_____________________________________________________________________________ “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” -Theodore Roosevelt
A Finale in Five by Arrian TeamLiquid: Final Edits
Preamble
Only a stage away, two players are about to clash across worlds. Mentally, they exist in different universes. Soon, they will be deities. They have stepped over the bodies of their enemies to get to that booth, and there is only one obstacle remaining. No sound proof environment can seal away the tsunami of anticipation from thousands of onlookers. No touch of a familiar keyboard or the caring caress of a hand warmer can calm their nerves.
The scene is set at the Batoo OSL finals: Two players One stage Thousands of fans Five games
This is the setting of a Starleague finals. The most intense moments of an entire season are about to commence. Over the next hours, a champion may rise, (sAviOr), a prodigy may come to fulfillment (Flash), or a legend may be anointed (NaDa).
At the Batoo OSL finals, both players are ready. The countdown begins.
Set 1: Definition
The five-count metronoming ends as swiftly as it begins, and the first set is joined. Both players feel a faint flutter in their chests just before their hours of practice, now an instinct in rhythm with their beating hearts, take full control. Assuming their roles: executor, commander, cerebrate, they are not the ones for whom the cheers sound. Those are mere mortals, trapped in a booth with a mouse and a keyboard. The first game has begun.
Almost invariably, when asked about which is the important set in pre-match interviews, it is said to be the first. The importance of the first set is intrinsic; whoever wins it takes a clear advantage and sets the pace for the rest of the series. The mental edge, whether acknowledged or not as an important factor by the players, leans heavily on the result of the first set, and the result of the series relies heavily on the mental edge.
A mental edge is by its own nature unquantifiable, though analysts seek to understand it and players seek to use it. A finals series is sometimes little more than a war between wills, a constant fight over possession of the mental edge, with the superficial contest of a game overlaid on top of what is otherwise a purely mental struggle. Whether it is chess, baseball, or StarCraft, the mental competition is extraordinarily difficult to understand and control but it is at the same time equally difficult to deny.
The mental edge, as has been said, is not a concept unique to StarCraft, though series competition in StarCraft has its own uniqueness. StarCraft itself is both strategic and technical, and playing the game requires both skills in extremo, which are developed over excruciating practice hours and nonstop coaching. This is common to other forms of competition, but StarCraft is different in that any weakness, even the smallest chink in a mental armor, can be exploited to the complete rout of the player. All of those practice hours and superior coaching can amount to absolutely nothing in the face of a mental weakness, which reveals itself no more clearly than in the first set.
Because of this, the paramount importance of a mental edge comes with the initial definition in the first game of the series. No matter the outcome, a pace is set. Whether it is reversed, or whether it predicts in straight sets the winner and the champion, the mental edge is first manifest in the result of this set.
When July opened the 2008 EVER OSL finals with a 5 pool on Othello, the tactic completely threw BeSt. It sent a message of complete, unapologetic control. The series was over after that first set; it was clear to everyone, including BeSt, that July would be steering that series from then on. And so it was. July dominated the second set again in the early game, and then in a protracted third set where July, with the most merciful of descriptions, toyed with BeSt, it was assured that the definition established in the first set had never left BeSt's mind. What had been, to that point, merely a crack in BeSt's concentration had been jarred open and ruthlessly exploited by July's superior mental edge, turning from what started as a cheap victory into an easy Golden Mouse for the God of War.
In the first set of the Batoo OSL finals, the message was loud and clear: fantasy was not intimidated by his opponent, and Jaedong had not shown up to play. In the tradition of the SKT1 Terrans, fantasy used clever strategy and strangling control to define the start of one of the best series in recent memory.
Set 2: Defiance
On a stage, a spotlight, with millions of leering souls, wills are being tested. One has been dealt a blow, the other has asserted a definition. Both players let out a sigh and test their fingers. The outcome of this game will reverse of enforce the result of the last. At the end, either both will have shown weakness, or one will be all too human.
