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Google Play ASL (Season 20) Announced

Forum Index > BW General
65 CommentsPost a Reply
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GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51620 Posts
July 26 2025 08:42 GMT
#1
Source: https://ch.sooplive.co.kr/afstar1/post/166775261

Hello.

This is ASL management.

The preliminary round of 'Google Play ASL Season 20' that many people have been waiting for will be held online.

This season is sponsored by Google Play and grabity.


Online Preliminary Day 1: August 2nd (Sat)
Online Preliminary Day 2: August 3rd (Sun)


[image loading]
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Commentator
Miragee
Profile Joined December 2009
8675 Posts
July 26 2025 09:04 GMT
#2
That's very soon, didn't expect that. Rather short notice for the players, isn't it?
oxKnu
Profile Joined December 2017
1259 Posts
July 26 2025 09:31 GMT
#3
This is just the qualifying rounds. Decent map choices I think.

Should be a great season. I guess Flash will participate since he just decimated Soulkey in a couple of games in ProLeague.

Nice to see Google putting their name on this. Their pixel phone is better than the IPhone, and also the only real phone you can make free of the bullshit corporate shit. (with GrapheneOS).
Miragee
Profile Joined December 2009
8675 Posts
July 26 2025 10:16 GMT
#4
On July 26 2025 18:31 oxKnu wrote:
This is just the qualifying rounds.


I know, but 1,5 weeks of notice is quite short for people to plan? I.e. people may already have things planned for those dates and would now need to cancel if they want a chance to qualify.
CaucasianAsian
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
Korea (South)11598 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-07-26 12:46:16
July 26 2025 12:45 GMT
#5
wow Google putting their name on this is big!
Calendar@ Fish Server: `iOps]..Stark
LUCKY_NOOB
Profile Blog Joined June 2013
Bulgaria1545 Posts
July 26 2025 12:51 GMT
#6
On July 26 2025 21:45 CaucasianAsian wrote:
wow Google putting their name on this is big!


is it? Google would put their name on anything kek...

Glad they are putting up money? (I'm guessing)
ko-fi.com/luckynoob
Byo
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
Canada211 Posts
July 26 2025 13:10 GMT
#7
On July 26 2025 21:51 LUCKY_NOOB wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 26 2025 21:45 CaucasianAsian wrote:
wow Google putting their name on this is big!


is it? Google would put their name on anything kek...

Glad they are putting up money? (I'm guessing)


I presume they don't give up on sponsoring it easily, but good news all around.

Is the prize pool same as prior ASL? Just wondering
Toshinou-Kyouko
Profile Joined November 2024
Philippines633 Posts
July 26 2025 13:42 GMT
#8
Surprised about the google play sponsorship, though in previous years we had guys like hot6 and even LG sponsoring ASL.

Glad we're getting some big sponsors for ASL once again, hope this trend continues.

Map pool is good. Hoping for some great games.
Yuru Yuri best anime
HOLYBATS
Profile Joined August 2021
Turkey791 Posts
July 26 2025 14:24 GMT
#9
Great news!
ImbaTosS
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United Kingdom1717 Posts
July 26 2025 14:32 GMT
#10
Very much looking forward to another season, may it be as great as the last
EleGant[AoV]
jinjin5000
Profile Joined May 2010
United States1547 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-07-26 16:26:32
July 26 2025 16:26 GMT
#11
On July 26 2025 22:42 Toshinou-Kyouko wrote:
Surprised about the google play sponsorship, though in previous years we had guys like hot6 and even LG sponsoring ASL.

Glad we're getting some big sponsors for ASL once again, hope this trend continues.

Map pool is good. Hoping for some great games.


They actually had problem with getting sponsors so they had to go public about needing sponsor for this asl which was resolved pretty fast and resulted in this
M3t4PhYzX
Profile Joined March 2019
Poland4267 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-07-26 16:47:02
July 26 2025 16:46 GMT
#12
On July 26 2025 23:32 ImbaTosS wrote:
Very much looking forward to another season, may it be as great as the last

