when streaming, but will sing along to the latest Kpop songs and eagerly thank donors with somersaults in his pajamas.
The popular Afreeca showman streams almost daily, with his wild antics and physical stunts perhaps as well-known as his Zerg play. When not sleeping, eating, or losing badly while playing off-race (Larva’s relatively weak ZvZ prompts him to often choose Terran instead), Larva is prone to showing flashes of brilliance, particularly in the ZvP match-up and against his former SKT T1 teammate, Bisu, a frequent opponent. As in SSL 9, Larva is particularly fond of the early zergling run-by against FE Protoss. Still awaiting a breakthrough in tournament play, his great popularity has allowed Larva to build a brand of sorts, securing various sponsorships that have enabled him to cast show matches between fellow progamers. When thanking donors, Larva is renowned for his Dragoon spider-walk impersonation, complete with sound effects, as well as hurling about anything in arm's reach, chair and keyboard included.
The veteran MSL winner has become increasingly potent in the current era. His strong TvZ play has propelled him up the Elo rankings with wins against strong Zergs like Killer, ZerO, and hero. Active in competitive leagues and show matches, with some recent tournament success, Mind plays almost daily, usually in the evening/early morning hours. When streaming on Afreeca, Mind is more on the quiet side, unlike the gregarious Sea and Shuttle, perhaps prompting his streams to not be as popular as the two loud showmen. In fact, Mind jokingly remarked at the SSL10 selection ceremony that “people watch my stream to fall asleep.” Mind does, however, warmly thank balloon donors, as well as dons his Gandalf the Wizard hat when victorious or enjoying large donations.
Despite being only 22 years old, Mong is a veteran of the scene, working with and competing in matches organized by Sonic since 2011, as well as in a variety of show matches and tournaments. Strongest in the TvZ match-up, Mong frequently implements earlier aggressive mech switch with great success on Fighting Spirit. Mong is known for his self-deprecating "pig" humor, and has been nicknamed Pig Terran, with Mong perpetuating it by frequently eating on-screen. If is not uncommon to see Mong pause in the midst of a ladder match to pick up his food deliveries. Mong is fond of playing off-race, particularly Zerg, often against Killer. The popular Terran streams several days per week and has been very active in competitive play. Like Larva, Mong is awaiting a breakthrough performance against the wave of returning BW progamers.
One of the strongest Protoss and 2009 EVER OSL silver medalist, Movie has streamed and played less frequently in 2014, noting in interviews his interest in moving ahead in life outside BW. Movie does continue to play every few days, while remaining active in larger tournaments and invitationals. Particularly potent in the PvZ match-up, Movie is a frequent user of reavers, often with great effectiveness; this contrasts, interestingly, with Bisu’s PvZ approach of amassing ground troops and high templars. Although somewhat quiet on-screen when streaming, Movie actively catalogues his matches on his Youtube account, enabling another avenue to connect with users.
Among the strongest and most creative Terran players active today, PianO was a mediocre player in the KeSPA era before enjoying a late bloom in the current era. PianO started streaming on Afreeca in late 2013 after retiring from SC2 and now streams several days a week with long overnight marathon sessions. His dominance in the TvZ match-up largely centers around his frequent use of M&M drop attacks. Strong performances in this match-up, such as a 4-0 record against ZvT specialist Modesty in the recent BCTV Starleague and SBENU Allstars, have enabled PianO to rise to near the top of the Elo rankings. With a seemingly endless supply of Fish Server accounts, it is common to see PianO cycling through his numerous F-, E-, D-, C-, B- and A-rank usernames while seeking out ladder games at 6am. When unable to find an opponent, PianO recharges with breaks for instant noodles (ramen) and to assemble newly purchased Ikea furniture. In addition to ladder and show matches, PianO is also very active in tournament play. PianO has built a sizable Afreeca audience, with his popularity ranking comparably to the likes of Mong and Sea.
A seasoned veteran with ten years of experience, Sea emerged as a SOSPA powerhouse with his string of four SRT wins. Although Sea participates frequently in tournaments and show matches, Sea has been less consistent recently, losing in earlier stages of leagues such as the 41 SL Season 2 and Zeus SL. He remains among the strongest Terran and has built a rivalry against Shuttle, with the two having played 44 times in tournament play, with Sea winning 50% of them. Sea is among the most active streamers, playing almost daily, largely during daytime and often against fans. One of the most popular Afreeca BJs, Sea’s impassioned play is only rivaled by the volume of his “enthusiastic” viewer-interactions and tendency to eat on-screen while watching football and Korean variety shows.
Among the top Protoss, Shuttle is also a frequent participant in tournaments and show matches. Very fond of his signature and oft-used tactic, the High Templar drop harass, Shuttle uses it to great effectiveness against the likes of Killer, his frequent opponent. Shuttle has built a budding rivalry against the aforementioned Sea, with the two frequently meeting in league play. With his gregarious personality, Shuttle has cultivated a large Afreeca fanbase and receives frequent donations. Shuttle streams several times a week, often with long overnight marathon sessions. Shuttle is highly emotive on-screen, often raising his arms in celebration when winning or receiving a large donation, while sighing and dejectedly sliding down his chair in defeat.
Among the strongest Terran, sSak was very much an underachiever in the KeSPA era. His strong TvT play has propelled him near the top of the Elo rankings, particularly wins in competitive play against the likes of Mong. sSak has played and streamed sparingly in the past few months, perhaps leading to a slide down the rankings, although he has remained largely active in tournaments. Over the past few weeks, sSak has returned to more frequent play and practices several times a week against fellow progamers. On-screen, sSak is fond of humming along to gentle Kpop ballads and playing with his small dog. A former SKT T1 teammate of Bisu's, the two frequently do battle in show matches when both are online.
The popular Zerg has built a strong record on his top-five performances in OSL/MSLs in the KeSPA era, with some success in the current scene. ZerO started streaming on Afreeca in late 2013 and has been very active since, usually playing several times a week in the evening hours. ZerO has largely been inconsistent in competitive play, unable to advance from the group stages in several leagues, while participating frequently in show matches and invitationals. Most recently, ZerO has enjoyed a resurgence, beating Killer in an unexpected series win and dominating GuemChi in the final series of the LoveTV SponLeague. In ladder play, ZerO often shows flashes of brilliance, particularly in ZvP play with aggressive hydra bust timing and creative queen usage. ZerO is very good about avoiding down-time during his streams, only taking short breaks to warmly thank his donors and spending the minimum time necessary to gawk at female streamers with low-cut necklines.
Reading these previews makes me feel all warm and nostalgic. I don't keep up with BW very well these days, but seeing all these familiar faces keeping the dream alive brings a smile to my face.
EPT
SSL 10
Bisu
hero
HiyA
Bisu
SSL 9
HungryApp 4
hero
LoveTV SL 1
HiyA
on the LP page