The second set is most often characterized by a sense of defiance. The mode of this defiance is mental, as much a struggle against the opponent as against the disappointment and the spectre of failure brought about by the outcome of the first. For the losing player of the first set, the second is always an exercise in defiance: defiance of the last result, defiance of a damaged confidence, defiance of the opposing player, and defiance of surrender.
Because of this, first and second sets are often closely intertwined. When the prospect of elimination is first visited in the third set, the mental game shifts from controlling the direction of the series to fighting to stay alive, or fighting to end the struggle. Before the third set, the games act as the definers, the parameters, and the foundation, of the remaining sets.
But a foundation only goes so far. Good mental players are not intimidated away from victory by the loss of the first game, and superior mental players not even by a loss in the second. In this way, defiance becomes not only an element of the second set, but for these players, a tool which they use until the final game. Indeed, only the weakest of mental players cultivate defiance for the second set and simply abandon that sense after a second defeat, giving in to the superior play and mental edge of the opposition.
At the same time as the desperation for the loser of the first set, the winner of that set is himself desperate to keep his opponent from recovering the mental state possessed in the first game. To win the first game easily, and then lose the second just as easily, is more jarring for the loser of the second set because it is fresher in his mind.
The second set of the EVER 2007 OSL between Jaedong and Stork on Katrina saw Jaedong's defiance reverse the definition of the first set. Up until Jaedong fought off Stork's one gate harassment, everything had gone Stork's way. But Jaedong's now-famous mutalisk (eee-han) timing threw Stork's game plan and secured victory in the set. Eventually, the defiance which Jaedong first employed in this set brought him the series win over a then-feeble and suppliant Stork.
The second set of the Batoo OSL finals saw Jaedong’s rising defiance crushed underfoot. Fantasy, in the second set, defied the expectations of the StarCraft universe by twice profoundly defeating the best player in the world. As fantasy gathered himself for the coup de grace, he had no idea that the house of cards so cleverly laid by the SKT1 game plan was about to collapse around its foundations.
As Jaedong rubbed his eyes amid reassurances from his coaches, defiance congealed in him, and gave way to another idea.
Set 3: Domination
The fates have taken sides. There has been only one victor on this day. As their chosen player goes to flaunt their favor once more to an expectant crowd, his opponent steels himself for one last stand.
For some series', this is the end of the line. Those which end in this way have witnessed nothing but the domination of one player over another, a psychological rout ending in complete submission with the final tap out. If this is the end, then the foundations laid in the first two sets, having backed one player into a corner, now damn him while they exalt the victor.
A 3-0 victory is the most resounding conclusion to any finals. It may seem self-evident that a 3-0 set is a 'domination,' but it is important to consider the method and style of this domination. A 3-0 victory could be 3 straight bunker rushes, or it could be 3 intensely long macro games. It could be three quick and dominating wins, or 3 games which could have ended with either player as the victor. But the result is still 3-0. No matter the character of this result, the mental damage is the same, the mental domination is identical.
Series which end with the third set are infamous rather than famous. A finals is the most-hyped and dramatic moment in a season, with the finalists passing through such trials that they must both be talented and capable killers, and both equally capable of defeating the other. A finals sweep may be a disappointing outcome, but it is also a moment to marvel at, because the practice, talent, and sense which goes into winning three straight games against an equally capable opponent leaves as its conclusion feelings of awe.
No domination, in the history of Starcraft, is so infamous or so characteristic of a dominant series and performance than Bisu over sAviOr in the third set of GomTV MSL on Blitz X. From Bisu denying sAviOr’s expansion to his overlord genocide, Bisu outclassed and outplayed the erstwhile bonjwa at every turn. It was the ending chord to Bisu's domination and one of the most infamous finals of all time, and it left the audience in complete disbelief and awe. To so thoroughly dominate a player in a finals is difficult, but to dominate a bonjwa is nearly impossible.