Hear, hear! I'll definitely drink to that
Kraekkling
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
713 Posts
July 26 2025 18:12 GMT
#13
Google? let's goooo
(*^^)(^*)
Kraekkling
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
713 Posts
July 26 2025 18:19 GMT
#14
lol grabity seems to be some sort of korean shampoo brand? hahaha I'm gonna get one if it's them
(*^^)(^*)
Woosixion
Profile Joined February 2012
121 Posts
July 26 2025 20:14 GMT
#15
are they making the map pool anti-zerg as artosis predicted if soulkey won his 4th asl?
the only way out is through...
Blargh
Profile Joined September 2010
United States2103 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-07-26 23:18:27
July 26 2025 23:16 GMT
#16
Not really sure why the prize pool is shaped like this. Almost nothing for 3rd place... I guess its always been this prize pool, but still seems weird given how pro-play BW is near impossible to make a living off of and you're way better off streaming. Nice to see a real brand repping it though.
ShowTheLights
Profile Blog Joined June 2012
Korea (South)1715 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-07-27 01:41:42
July 27 2025 01:41 GMT
#17
Does anyone know if Rain will be playing this season? I doubt it with how he looked so discouraged last season but With Flash out he is the only hope to beat SK
•••Acer.MMA••• <> KT_Puzzle <> JinAir•GreenWings_CoCa <> CJ_herO <> Axiom CranK & Ryung <> IM_Seed <> IM_Squirtle <> le' ToD <> Innovation <> ROOT_CatZ <> inuh! <> Chobra <> SKT1_Fantasy
ShowTheLights
Profile Blog Joined June 2012
Korea (South)1715 Posts
July 27 2025 01:45 GMT
#18
On July 27 2025 08:16 Blargh wrote:
Not really sure why the prize pool is shaped like this. Almost nothing for 3rd place... I guess its always been this prize pool, but still seems weird given how pro-play BW is near impossible to make a living off of and you're way better off streaming. Nice to see a real brand repping it though.


Korean players wanted this because theyre more about prestige of winning

GSL and ASL players have been asked in the past about a more distributed prize pool and they always say they WANT it top heavy
•••Acer.MMA••• <> KT_Puzzle <> JinAir•GreenWings_CoCa <> CJ_herO <> Axiom CranK & Ryung <> IM_Seed <> IM_Squirtle <> le' ToD <> Innovation <> ROOT_CatZ <> inuh! <> Chobra <> SKT1_Fantasy
dedede
Profile Joined March 2024
United States116 Posts
July 27 2025 02:28 GMT
#19
Wow Google Play put their name on it?? I wonder how the connection worked, maybe my team can put our name on it too :D
Terran
CicadaSC
Profile Joined January 2018
United States1941 Posts
July 27 2025 04:32 GMT
#20
google? big deal. NICE. happy for the korean bw scene and fans around the world who get to enjoy.
Remember that we all come from a place of passion!!
TMNT
Profile Joined January 2021
3229 Posts
July 27 2025 04:56 GMT
#21
On July 27 2025 05:14 Woosixion wrote:
are they making the map pool anti-zerg as artosis predicted if soulkey won his 4th asl?

No they aren't. Artosis (and many others) just went with the easy narrative.
Piste
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
6183 Posts
July 27 2025 08:06 GMT
#22
Sad to see Hot6 gone, they sponsored so many tournaments. Hopefully google does as well.
spets1
Profile Joined November 2009
136 Posts
July 27 2025 10:30 GMT
#23
Yesssss let's go, hope we get prelim matches casted
You were wrong before, what makes you think you're right now
Gahlo
Profile Joined February 2010
United States35173 Posts
July 27 2025 11:36 GMT
#24
On July 27 2025 10:41 ShowTheLights wrote:
Does anyone know if Rain will be playing this season? I doubt it with how he looked so discouraged last season but With Flash out he is the only hope to beat SK

Is Flash officially not competing in this one?
RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1265 Posts
July 27 2025 12:25 GMT
#25
On July 27 2025 10:41 ShowTheLights wrote:
Does anyone know if Rain will be playing this season? I doubt it with how he looked so discouraged last season but With Flash out he is the only hope to beat SK

Have seennno activity from Rain for a few months. chances are high he migtht skip. chances are equally high he will grind for a couple days and make it in.
JDON MY SOUL!
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66363 Posts
July 27 2025 16:40 GMT
#26
On July 27 2025 20:36 Gahlo wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 27 2025 10:41 ShowTheLights wrote:
Does anyone know if Rain will be playing this season? I doubt it with how he looked so discouraged last season but With Flash out he is the only hope to beat SK

Is Flash officially not competing in this one?

