Today we are sad to announce that SeleCT has announced his retirement in Starcraft II and will instead move on to pursue other eSport interests. SeleCT is looking to move to DOTA 2 and also is willing to make appearances as a Starcraft II pundit and translator at events. SeleCT joined us just over two years ago and we have been delighted to work with him during that time, SeleCT is a model professional and we wish him luck with his new endeavours.
SeleCT had this to say regarding his situation;
I finished high school in USA, and I was waiting for my Greencard to go to college. However, I heard sc2 open beta is out and I tried it. When I first played sc2, I was so captured by the game. The game was so smooth and fast as a RTS game. The more I play, the more I fell into the game. It was something different to other RTS games. That’s how I started sc2 competitively.
I have won quite a lot of online tournaments, and got great result on offline tournaments. When all the people cheer for you and scream your name when you are at the stage, the feeling could not be explained by word. I gained big motivation from it and it was what made me keep trying hard.
Recently, I feel that I am too old to play RTS games anymore as you get slower as you get older. Also so many young people who are fast are trying harder than me and practicing very systematically in their team house in Korea. I feel that it is very hard for me to catch up without living and practicing in Korea. So I have decided to quit sc2 and move on to some other.
I am only quitting sc2, which means I am not retiring as a gamer I love my life being a pro-gamer. I am actually thinking to switch back to Dota. I actually played Dota competitively before I start sc2. Back in dota 1, my team was one of the best NA team at some point. I am not sure how successful I will be as a dota player but I believe in myself.
I would like to do some pundit work and translating at events. I don’t know how awkward it will be but haha… don’t be so surprised hehe because I am such a handsome nerd that’s how you guys called me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Please keep the loves on me! I will pay you back with good and fun stuff and please cheer me up in dota 2 scene as well
Always big thanks to team-dignitas. Always big love to my fans who cheers for me
My fondest memory of SeleCT is him absolutely fucking demolishing Alicia in Code A in what to this day is still one of the most one sided foreigner vs Korean beatdowns of all time.
Good luck, probably good to see some of the old guard who've performed at a pretty low standard move on. The game needs fresh meat to keep it interesting and the last time I paid attention to Select was MLG Dallas 2011.
I think this isn't related to SC2 falling no matter how much people like to see a connection. SeleCT has fallen off the radar for like a year now. SC2 has been out for a while now it's only logical that some people will retire.
Look at how much new talent has risen since SeleCT's prime.
If there is any game that I would want any progamer to switch to it would be Dota 2, a really fun game that everyone should try out. I've found the initial learning experience to be quite enjoyable, positively riveting. It's a free game too, so there shouldn't any excuse for not trying it.
I have loved watching select play SC2, for a long time, and i will miss this allot, But i can agree with his reasonings and from watching catz, megumi etc, play dota wit him, select is boss mode at it allready, so i hope hell stream it for us ^.^
lol, I'm sad that Select quit, but I'm even more sad that pro players are switching to DOTA type games. I really hope that SC2 lasts a long time... can't stand those games. I've tried numerous times to get into them.
On October 24 2012 21:49 Creager wrote: Wow, actually SeleCT always has been a player I constantly heard of and liked to watch playing, regardless of his results.
Best NA (Kr) terran! Hope he will stay close with the sc guys so we can maybe see him on somewhere in sc scene too! Best of luck to him in the right MOBA game.
Going luck SeleCt. I hope you started building relations way before making the swiitch, because Dota is kind of an old school club when it come to their professionnal players. It can be hard to get a team.
Sad. I really enjoyed watching him play at Assembly and he was one of my favorite Terran player but I understand why some players are switching to LoL and Dota 2, SC2 not doing too well atm. Hope you still keep streaming and using your twitter! gl SeleCT!
Select has been one of my favorite players for a long time, sad to see him quit sc2. It should be great fun to watch him translating interviews though! GL Select!
On October 24 2012 21:55 Noocta wrote: Going luck SeleCt. I hope you started building relations way before making the swiitch, because Dota is kind of an old school club when it come to their professionnal players. It can be hard to get a team.
I was actually thinking Select might be moving to dota 2 soon because I saw him playing with the Dignitas squad on aui2000's stream. So he does have a little bit of an in there.
It's sad to see people retire but I feel its just the time for a lot of this. With the end of the year/end of the expansion I would imagine a lot of people are reviewing what they want to do in the future more than they would at other times.
