Houston, Texas – January 27th, 2012 – Starting off the New Year, we at CheckSix Gaming set out with a goal to do something big. After long talks and much research done, we finally came to a halt. We had found what we had been looking for. We would like to introduce the Korean Starcraft II gamer Sleep as the most recent team member of CheckSix.
Sleep, who will now be known as xSixSleep, will be moving to the United States where he will train every day in Southern California. Hoping to give his fans something to enjoy, viewers of his stream will have the opportunity to learn and watch from him for a few hours every day while he ladders, participates in tournaments and practices with his new teammates. Sleep will also be attending MLGs, IPLs, and any other major tournament he is invited to. Along with the major tournaments, he will also be supporting the local Southern California LAN scene and will be traveling to those local events to visit his fans and participate in the events. We hope to improve on the experience and interactions that Sleep's current fans have with him and help introduce those who are not yet fans to him and his unique play and personality.
Below is a statement given by Seong “xSixSleep” Kim:
I'm very happy to have been recruited for this prestigious team. I will be residing in the USA while on the team, and during that time I will be able to experience many foreign tournaments and have many opportunities to meet my fans. I will concentrate on trying to display many achievements not only to progress our individual fame, but also enhance the team's reputation as well.
Also commenting on this, Curt "KeyHunt" Carter with CheckSix:
Cannot express how excited I am about this opportunity. It is great news for Sleep, great news for CheckSix and even better news for the community that supports strong competition and awesome content. We plan on producing many things including behind-the-scene videos, 24 hour streams and also practice matches. With this move, we are confident you will see a dramatic change for the better in both Sleep and our current players and could not be more happy to have him on the team. Welcome to your new home Sleep!
That being said, we would like to thank the community again for their continued support. Please be sure to remember that none of this would be possible without our amazing sponsors in TteSPORTS, Puretrak and GamersUniform. As a final thank you, a huge shout out to @DearYuna and @Zlasher12 for her amazing translation skills throughout this process and him for...well..knowing her and of course helping out throughout as well.
You may follow Sleep on Twitter @xSixSleep And as always, you can follow CheckSix on Twitter and Facebook.
On January 27 2012 16:30 KeyHunt wrote: As a final thank you, a huge shout out to @DearYuna and @Zlasher12 for her amazing translation skills throughout this process and him for...well..knowing her and of course helping out throughout as well.
Glad to help lol, its what I do :D Golden, Sleep, who will be next
very nice intro video- i still remember some of the games from IPL3. He is definetliy a solid pickup. ( though i question bringing him to the U.S- its really scary living in a foreign country where you don't speak the language) GL to Sleep =]
Happy for Sleep. Was worried since he was a free agent for a while. Living in the US, that's a pretty big deal. Hope he can duplicate some of the success Violet has had living and training in the states.
On January 27 2012 17:04 tuho12345 wrote: Not easy to get VISA to live in the US. Lucky for him lol, no wonder why he wanted to leave SlayerS.
Well from what I am aware, he left Slayers, then was later contacted, he didn't leave slayers for checksix, its just that he left and checksix picked him up after he left.
On January 27 2012 18:11 Xadar wrote: why are so many koreans leaving their good korean teams for mediocre foreigner teams? i dont get it.
My instincts tell me something to do with money. :/
Which is unfortunate because I haven't seen any korean player become better (in fact some seem to have gotten worse) after leaving their korean team for a foreign one. (liquid doesnt count nothing changes for players who leave ogs for liquid)
Hoping to see this will give new wind for the x6 team which tends to be so quiet at the moment, or atleast attention is only in the bigger team names of the scene. Good job anyways !
Think Xeris said Sleep wanted something like $1.5k a month when he inquired for fnatic. i expect he came down quite a bit, since that doesnt seem like x6 kinda money. (for 1 player anyway)
Great pickup for X6, but I am realy dissapointed, theres no way sleep will come anywhere close to his skill with Slayers with a roster consisting of mostly Na GMs, Major, Thisisjimmy, and a couple publicity pickups(HD/MB/Ailuj). I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I doubt I am.
I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
You really don't understand the allure of a paycheck and paid access to foreign tournaments?
Exchange programs and invites attract fan favorites and champions.
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
You really don't understand the allure of a paycheck and paid access to foreign tournaments?
Exchange programs and invites attract fan favorites and champions.
Congrats x6. GLGL
I do, but that's not the point. CheckSix are really low down in the tier list compared to SlayerS. I guess Sleep is giving up on GSL victory and "selling out", I suppose.
In case some of your don't realize this, many middle class Koreans dream of immigrating and working in the USA. Sleep's parent were probably happy that he is going to live and work in the US already at his age, it's like the most common goal of any Asian student who go to study in the USA. He did it through pro-gaming. Missing out on the GSL is fine as long as he does well in Western tournament, the ping to KR servers should be good enough too.
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
You really don't understand the allure of a paycheck and paid access to foreign tournaments?
Exchange programs and invites attract fan favorites and champions.
