The itemBay 8th SSL is a 32 man invitational tournament, featuring the best Brood War players that Korea has to offer.
Long thought to be dead after the conclusion of Tving OSL, the advent of 7th SSL brought about the resurrection of Korean Brood War. Games were once again held at an offline venue (Sonic's company's office, Sinbal Farm), Stargirls were back for the ride (along with Juicegirls), and Kim Carry himself joined Sonic for the Grand Final event in a full auditorium.
And now we're here, for the itemBay 8th SSL, poised to blow the previous SSL out of the water. SSL8 will build on what SSL7 has brought to give BW what it deserves. We have the return of a live group ceremony, so that now we can put a face and personality on all 32 of it's participants, and to enjoy a damned good show. Casting legends OSL's Kim Carry and MSL's Lee Seung Won, hailed as the greatest commentators of BW, come together to cast SSL with Sonic starting at the Ro32.
Are you ready? SSL7 showed that Korean Brood War was back, and now SSL8 will show that Korean Brood War is here to stay.
SSL8 begins with Seeding Matches, to determine the seeds for Groups E to H (Group Seeds A to D were already determined by the top four of SSL7). Twenty-eight players were spread out into seven groups of four, played in a Round Robin format. The seven top finishers of each group would advance onto the final day of the Seeding Match, and an eighth player would be chosen randomly from the second place finishers to advance. On the final day, the eight players were matched up randomly, and played a Bo1 to determine who would get the group seed.
Soon after, the Group Ceremony for the Ro32 takes place, held live at the Musical House in Seoul. Unseeded players make their entrances and ceremonies one by one and place their names in the group (each group having up to four players) they want to be in. After all of that, the previous season's third, second and first place finishers (Sky, Larva and Killer respectively) make changes to the groups as they see fit. Sky gets one swap, Larva gets two swaps and Killer gets three swaps.
With the festivities over, the tournament finally truly begins. The Round of 32 is played offline, with eight groups of four. The format is the Dual Tournament format, a small double elimination type of format. To advance, a player needs to grab two set victories (by 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1) before he gets two set losses (by 0-1, 0-2 or 1-2). The first two sets will be Bo1, while the Winners, Losers and Final sets will be Bo3. Two players from each group will get knocked out, and two players will advance onto the next stage.
Here, the elimination bracket of the tournament begins. The Round of 16 follows the same format as the Ro32. From here, the general public will be allowed to spectate the games, live, at Sonic's office Sinbal Farm. The Round of 8 and 4 will be played in a Bo5 format, also held at Sinbal Farm.
Finally, after a grueling three months, four are left standing in the tournament, and only two will have the honor of fighting for the title of "Champion". Held at a special venue, the Grand Final and Bronze Match will be played as a Bo5 and Bo3 respectively for an epic finish.
Advancing from Ro32: ₩ 50,000 Advancing from Ro16: ₩ 100,000 + Seed for next SSL Bonus for each game win in 3rd/4th place match: ₩ 50,000 Bonus for each game win in Grand Final match: ₩ 100,000 MIP (Most Impressive Player): Gets a computer (i5 3570 processor, Z77 Motherboard, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 120GB SSD, GTX660 graphics card, 600Watt power)
Example: 2nd place with 2-4 loss but wins MIP: Ro32 win (₩ 50,000), Ro16 Win (₩ 100,000), 2 wins in GF (₩ 200,000), 2nd Place Prize (₩ 3,000,000), MIP (Computer) = ₩ 3,350,000 + Computer.
Schedule (subject to change)
2/15: Seeding Match Groups A B C 2/16: Seeding Match Groups D E 2/18: Seeding Match Groups F G 2/19: Seeding Match Final Day
2/23: Ro32 Group Selection Ceremony
3/1: Ro32 Group A 3/2: Ro32 Group B 3/8: Ro32 Group C 3/9: Ro32 Group D 3/15: Ro32 Group E 3/16: Ro32 Group F 3/22: Ro32 Group G 3/23: Ro32 Group H
3/30: Ro16 Group A 4/6: Ro16 Group B 4/13: Ro16 Group C 4/20: Ro16 Group D
*ZergMaN was hospitalized from hip surgery and had to forfeit his spot. Ddugi was his replacement **Perfectman had work commitments and had to forfeit. Sky was his replacement
Group C is ridiculous! How could Sonic let this happen?! It is like Flash, Fantasy, Stork and Sky in one group. The 3 players ,who could get to Ro4, already have to eliminate each other. I am very sad. t_t
Really appreciate this thread... Nostalgia for the "best game ever made".... Nothing will ever compare, nor should it! 1998 - 2013 and STILLL GOING!!! (1995 if u wanna start with SC). TIMELESS!
On February 25 2013 21:09 MaZza[KIS] wrote: Really appreciate this thread... Nostalgia for the "best game ever made".... Nothing will ever compare, nor should it! 1998 - 2013 and STILLL GOING!!! (1995 if u wanna start with SC). TIMELESS!
On February 25 2013 21:09 MaZza[KIS] wrote: Really appreciate this thread... Nostalgia for the "best game ever made".... Nothing will ever compare, nor should it! 1998 - 2013 and STILLL GOING!!! (1995 if u wanna start with SC). TIMELESS!