Ah, Select was really the one of the first Terrans I really enjoyed watching. It was always interesting to know he had such a strong dawn of war backround, because that was a very popular lan game for me in college.
I also won't forget him in the TSL3 qualifiers, and his good finishes at MLG's.
You were a lot of fun to watch, I hope you can do well in DoTA!
Remember that you will always be a part of the StarCraft2 community! With translator and/or pundit work you will still be active in the scene and that matters Good luck at playing DotA2!
On October 24 2012 21:55 Noocta wrote: Going luck SeleCt. I hope you started building relations way before making the swiitch, because Dota is kind of an old school club when it come to their professionnal players. It can be hard to get a team.
As an old school semi pro competitive player myself, and one who frequently played with and against SeleCT many moons ago, he will have no problem getting himself on a team. Everyone still knows him.
P.S. He loves to rice, rice, rice...and of course his Chen is way legit.
Will probably not hear about him anymore, seeing as how I disabled DotA stuff on TL but best of luck to you, SeleCT. You were always one of my favorite Terrans and I will 2Rax a lotlotlot the next few weeks/month in your honor!
Also so many young people who are fast are trying harder than me and practicing very systematically in their team house in Korea. I feel that it is very hard for me to catch up without living and practicing in Korea. So I have decided to quit sc2 and move on to some other.
Sounds like 10 years ago in BW More or less foreign scene will be reduced by at least 50%, then exponentially thereafter.
omg no Select was one of my favorite terrans. I still remember watching is dominate streak at an mlg only to come second to idra ;( Thanks for the fond memories. Wish you luck in dota2
awww..... he was my favorite Terran player for so long. I learned a lot of cool and fun stuff from him. That really sucks. But GL to you select, I play dota 2 aswell so lets play together haha.
Good luck Select, I'm happy I got to meet you last year at MLG Columbus and I will keep cheering for you even though you're switching to a game I don't follow.
Before I was truly into the game (perhaps in Janurary '11), I watched a game with some friends of Select in a TvZ. His drop harrassment, hitting two places at once and picking up, killing drones but losing nothing, is the reason I decided I wanted play Terran.
I wish him the best of luck, and I'll follow him in DotA 2 as well.
I always liked Select, especially back in 2010 and early 2011 where I could emulate his terran strategies fairly well allowing me to only worry about protoss and zerg strategies (I played random) :-). I think it's really nice that he's got some sense of reality and decides to retire instead of lingering around too long wasting time.
Good luck! I remember way back when Blizzard released the top 200, way before Master or Grandmaster. I would always get a big bang out of seeing you at the top of the list EVERY TIME.
He played pretty well yesterday during that IH as Chen, so I'd not be surprised if he managed to get into a pro dota team soon Best of luck to you, SeleCT.
Ohh that's too bad,i remember select being one of the first terran i've ever watched replays of... Gl in the future,and if he's still around to translate sc2 stuff its awesome :D
His micro-intensive skill might be more suited to DOTA2 than SC2 anyway. I hope he has a great career in whatever games he chose. I always liked his friendly attitude.
It was always kind of hard to root for SeleCT. Even though he played from America it felt like this was the first time foreigners had a chance at StarCraft, so why root for another Korean?
But SeleCT was always a class act. I don't think I ever heard of there being any problems involving him. He certainly made a good rival for IdrA too, back when they were basically fighting for the title of best American player.
It's a shame to see him go. Hopefully he will continue to be successful at Dota2.
But who will 2Rax IdrA now everytime they meet on ladder? Gl man in DotA.
On October 24 2012 22:51 CrtBalorda wrote: He probabbly switched to dota 2 because he wouldnt get a position as a translator in starcraft 2 if he switched to LoL.
Totally.
Dude, if you played DotA on a super high level then playing LoL just doesn't cut it.
On October 24 2012 23:19 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: Made the right choice to switch to dota 2. Good stuff and good luck... stay away from the dying sc2
SC2's viewership to me looks like it's been the same as it's always been. Big tournies get anywhere from 20-100k, and streamers get anywhere from 1-10k. Just because League has much more doesn't mean SC2 has to as well. SC2 is too complex for today's casuals to learn. Sadly, games with complexity and depth like SC2 are becoming a niche as easy games like League and Call of Duty become more popular. That's why SC2 has become about as big as it's gonna get and it'll probably stay that way, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
J/K, he's always been one of my favorite players, one I definitely didn't egt to see enough of. Hopefully we'll see him in the DotA 2 scene, i'll certainly be cheering for him then.