Congrats x6. GLGL
I do, but that's not the point. CheckSix are really low down in the tier list compared to SlayerS. I guess Sleep is giving up on GSL victory and "selling out", I suppose.
He has been looking for a team for months, so he might have been looking for a more high profile foreigner team initially. And tbh I don't blame him for "selling out" I mean come on. He can earn a lot more money in the foreign scene. His earnings from IPL3 alone are more than he has made in korean events. He made the more financially correct decision IMO.
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
You really don't understand the allure of a paycheck and paid access to foreign tournaments?
Exchange programs and invites attract fan favorites and champions.
Congrats x6. GLGL
I do, but that's not the point. CheckSix are really low down in the tier list compared to SlayerS. I guess Sleep is giving up on GSL victory and "selling out", I suppose.
He has been looking for a team for months, so he might have been looking for a more high profile foreigner team initially. And tbh I don't blame him for "selling out" I mean come on. He can earn a lot more money in the foreign scene. His earnings from IPL3 alone are more than he has made in korean events. He made the more financially correct decision IMO.
Not the athletically correct decision though, imo.
On January 28 2012 00:46 hysterial wrote: Great pickup for X6, but I am realy dissapointed, theres no way sleep will come anywhere close to his skill with Slayers with a roster consisting of mostly Na GMs, Major, Thisisjimmy, and a couple publicity pickups(HD/MB/Ailuj). I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I doubt I am.
There are many high level performers on Check Six that will provide an excellent training atmosphere for Sleep. As you can see based on our ESEA performances, Mystik, Suppy, and Mkengyn - to name a few - are all oustanding talents that have gone toe-to-toe with many high-level Korean players.
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
You really don't understand the allure of a paycheck and paid access to foreign tournaments?
Exchange programs and invites attract fan favorites and champions.
Congrats x6. GLGL
I do, but that's not the point. CheckSix are really low down in the tier list compared to SlayerS. I guess Sleep is giving up on GSL victory and "selling out", I suppose.
Because openly admitting he is not ready for the GSL is him "selling out"? Come on lol.
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
It's not just about team reputation & who you get to practice with. The players who choose to leave their team probably to expose themselves to the foreign scene for opportunities.
No, he's not selling out. CheckSix offers more opportunities for Sleep and are dedicated to supporting him so that he can further progress as a player. It's better than working independently, and Korean players all have different needs. Although I'm under NDA, I've worked with several Korean professional players, and different people have different needs.
Like I've said before, if you are Sleep's fan, then you should support his decision to join CheckSix. If you aren't his fan, you shouldn't really care anyway.
Sick pickup for xsix. I feel Slayers is a more prestigious team so at first it may seem like a downgrade for sleep. but foreign teams can offer so much more in the current state of sc2 plus he's going to be living in the states? Nice.
isnt this going to be expensive? fiirst you have to pay for travel costs then you have to pay for basically a semi-permanent translater because im pretty sure sleep doesnt speak english. am I missing something here because its hard for me to see how this is going to make sense from a buisness standpoint.
On January 28 2012 12:01 karis wrote: isnt this going to be expensive? fiirst you have to pay for travel costs then you have to pay for basically a semi-permanent translater because im pretty sure sleep doesnt speak english. am I missing something here because its hard for me to see how this is going to make sense from a buisness standpoint.
I've been helping him regarding translations as of late. Most translators don't get paid unless it's something intense (event, contract negotiations, official paperwork, etc). But yes, living costs & airfare is probably going to be a lot, but if Sleep can pull it off in the foreign scene, it'll be a good cost/benefit scenario.
On January 28 2012 01:50 bubblegumbo wrote: In case some of your don't realize this, many middle class Koreans dream of immigrating and working in the USA. Sleep's parent were probably happy that he is going to live and work in the US already at his age, it's like the most common goal of any Asian student who go to study in the USA. He did it through pro-gaming. Missing out on the GSL is fine as long as he does well in Western tournament, the ping to KR servers should be good enough too.
This, people like to rip on the USA but its actually a nice place to live if your not poor
On January 28 2012 01:50 bubblegumbo wrote: In case some of your don't realize this, many middle class Koreans dream of immigrating and working in the USA. Sleep's parent were probably happy that he is going to live and work in the US already at his age, it's like the most common goal of any Asian student who go to study in the USA. He did it through pro-gaming. Missing out on the GSL is fine as long as he does well in Western tournament, the ping to KR servers should be good enough too.
This, people like to rip on the USA but its actually a nice place to live if your not poor
which are only 10percent of the people living there OH lol jking
On January 28 2012 01:50 bubblegumbo wrote: In case some of your don't realize this, many middle class Koreans dream of immigrating and working in the USA. Sleep's parent were probably happy that he is going to live and work in the US already at his age, it's like the most common goal of any Asian student who go to study in the USA. He did it through pro-gaming. Missing out on the GSL is fine as long as he does well in Western tournament, the ping to KR servers should be good enough too.
