This is the official thread for the After Hours Gaming League finals night/celebration/bonanza, cast by Day[9] and Husky!! What is AHGL, you ask? To quote IGN: + Show Spoiler +
On the 19th of August, four teams will compete in the finals of the After Hours Gaming League, a charity Starcraft tournament. However, these teams are not composed of professional gamers, or even the top-ranked amateurs, but instead employees of four Silicon Valley technology companies-- Microsoft, Google, Zynga and Amazon.
For the past nine weeks, eight of the biggest technology firms in the Bay Area have been competing in a Starcraft tournament, organized by Sean “Day[9]” Plott, a professional Starcraft player and commentator. Materially and practically, there's little at stake. There is no cash prize -- instead Day[9].tv (Plott's webchannel) will donate $5,000 to the charity of the winner's choice.
Starting out with a field of eight, the teams have been whittled down to a final four. Tonight, Google and Amazon will compete for third place while Zynga and Microsoft square off in the finals. Each of these four teams have spent months in training and preparation, endlessly studying strategies, practicing builds, watching replays of professional games -- all in addition to their jobs at leading technology companies. This may seem strange, but all of this is just the latest chapter in the story of “eSports."
Thanks to Ricky162 for the quote.
The After Hours Gaming League Grand Finals are beginning shortly!! You can tune in HERE.
The 3rd/4th match will be Google vs. Amazon, and the grand finals will be between Zynga and Microsoft.
On August 20 2011 10:49 NoUShutUp wrote: I thought Zynga defeated Google. So it should be Amazon vs. Google 3rd/4th and Zynga vs. Microsoft for the finals.
And right you are! Updated. Sorry, I used the current standings on the AHGL website since the finals "bracket" was nowhere to be found, and I guess it wasn't updated since the Google/Zynga match.
On the 19th of August, four teams will compete in the finals of the After Hours Gaming League, a charity Starcraft tournament. However, these teams are not composed of professional gamers, or even the top-ranked amateurs, but instead employees of four Silicon Valley technology companies-- Microsoft, Google, Zynga and Amazon.
For the past nine weeks, eight of the biggest technology firms in the Bay Area have been competing in a Starcraft tournament, organized by Sean “Day[9]” Plott, a professional Starcraft player and commentator. Materially and practically, there's little at stake. There is no cash prize -- instead Day[9].tv (Plott's webchannel) will donate $5,000 to the charity of the winner's choice.
Starting out with a field of eight, the teams have been whittled down to a final four. Tonight, Google and Amazon will compete for third place while Zynga and Microsoft square off in the finals. Each of these four teams have spent months in training and preparation, endlessly studying strategies, practicing builds, watching replays of professional games -- all in addition to their jobs at leading technology companies. This may seem strange, but all of this is just the latest chapter in the story of “eSports."
Day[9] Made me do it!
And if someone would be so kind as to create a thread on TL.net so people can join in the fun that would rule! I can't from my phone! :D
On August 20 2011 10:49 NoUShutUp wrote: I thought Zynga defeated Google. So it should be Amazon vs. Google 3rd/4th and Zynga vs. Microsoft for the finals.
And right you are! Updated. Sorry, I used the current standings on the AHGL website since the finals "bracket" was nowhere to be found, and I guess it wasn't updated since the Google/Zynga match.
On August 20 2011 10:55 Xeris wrote: stream is SUPER choppy for me.. anyone else getting this ?
Yeah it's the same choppiness that happens at the beginning of a Daily when switching from Static Image to Dynamic Image while waiting for the upload bitrate to increase.
Yeah I'll 3rd that motion. I hate being "that guy" who complains about stream quality...but it's frankly just not reliable. Pretty sure it's not JTV specific, b/c I've watched other streams just fine.
Mewvolk - it's not an isolated incident. I remember when I watched earlier this week that I had to go from 720p down to 360p, and even then the stream was not reliable. For a US-based stream it's baffling.
*Stream seems to have improved since I posted; 720P is working just fine now. Maybe those complaints actually worked hahah.
On August 20 2011 10:57 Engore wrote: His stream usually does that when it goes from Static image to a live image like sc2 or him. I figure thats what happened there. Fine now.
Format for results if you wish. Enter results in between the brackets at the spoilers. Quote this and you can copy and paste it to yours.