for this ASL yes
POGGERS
icystorage
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Jollibee19350 Posts
July 27 2025 23:27 GMT
#27
corporate sponsorship!
LiquidDota StaffAre you ready for a Miracle-? We are! The International 2017 Champions!
TornadoSteve
Profile Joined March 2018
1116 Posts
July 29 2025 02:40 GMT
#28
He actually try to qualify
They *obviously* gives him an easy bracket
He makes it to RO28


please make it happen Nada
Garnet
Profile Blog Joined February 2006
Vietnam9047 Posts
July 29 2025 11:50 GMT
#29
I have never seen an esports tournament sponsored by Google Play.
LightSpectra
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
United States2767 Posts
July 29 2025 16:47 GMT
#30
Liquipedia says (Wiki)Saber was seeded into the Ro24, anyone know what his playstyle is like? He used to be an Oz player but I don't remember any of his games.
2006 Shinhan Bank OSL Season 3 was the greatest tournament of all time
RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1265 Posts
July 29 2025 19:06 GMT
#31
On July 30 2025 01:47 LightSpectra wrote:
Liquipedia says (Wiki)Saber was seeded into the Ro24, anyone know what his playstyle is like? He used to be an Oz player but I don't remember any of his games.

Standard macro focus.
JDON MY SOUL!
A.Alm
Profile Joined September 2012
Sweden552 Posts
July 29 2025 21:06 GMT
#32
On July 26 2025 18:31 oxKnu wrote:
This is just the qualifying rounds. Decent map choices I think.

Should be a great season. I guess Flash will participate since he just decimated Soulkey in a couple of games in ProLeague.

Nice to see Google putting their name on this. Their pixel phone is better than the IPhone, and also the only real phone you can make free of the bullshit corporate shit. (with GrapheneOS).


Got a link to the Flash vs SK games?
[sc1f]eonzerg
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Belgium7000 Posts
July 29 2025 21:31 GMT
#33
On July 30 2025 01:47 LightSpectra wrote:
Liquipedia says (Wiki)Saber was seeded into the Ro24, anyone know what his playstyle is like? He used to be an Oz player but I don't remember any of his games.

Holyshit the winner of ACS gets now a direct seed to ASL ? Thats a W. Before they will just get a seed to the final of ASL qualifier bracket and fight for the spot i believe.
Gahlo
Profile Joined February 2010
United States35173 Posts
July 29 2025 22:43 GMT
#34
On July 30 2025 06:06 A.Alm wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 26 2025 18:31 oxKnu wrote:
This is just the qualifying rounds. Decent map choices I think.

Should be a great season. I guess Flash will participate since he just decimated Soulkey in a couple of games in ProLeague.

Nice to see Google putting their name on this. Their pixel phone is better than the IPhone, and also the only real phone you can make free of the bullshit corporate shit. (with GrapheneOS).


Got a link to the Flash vs SK games?

https://tl.net/forum/viewpost.php?post_id=28296891

+ Show Spoiler +
Set 2, games 3 and 5
rotta
Profile Joined December 2011
5624 Posts
July 30 2025 09:50 GMT
#35
On July 30 2025 06:31 [sc1f]eonzerg wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 30 2025 01:47 LightSpectra wrote:
Liquipedia says (Wiki)Saber was seeded into the Ro24, anyone know what his playstyle is like? He used to be an Oz player but I don't remember any of his games.

Holyshit the winner of ACS gets now a direct seed to ASL ? Thats a W. Before they will just get a seed to the final of ASL qualifier bracket and fight for the spot i believe.

Yes, it's how TRUE q'd last season
don't wall off against random
RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1265 Posts
July 30 2025 09:55 GMT
#36
On July 30 2025 06:31 [sc1f]eonzerg wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 30 2025 01:47 LightSpectra wrote:
Liquipedia says (Wiki)Saber was seeded into the Ro24, anyone know what his playstyle is like? He used to be an Oz player but I don't remember any of his games.

Holyshit the winner of ACS gets now a direct seed to ASL ? Thats a W. Before they will just get a seed to the final of ASL qualifier bracket and fight for the spot i believe.

yeah. but they also changed who can play in ACS now. its basically as difficult as a qualifier's bracket on day 2 now.
JDON MY SOUL!
A.Alm
Profile Joined September 2012
Sweden552 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-07-30 15:29:56
July 30 2025 15:29 GMT
#37
On July 30 2025 07:43 Gahlo wrote:
Show nested quote +
On July 30 2025 06:06 A.Alm wrote:
On July 26 2025 18:31 oxKnu wrote:
This is just the qualifying rounds. Decent map choices I think.