With the third set at the Batoo OSL, the scales had tipped. Fantasy’s former patroness, Nike, had become Jaedong’s mistress, the goddess of victory herself. Jaedong routed fantasy as mercilessly as he had been in the first two sets. Vengeance had taken up roost in Jaedong’s booth. A comeback was stirring.
Set 4: Desperation
Image credit to BoxerForever.com
Everything is on the line. One player battles against the odds, both against themselves, and both against each other. To go out in the fourth set has no glory, no fanfare, only a silent crowd, and a distant trophy. Both players struggle to quell their nerves, and to keep their plans in focus. The glint of a trophy is the last thing on their minds.
A fourth set is always a desperate fight. For one player, survival is in jeopardy, for the other, failure means humiliation in defeat, the loss of a mental edge, and the swing of momentum. This is the first set where both players have something to lose. For one player, defeat, and for the other, the final lifeline and the mental momentum. In the first contest where both players have something to lose, there can be no question that desperation has come into play.
When a series arrives here, one player is facing elimination, and the other is smelling blood. The first and second sets have long been forgotten, and the focus descends upon the immediacy and urgency of the moment. The result of the set is the only thing that matters, and though the outcomes of the first three games have shaped the mental game as it stands in this set, the games themselves and their lessons have been largely forgotten. One choice remains when a fourth set is reached: fight for a fifth, or surrender.
But that is merely background. A fourth set requires that both players have lost at least one game; blood has been drawn on either side. Whether a player chooses to blame his opponent's loss on a bad build or an unfavorable map, the idea that the opponent is vulnerable cannot be shaken. A player is never as sure of defeat as he is when he believes that his opponent is invincible, or better than him; that he is simply incapable of defeating his foe, no matter the circumstances. The fourth set dispatches with such notions, and this leaves the players resolved. A player who believes his opponent is invincible is in a position of hopelessness; one who believes his opponent is difficult but not immortal instead becomes desperate.
In the fourth set of the EVER 2004 finals on Requiem, BoxeR, in a flash of desperation and brilliance, went double barracks medic/marine against iloveoov's safer standard opening. This game, and indeed the whole series, is one of the best in the history of professional StarCraft. There is no question Boxer's play was motivated by genius, but also a measure of desperation. If the rush failed, Boxer would have failed. If the rush was scouted, doubtless, Boxer would have lost and handed so simply to his rival the joy of an OSL trophy.
The fourth set in the Batoo OSL finals was a more desperate attempt from fantasy than from Jaedong. His proxy factory into double port wraith was meant to be a cute, surprise build that was designed to have an opponent helpless with the vulture by the time the wraiths were revealed. An unnaturally calm Jaedong, faced with a desperate situation, rebuked, rebuffed, and riposted fantasy's play until fantasy himself was helpless.
Set 5: Destiny
It has been a long night. Both players are tired and sweaty. The hot lights and the flashing monitor, which have never in countless hours of practice become malignant, now sting. The players wipe their eyes, and in their minds go over their plan while in their hearts at the same time they throw it out. They both nervously fiddle with their hand warmers while they breathe in a heavy sigh. This one is for fate to decide.
The fifth and final set is for destiny. However the game is decided, whatever the outcome and with whatever players, it is the best. The fifth set is the cipher to a player's mind and soul, and what, with everything on the line, decides a champion. It is simultaneously a trial which all wish to avoid, but none can ever shy from. Fifth sets may be summed up with a phrase, or with an essay; a gasp, or with a sigh; a smile, or with a tear; a silence, and then gg.
The fifth set showcases epic improvisation, desperate tactics, and the most dramatic of all conflicts. In a sense, there can be no precursor, no foundation to a fifth set. It stands alone; both players finally on the same ground, both equally in jeopardy, and both equally as desperate to bring home the victory after the long affair. In a fifth set, the mental game comes the closest to the actual game. It is the culmination of a whole tournament, a whole series, and in some cases, a culmination of a career.