Select was my favorite gamer for a long time, watching him at early MLGs made me more excited about SC2 than damn near anything else. I watched his vods vs protoss for ages, trying to emulate his 2-pronged medivac attack + 5 units up the front (I could never match his octopus arms though). Sad to see him go, but glad he found a fun alternative.
SeleCT one of those hall mark sc2 players for me, I remember him marine rushing on lost temple waaay ine the beginning of sc2. It looked so smooth and powerful, dem memories p_p. anyways, good luck to you man!!
God damnit first Jinro now SeleCT, two of my favorite terrans I asked him on his stream just a few weeks ago and he was telling me what tournaments he'd be going to in the near future. Oh well, gg SeleCT and best of luck in Dota!
I always liked SeleCT as a player but that statement gave me a quitter-vibe. Sure he admits he cannot compete with the top koreans but first he talks about getting too old for RTS games and then starting pro-Dota, I don't like it. How is Dota gonna be any different if he already said the practice regime was the problem?
Sour taste aside, GL with whatever you decide to do. Finishing college sounds smart to me.
I guess 2 years in, Im not surprised some of the older players are retiring, though this is sad . GL select, just make sure to spam ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ no matter what game you play :D
That was expected. Starcraft is way too competitive for the average foreigner to ever achieve something remotely significant. Dota is better suited to him, so good move.
On October 24 2012 23:19 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: Made the right choice to switch to dota 2. Good stuff and good luck... stay away from the dying sc2
SC2's viewership to me looks like it's been the same as it's always been. Big tournies get anywhere from 20-100k, and streamers get anywhere from 1-10k. Just because League has much more doesn't mean SC2 has to as well. SC2 is too complex for today's casuals to learn. Sadly, games with complexity and depth like SC2 are becoming a niche as easy games like League and Call of Duty become more popular. That's why SC2 has become about as big as it's gonna get and it'll probably stay that way, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
What's so complex and deep about deathballs mowing each other down? People are quitting SC2 because it lacks complexity and depth, and most of all, it isn't fun. Also, fun doesn't mean easy, look at Brood War, it was one of the most fun games ever, need I say more?
On October 24 2012 23:19 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: Made the right choice to switch to dota 2. Good stuff and good luck... stay away from the dying sc2
SC2's viewership to me looks like it's been the same as it's always been. Big tournies get anywhere from 20-100k, and streamers get anywhere from 1-10k. Just because League has much more doesn't mean SC2 has to as well. SC2 is too complex for today's casuals to learn. Sadly, games with complexity and depth like SC2 are becoming a niche as easy games like League and Call of Duty become more popular. That's why SC2 has become about as big as it's gonna get and it'll probably stay that way, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
What's so complex and deep about deathballs mowing each other down? People are quitting SC2 because it lacks complexity and depth, and most of all, it isn't fun. Also, fun doesn't mean easy, look at Brood War, it was one of the most fun games ever, need I say more?
With the exception of a few Koreans, most of the players that are quitting are doing to because they are at best average and usually mediocre at the game.
Are you sure you didn't retire because of that twitter dispute with IdrA? ... In all seriousness though, a second place and a third place at MLG along with a first place at NA Battle.net Invitational 2011 and several trillion online cup wins is nothing to be ashamed of. Best of luck with DotA2!
On October 25 2012 00:01 Al Bundy wrote: That was expected. Starcraft is way too competitive for the average foreigner to ever achieve something remotely significant. Dota is better suited to him, so good move.
Good news! Korea is dominating LoL, China is dominating Dota . SelecT should have no problems
On October 24 2012 23:56 Roachu wrote: I always liked SeleCT as a player but that statement gave me a quitter-vibe. Sure he admits he cannot compete with the top koreans but first he talks about getting too old for RTS games and then starting pro-Dota, I don't like it. How is Dota gonna be any different if he already said the practice regime was the problem?
Sour taste aside, GL with whatever you decide to do. Finishing college sounds smart to me.