Should be a great season. I guess Flash will participate since he just decimated Soulkey in a couple of games in ProLeague.

Nice to see Google putting their name on this. Their pixel phone is better than the IPhone, and also the only real phone you can make free of the bullshit corporate shit. (with GrapheneOS).


Got a link to the Flash vs SK games?

https://tl.net/forum/viewpost.php?post_id=28296891

+ Show Spoiler +
Set 2, games 3 and 5


Thanks. Flash is looking insanely good now, to bad he wont participate.
FlaShFTW
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
United States10485 Posts
July 30 2025 20:22 GMT
#38
Wow didn't see Google coming in to sponsor this, that's awesome. Hopefully they can stick around and we can call the ASL the Alphabet Starleague
Writer#1 KT and FlaSh Fanboy || Woo Jung Ho Never Forget || Teamliquid Political Decision Desk
TL+ Member
RJGooner
Profile Joined April 2010
United States2076 Posts
July 30 2025 20:53 GMT
#39
This is so exciting. Will this finally be the end of Soulkey's reign?
#1 Jaehoon Fan! 김재훈 화팅!
PVJ
Profile Blog Joined July 2012
Hungary5221 Posts
August 01 2025 17:17 GMT
#40
Stupid question but did Soulkey ever get a special trophy for winning 3-in-a-row or 4-in-a-row? (Or 3/4 titles in total).

I thought he had to get a golden mouse type of thing but there's no image or info on the net about this.
The heart's eternal vow
[sc1f]eonzerg
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Belgium7000 Posts
August 01 2025 20:25 GMT
#41
On August 02 2025 02:17 PVJ wrote:
Stupid question but did Soulkey ever get a special trophy for winning 3-in-a-row or 4-in-a-row? (Or 3/4 titles in total).

I thought he had to get a golden mouse type of thing but there's no image or info on the net about this.

He got an special trophy. Not as cool as the golden mouse :D

[image loading]
Volka
Profile Joined December 2010
Argentina412 Posts
August 02 2025 01:41 GMT
#42
Fantastic news! Looking forward to this!
http://www.starsite.com.ar
HerbMon
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States469 Posts
August 02 2025 03:43 GMT
#43
Is there a broadcast?
How we will win in the period ahead.
tankgirl
Profile Blog Joined May 2016
Canada475 Posts
August 02 2025 04:03 GMT
#44
yes its live

https://play.sooplive.co.kr/afstar1/286322658
https://tl.net/forum/brood-war/627255-progamer-settings
TL+ Member
marwin
Profile Joined June 2011
Ukraine111 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-08-02 07:03:39
August 02 2025 07:00 GMT
#45
Brackets pls
Edit: https://esports.sooplive.co.kr/gggl/tournament/afstar1/1497/table
Du kan om du vill...
maybe
Profile Joined January 2008
260 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-08-02 07:41:23
August 02 2025 07:28 GMT
#46
Sorry wrong thread
prosatan
Profile Joined September 2009
Romania8914 Posts
August 02 2025 07:37 GMT
#47
On August 02 2025 16:28 maybe wrote:
Paralyze is in with 2-1 agains Bisu in the final

Sharp vs Scan in Group 8 finals going on!


spoilers please!

and also use this thread instead:

https://tl.net/forum/bw-tournaments/640901-asl20-online-qualifiers-day-1

Lee JaeDong Fighting! The only church that illuminates is the one that burns.
maybe
Profile Joined January 2008
260 Posts
August 02 2025 07:42 GMT
#48
On August 02 2025 16:37 prosatan wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 02 2025 16:28 maybe wrote:
Paralyze is in with 2-1 agains Bisu in the final

Sharp vs Scan in Group 8 finals going on!


spoilers please!

and also use this thread instead:

https://tl.net/forum/bw-tournaments/640901-asl20-online-qualifiers-day-1


Sorry didn't notice the new thread
Sabu113
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States11086 Posts
August 02 2025 08:17 GMT
#49
WOOO! Sponsor!
Biomine is a drunken chick who is on industrial strength amphetamines and would just grab your dick and jerk it as hard and violently as she could while screaming 'OMG FUCK ME', because she saw it in a Sasha Grey video ...-Wombat_Ni
PVJ
Profile Blog Joined July 2012
Hungary5221 Posts
August 02 2025 13:45 GMT
#50
On August 02 2025 05:25 [sc1f]eonzerg wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 02 2025 02:17 PVJ wrote:
Stupid question but did Soulkey ever get a special trophy for winning 3-in-a-row or 4-in-a-row? (Or 3/4 titles in total).