This, people like to rip on the USA but its actually a nice place to live if your not poor
which are only 10percent of the people living there OH lol jking
Haha well even if you have a shitty job all you need is a good computer and a bed. Anything on top of that is gravy.
On January 29 2012 02:32 Hulavuta wrote: Sleep gonna have great practice with such fantastic players like Ailuj and HD. I can feel it.
rofl, I see what you did there. I just realized now, but x6 has three personalities on their team o-o
They have maximusblack now, he's a master man, a master! He'll show sleep the ropes
This does make me wonder though. Sleep will be living in america so he won't really be up at the right time to keep practicing with koreans, so he'll be stuck with practicing on NA. But all the best foreigners are already either in korea or practicing at the time koreans do, so who will he actually practice with?
Well my problem isn't that CheckSix has "personalities" on their team, but more the fact that their players don't seem to be.....consistent in their player choices. For example, having both diamonds/low-masters and a top player like Sleep, or even Major, just seems a bit odd...
Didn't mean to point out only Ailuj and HD, but they're really the only ones I know.
On January 29 2012 03:12 Hulavuta wrote: Well my problem isn't that CheckSix has "personalities" on their team, but more the fact that their players don't seem to be.....consistent in their player choices. For example, having both diamonds/low-masters and a top player like Sleep, or even Major, just seems a bit odd...
Didn't mean to point out only Ailuj and HD, but they're really the only ones I know.
If you're truly curious, all you have to do is look into the team and you will see most comments about the team are completely unfounded. Yes, we have Ailuj and MaximusBlack..and are proud to have them. But we also have Ver, ThisIsJimmy Suppy, Mystik, Mkengyn, Major, Sleep and others that we are incredibly proud to have. Look at Mystik's MLG record and who he's beaten then come back and comment. In the end, we will continue to bring great, consistent results and try to do some great community stuff in the process and we're proud to have Sleep on to help.
On January 28 2012 12:01 karis wrote: isnt this going to be expensive? fiirst you have to pay for travel costs then you have to pay for basically a semi-permanent translater because im pretty sure sleep doesnt speak english. am I missing something here because its hard for me to see how this is going to make sense from a buisness standpoint.
I've been helping him regarding translations as of late. Most translators don't get paid unless it's something intense (event, contract negotiations, official paperwork, etc). But yes, living costs & airfare is probably going to be a lot, but if Sleep can pull it off in the foreign scene, it'll be a good cost/benefit scenario.
okay thanks. I never really understood how adding korean players worked for foreign teams with regard to these things. good luck, I think he's a really good player with a lot of potential.
On January 29 2012 03:12 Hulavuta wrote: Well my problem isn't that CheckSix has "personalities" on their team, but more the fact that their players don't seem to be.....consistent in their player choices. For example, having both diamonds/low-masters and a top player like Sleep, or even Major, just seems a bit odd...
Didn't mean to point out only Ailuj and HD, but they're really the only ones I know.
There's Painuser. I would say that he is probably past his prime as a progamer by now, as I have not heard from him competitively for a while.
I think Sleep could really help the team out though, in terms of practice and tournament wins. Congrats
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
In some countries, botulism poisoning a leading cause of death. In the west, some women inject the bacterium into their foreheads. Thousands of years ago, you were considered to have good genes if you could sparingly use your energy/store fat. Nowadays exercise can help attract a mate and help you breed. If your ancestors saw you exercising, they'd probably be very very shocked as, to them, that would be one of the most idiotic things you could be doing.
When you consider these other scenarios, you'd think that top foreign players dream of going/going to korea for training while some korean players come to the West is actually one of the smaller anomalies of the world. Just sit back and watch because, in the end, everyone is just doing what makes them happy.
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
In some countries, botulism poisoning a leading cause of death. In the west, some women inject the bacterium into their foreheads. Thousands of years ago, you were considered to have good genes if you could sparingly use your energy/store fat. Nowadays exercise can help attract a mate and help you breed. If your ancestors saw you exercising, they'd probably be very very shocked as, to them, that would be one of the most idiotic things you could be doing.
When you consider these other scenarios, you'd think that top foreign players dream of going/going to korea for training while some korean players come to the West is actually one of the smaller anomalies of the world. Just sit back and watch because, in the end, everyone is just doing what makes them happy.
On January 28 2012 01:09 Jedclark wrote: I can't comprehend the thought process that made him leave SlayerS to join Checksix. Checksix are a decent team, don't get me wrong, but to leave SLAYERS?
In some countries, botulism poisoning a leading cause of death. In the west, some women inject the bacterium into their foreheads. Thousands of years ago, you were considered to have good genes if you could sparingly use your energy/store fat. Nowadays exercise can help attract a mate and help you breed. If your ancestors saw you exercising, they'd probably be very very shocked as, to them, that would be one of the most idiotic things you could be doing.
When you consider these other scenarios, you'd think that top foreign players dream of going/going to korea for training while some korean players come to the West is actually one of the smaller anomalies of the world. Just sit back and watch because, in the end, everyone is just doing what makes them happy.