Dota 2 is way less mechanically/multitasking oriented.. You got a quitter-vibe because he is fact, quitting the game of sc2.
oh my god im really sad, select was always one of my favorite players, and i learned so much about the game watching his reps. Cloack banshe tvt, 3rax and 2 rax tvp Good Luck and Have Fun SeleCT <3
On October 25 2012 00:01 Al Bundy wrote: That was expected. Starcraft is way too competitive for the average foreigner to ever achieve something remotely significant. Dota is better suited to him, so good move.
Good news! Korea is dominating LoL, China is dominating Dota . SelecT should have no problems
This is irrelevant. What I meant is that Dota is better suited to Select because it is less competitive than starcraft.
That's awesome to hear select, you're defintely a prominent player annd i personally now can't wait to see you duke it out with whatever may be your favorite heroes in this remarkable game :D. Welcome to the future
<3 Looking forward to seeing you on a Dota stream soon, Select. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and thanks for being an awesome community figure in SC2. Carry that wherever you go.
So sad to see SeleCT retiring from the game that he played so well... I am rejoiced by the fact that he will be staying in the eSports scene for the time being. Good luck and have fun SeleCT!
he did well, its good to leave on a high note. he knew he could compete with the best. he had fucking crazy apm too. i think he just likes to prove he can hang with the best then his motivation isn't there. lots of super competitive people are like this.
Not nearly as surprising as I thought. I remember a few months ago thinking "does select even play this game anymore" bc you would never see him in any tournaments, even though he generally posted good results. I hate that he blames age as the reason for quitting (24 is not old I'm sorry), not to mention he is 5-0 in his NASL group right now. There are plenty of players his age or higher who are doing just fine in sc2 (look at how sick ViBe is right now he's like 25). Yes there will be younger players on the rise that's how all sports work it doesn't mean you can't beat them with hard work and dedication. I wish him the best in Dota2 though. Whatever makes one happy is what they should do.
Incidentally, I wonder whether the "you get slower as you get older theory" is really true. I tend to think it's not:
Concert pianists aren't at their best until their early 30s at the earliest and the best blitz chess player in the world is now 42.
Spatial intelligence is generally thought to top out when you're in your late 20s.
I feel like the general lack of older programers is more attributable to the fact that as people age they realize they need to make more money than an e-sports career can provide than it is to a declince in "speed". The actual number of people trying to make a go at e-sports past age 25 is incredibly small relative to the large number of young pro-gamers. As a result, it's not surprising that few of them are at the top of the heap since there were so few of them to begin with.
The talent pool for people breaking into e-sports is also mostly adolescents and teenagers, because they are the ones who can dedicate 5+ hours a day to a game since they're only in junior high and high school.
Even if you go a little farther afield into more traditional sports, I struggle to think of any sport where the participants don't top in their mid to late 20s, rather than at 21, other than gymnasts.
I always liked watching Select's games even though they made me frustrated as a Protoss player. Good luck in the future and I hope to see you at some events.
obligatory sup son, and thanks for the memories at MLG anaheims and watching you online. definitely one of the originals of sc2 esports and best wishes in dota2. hit me up if you wanna play some team queues! haha
At least he's still involved in the e sports community, I think that's what matters. Doesn't matter what game it is. Looking forward to your games, Select.
Select is such an incredible player and so fun to watch. As he switches over to Dota i'll definitely watch him when he plays. Really glad to see him staying in the scene! BEst of luck in your future Select. GL HF!
Anyone know if this means he's forfeiting his NASL results? He's doing so well in his group...
Also, to those who are saying he's a quitter and thinks he won't fair well in dota 2: 1) His statement was HONEST. He FEELS that his age is making him less competitive. I would feel that way too, to be honest, simply because the younger generation have been playing these kinds of fast finger games since they were 12. I don't think SeleCT was saying that he COULDN'T EVER compete with them (evidence: NASL), but he was just saying that he knows the sheer amount and TYPE of practice required was NOT what he wants for his life and pro-gaming career.
2) Dota is a COMPLETELY different game and functionally tests a different part of the brain than SC2. RTS games are all about multi-tasking. Dota and "MOBA" or "ARTS" games are about micro-ing. RTS also has micro, but, as we've seen, the most consistent and best players are those who can multi-task well. Because SeleCT has incredible micro (but not the best multi-tasking/macro while micro), I think he'll be great at Dota.