I thought he had to get a golden mouse type of thing but there's no image or info on the net about this.

He got an special trophy. Not as cool as the golden mouse :D

[image loading]

Wow what an awkward title. Thanks eon for posting. It is reassuring to see this as I was flabbergasted that they would forget about this achievement.

I'm looking forward to a contested 5th in a row for Soulkey and then I hope he gets something special again.
The heart's eternal vow
Soft_General_5023
Profile Joined December 2023
138 Posts
August 02 2025 16:17 GMT
#51
seems that rain and flash not playing this season?
Stopthevirtualaddict
Profile Joined November 2024
49 Posts
August 03 2025 11:59 GMT
#52
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.
TMNT
Profile Joined January 2021
3229 Posts
August 03 2025 12:40 GMT
#53
On August 03 2025 20:59 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.

To be fair, both Larva and Effort needed to go into second day this time. So did Rain before. Soma practically took no break during his military service because he got to stay at home, so there's no form loss. Flash is Flash.

But yeah, the gap between ex-Kespa pros and amateurs is enormous. It seems like if you weren't trained in pro houses during Kespa, you can never make up that gap on your own.
RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1265 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-08-03 13:19:17
August 03 2025 13:17 GMT
#54
On August 03 2025 21:40 TMNT wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2025 20:59 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.

To be fair, both Larva and Effort needed to go into second day this time. So did Rain before. Soma practically took no break during his military service because he got to stay at home, so there's no form loss. Flash is Flash.

But yeah, the gap between ex-Kespa pros and amateurs is enormous. It seems like if you weren't trained in pro houses during Kespa, you can never make up that gap on your own.


Not true that you cant make it, but the chanes are definitely lower. SoMa iirc was not on a team. He had a license but didnt make it onto a team. Scan has no license and comes from a pure amateur background. Brain made it in and had license as toss and terran, but no team. ZeloT had no license and no team. Ssinz had no license and no team. Same for Ivory and Ddasik, Byul and Tinkle. Taenggu also no license and no team. The current era lacks talent cultivation. Aspiring players have to train themselves to reach higher levels, much harder than someone showing you how to do it step by step.
JDON MY SOUL!
Stopthevirtualaddict
Profile Joined November 2024
49 Posts
August 03 2025 17:21 GMT
#55
On August 03 2025 22:17 RJBTVYOUTUBE wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2025 21:40 TMNT wrote:
On August 03 2025 20:59 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.

To be fair, both Larva and Effort needed to go into second day this time. So did Rain before. Soma practically took no break during his military service because he got to stay at home, so there's no form loss. Flash is Flash.

But yeah, the gap between ex-Kespa pros and amateurs is enormous. It seems like if you weren't trained in pro houses during Kespa, you can never make up that gap on your own.


Not true that you cant make it, but the chanes are definitely lower. SoMa iirc was not on a team. He had a license but didnt make it onto a team. Scan has no license and comes from a pure amateur background. Brain made it in and had license as toss and terran, but no team. ZeloT had no license and no team. Ssinz had no license and no team. Same for Ivory and Ddasik, Byul and Tinkle. Taenggu also no license and no team. The current era lacks talent cultivation. Aspiring players have to train themselves to reach higher levels, much harder than someone showing you how to do it step by step.



But i remember seeing some match from scan from the kespa era…

I think zelot and soma may be the most impressive ones. Somas case seems kind of special…

And zelot is a but like the average joe case methode.,.

RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1265 Posts
August 03 2025 18:10 GMT
#56
On August 04 2025 02:21 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2025 22:17 RJBTVYOUTUBE wrote:
On August 03 2025 21:40 TMNT wrote:
On August 03 2025 20:59 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.

To be fair, both Larva and Effort needed to go into second day this time. So did Rain before. Soma practically took no break during his military service because he got to stay at home, so there's no form loss. Flash is Flash.

But yeah, the gap between ex-Kespa pros and amateurs is enormous. It seems like if you weren't trained in pro houses during Kespa, you can never make up that gap on your own.