A series which comes to a fifth set without a doubt has the force of destiny behind it. A series which ends with the third set, no matter how close the games, has little excitement within the games themselves. A series which ends on the fourth has an air of disappointment, one with the potential to be great, with both players showing their ability to win but with one faltering along the way.
A fifth set suffers from neither of those, and instead series' which ends with fifth sets are called the greatest in the history of the game: Boxer over YellOw in the 2001 Coca-Cola OSL, GARIMTO over Boxer in the SKY2001 OSL, XellOs over YellOw in the 2003 Olympus OSL, iloveoov over Boxer in the 2004 EVER OSL, GoRush over Nada in the 2004 YATGK MSL, Anytime over Boxer in the 2005 So1 OSL, July over Goodfriend in the 2005 EVER OSL, NaDa over Anytime in the 2006 Shinhan Bank OSL, GGPlay over Iris in the Daum OSL, Bisu over Stork in the 2007 GOMTV MSL S2, and Stork over fantasy in the 2008 Incruit OSL.
In the history of the OSL, few fifth sets have been as epic as July v Goodfriend on Forte in the EVER 2005 OSL. From start to finish, this final set was exactly what a fifth set should be, exactly what a fifth set is. The non-stop action, improvisation of strategies, flashy micro and unrelenting macro made this game a thrilling conclusion, and a sacrifice to destiny. Watch this game.
At the Batoo OSL finals, the fifth set had finished. Victory had descended upon Lee Jae Dong, and for only the second time in StarCraft history, the fates had granted a complete reversal of fortune, from 0-2 to 3-2. The fifth set of this finals, in dramatic fashion, brought Jaedong within one OSL victory of his destiny.
Aftermath
The finals of a Starleague is part of what makes StarCraft professional competition as interesting to watch as it is, nearly ten years since its creation. Epic finals have built the history and the lore of the game and created rivalries which in turn gather fans to this day in unprecedented numbers. These finals have produced some of the best games ever played, and some of its most emotional moments.
Finals are as much about drama and entertainment as they are about the game itself. It is as much a battle against the monumental pressure and expectations as it is against the opponent, and this leaks into the games themselves. The best of five is an art form; it is a rare challenge which incorporates the mental aspect in a way that is rarely otherwise seen in e-Sports. It is the final test; a test of a skill that cannot be taught, and of a setting that cannot be replicated or prepared for.
No matter how tense the situation, however, either one player or the other must win. This is the gripping reality of any series, of any contentious finale. Two players step into their booths; only one steps out a champion. Whether through asserting a definition, or through powerful defiance, epic domination, breathless desperation, or the will of destiny, however a champion is chosen, all face the same challenge: a finale in five.
Allow me to offer some criticism. Maybe it's just because I've read too many of these now, but I feel that this writeup was somehow so awkwardly stuffed with artificial enthusiasm and hype, with so many words that seem proportionally out of place, that it seems terribly excessive.
Finals deserve to be hyped, but this write up goes a bit too far and I can't help but think if a bit of self-consciousness would improve the scope of this article.
On August 18 2009 01:04 LostWraithSC wrote: Allow me to offer some criticism. Maybe it's just because I've read too many of these now, but I feel that this writeup was somehow so awkwardly stuffed with artificial enthusiasm and hype, with so many words that seem proportionally out of place, that it seems terribly excessive.
Finals deserve to be hyped, but this write up goes a bit too far and I can't help but think if a bit of self-consciousness would improve the scope of this article.
Not an unfair criticism I would say, especially from our place as a community, but really it is what you make of it. Some members here watch every proleague game, some watch only their favorite matchups or their favorite players, some watch only the finals or some watch none at all.
The bottom line is that what I try to do with every article I write is get us as a community a little bit closer to progaming. Yes, it's presumptuous to say that I have that ability with my words alone, but it is nonetheless my goal, and when you see the crowd at the OSL, when you listen to the cheers and see their enthusiasm for this game, then it is not over-the-top, if you will. We cannot naturally be as enthusiastic as they because we feel the separation from the game and competition we love because of the language barrier, time differences, and physical separation, but the enthusiasm I portray in the article is not itself artificial, it may just seem so from our perspective and I try and make it so that this enthusiasm becomes not so artificial through my words.