3) Just because he has difficulty maintaining a good practice schedule for SC2 does not mean he will also have a difficult time doing a strong practice schedule with Dota. Again, because it works different muscles, perhaps Dota is less taxing for him to practice. I know for me, this is personally true--it is FAR easier for me to play 10 games of Dota than 10 games of SC2. The games are really different, and to me, it makes sense.
Anyway, seriously... anyone know anything about his NASL stuff?
On October 25 2012 01:46 Herry wrote: Seems like history is repeating itself. It's just like the BW scene all over again.
well ya, like BW Sc2 will one day die as well, it prolly be 5-6 years before that happens to SC2 though. This goes for Lol and Dota as well I might add
The only player among my favorites who wasn't a BW pro.
Thanks for the memories Select. I became forever your fan in that amazing loser's bracket run, when I had an exam the following day but just kept on watching you demolish people one after another with your amazing micro. Best of luck in DOTA 2 (a game I equally enjoy!).
It's a real shame, and it comes at a really odd time a he's tearing through his division in NASL. But, in some way it's not surprising, only the timing itself is. Select is the consummate pro-gamer, he's not about a specific game, he's about competing as a gamer with whatever he feels like/can succeed in. Good luck in DOTA!
At one point Select was really one of my favorite terran to watch, he was one of the best in NA and he had a very nice play style. It is very sad to see him leave Sc2, but I wish him good luck in his new career!
Sad. First player I was a true fan of after watching his MLG run through the loser's bracket where he played an entire Saturday then a bunch on Sunday and made it to the finals against Idra. Remember being sad when he lost haha.
Sad for my starcraft side in me but awesome for my dota side, god how I missed watching him play it especially with team AZN. As long as I get to watch this gosu play I'm happy.
Whatever makes you happy Select! Sad to see you leave, you were always one of my favorite SC2 players and I loved looking forward to your interviews with HotBid/Rachael. GL in Dota 2.
really sucks he's leaving. select has been here from the start even going back to that first mlg i believe. anyways im sure he will be great at dota2 he was good in dota1 apparently and also was a dawn of war chapmion. seem he can succeed at any game he puts his mind too. best of luck to you select.
Like Select, I've switched to Dota2 too. Great game switch, Select. There's so much more life in Dota2 at the moment that it doesn't surprise me at all that Select chose Dota2.
On October 25 2012 03:12 sorrowptoss wrote: Like Select, I've switched to Dota2 too. Great game switch, Select. There's so much more life in Dota2 at the moment that it doesn't surprise me at all that Select chose Dota2.
what do you mean more life? dota2 has, when TI isnt on, leagues that last months that end in a 10,000 prize pool, so like 5k for first, split between 5 people (maybe more) theres no money at all in dota2
I had a feeling this was coming and after reading about select's dota career. I am very sad to see him go because I was probably the biggest select fanboy around but I will still support him in Dota 2. Good luck Select and ty for your great games in sc2!
Best of luck ;D, Now you can start a dota 2 team with Puzzle, Min, Coca and SC!! O wait they play LoL.... lets start a dota 2 team u and me dude, I graduate from college in a semester :D:D so I guess u can play LoL with them until then ...
But seriously, hope to see you around in the scene and enjoy urself some dota.
At least one of his reasons was that so many younger motivated players are making the scene very strong, and he will continue to do what he loves. This announcement isnt really bad news.
SeleCT was the first "NA" player who really entranced me and showed how even people raised in the NA scene could stand up to Koreans. Hope for the best for him in the DoTA 2.
P.S. What happens to NASL? Is he dropped or will he continue until the group stages end?
On October 25 2012 01:46 Herry wrote: Seems like history is repeating itself. It's just like the BW scene all over again.
well ya, like BW Sc2 will one day die as well, it prolly be 5-6 years before that happens to SC2 though. This goes for Lol and Dota as well I might add
Dota has been around for a very very long time. And unlike SC2 which is a worse port of SCBW (imo) Dota 2 is staying true to its roots and is still doing well even after all these years. Yes, perhaps it might die one day but the fact that it has always had a core community who has been playing the game for 8+ years speaks volumes.
Cant say much for LoL even though care not a whiff for it.
a very nice player, he wasnt very active and on the spot in the last time but I still loved to see him playing cause his playstile was pretty impressive, same as Jinro
Jinro & SeleCT - two commanders of the Terran forces down.. and the Supreme commander of mankind MVP himself has neck/back & hands mortally injured.
