MLG’s 2012 inaugural tournament could not be more diverse. It's not just the wide variety of nationalities, play styles, and personalities that are gathered - there are unique motivations behind these players as well. Winning means something different for each of these players in New York, and we'll explore a few of the more interesting stories.
Redemption
There's a lot to gain with a victory: prize money, personal glory, international fame, etc. But to some players, this tournament isn't about what they can gain, but how they can make amends. Are we talking about Mvp, whose form has slipped by his abnormally high standards? Or MC, who has switched teams and finds himself at a strange place in his career? No, for those two, time is on their side. For EG.IdrA, however, time and patience are starting to run short.
It’s been months since he went to Korea, seeking to adapt, evolve, and ultimately transcend the limitations of his previous play. Two disastrous GSL appearances along with a string of disappointing show matches have begun to wear the at patience of the masses. While IdrA has had success in ASUS ROG tournaments, MLG was always the better choice for EG’s temperamental Zerg. There wait the Koreans who are the bane of his existence (and one who enjoys mocking him considerably), and the other foreigners who have spent time in Korea but have something to show for it. What excuse or plea can justify another horrible showing now? We will see if that stoic expression can represent the confidence of a winner, or become yet again, the mask of failure.
Honorable Mention: Nestea
Other Reasons to Win
Vengeance: It must have hurt NaNiwa so badly to lose MLG Providence, a finals he had in the bag. It's a loss he will want to avenge.
Money: How many Koreans are in this tournament, who have no salary and no prize winnings in their entire career? $10,000 goes a long way in Korea.
Validation: TheStC and GanZi are excellent players who still don't get quite the credit they deserve. The only way they can resolve this situation is to stand on the podium.
Momentum
The form of progamers has always been widely discussed, perhaps because we have a strange need to find our modern “bonjwa”. The landscape has fallen into chaos in the past few months, but there are always a few whose hot streaks you cannot ignore. For many players, the Winter Arena will be a momentous achievement in itself, but for coL.MvPDongRaeGu, it will just be another checkmark on his already fantastic 2012.
Wins in smaller tournaments and top 4 finishes all around the end of 2011 already solidified DRG’s status as an elite player, but it was was a heartrendingly narrow loss at the Blizzard Cup finals that showed us he was on yet another level. DongRaeGu has only improved since that disappointment, going on a rampage with a 31-9 record on the year. He's awaiting his first GSL finals, and there's not much doubt that Nestea has finally been deposed. If he can continue to ride the momentum, it's not just MLG Winter Arena that will be his for the taking. 2011 had Mvp and Nestea -- 2012 needs its first ruler.
Honorable Mentions: Sheth, viOLeT
Opportunity
There are players who are regulars on the tournament circuit, and then there are those who must make the best of their rare moments in the spotlight. The North American server might be looked down upon by some, but for our top NA players, it makes little difference which server they qualified from. Due to another high profile event going on in the same weekend, the top teams have split their rosters for maximum efficiency, opening up some room which there might not have been otherwise. Now, a select few have a chance of a lifetime to compete on the highest stage, and prove their worth to an audience that might not even know their names. Surely, out of all these players, Axslav must have the most to gain.
Two teams, and self-employment in the span of a month pretty much sums up Axslav’s misfortunes in 2012. Without financial assistance, it would be difficult for the 26 year old Nick Ranish to pursue Starcraft full-time. Though his skill and cult popularity should get him an offer before too long, surely those offers would be improved with a strong performance at MLG Winter Arena. Furthermore, he has no better way to prove that his unremarkable stint on Evil Geniuses was the fault of a star obsessed team, not his own. Beyond his own personal gain, Axslav also represents something more for the viewers at home. He's hugely approachable on his stream, and his handspeed sometimes looks like it's straight out of diamond. In other words: he's one of us, the everyman become pro-gamer. If he should succeed, it will be a success not just for himself, but for all those who carry the dream.
There's so many people I want to see do well here. Specifically Drewbie, Axslav, Grubby, and most of all Sjow. This will be the tournament for the non super-stars to shine!
On February 25 2012 05:35 jackphelps wrote: Playing in MLG this close to GSL finals is dangerous for DRG, as demonstrated by Leenock with Providence/November
Yeah but that can't be the sole reason Leenock lost gsl November. It could be a factor, but there's more that goes into it than just that.