But I can understand what you're saying and I can't altogether disagree with it, though I do not, obviously, share it.
very very nice great job had fun reading it would be a pathetic thing to say as to how much i enjoyed it wow i think i'll rewatch ever osl finals klaz commentaries oh man i'm stoned as hell again cant say less than amz work keep the good job
I saved Batoo OSL finals vods on my hdd because they were so good. Down 0-2 to finish 3-2? That was so worth getting up at 5am for. Thanks for reminding me why.
First, what I love about this final edit: The theme of a historical Nth set for the Nth set of Batoo was a lot of fun for me to read, since as a relatively new StarCraft fan all of those games were before my time. The comparison is right on and so are your explanations.
I do have some criticism though, I hope it isn't offensive.
This FE is too good. Seriously. I'll try to explain.
On August 18 2009 01:04 LostWraithSC wrote: Allow me to offer some criticism. Maybe it's just because I've read too many of these now, but I feel that this writeup was somehow so awkwardly stuffed with artificial enthusiasm and hype, with so many words that seem proportionally out of place, that it seems terribly excessive.
Maybe I can add to what LostWraith says - I don't think it's the enthusiasm in this writeup that is excessive, but rather the language used to express it. Every word in the article is powerful, all together they are epic, poetic, like a work of art. And that's the problem. I can hardly get past the poetry in this article to the discussion of Batoo's actual games.
On August 18 2009 01:13 Arrian wrote: The bottom line is that what I try to do with every article I write is get us as a community a little bit closer to progaming.
I admire your goal of getting us all closer to the epicness that is progaming. For me though, I can easily sense the passion in a StarLeague finals, and I want to read more of the analysis. To get me (and perhaps LostWraith) closer to progaming, I need the writeup in more concrete terms.
LOL, the parallels between the Fantasy-Jaedong games and the games from other finals that you highlighted were pretty much non-existent.
Like, Game 1: "In Game 1 of July-Best, a risky all-in strategy set the tone for the winner of the first game to dominate the series, 3-0. Likewise, in Game 1 of Fantasy-Jaedong, a straight-up but dominant game set the tone for the winner to dominate the series. Except he didn't." Game 2: "In Game 2 of Jaedong-Stork, it looked like one player was about to go down 0-2 and probably lose the series, but instead he took the game with an amazing timing attack and ended up taking the rest of the series with ease. Likewise in Game 2 of Fantasy-Jaedong, it looked like one player was about to go up 2-0 and probably win the series, but instead--no, there's no instead. He did win the game. He still lost the series, though." Game 3: "Game 3 of Bisu-Savior finished up a shockingly dominant sweep of the then-bonjwa, who was the favorite by far against the newcomer. Likewise, Game 3 of Fantasy-Jaedong would have finshed up a shockingly dominant sweep of the best player in the world, who was the favorite by far against the newcomer. Except that's not what happened." Game 4: "A desperate strategy by an ingenious Terran who was against the wall succeeds, against all odds. Likewise in Fantasy-Jaedong, a very unorthodox strategy that could maybe sort of be viewed as desperate (even though Fantasy was up 2-1) looks like it might have a chance for a bit, but ultimately loses." Game 5: "In the history of the OSL, few fifth sets have been as epic as July v Goodfriend on Forte in the EVER 2005 OSL. From start to finish, this final set was exactly what a fifth set should be, exactly what a fifth set is. The non-stop action, improvisation of strategies, flashy micro and unrelenting macro made this game a thrilling conclusion, and a sacrifice to destiny. Likewise, a not-particularly-epic rape by 2-hatch muta."
If you had gone looking for games that were the total opposite of the series you were trying to compare them to, you could not have done much better than these.