Not true that you cant make it, but the chanes are definitely lower. SoMa iirc was not on a team. He had a license but didnt make it onto a team. Scan has no license and comes from a pure amateur background. Brain made it in and had license as toss and terran, but no team. ZeloT had no license and no team. Ssinz had no license and no team. Same for Ivory and Ddasik, Byul and Tinkle. Taenggu also no license and no team. The current era lacks talent cultivation. Aspiring players have to train themselves to reach higher levels, much harder than someone showing you how to do it step by step.



But i remember seeing some match from scan from the kespa era…

I think zelot and soma may be the most impressive ones. Somas case seems kind of special…

And zelot is a but like the average joe case methode.,.


Scan never played Kespa. He was in America at that time.
JDON MY SOUL!
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51620 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-08-05 09:28:09
August 05 2025 09:26 GMT
#57
On August 03 2025 22:17 RJBTVYOUTUBE wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2025 21:40 TMNT wrote:
On August 03 2025 20:59 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.

To be fair, both Larva and Effort needed to go into second day this time. So did Rain before. Soma practically took no break during his military service because he got to stay at home, so there's no form loss. Flash is Flash.

But yeah, the gap between ex-Kespa pros and amateurs is enormous. It seems like if you weren't trained in pro houses during Kespa, you can never make up that gap on your own.


Not true that you cant make it, but the chanes are definitely lower. SoMa iirc was not on a team. He had a license but didnt make it onto a team. Scan has no license and comes from a pure amateur background. Brain made it in and had license as toss and terran, but no team. ZeloT had no license and no team. Ssinz had no license and no team. Same for Ivory and Ddasik, Byul and Tinkle. Taenggu also no license and no team. The current era lacks talent cultivation. Aspiring players have to train themselves to reach higher levels, much harder than someone showing you how to do it step by step.


soma - trainee with stx soul, didn't become pro in order to pursue higher education
scan - trainee with sk telecom, didn't become pro because he moved to the us
brain - trainee with cj entus, didn't become pro because his parents didn't want him to become one

so while you can say that a lot of these players weren't "pro", they were talented enough to have the eyes of the kespa teams on them.
Commentator
prosatan
Profile Joined September 2009
Romania8914 Posts
August 05 2025 09:44 GMT
#58
On August 05 2025 18:26 GTR wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2025 22:17 RJBTVYOUTUBE wrote:
On August 03 2025 21:40 TMNT wrote:
On August 03 2025 20:59 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.

To be fair, both Larva and Effort needed to go into second day this time. So did Rain before. Soma practically took no break during his military service because he got to stay at home, so there's no form loss. Flash is Flash.

But yeah, the gap between ex-Kespa pros and amateurs is enormous. It seems like if you weren't trained in pro houses during Kespa, you can never make up that gap on your own.


Not true that you cant make it, but the chanes are definitely lower. SoMa iirc was not on a team. He had a license but didnt make it onto a team. Scan has no license and comes from a pure amateur background. Brain made it in and had license as toss and terran, but no team. ZeloT had no license and no team. Ssinz had no license and no team. Same for Ivory and Ddasik, Byul and Tinkle. Taenggu also no license and no team. The current era lacks talent cultivation. Aspiring players have to train themselves to reach higher levels, much harder than someone showing you how to do it step by step.


soma - trainee with stx soul, didn't become pro in order to pursue higher education
scan - trainee with sk telecom, didn't become pro because he moved to the us
brain - trainee with cj entus, didn't become pro because his parents didn't want him to become one

so while you can say that a lot of these players weren't "pro", they were talented enough to have the eyes of the kespa teams on them.

At least Brain found his path , being the best fastest map player ever !!
Lee JaeDong Fighting! The only church that illuminates is the one that burns.
[sc1f]eonzerg
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Belgium7000 Posts
August 05 2025 10:30 GMT
#59
On August 05 2025 18:26 GTR wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 03 2025 22:17 RJBTVYOUTUBE wrote:
On August 03 2025 21:40 TMNT wrote:
On August 03 2025 20:59 Stopthevirtualaddict wrote:
How comes that these old stars like effort, larva,even Rain, Soma, Flash? players like those get into ASl first try after time.

while players like the scans, and even great consistent players like action hero and queen, Stork,
Etc. need multiple tries or cant make it one season, while literally been ro 4 or winners or beeing top active, on the meta game, all the time.

To be fair, both Larva and Effort needed to go into second day this time. So did Rain before. Soma practically took no break during his military service because he got to stay at home, so there's no form loss. Flash is Flash.

