Video designed by: LastManProductions; Music composed by: Mote Keatinge aka EleGant[AoV]
The TeamLiquid Legacy Starleague was announced for the first time on December 31, 2012. Our plan was to host three $500 tournaments before culminating in a final event with $2000 up for grabs. Through lots of preparation, hard work and unrivaled passion by BW staff, all three tournaments ran really well and helped provide some much needed rejuvenation for a community that thrived on its unequivocal love for the game.
It's been a year and a half since the last TeamLiquid Legacy Starleague was played and we realize that we have yet to fulfill one more promise for the community; the TLS Championship. We understand that many BW enthusiasts were excited for the opportunity to compete or watch their favourite pros compete. We also understand that our lack of communication has likely saddened a lot of our valuable community members and caused mistrust to develop. For all of this, we would like to apologize profusely. It was never our intention for the delay to be this long.
The TLS Championship was set to start several months after TLS3 has concluded so that players have time to practice. However, we decided to delay the championship until some things fell into place so that we can provide the best experience possible for those playing the game and watching it. Alas, real life had other plans. Before long, time has passed, a promise has been broken and other tournaments have flourished in our absence. We want to make amends for our failure to follow up on our promise and we hope that we will do it well now.
This is why it's our pleasure to announce the TLS Championship, featuring a $2000 prize pool which will take place on January 9, 2016. More details will be provided closer to the aforementioned date. However, that's not all! In order to help foster an active foreign scene and help players prepare and practice for the TLS Championship, we are also hosting a series of smaller tournaments: the Legacy Cup series. The Cup series will feature a $100 prize pool and will be run on a weekly basis. Are you excited yet?
You can find out more about the Legacy Cup series here.
It is our sincere hope that this series of regularly held competitions will bring some sustained excitement to the scene, culminating in TLS Championship which will serve as a test to all the participating players. We've long known that foreign players have plenty of ability and passion, but haven't been able to demonstrate their skills due to lack of opportunities and platform.
All of this would not be possible without our generous sponsor, Rus_Brain. Asked about his inspiration in funding such an endeavor, he remarked,
But why now, as opposed to previous years when BW was in a bigger spotlight?
And lastly, do you perhaps have any message to the BW community in regards to their love for this 17 year old game?
A simple answer is "because I can". I could have contributed elsewhere, but I used to play BW myself and I find passion of gamers to win very thrilling. I enjoy watching games as well and this was my way to stay connected with the community.
But why now, as opposed to previous years when BW was in a bigger spotlight?
I used to contribute by making numerous local offline tournaments in Moscow. As I am growing up, my limits and heights are growing as well. Unfortunately, it is becoming more expensive for me to host the same tournaments. However, now I can allow myself to contribute in other ways. This tournament is a good example of the grown heights, along with WarCraft 3 and Hearthstone ones held by goodgame.ru. I really hope I can accomplish another mission which is something to be revealed later.
And lastly, do you perhaps have any message to the BW community in regards to their love for this 17 year old game?
If you like the game, the age is only a bright spot. Football or even Chess are best examples.
I want to ask all esport fans to do their best to bring the esport to the same level as traditional sport. It is not guaranteed you will stay devoted to esport throughout your life. But what you should always do is to stay professional.
I want to ask all esport fans to do their best to bring the esport to the same level as traditional sport. It is not guaranteed you will stay devoted to esport throughout your life. But what you should always do is to stay professional.
We would like to thank our sponsor very much in providing us this opportunity and we ask all of you to stay tuned as we will provide more details about TLS Championship periodically throughout the next few months. Exciting times are ahead of us!