Thanks. I figured out the spoilers - is there a way for me to make the names all nice and stylized? Y'know, with the race next to the name and a link to the TLPD entry (although I doubt these players have one).
havent seen a game whole season but tuning in now because i'm awake for some weird reason. This stuff is actually good and wow have they an amazing crowd over at facebook's
On August 20 2011 11:16 busbarn wrote: havent seen a game whole season but tuning in now because i'm awake for some weird reason. This stuff is actually good and wow have they an amazing crowd over at facebook's
tune in guys!
Haha, you and me then. Two crazy swedes being awake at 4:30 AM...
Wow, I havent watched any of the AHGL since I assumed the games were shitty ^^ I´m really enjoying this however, I guess I have a lot of VoD-viewing to do tommorow!
Microsoft and Zynga apparently have all masters (save for 1 diamond player). Also apparently live as well for these games, so the quality/fun should be higher.
For a league that Seann put together on his own, this actually rivals NASL and MLG for production quality. Maybe NA just needs more HSC-like leagues and should quit trying to out-GSL the GSL.
I haven't really watched any of the AHGL but the finals presentation so far is pretty impressive. With Day9 at the helm this event is so entertaining for a potentially very large audience
On August 20 2011 12:27 chaopow wrote: What leagues are their "best" players in? and the rest of them in general? I know their not pro players but dont know exactly how good they are.
Microsoft and Zynga I think have all Masters players except one or something like that.
Anyone else feel like they're learning a surprising amount from these matches? Instead of seeing top pros with perfect execution, we get to see normal diamond/masters players make mistakes. More importantly, we get to watch them get punished for their mistakes.
On August 20 2011 13:10 Omnipresent wrote: Anyone else feel like they're learning a surprising amount from these matches? Instead of seeing top pros with perfect execution, we get to see normal diamond/masters players make mistakes. More importantly, we get to watch them get punished for their mistakes.
Noobie tuesday my man, noobie tuesday.
Still excellent fun
Edit: "has this event been going for 13 hours? or is the tl calendar just messing up for me o.0
and insomniatic(?) europeans FTW"
I was up early watching your impossibly timed IEM then did work then desperately slept...for 3 hours. I blame the EU
My GF and I have been watching it all night wile getting slowly drunk - great stuff! Sounds like everyone there is having a ball, and the games are good! Gratz to Day9 for pulling this off.
On August 20 2011 13:21 samd wrote: I thought megumixbear was an asian girl
That's her imposter the fake megumixbear. Day9 is friends with the real one so is purposely calling him megu mix bear, cause I'm sure he feels awkward calling him megumi.
On August 20 2011 13:21 samd wrote: I thought megumixbear was an asian girl
That's her imposter the fake megumixbear. Day9 is friends with the real one so is purposely calling him megu mix bear, cause I'm sure he feels awkward calling him megumi.
thats fucking hilarious. i have respect for this guy now. fuck "grrrll gamers" who are popular just because they are girls and contribute nothing else to the community. And fuck the nerds that make them popular.
On August 20 2011 13:21 samd wrote: I thought megumixbear was an asian girl
That's her imposter the fake megumixbear. Day9 is friends with the real one so is purposely calling him megu mix bear, cause I'm sure he feels awkward calling him megumi.
thats fucking hilarious. i have respect for this guy now. fuck "grrrll gamers" who are popular just because they are girls and contribute nothing else to the community. And fuck the nerds that make them popular.
On August 20 2011 13:31 Ahtin wrote: C'mon, can we have 1 straight up game?
They aren't progamers so I would not expect a good long macro game from them (although if there is one that would be great). But the tension between the teams is also very exciting and the fans really give a loud cheers.
Day9 seems completely intend on entertaining only and keeping the "analytical" casting to a minimum even though husky trys to set it up... Makes it a little less interresting imo...
On August 20 2011 13:55 Garnet wrote: So anti-climatic. Blizzard needs to implement a LAN version for tournaments really.
While of course I agree, a LAN wouldn't have changed anything, considering both of these players aren't actually at the event (they are 2 of 3 players who couldn't make it.)
it may have looked over, but microsoft could afford to lose 15+ drones holding that off and still be ahead. A good drone pull with mineral walk through the roaches can often hold those attacks way better than expected.