But yeah, the gap between ex-Kespa pros and amateurs is enormous. It seems like if you weren't trained in pro houses during Kespa, you can never make up that gap on your own.


Not true that you cant make it, but the chanes are definitely lower. SoMa iirc was not on a team. He had a license but didnt make it onto a team. Scan has no license and comes from a pure amateur background. Brain made it in and had license as toss and terran, but no team. ZeloT had no license and no team. Ssinz had no license and no team. Same for Ivory and Ddasik, Byul and Tinkle. Taenggu also no license and no team. The current era lacks talent cultivation. Aspiring players have to train themselves to reach higher levels, much harder than someone showing you how to do it step by step.


soma - trainee with stx soul, didn't become pro in order to pursue higher education
scan - trainee with sk telecom, didn't become pro because he moved to the us
brain - trainee with cj entus, didn't become pro because his parents didn't want him to become one

so while you can say that a lot of these players weren't "pro", they were talented enough to have the eyes of the kespa teams on them.

Wasnt Soma a practice partner of Cj ? I have seen pictures of him with the CJ t-shirt etc. And he always been friend with the CJ squad like Mong. Effort. Movie Snow etc.
Bisu-Fan
Profile Joined January 2010
Russian Federation3339 Posts
August 06 2025 17:29 GMT
#60
wow lol larva is back
bisu let's go~
The Revolutionist Shall Rise Again! No. 1 Kim Taek Yong Fan 어헣↗ GO JAEDONG!!!!!!! GO ACE!!! 태연 <3 윤아 <3 승연 <3
Ideas
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States8171 Posts
August 06 2025 20:01 GMT
#61
Soma definitely seems to be a special case of being the ONLY non-kespa pro to make the Ro8 in ASL and have any significant (being in ~top 20 players overall) success in this era as far as I can tell. I think scan and zelot are the only other non-kespa pros that have made Ro16 before?
Free Palestine
RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1265 Posts
August 06 2025 20:08 GMT
#62
On August 07 2025 05:01 Ideas wrote:
Soma definitely seems to be a special case of being the ONLY non-kespa pro to make the Ro8 in ASL and have any significant (being in ~top 20 players overall) success in this era as far as I can tell. I think scan and zelot are the only other non-kespa pros that have made Ro16 before?

Brain got into Ro16. He beat Soulkey but lost to Action in Ro16.
JDON MY SOUL!
TMNT
Profile Joined January 2021
3229 Posts
Last Edited: 2025-08-06 20:25:32
August 06 2025 20:24 GMT
#63
Brain's run in ASL9 is the most impressive out of all the "amateurs" in ASL history (excluding Soma). He actually topped his group in Ro24, beating tough opponents like Mind and Light. Even beat Soulkey in Ro16 and no shame in getting knocked out by Action. He was also invited to Major Proleague a lot at the time that's how the other pros rated him. Who knows what could have become had he stuck around since ? My bet is he couldn't do worse than Shuttle and Stork.
Soft_General_5023
Profile Joined December 2023
138 Posts
August 08 2025 01:39 GMT
#64
RO24 groups, it starts on 18th August

https://ch.sooplive.co.kr/afstar1/post/168094935

RJBTVYOUTUBE
Profile Joined December 2023
Netherlands1265 Posts
August 13 2025 11:36 GMT
#65
On August 05 2025 18:26 GTR wrote:
soma - trainee with stx soul, didn't become pro in order to pursue higher education
scan - trainee with sk telecom, didn't become pro because he moved to the us
brain - trainee with cj entus, didn't become pro because his parents didn't want him to become one

so while you can say that a lot of these players weren't "pro", they were talented enough to have the eyes of the kespa teams on them.


Scan was in fact not a trainee with sk telecom.
Source: Scan
JDON MY SOUL!
Simplistik
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
2140 Posts
August 16 2025 11:11 GMT
#66
On August 07 2025 05:24 TMNT wrote:
Brain's run in ASL9 is the most impressive out of all the "amateurs" in ASL history (excluding Soma). He actually topped his group in Ro24, beating tough opponents like Mind and Light. Even beat Soulkey in Ro16 and no shame in getting knocked out by Action. He was also invited to Major Proleague a lot at the time that's how the other pros rated him. Who knows what could have become had he stuck around since ? My bet is he couldn't do worse than Shuttle and Stork.

What happened to Brain?
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