I am very glad to hear that Blizzard is at least working on something eSports related. I was getting worried with the things Riot games was doing (pumping millions into tournament winnings). But, I like Bliaazrd's approach and idea to make Starcraft a legitamate sport. Now, we will have to wait and see if it really works. but, I believe they have the means to make it work. Hopefully their team has the right mindste and pulls it out well.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to more news about the grassroots tier and other events and formats they are going to do.

KookyMonster

United States311 Posts

January 26 2012 17:51 GMT

#166

This looks cool! It will definitely expand eSports more on a global scale. I am glad Blizzard puts forth effort in the development of this community, as it is a very new (in terms of the grand scheme of things) to the world.

zarepath

United States1626 Posts

January 26 2012 18:16 GMT

#167

If Blizzard is committed to WoL competition for the rest of the year, what if all the other major tournaments did the same thing? This way pros could continue to compete in WoL at a high level while building up their skill in HotS so that they're ready for the eventual switch.

I know pros aren't likely to practice two different games at once, but the main thing I'm worried about for an instant HOTS switch is how rough the metagame's going to be at first. Delaying the professional switch until 2013 will certainly mitigate that, I think.

Louis8k8

Canada285 Posts

January 26 2012 18:17 GMT

#168

I hope blizzard and associates would put effort into a stable, non-laggy streaming host. With free LQ stream only, and paid subscrption HQ stream+vods. And I hope the organizer gets some attention from big sponsors for future tournaments. They make such a huge difference for the prize pool and tournament size (matches, and player count).

magnaflow

Canada1521 Posts

January 26 2012 18:17 GMT

#169

Good to see Blizzard getting involved. I was kind of worrried about how quiet things were on the blizzard side of SC2.

magnaflow

Canada1521 Posts

January 26 2012 18:21 GMT

#170

On January 27 2012 03:16 zarepath wrote:
If Blizzard is committed to WoL competition for the rest of the year, what if all the other major tournaments did the same thing? This way pros could continue to compete in WoL at a high level while building up their skill in HotS so that they're ready for the eventual switch.

I know pros aren't likely to practice two different games at once, but the main thing I'm worried about for an instant HOTS switch is how rough the metagame's going to be at first. Delaying the professional switch until 2013 will certainly mitigate that, I think.

How much of a difference will there really be? It's just a few units being added. I could be completely wrong but I can see most srats being the same with a few of the new units sprinkled in till things kind of get figured out a bit more. It's not like we are going to see some crazy strat with new units only.

Things will definatley change but the game isn't going to be flipped around and completely different.

zanga

659 Posts

January 26 2012 18:33 GMT

#171

Woooooooooooooooooow...... (e^pi*i)+(1) SICKNESS!

Obviously there will be some hassles and minor problems here and there since there will be many parties involved... But WOW this is really cool! *__*

I hope for an incredible SICKO' Final in asia with an enormous prize trophy!

youngminii

Australia7514 Posts

January 26 2012 19:33 GMT

#172

Looks like they're taking over the gap that WCG created (by crashing and burning, that is).

Kudos.

On January 27 2012 03:21 magnaflow wrote:

Show nested quote +

Uhh, lol..

Paladia

802 Posts

January 26 2012 20:19 GMT

#173

But the kind of excitement that exists for eSports in Asia, and especially in recent times in China made us choose Asia this year.

I have a feeling there is much more to it than that. I know Blizzard had massive troubles introducing the Pandaren race in WoW due to Pandas being copyrighted by the Chinese Government. No one is allowed to market Pandas there without the consent of the ruling party. I suppose now they are beginning to show what price they payed for getting a panda license (promoting China).

Laneir

United States1160 Posts

January 26 2012 20:25 GMT

#174

This is great can't wait report growing everyday

Endymion

United States3701 Posts

January 26 2012 20:59 GMT

#175

lol.. "the prize pool isn't important, working with someone as prestigious as blizzard is what is" what a joke, blizzard is so conceited to think that just because their name is on something it improves the value of it. In fact, seeing the name "battle.net" on a tournament just reminds me how much of a joke and a devolution their current system is compared to WC3 and BWs... fucking blizzard, stop wasting your money on this bullshit and make a battlenet 3.0 that is at least comparable to iccup or fish.. or steam... or battlelog.....

edit RAGE TYPOS!!!!

Khaine

Sweden75 Posts

January 26 2012 21:57 GMT

#176

This seems really interesting!

Glurkenspurk

United States1915 Posts

January 26 2012 21:59 GMT

#177

On January 27 2012 05:19 Paladia wrote:
But the kind of excitement that exists for eSports in Asia, and especially in recent times in China made us choose Asia this year.

I have a feeling there is much more to it than that. I know Blizzard had massive troubles introducing the Pandaren race in WoW due to Pandas being copyrighted by the Chinese Government. No one is allowed to market Pandas there without the consent of the ruling party. I suppose now they are beginning to show what price they payed for getting a panda license (promoting China).

This was all rumors and was proven to not be the case in multiple blizz interviews.

Paladia

802 Posts

January 26 2012 22:01 GMT

#178

On January 27 2012 06:59 Odal wrote:

Show nested quote +

This was all rumors and was proven to not be the case in multiple blizz interviews.

Are you saying anyone is allowed to use Pandas in China? Could you provide some links to those interviews?

ClysmiC

United States2192 Posts

January 26 2012 22:17 GMT

#179

Grassroots is EXACTLY what we need to grow. I wholeheartedly agree that "stunts" like million dollar prize pools won't help the scene. They are too transient. While I usually disagree with most of Blizzard's philosophy's I like this one. I just hope that they practice it the same way they speak of it.

swordboy

Canada299 Posts

January 26 2012 22:29 GMT

#180

On January 27 2012 07:01 Paladia wrote:

Show nested quote +

Are you saying anyone is allowed to use Pandas in China? Could you provide some links to those interviews?

Panda is not the portrait of Chairman Mao, I have no idea why Chinese government would overreact to this.