On August 20 2011 13:55 Garnet wrote: So anti-climatic. Blizzard needs to implement a LAN version for tournaments really.
These 2 players are not at the event so LAN wouldn't have helped in this situation.
They are there in person, in booths even.
No I think you are mistaken. They are not at the event. They were unable to attend the event so they were playing online from their houses/lounges/gaming studio's.
On August 20 2011 14:03 DJams wrote: Also, why don't they just move on to the Next match up? there will be plenty time to find that missing internet player after the next game.
It would just be informal to play out of order. Besides, the game after this one could potentially be match point, which creates a different mindset.
On August 20 2011 13:55 Garnet wrote: So anti-climatic. Blizzard needs to implement a LAN version for tournaments really.
These 2 players are not at the event so LAN wouldn't have helped in this situation.
Not Quiet True, They could use something like Hamachi or Tungle to reduce the lag/disc if SC2 had LAN.
Not true, this was a clear disc, meaning one player lost connection completely.
Well turns out Cowsrule's comp crashed, so no sort of better connection would help XD. I still don't think that changes the fact that lan should be implemented though...
Looks like the 1-1-1 Terran all-in from the terran player even after the delayed gas from the gas steal,making it slower/less effective. The Toss player has a strong chance of holding this off I think.
Micro soft. MACRO HARD! Grats Microsoft. Thanks Day[9] for running this league and donating your 5000 dollars to charity! Thanks to Husky for co-commentating! Thanks to everyone who watched or participated! Thanks to anyone who casted AHGL games during the regular season!
On August 20 2011 12:17 Veldril wrote: Lol that everyone who receives the prizes cheering for Microsoft
When they did that drawing they had only handed out raffle tickets to about a quarter of the room ... and it was the quarter that was mostly Microsoft people. That's the only complaint I have about the night, and it really isn't a big complaint. Really can't complain about a ton of free swag from Blizzard at all.
Had a great time at the tournament, it was awesome sitting in those booths with the crowd cheering you on! Thank you to all the people that made AHGL the great tournament that it was. Zynga Fighting!!!!!!!!
Hey everyone, how about that Day[9] famous Every Single Charity Wins prize???
While Day[9] channels the spirit of friendly competition and cuts the fat check for Amnesty International (go team Microsoft!!), I personally am giving $1000 to be divided equally among all of the charities, they are all worthy causes with worthy champions! If you can give a little or a lot, please reply here and encourage Day[9] to put on Season 2 - heck, maybe even buy a shirt so he can afford it!
On August 20 2011 18:10 Fredo510 wrote: Had a great time at the tournament, it was awesome sitting in those booths with the crowd cheering you on! Thank you to all the people that made AHGL the great tournament that it was. Zynga Fighting!!!!!!!!
It was fun playing against you. Can't wait for next season!
On August 20 2011 17:38 m0ck wrote: I can't say I understand why this gets any attention at all - a corporate championship, it's hard to imagine anything more boring.
What can I say? Many of us lead boring normal lives as boring normal people with a boring normal job, playing SC2 on the side. Some of us (read: people I know, not me) can even play at a level where they are on teams and make deep runs in the MLG open bracket. Plus, these companies are pretty well-entrenched in our daily lives, and it'd be a lie to say that we don't have our own preferences. We can relate, thus we care.
On August 20 2011 17:38 m0ck wrote: I can't say I understand why this gets any attention at all - a corporate championship, it's hard to imagine anything more boring.
It's like college sports for people that are past college. We all have our loyalties to different teams and those on teams have camaraderie with teammates. In college you have class and after that you have work. We still all play on the side.
The finals were quite entretaining, and I would certainly watch next season ones, didn't follow the previous rounds, too much sc content out there.. not enough time..
EPT![[image loading]](http://platform.ak.fbcdn.net/www/app_full_proxy.php?app=2392088303&v=1&size=p&cksum=ceba248bbd59b4aecba4eba0d94e1591&src=http%3A%2F%2Fa.images.blip.tv%2FStriderdoom-AHGLGoogleVsZyngaGame1SemifinalsStarCraft2963.png)
![[image loading]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ABOzb5bI1Y/Ti0k4VdQdKI/AAAAAAAAVQ8/plXhgAojHck/s1600/tz4.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/PrCX0.jpg)
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