EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/MLGColumbus2011/Yo.jpg)
MLG Columbus Preview
By Hot_Bid
It's April 4th, noon, in Dallas, Texas. Sundance, Lee Chen, and JP wake up in a destroyed hotel room. They find a crying Slasher in the closet, wasted but alive. "What the [expletive] happened this weekend?"
In honor of the obvious parallels and the sequel coming out last week, I present to you a protracted MLG Columbus preview, done through quotes from the movie "The Hangover."
"We are back baby. We are f*ing back."
Nobody is looking forward to MLG Columbus more than Major League Gaming. The Dallas streams were a disaster, and MLG is foaming at the mouth to prove they can do it right. There are two ways to respond to something like Dallas. You can limit the damage, minimize attention, and try to run a smooth event next time. MLG's response, admirably, is to go in the opposite direction and basically paint a target on Columbus.
They added Koreans, a partnership with GSL, and Tastosis. They also added booths, a second stream, and that company that streamed the royal wedding. The die has been cast, the Rubicon has been crossed. There's no going back, Columbus must be a success.
You have to hand it to MLG, even in the wake of the lag and stream problems, they're saying "not only is our next event going to be run properly, it's going to be so kickass you're going to forget about Dallas entirely." It's a tremendous amount of pressure and leaves no room for error, but that's the way it should be. Excellence happens when you hold yourself to that standard.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/MLGColumbus2011/Boothtrophy.jpg)
MLG's new booth and slick looking trophy.
"That is not Doug. The Doug we're looking for is a Terran."
Imagine you're IdrA. You are playing Startale's Bomber in the first broadcast match of MLG, on stage, in front of a huge crowd. You're practicing hard for this match and you're going to show your best stuff. Bomber is really skilled, but you're confident in your ZvT and ZvZ. You just hate Protoss because they are imbalanced. But a day or so before the match, you find out Bomber missed his flight. That's not so bad, it'll be a walkover or someone from the Open Bracket, both options way better than playing against Bomber.
Then the day of the tournament you walk into the venue and sit down to play some warmups in the booth. You look over and there's already someone in the other booth. He looks Korean. Dde? SeleCT? Who is it? You walk out of your booth and over to the other one. You open the door. "Hello?"
The chair slowly turns around. You see his face, but it can't be. He's not supposed to be here. Not him. Not a Protoss. Not THAT Protoss.
MC says, "Hi Greg, long time no see."
You back slowly out of the booth.
But you can't. It's already forcefielded.
* * * * *
On a serious note, oGs.MC vs EG.IdrA is going to be an awesome kickoff match for MLG Columbus. With extended series, this match may determine who has an overwhelming advantage should they meet later in the tournament. However, it must be said that this is actually a bit unfair for everyone in that group to simply replace Bomber with MC, especially for Tyler. He's the only player in the group who hasn't been practicing against Protoss, and suddenly he has to play PvP against the best in the world.
![[image loading]](/staff/Hot_Bid/MLGColumbus2011/MCDH.png)
Stockholm repeat? Image courtesy of Rakaka.
"Trust me, you do not want to be sitting in these seats. We call this place Loserville."
Open bracket is just so, so difficult. Players like EG.Demuslim, mouz.ThorZaIN, and mouz.MorroW are making their MLG debuts. As if navigating through the huge minefield of open players isn't hard enough, they'll have to contend with the CSN Clash of the Houses winner: ST_July. You heard it here first: it is destined that July ends up in GoD Group C.
Incontrol put it best: "I love MLG's format because I'm in the Top 16." Does MLG need to reconsider its format? Or are the fans satisfied that MLG Dallas Champion Dignitas.NaNiwa already ran the gauntlet with an absolutely insane 26-2? Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done. Still, there's nothing more dramatic than running through open to the title. Thorzain and July agree.
"I just added two more guys to my wolf pack. Four of us wolves, running around the desert together, in Columbus, looking for strippers and cocaine."
MLG added some guys to their wolf pack. Artosis and Tasteless have landed. They will likely mix it up with Wheat and Day and JP. All-Plott has to happen, and so does Wheat mimicking the Nick's jokes. However, the question on everyone's mind is not who is casting with who or how many streams there will be, but rather whether Poopfeast420 will meet Artosis in person.