1995 was Warcraft 2 but it is still played online by some too
but Im agreeing with every other thing you wrote BW is timeless indeed !
On February 25 2013 23:29 amazingxkcd wrote: Just realized something; Sea's in a group of death again! Starleague curse hasn't seem to leave him yet... -_-!....
Yeah except Sea is the Flash of his group rather then him being < Bisu,JD,Flash;
On February 25 2013 23:29 amazingxkcd wrote: Just realized something; Sea's in a group of death again! Starleague curse hasn't seem to leave him yet... -_-!....
Yeah except Sea is the Flash of his group rather then him being < Bisu,JD,Flash;
I would argue that Sea is the second or third best player in his group honestly.
On February 25 2013 23:29 amazingxkcd wrote: Just realized something; Sea's in a group of death again! Starleague curse hasn't seem to leave him yet... -_-!....
Yeah except Sea is the Flash of his group rather then him being < Bisu,JD,Flash;
I would argue that Sea is the second or third best player in his group honestly.
Yeah, I was going by only if you go by the prestige he built from Kespa PL.Based on SRT12 I won't be liquibetting him lol. I'm a hypocrite.
So apparently Larva went out of turn for his Group Ceremony 2nd pick (he went after Killer did all 3 of his), so that was revoked, switching back Cola and Shuttle. Also, Sky has withdrawn from the tournament, but I don't know why (someone else pls research into that). He will be replaced by an ex-pro Terran (TBA)
Format has been formally announced, which is quite different from last season's (and what I have written in the OP already). Everything is offline, but I think Ro32 is not open to the general public for live viewing (like offline prelims in OSL/MSL). Ro32 is still Dual Tournament format, but a hybrid between the Bo1 form and Bo3 form. First two matches will be Bo1, and Winners/Losers/Final will be Bo3.
From there, the Ro16 is a elimination bracket that is randomized (but it will always be 1st vs 2nd in terms of group rankings, so it could be A1 vs B2 or A1 vs C2, but never x1 vs x1 or x2 vs x2), and it'll be a Bo3 (entire Ro16 over 4 broadcasts). What's important to note is that it seems like the rest of the bracket will not be randomized, which breaks SOSPA league traditions.
Ro8 and Ro4 will be Bo5, and GF will be Bo7. Bronze is Bo5.
Announced maps will be FS, Andromeda, New Heartbreak Ridge, Neo Wind and Cloud, and Pamir Plateau. Map order has been set for the entire tournament, so you can check that out in the R&S post of the thread (the second post/first reply)
Below is the "finalized" Ro32, with the exception of the TBA Terran. The Bo1s are on FS, then the Bo3 for W/L/F sets are Neo Wind and Cloud, FS and Andromeda (in that order).
On February 26 2013 07:47 ArvickHero wrote: So apparently Larva went out of turn for his Group Ceremony 2nd pick (he went after Killer did all 3 of his), so that was revoked, switching back Cola and Shuttle. Also, Sky has withdrawn from the tournament, but I don't know why (someone else pls research into that). He will be replaced by an ex-pro Terran (TBA)
Format has been formally announced, which is quite different from last season's (and what I have written in the OP already). Everything is offline, but I think Ro32 is not open to the general public for live viewing (like offline prelims in OSL/MSL). Ro32 is still Dual Tournament format, but a hybrid between the Bo1 form and Bo3 form. First two matches will be Bo1, and Winners/Losers/Final will be Bo3.
From there, the Ro16 is a elimination bracket that is randomized (but it will always be 1st vs 2nd in terms of group rankings, so it could be A1 vs B2 or A1 vs C2, but never x1 vs x1 or x2 vs x2), and it'll be a Bo3 (entire Ro16 over 4 broadcasts). What's important to note is that it seems like the rest of the bracket will not be randomized, which breaks SOSPA league traditions.
Ro8 and Ro4 will be Bo5, and GF will be Bo7. Bronze is Bo5.
Announced maps will be FS, Andromeda, New Heartbreak Ridge, Neo Wind and Cloud, and Pamir Plateau. Map order has been set for the entire tournament, so you can check that out in the R&S post of the thread (the second post/first reply)
Below is the "finalized" Ro32, with the exception of the TBA Terran. The Bo1s are on FS, then the Bo3 for W/L/F sets are Neo Wind and Cloud, FS and Andromeda (in that order).
On February 26 2013 08:17 ArvickHero wrote: definitely not horang2, Sonic specifically ruled him out in the post about Sky's withdrawl (due to personal reasons)
I wonder what the uniforms are going to look like, if existing (SSL 8 announcement said player attire would happen, or like logo/patch. probably like itembay tshirts)
Hello, I am wondering when the vods may be uploaded on youtube if there is plan for one. For some reason twitch isn't working for me so still trying to keep myself unspoiled about Group C and D results T_T
On March 11 2013 12:34 pebble444 wrote: According to a random online converter the prize pool for First place is 3496.18 Euro! thats a lot of minerals Sonic is an Awesome person
I remember the time I only knew him for his wacky and comical build orders. Back those years I could never have imagined that he would become saviour of Brood War.
