EPT
Perhaps it's just language barrier trouble, and maybe it's just that MLG felt more comfortable being specific while KeSPA wanted to remain cautious. In any case, it seemed like it was worth a thought or two.
Translation of the KeSPA announce: http://pgr21.com/zboard4/zboard.php?id=free2&page=1&sn1=&divpage=8&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=47036
The Korean E-Sports Association, Major League Gaming, and the International Esports Group announced on May 11th a MOU []Memorandum of Understanding partnership between the three parties.
Founded in 2002, the New York based MLG runs some of the most competitive eSports tournaments in the world, and provides live streaming services to over approximately 170 countries around the world.
This MOU with MLG will be the first step for Korean pro-gamers to compete more actively on the international stage, and some of the best Korean pro-gamers will participate at MLG Spring Championship in Anaheim between June 8th and June 10th and play in Starcraft II matches.
KeSPA's Oh Gyung Shik said “Through this MOU with MLG which will help globalize eSports, we will actively work together in the future and do our best to make Korean esports the next wave of influential Korean culture in the world.”
MLG's Sundance said “I am thrilled to cooperate with the most authoritative eSports league in the world, and I believe our partnership will help the continued growth and progress of eSports culture.”
The three companies will work towards making a detailed plan for globalized eSports leagues, and provide services so that more regions will be able to enjoy esports though a variety of mediums.
MLG Announce
New York – May 11, 2012 –Major League Gaming (MLG), the world’s largest competitive video game league, and the Korean eSports Association (KeSPA), announced today an exclusive multi-year global partnership that will bridge the Western and Korean StarCraft worlds. As part of the collaboration, KeSPA players will compete in MLG events—marking the first time in eSports history that KeSPA players will participate in video game tournaments in the United States.
The partnership will kick off at the MLG Spring Championship in Anaheim, CA on Saturday, June 9 at 9pm PT, when KeSPA Pro players will compete in a StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty exhibition tournament. Participants will be selected from the top KeSPA teams; the players will be announced in the coming weeks. Spectator Passes for the event are now available online. For those not attending in person, the expo match and the entire Spring Championship will be broadcast LIVE online via HD streams at www.majorleaguegaming.com.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the most prestigious eSports league in the world, and feel our partnership will forever change competitive gaming,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO of Major League Gaming. “KeSPA has long been a true leader in this industry and has been instrumental in its success, and this is just the beginning of our work together. We look forward to continued growth and expansion in the years to come.”
“We are pleased to join with MLG to bring the best players in the world to the international stage,” said Lee Young Hee, President of KeSPA. “Together, KeSPA and MLG are building the global future of our sport.”
The Spring Championship on June 8-10 is expected to be the largest Pro Circuit competition in the ten-year history of MLG. Thousands of fans will descend upon the Anaheim Convention Center, and millions more will watch online as the world’s best players compete. Spectator Passes are now available.
The partnership will kick off at the MLG Spring Championship in Anaheim, CA on Saturday, June 9 at 9pm PT, when KeSPA Pro players will compete in a StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty exhibition tournament. Participants will be selected from the top KeSPA teams; the players will be announced in the coming weeks. Spectator Passes for the event are now available online. For those not attending in person, the expo match and the entire Spring Championship will be broadcast LIVE online via HD streams at www.majorleaguegaming.com.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the most prestigious eSports league in the world, and feel our partnership will forever change competitive gaming,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO of Major League Gaming. “KeSPA has long been a true leader in this industry and has been instrumental in its success, and this is just the beginning of our work together. We look forward to continued growth and expansion in the years to come.”
“We are pleased to join with MLG to bring the best players in the world to the international stage,” said Lee Young Hee, President of KeSPA. “Together, KeSPA and MLG are building the global future of our sport.”
The Spring Championship on June 8-10 is expected to be the largest Pro Circuit competition in the ten-year history of MLG. Thousands of fans will descend upon the Anaheim Convention Center, and millions more will watch online as the world’s best players compete. Spectator Passes are now available.