This time, I'm actually a little jealous of everyone watching from home. Dual-streaming BW proleague was one of the most fun experiences ever as a fan, and if you're not attending live, you'll be doing just that. Of course, all of this hinges on the vehicle of technology, so everyone take a moment to pray to the stream gods.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/MLGColumbus2011/buttimestwo.jpg)
Imagine this but times two.
"Just calm down. We're fine, everything's fine."
"How am I supposed to calm down!? Look around you!!!"
Artosis, Tasteless, and the Koreans, especially July and MC, are going to get absolutely mobbed by fans. Listen up, everyone going to MLG: if you want these guys to come back, or more cool persons from Korea to make the trip, go make a memory for them. Seriously, go nuts. Right now the skill level might be higher in Korea, but the fan level is way better at the international events.
So high five these dudes every chance you see them. Cheer loudly and act crazy. Have them sign your boobs. Do NOT mug them or make fun of July's weight (unless it's funny). We want Dan and Nick and Min Chul and PSJ to go back to Korea thinking "damn, I'm really missing out every time there's an international event. Those fans are awesome." And then maybe Boxer or Nada will take a flight out next time.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/MLGColumbus2011/Nanicheckers.jpg)
King me.
"Why don't we remember a god damn thing from last night?"
"Obviously because we had a great f*ing time."
The TSL finals were over two weeks ago, but most that watched still remember that epic series. Both finalists are at MLG Columbus: Dignitas.NaNiwa as the defending champion and mouz.ThorZaIN in his first high profile LAN for his new team. One will try to forget and put those games behind him, while the other will attempt to channel the magic that made his run possible.
To quote Naniwa's self-written stream OP: "Naniwa. Dignitas. Protoss. MLG Dallas winner, TSL3 loser." The description is concise, insightful, and mischievously funny, much like Nani himself. Some players are trying to make the championship bracket, or finish top 16. Some are playing for points, or just trying to get known. But for a select few like Naniwa, everything after first place is meaningless.
The Koreans that watched TSL made many comments about wanting to see Thorzain and Naniwa in the GSL. Both players have stated they want to compete with the best, especially in Korea. This weekend they will get a chance to play some of GSL's best and to qualify for Code S or Code A as well.
"Gambling? It's not gambling when you know you're gonna win. "
ST_Ace winning IEM and then bombing out of Code A was the worst thing that could have happen, reinforcing the old Korea > all stereotype. But it won't happen this time, and not just because of the MLG/GSL exchange program. At some point this weekend, a Korean player is going to lose. In fact, many of them will. And when it happens, the everyone will cheer. Loudly. Well everyone except that guy who yells out "jet lag" and makes a frowny face. Don't be that guy.
There is a lot at stake for the Koreans, and not just prizes and prestige. Winning this tournament would be huge for MMA or Moon, neither of which have Code S status. July has yet to win a major title in SC2 after so much success in BW. MC is in a small slump and looks to re-establish his dominance. Losira, once a hot rising new player, has lost seven of his last ten. None of them will be taking it lightly. Let's hope the "foreigners" are up to the task.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnis_Pju82w
We shall see.
We shall see.
"I found $80,000 worth of Bellagio chips in my pocket."
MLG has spared no expense on this event. Players of this caliber will deliver. The casting will be professional and entertaining. The atmosphere will be electric, and the streams should great. All signs point to a great event and no Hangover 2 preview for MLG Anaheim. Did I just jinx MLG? I hope not.
Quick Lists
Favorites:
1.
2. Dignitas.NaNiwa
3. IM.Losira
4. ROOT.KiWiKaKi
5. SlayerS_MMA
From Open:
1. ST_July
2. mouz.ThorZaIN
3. sixjax.dde
4. mouz.MorroW
5. sixjax.Major
Underdogs Fighting:
1. FXO.Sheth > ROOT.KiWiKaKi
2. FXO.Moonan > SlayerS_MMA
3. Liquid`Ret > oGs.MC
4. EG.iNcontroL > IM.LosirA
5. ROOT.Drewbie > Dignitas.NaNiwa
Biggest Attractions
1. ESPORTS
2. July
3. Community relay race
4. MC ceremonies
5. Every single stage match