On the other note, have anyone posted the link for dedicated SSL website? ssl.afreeca.com
On March 11 2013 14:52 phosphorylation wrote: is there any way to watch these games live? afreeca doesnt really work in usa..
Yes, twitch.tv / snipealot3 is live when SSL is happening. On ssl7 there were also fpview on twitch.tv / snipealot2 , but now the players are in Sonic's office when they play .
Usually when there are SSL games, it's on calendar also
On March 16 2013 14:10 snipealot wrote: In an effort to bring more awareness to the awesomeness that is SSL8 I made a thread on redditsc for tonights broadcast.
Yes i know but i can't watch it now and it's very hard to find any possiblility to rewatch the games especially if bisudagger is on a wedding. So plz help me someone...
On March 16 2013 22:10 BugXL wrote: Yes i know but i can't watch it now and it's very hard to find any possiblility to rewatch the games especially if bisudagger is on a wedding. So plz help me someone...
The vods will be up on snipealot3 and snipealot2 as always. It's easier to find on snipealot3 than snipealot2, but snipealot2 has 4:3 aspect ratio if you want that.
Is Sonic not posting VODs on Youtube? Much love to Snipealot and Bisudagger, but it's nice to have the official VODs as well, especially when the stream lags out.
1st and 2nd matches will be Bo1s on Fighting Spirit Winner's, Loser's, and Final matches will be Bo3's on Neo Wind and Cloud, Fighting Spirit, and Andromeda in that order.
Well at least in ssl8 there are lesser zergs and a Terran vs Protoss finals is guaranteed . Thanks for the information jpak and Flash is no longer god ...
well pusan's run is probably going to end here after losing third place match ssl7. also killer knocked him out in ssl7, likely to knock him to losers this time around too
1st and 2nd matches will be Bo1s on Fighting Spirit Winner's, Loser's, and Final matches will be Bo3's on Neo Wind and Cloud, Fighting Spirit, and Andromeda in that order.
just in case anybody misses that w/ the new page. Sonic was originally going to do Bo3 elimination bracket from Ro16 onwards, but he's changed it to be group format again.
Poll: SSL8 Ro16 Group of Death?
Group D (9)
50%
Group B (8)
44%
Too close to call! (1)
6%
Group A (0)
0%
Group C (0)
0%
18 total votes
Your vote: SSL8 Ro16 Group of Death?
(Vote): Group A (Vote): Group B (Vote): Group C (Vote): Group D (Vote): Too close to call!
What happened to BisuDagger's cast of Group D? It cuts off after the winners' match. Is there anywhere else to watch it? I checked snipealot's twitchtvs but they didn't seem to be there.
On April 24 2013 12:59 Jragon wrote: What happened to BisuDagger's cast of Group D? It cuts off after the winners' match. Is there anywhere else to watch it? I checked snipealot's twitchtvs but they didn't seem to be there.
I was wondering the same thing about bisudagger's cast. Turns out sayle casted it as well. Check out the Small Vod Thread 2.0 for all your vod needs.
On April 24 2013 12:59 Jragon wrote: What happened to BisuDagger's cast of Group D? It cuts off after the winners' match. Is there anywhere else to watch it? I checked snipealot's twitchtvs but they didn't seem to be there.
I was wondering the same thing about bisudagger's cast. Turns out sayle casted it as well. Check out the Small Vod Thread 2.0 for all your vod needs.
On April 24 2013 12:59 Jragon wrote: What happened to BisuDagger's cast of Group D? It cuts off after the winners' match. Is there anywhere else to watch it? I checked snipealot's twitchtvs but they didn't seem to be there.
I was wondering the same thing about bisudagger's cast. Turns out sayle casted it as well. Check out the Small Vod Thread 2.0 for all your vod needs.
Thank you
I had a power outage after the winners matches. Since Sayle was casting them anyway I left it to him. Thanks for watching what I did have though Sayle will be casting the rest of the tournament on the TL stream but if there enough people who want my cast I will do rebroadcasts then. Otherwise I'm working on a new casting project.
On April 28 2013 03:17 Potling wrote: There won't be replays released of any of this SSL?
Also wanted to ask this. Before the tournament there was information that they will be released simultaneously with VODs (?), but can't find them anywhere.
Some news post on Sonic's news board since the Final: (I don't know Korean T_T) An actual translator can translate if they have time~
The MIP (Most Important Player) award is going to be decided by votes from users on Afreeca. I'm not sure how this works but apparently Sonic mentions that you can vote on any game(?).
Round of 32: It doesn't matter if it's in the first round. Example) ZeLoT vs Sky 2nd Game
Sonic talks about how he is sorry for the issues he had with the 8th SSL. He looks forward to the 9th SSL. He also mentions 2 companies potentially looking to sponsor.
On April 28 2013 03:17 Potling wrote: There won't be replays released of any of this SSL?
Also wanted to ask this. Before the tournament there was information that they will be released simultaneously with VODs (?), but can't find them anywhere.
Has anything new been said about this? I'd still love to have these replays (=