EPT
My name is Chae Jung Won and I’m both GSL Code S commentator and manager of GSL operation team.
I’ve been reading the recent threads which have been posted at teamliquid.net.
Lot of foreign players have listed the reasons for why it’s difficult for them to come to Korea and participate in GSL. While I understand some of these, I do not understand others.
First of all I want make it clear that the purpose of this thread is not to rebut the posts I mentioned above. The decision whether to make sacrifices to attend a tournament which is extremely competitive or not is completely up to one’s own and I respect that. The only thing I’m upset about is that most of the reasons mentioned are something GOMTV can’t solve(I doubt anyone can), and as for the problems that can be solved, GOMTV is doing its best to find solution.
It’s just that this is easier said than done, because there are many things that needs to be considered, lot more than people realize.
Think of it this way. Let’s assume that there is backward universe; There is LAN tournament with equivalent size and prize pool as GSL in USA and tournaments in Korea are mostly online. If MVP, MC, Nestea and MKP were to be invited to States to participate in LAN tournament for a month(and they will be provided a place to sleep and practice like GOMTV is providing now), would they decide to go to US?
I am 100% confident that they would go. They will all fly to States to achieve their dream. Why? Simple : The tournament is worth the effort and these players have the skill to win. If you win you receive 50 thousand dollars and gain popularity from Starcraft2 fans all around the world. Barriers such as “culture/language difference” are worth enduring for such fame and money and should not be a big problem. Such barriers can be overcome if one is willing to put effort.
I am also aware that reaction on Korean community sites about foreign players declining invitation to Super Tournament because of its schedule have been translated and posted on teamliquid.net.
There seems to be misunderstanding and it must be made clear that those opinions were solely about Super Tournament. I understand that in GSL regular season, making it to Code S beginning from Code A is very difficult for foreign players as there is too much to risk, and that is why we made League Exchange program with MLG. However my interview that was posted on PlayXP was response regarding an anonymous Fnatic person’s answer concerning Super Tournament, who gave reasons such as “1month is too long” “prize pool is not deep enough” “there is language barrier”. I was little startled when the interview was posted as the tone was much more aggressive than I actually had felt. At the time I was doing the interview, my feelings were more like “hmm? Interesting”.
Now enough about the misunderstanding, as I’m sure many of you are tired of it as there was discussion thread about it for a week. I’ll move on the good news.
As many of you are aware new GSL format will be applied in July.
I’ve read many posts on teamliquid.net that people want to see more GSTL and also poll between GSL and GSTL.
There have been many same requests from Koreans too and after long consideration I have changed the format more focusing on team leagues.
However the problem with new format is that it makes it difficult for foreign teams to participate in team league as they will have to stay in Korea for 2 months.
I tried my best to solve this problem and although I admit this is not the perfect solution here it is.
Firstly, “Foreign players can now participate as a mercenary in Korean team”.
You may be able to see Jinro or Huk as member of oGs-TL in team league.
Accordingly, foreign players who come to Korea through MLG League Exchange, Rakaka tournament in Sweden, or come by themselves and qualify will not only be able to participate individual league but can also participate in GSTL as part of Korean team.
I cannot “force” the Korean teams to accept foreign players to their roster and have them play at least one set per match. However, Korean teams are willing to form alliance or partnership with foreign teams and they have stated that they will be happy to accept if there is any foreign team or player willing to join force. In fact Korean teams are very eager to recruit able foreign players.
If any foreign player who is entering GSL individual league and also wants to be part of team league feel free to contact either me or my assistant John. Through cooperation with Korean teams you will be provided with better practicing environment and opportunity to be part of GSTL.
Also I am open to idea of non-Korean team coming to Korean and play in GSTL. I’ve already received been contacted by certain team showing great interest and will soon make an announcement which will be huge surprise to many of you.
I have provided “opportunity” through “system”, and “opportunity” is all that I can provide. Creating “results” is not my job but up to the players themselves, through their will and amount of practice.
Super Tournament is being held at the moment.
I am always open to your opinions.
I do not want SC2 to be just Korean e-sports thing like Brood War was.
My goal is to make a league which viewers all around the world can enjoy and get hyped when watching.
I was 1st generation pro-gamer myself(I’m still in TLPD) and have been working in e-sports over 10 years.
Many of things that are happening now in e-sports are changes that never happened in past 10 years. I’m sure that you too feel that e-sports is evolving rapidly.
If e-sports players and technology is running at 100km/h and if GSL and other tournaments can keep up with the speed we can create many wonderful things which we only dreamed of past 10 years.
I’m always grateful to viewers who watch GSL. I will soon get back to you with great news Also I will be attending MLG Columbus together with players from Korea. I have decided to go to MLG to witness the enthusiasm of American fans with my own eyes.
Thank you
maybe Empire?
