Just read in different threads that several pros have retired recently. Could somebody clarify what's happening?

I saw that Bisu announced a couple of weeks/months(?) ago that the next ASL would be his last one and was already wondering why this didn't get a thread and discussed here.

But now seeing posts that state that current ASL-Champ Larva is retiring aswell as other heavyweights (e.g. Best, Soulkey, Effort) getting mentioned without any further explanation is a bit mind-boggling.

Thanks a lot!

TMNT

2904 Posts

July 14 2021 13:37 GMT

As far as I know:

- Bisu announced he'll retire from competitive BW after the next ASL, but the recent crypto scandal may already have pushed that decision into earlier. Whether he returns to streaming or not remains to be seen, but it's likely if he ever does, it'll be just for the casual games.

- Soulkey didn't participate in the last ASL just because he wasn't interested. He's still regularly playing sponmatches, Proleague, KCM and BJ league. Not sure if he'll play the next ASL.

- Effort's injury doesn't allow him to play BW at the highest level anymore. He's still streaming BW regularly but only for the casual team games, UMS, etc. with the occasional proleague matches.

- Larva you already know from his announcement. Personally I think it's more about him deciding to retire while being at the top (he's achieved his dream, built a large fanbase, now's the time to be more casual and focus on his family etc.)

- Best is not retiring. He only took a break recently to open his restaurant.

TMNT

2904 Posts

July 14 2021 13:43 GMT

The thing is most of the top Korean pros are into their 30+ now and sooner or later they'll have to leave competitive BW, either due to diminishing skills, injuries or to focus on their personal lives. So we better get used to it.

rararara

115 Posts

July 14 2021 13:52 GMT

Thanks TMNT!

Heard that about Soulkey already.. it was said that for him ASL was more risky and less lucrative compared to streaming, especially concerning his financial situation.. so that's not a retirement. But someone in another thread listed him as retired (with some other pros), so I wanted to check if something had happenend that went unnoticed.

What kind of injury does Effort have?

I think if one of these great players is retiring, they should get some recognition from the fans and the fans should know why they are leaving BW. Just a proper way to say goodbye.

HaN-

France1920 Posts

July 14 2021 14:42 GMT

For those who missed the Larva announcement:

[image loading]

JungleTerrain

Chile799 Posts

July 14 2021 14:56 GMT

So sad, larva is definitely my favorite player. But I’ve seen videos of him and his family, he is a happy man. End of an era, ladies and gentlemen.

Highgamer

1435 Posts

July 14 2021 15:38 GMT

On July 14 2021 22:37 TMNT wrote:

- Best is not retiring. He only took a break recently to open his restaurant.

"The Best Restaurant"

lawl, Best just has the Best name.

FlaShFTW

United States10211 Posts

July 14 2021 15:41 GMT

Really sad to see these guys go. Still hoping there's enough new talent that can rise up and replace the old talent... but it's not looking great. How many new players have been produced? Soma, Miso, Sorry, YSC, JYJ are the big ones off the top of my head but besides Soma and Sorry, the rest don't seem particularly exciting.

ox.tQ

796 Posts

July 14 2021 16:00 GMT

On July 15 2021 00:38 Highgamer wrote:

Show nested quote +

"The Best Restaurant"

lawl, Best just has the Best name.

I hear the Tesagi appetizer is really good

Ideas

United States8129 Posts

July 14 2021 17:38 GMT

#10

Larva retiring is really disappointing. Despite not having as good mechanics as some other zergs he really upped his preparation and series-play in the last 2 ASLs and achieved a ton of success. But you got to do what makes you happy, so if it's too much for him to continue competing in ASL then I respect his decision to give it up while on top.

Effort didn't seem to quite be in form when he came back, and an injury would definitely explain that. Sorry to hear about that and I wish him the best :\

BW seems to be in a really tough spot right now between this wave of retirees and the crypto scandal. I was honestly hoping that the popularity of larva and how the last ASL finals were so popular could help keep the game chugging along but with his dropping out hopefully some of these newer players can rise up.

M3t4PhYzX

Poland4212 Posts

July 14 2021 18:40 GMT

#11

On July 14 2021 23:42 HaN- wrote:
For those who missed the Larva announcement:

[image loading]

well.. that sucks..

rararara

115 Posts

July 14 2021 20:01 GMT

#12

Hoping that we get introduced to new players, there must be some!

There's still lots of great ones we know.

Larva retiring at the peak of his career is a good move for him.
He really upped his play to another level in the last ASL, must have been crazy amounts of hard work.
Well deserved and happy for him!

Nikon

Bulgaria5710 Posts

July 14 2021 22:36 GMT

#13

No wonder a lot of these people are retiring, they have had very, very long careers. Honestly, I was surprised to see so many names that I recognised still in the circuit. Really have to echo the hope that newer names rise to greatness.

[sc1f]eonzerg

Belgium6709 Posts

July 14 2021 22:40 GMT

#14

Progamers are quitting. SCV flying glitch killing the ladder. Blizzard didnt update the season for 6 months. Im not sure the game will survive like this.

Timebon3s

Norway709 Posts

July 15 2021 02:33 GMT

#15

BW has survived for over 20 years, as long as our generation is around, the game will survive.
There is no game like bw and I doubt there ever will be.
This game is like a drug with a lot of addicts. It will stay for a long time

v1p3r52

New Zealand182 Posts

July 15 2021 05:06 GMT

#16

sucks to see Larva go, good luck to him, my favourite in the ASL lately

iFU.pauline

France1648 Posts

July 15 2021 05:59 GMT

#17

It is only normal to move on at some point, it is just a video game at the end. Maybe big events like ASL aren't gonna happen anymore though I am confident there will "always" be a strong and stable community.

By the way thanks EffOrt for your contribution, you have raised ZvT to the highest level, those finals vs prime Flash were off the charts, EffOrt on top!

prosatan

Romania8336 Posts

July 15 2021 06:07 GMT

#18

Best vs Rush! played yesterday

outscar

2832 Posts

July 15 2021 07:37 GMT

#19

Fuck, Larva retiring? Wasn't his wrists were top shape, I definitely remember ppl were bringing out how Larva can practice so many hours without having a wrist pain. Such a shame, I hope he can give himself a rest and maybe comeback.

Well, at least my boy BeSt is sticking around.