That said, I like the selection: all of those were great games, and I enjoyed watching them again (or for the first time, for some). Just you shouldn't have tried so hard to connect them in the text.
On August 18 2009 01:04 LostWraithSC wrote: Allow me to offer some criticism. Maybe it's just because I've read too many of these now, but I feel that this writeup was somehow so awkwardly stuffed with artificial enthusiasm and hype, with so many words that seem proportionally out of place, that it seems terribly excessive.
Finals deserve to be hyped, but this write up goes a bit too far and I can't help but think if a bit of self-consciousness would improve the scope of this article.
Not an unfair criticism I would say, especially from our place as a community, but really it is what you make of it. Some members here watch every proleague game, some watch only their favorite matchups or their favorite players, some watch only the finals or some watch none at all.
The bottom line is that what I try to do with every article I write is get us as a community a little bit closer to progaming. Yes, it's presumptuous to say that I have that ability with my words alone, but it is nonetheless my goal, and when you see the crowd at the OSL, when you listen to the cheers and see their enthusiasm for this game, then it is not over-the-top, if you will. We cannot naturally be as enthusiastic as they because we feel the separation from the game and competition we love because of the language barrier, time differences, and physical separation, but the enthusiasm I portray in the article is not itself artificial, it may just seem so from our perspective and I try and make it so that this enthusiasm becomes not so artificial through my words.
But I can understand what you're saying and I can't altogether disagree with it, though I do not, obviously, share it.
Thank you for taking my comment fairly. I would just like to further clarify somethings. I definitely don't think that the level of enthusiasm for the OSL finals is overly done, but the frame and scope used to express it. Much awareness of the epic nature of a major match up just as this can be created without breaking the limits of the scope of the game. For example, imo the best FIFA introduction has the words "when the entire planet holds its breath for 90 minutes to witness..." and that captures the ponderance of football very well without losing scope.
The main problem that caused me to feel uneasy with this article is that it translates the excitement and epic nature of this match up into something that's beyond Starcraft and more like a best of five match of life and death, which I believe is excessive. As someone earlier said in response to my comment, it is the repeated and unrelenting usage of qualifying words that convey the sense that ironically undermined the effort itself. To be honest, it took me quite a bit of reading to even understand that general direction of the article (at first I wasn't sure if this is a OSL final hype, general finals Bo5 game hype, or just Starcraft hype).
We are lucky here at TL that we are endowed with quality articles so often that we can often take it for granted, and I definitely appreciate the efforts of all writers. Recently the fantastic (no fantasy pun intended) PL write ups I believe were beautiful examples of how both the excitement of the Grand Finals were conveyed through the crossing of the Rubicon, something completely unrelated to Starcraft, without losing scope, and keeping an excellent focus on the event itself and the teams/players involved. Of course, style differs from article to article as much as it does from writer to writer, and I just hold my humble opinion about this one particular work that I felt very differently about than the norm.
On August 18 2009 04:25 [ZiNC]Ling wrote: First, what I love about this final edit: The theme of a historical Nth set for the Nth set of Batoo was a lot of fun for me to read, since as a relatively new StarCraft fan all of those games were before my time. The comparison is right on and so are your explanations.
I do have some criticism though, I hope it isn't offensive.
This FE is too good. Seriously. I'll try to explain.
On August 18 2009 01:04 LostWraithSC wrote: Allow me to offer some criticism. Maybe it's just because I've read too many of these now, but I feel that this writeup was somehow so awkwardly stuffed with artificial enthusiasm and hype, with so many words that seem proportionally out of place, that it seems terribly excessive.
Maybe I can add to what LostWraith says - I don't think it's the enthusiasm in this writeup that is excessive, but rather the language used to express it. Every word in the article is powerful, all together they are epic, poetic, like a work of art. And that's the problem. I can hardly get past the poetry in this article to the discussion of Batoo's actual games.
On August 18 2009 01:13 Arrian wrote: The bottom line is that what I try to do with every article I write is get us as a community a little bit closer to progaming.