Axslav seems like such a great guy, and his description as the 'everyman's' progamer really strikes a chord. I wish him all the best of luck, he deserves to get a great finish.
On February 25 2012 05:35 jackphelps wrote: Playing in MLG this close to GSL finals is dangerous for DRG, as demonstrated by Leenock with Providence/November
Yeah but that can't be the sole reason Leenock lost gsl November. It could be a factor, but there's more that goes into it than just that.
I think the IdrA stuff is being blown out of proportion. I think he summed it up well in the interview he just did. Practice needs time to set in, a lot of his team-league failures were done weeks ago, and he's in his top form when he's onstage.
Otherwise, I do hope Axslav does well. He's way late on some good karma
On February 25 2012 05:35 jackphelps wrote: Playing in MLG this close to GSL finals is dangerous for DRG, as demonstrated by Leenock with Providence/November
Yeah but that can't be the sole reason Leenock lost gsl November. It could be a factor, but there's more that goes into it than just that.
Yeah, plus I think it literally went providence, beating muthafuckin MVP, then losing to Jjakji. I think beating MVP was what REALLY put his overconfidence over the limit a bit and Jjakji abused that.
On February 25 2012 06:25 supsun wrote: I hope this MLG will be a Korean only top 12. IdrA in 13th and the rest is w/e
...To each his own.
Call me crazy but I just want to see good games and the most deserving players win. Who gives a fuck about nationality, unless you're a racist bigot?
Well I'm a patriot, so I want to see HuK, Drewbie and DDE own EVERYONE. In order of preference, I want to see them beat Americans, then Koreans, and then anyone else.
And I say that while working (well... "working" ...) in a refugee health clinic.
On February 25 2012 06:25 supsun wrote: I hope this MLG will be a Korean only top 12. IdrA in 13th and the rest is w/e
...To each his own.
Call me crazy but I just want to see good games and the most deserving players win. Who gives a fuck about nationality, unless you're a racist bigot?
Well I'm a patriot, so I want to see HuK, Drewbie and DDE own EVERYONE. In order of preference, I want to see them beat Americans, then Koreans, and then anyone else.
And I say that while working (well... "working" ...) in a refugee health clinic.
You forgot DdoRo as a Canadian from the noble province of Ottawa.
I was so back and forth on this pass... I decided to buy it about 10 times and also decided not to buy it about 10 times. I ended up buying it, hopefully this is worth a few top ramen dinners!
edit: and hopefully my crappy internet decides to play nice, occasionally I can only watch 1 stream on 360p it is so bad (not often)
On February 25 2012 07:23 EG.lectR wrote: "Furthermore, he has no better way to prove that his unremarkable stint on Evil Geniuses was the fault of a star obsessed team, not his own."
Uh...what?
EG gives the impression of picking up star players/high profile players to be on their team(puma after nasl, huk from tl). Some feel it was a matter of time before axslav was booted cuz of this....
On February 25 2012 07:23 EG.lectR wrote: "Furthermore, he has no better way to prove that his unremarkable stint on Evil Geniuses was the fault of a star obsessed team, not his own."
Uh...what?
EG gives the impression of picking up star players/high profile players to be on their team(puma after nasl, huk from tl). Some feel it was a matter of time before axslav was booted cuz of this....
That's what.
You keep telling me about your feelings and nothing about the facts. The sheer number of quips within this article make me question the integrity of the writer. Sorry!
Very nice writing, i agree about IdrA, he's in a bad spot lately even going cheese some games, should trust more his skill. At the moment LiquidSheth is the zerg to watch for me..GG Liquid
While they may be looking for a reason to win, I'm looking for a reason to watch. I feel like they are going in the wrong direction by restricting the stream to pay-per-view. $20 for a weekend of games when I can get a full season of the GSL for $14.99. Disappointed to say the least.
On February 25 2012 09:58 Abort Retry Fail wrote: Naniwa looks scary...
When has he not? Got a pic with him in Columbus. Caught him at the grill and bought that man a cheeseburger as payment and he still looked like human sacrifices were coming.... But the dude is a baller in all other respects.
EPT
EG.IdrA, however, time and patience are starting to run short.
Axslav must have the most to gain.