I admire your goal of getting us all closer to the epicness that is progaming. For me though, I can easily sense the passion in a StarLeague finals, and I want to read more of the analysis. To get me (and perhaps LostWraith) closer to progaming, I need the writeup in more concrete terms.
Well, yes. This article is not analysis so much as perspective. The subject itself is not concrete, however. A best of five series can be broken down into build orders and play-by-plays, and that's what the round up, summaries, and in general what the writers here at TL produce, and produce excellently.
This is more about a particular aspect of progaming, a final. I'm not breaking down and analyzing so much as trying to give an overview of this particular aspect of what we all watch, and give a sense of what's going on inside the heads of the players.
Since you're new, it makes perfect sense that you're looking more for analysis and in depth content. It's just that that's not so much what I'm trying to do here. If your criticism is that it is not analytic, that's fine, but it's also not what the article was meant to be.
On August 18 2009 01:04 LostWraithSC wrote: Allow me to offer some criticism. Maybe it's just because I've read too many of these now, but I feel that this writeup was somehow so awkwardly stuffed with artificial enthusiasm and hype, with so many words that seem proportionally out of place, that it seems terribly excessive.
Finals deserve to be hyped, but this write up goes a bit too far and I can't help but think if a bit of self-consciousness would improve the scope of this article.
Not an unfair criticism I would say, especially from our place as a community, but really it is what you make of it. Some members here watch every proleague game, some watch only their favorite matchups or their favorite players, some watch only the finals or some watch none at all.
The bottom line is that what I try to do with every article I write is get us as a community a little bit closer to progaming. Yes, it's presumptuous to say that I have that ability with my words alone, but it is nonetheless my goal, and when you see the crowd at the OSL, when you listen to the cheers and see their enthusiasm for this game, then it is not over-the-top, if you will. We cannot naturally be as enthusiastic as they because we feel the separation from the game and competition we love because of the language barrier, time differences, and physical separation, but the enthusiasm I portray in the article is not itself artificial, it may just seem so from our perspective and I try and make it so that this enthusiasm becomes not so artificial through my words.
But I can understand what you're saying and I can't altogether disagree with it, though I do not, obviously, share it.
Thank you for taking my comment fairly. I would just like to further clarify somethings. I definitely don't think that the level of enthusiasm for the OSL finals is overly done, but the frame and scope used to express it. Much awareness of the epic nature of a major match up just as this can be created without breaking the limits of the scope of the game. For example, imo the best FIFA introduction has the words "when the entire planet holds its breath for 90 minutes to witness..." and that captures the ponderance of football very well without losing scope.
The main problem that caused me to feel uneasy with this article is that it translates the excitement and epic nature of this match up into something that's beyond Starcraft and more like a best of five match of life and death, which I believe is excessive. As someone earlier said in response to my comment, it is the repeated and unrelenting usage of qualifying words that convey the sense that ironically undermined the effort itself. To be honest, it took me quite a bit of reading to even understand that general direction of the article (at first I wasn't sure if this is a OSL final hype, general finals Bo5 game hype, or just Starcraft hype).
We are lucky here at TL that we are endowed with quality articles so often that we can often take it for granted, and I definitely appreciate the efforts of all writers. Recently the fantastic (no fantasy pun intended) PL write ups I believe were beautiful examples of how both the excitement of the Grand Finals were conveyed through the crossing of the Rubicon, something completely unrelated to Starcraft, without losing scope, and keeping an excellent focus on the event itself and the teams/players involved. Of course, style differs from article to article as much as it does from writer to writer, and I just hold my humble opinion about this one particular work that I felt very differently about than the norm.
This is not a unique criticism to my writing. If you get a chance to read my other FE, you'll probably feel the same way, as others pointed out then. Fact of the matter is I don't feel apologetic about the way I write my articles and the style I use; I readily understand that it is not a matter of life or death, and that all it is is something that we watch and enjoy, and it's entertainment and that it will as easily pass from this world as it came. This is just the way I write. I write academic papers this way, I write articles this way, etc. If it makes you uneasy, that's possibly because it's unusual, but this is my writing style, and perhaps not as easily appreciated as most other peoples'.
Is the language gaudy? Sure it is. Is that inappropriate? Possibly, but that's just your aesthetic. There are other FEs you may like though, where the language is more informal but the sentiments just as powerful. I recommend 'Only Until Midnight' by HonestTea.
On August 18 2009 01:04 LostWraithSC wrote: Allow me to offer some criticism. Maybe it's just because I've read too many of these now, but I feel that this writeup was somehow so awkwardly stuffed with artificial enthusiasm and hype, with so many words that seem proportionally out of place, that it seems terribly excessive.
Finals deserve to be hyped, but this write up goes a bit too far and I can't help but think if a bit of self-consciousness would improve the scope of this article.
this. Although I can understand what it is coming from.
This was really well written, and atleast for me, I think you managed to portrait what you wanted to tell with this article. Very Very well done! Thanks alot
On August 18 2009 07:08 YPang wrote: has anyone noticed that the first picture, it looks like the STX guy has cum around his mouth...
I was going to post the same thing, but quickly skimmed the thread first Silversky is just covering up the fact he felt like putting some jizz on hwasins face!
That was incredible. One of my favorite write-ups in a long time. Goosebumps rewatching those games, especially the July//Goodfriend game. I think I've seen that video about 4 times now.
On August 19 2009 03:42 MutaDoom wrote: That was incredible. One of my favorite write-ups in a long time. Goosebumps rewatching those games, especially the July//Goodfriend game. I think I've seen that video about 4 times now.
Obviously not enough That game was pretty sick, just to think how quickly that game could have been over if they knew how to stack mutas with overlords.
An awesome write up! Noob that I am and I could use the in-depth analysis but this article wasn't the time or place for it. It was instead a very thought out discussion of the psyche of a 5-game championship match. A good read. If links to the full vods for the series you mentioned (or write-ups there of) were salted in next to the example vods (for the lazy bastards like myself who don't want to search for them) it might assuage the more play-by-play breakdown hungry folks.
Thanks again. Didn't want to do any work this morning anyway.
On August 20 2009 04:01 Foucault wrote: sweet write-up
Definately needs more Nada though
The lack of NaDa is the one big regret, to be sure. When you're talking about OSL greatness you're talking about July or NaDa, generally, for obvious reasons, and I'm a zerg fan, so yes, there's a definite slant.
goodfriend looked horribly crushed inside when he lost the game you linked as a set 5 example... I always feel so bad for the losers of these finals, even if I'm happy for the winner =/
fantasy/jaedong is a great example. fantasy worked so hard, and entertained us all so well, but wasn't rewarded. in the end, I guess the reward can only go to the player who worked the hardest, and that's jaedong.
EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/SilverskY/FinaleinFive.jpg)
sAviOr), a prodigy may come to fulfillment (
Flash), or a legend may be anointed (![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/E08_Final_BR/5s.jpg)
BeSt. It sent a message of complete, unapologetic control. The series was over after that first set; it was clear to everyone, including BeSt, that July would be steering that series from then on. And so it was. July dominated the second set again in the early game, and then in a protracted third set where July, with the most merciful of descriptions, toyed with BeSt, it was assured that the definition established in the first set had never left BeSt's mind. What had been, to that point, merely a crack in BeSt's concentration had been jarred open and ruthlessly exploited by July's superior mental edge, turning from what started as a cheap victory into an easy Golden Mouse for the God of War.![[image loading]](/staff/SonuvBob/newsposts/middle_9_4.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll87/RickJSanchez/Bisu/bisu8.jpg?t=1245958631)
![[image loading]](http://boxerforever.com/images/img_memorable1.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/semioldguy/Jaedong.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Batoo_Final/goldenmouse.png)
Nice banner too