At this rate we need to plug MVP into golden throne chair for 10,000 years to fight the swarm with his mind to give Terrans last hope for survival.
While 20 Terran Primearchs are selected to lead the fight against MVP's enemies & protect the golden throne, in hopes of someday him waking up, fully healed & recovered to lead the Terran forces once more.
From these 20 Terran Primearchs, 5 are selected to form an council. 1 to represent each region of the galaxy & the legions under them.
One of your games 2 years ago was the reason I started playing starcraft, been a fan since and I will try to follow you the best I can in dota2, good luck!
One of my favorite players in SC2... Very sad day indeed. =( Sadly I can't stand MOBA games, so not gonna follow him in Dota2. Anyway, good luck SeleCT and thanks for all those great SC2 games and streams. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Dude looking at how good you are in SC2 I'm sure you will do great in Dota. You have more than enough apm (like 10 fold, jesus you are fast) and you are a great strategist. Just going to have to work with your team!
Good Luck in all your endeavors and thank you for the great moments.
On October 24 2012 21:13 ThomasjServo wrote: Truly the end of an era.
You might be sensational, but this is definitely indicative of a time that has past in SC2. Select was around through all versions of shakuras plateau for petes sake
It was the right decision, I felt the same way when I saw Life a 15-year old winning GSL. I wish him all the best in life and may he find an occupation which he enjoys to do.
On October 24 2012 21:15 RPR_Tempest wrote: My fondest memory of SeleCT is him absolutely fucking demolishing Alicia in Code A in what to this day is still one of the most one sided foreigner vs Korean beatdowns of all time.
same here, those were some amazing games from SeleCT. Good luck with Dota SeleCT!!
When I first got into the sc2 scene, SeleCT was one of those big names always floating around. A lot of those power players from the original days seem to be fading; its sad.
I hope SeleCT can succeed in dota 2. A lot of players leaving starcraft seem to be leaving for the moba genre. My speculation is that it would be better to play on a moba team because there would be less pressure on you as an individual, since you have your teammates there to support you if you're having a bad game.
A sad day for Starcraft and a great one for DOTA. SeleCT was one of my preliminary favorites when it came to watching streams and tournaments not only because of his play but he was a really nice personality in the scene. I remember watching him in MLG and NASL several times against IdrA, it became one of my favorite rivalries. Best of wishes to him.
Great news for select, and I respect his decision for moving to another game. I think it is a wise decision to be moving away from Blizzard games in general for pro players who are not at the tip top of the world in Sc2 right now. I hope he is successful.
Also, this is proof for any of you doubters (looking at you inside the game crew lol) that age affects RTS play quality. If Select says that his hands are getting slower as he gets older, then who are you to say he is full of shit?
On October 24 2012 21:12 dignitas.ToH1o wrote: Recently, I feel that I am too old to play RTS games anymore as you get slower as you get older. Also so many young people who are fast are trying harder than me and practicing very systematically in their team house in Korea. I feel that it is very hard for me to catch up without living and practicing in Korea. So I have decided to quit sc2 and move on to some other.
This is a total cop-out, if you ask me. It's his life, though, and he should live it how he wants to. Good luck in Dota 2.
On October 25 2012 06:36 ishyishy wrote: Also, this is proof for any of you doubters (looking at you inside the game crew lol) that age affects RTS play quality. If Select says that his hands are getting slower as he gets older, then who are you to say he is full of shit?
Yeah, and Nestea won GSL being 28 years old by pure luck?
Best of luck to you! By far my favorite terran player since I started following SC2. Really hope he sticks around in the scene and gets a lot of spots to translate.
...Makes me feel old. (I'm only a month older than Select)
On October 25 2012 06:36 ishyishy wrote: Also, this is proof for any of you doubters (looking at you inside the game crew lol) that age affects RTS play quality. If Select says that his hands are getting slower as he gets older, then who are you to say he is full of shit?
Yeah, and Nestea won GSL being 28 years old by pure luck?
The game right now is getting a huge influx of young Koreans from the Kespa teams who are willing to spend 10 hours a day improving themselves, are younger, and are more motivated. Thus, soon, there is going to be a huge Brood War-like gap between foreigners and Koreans, which we've already experienced a bit of so far. Nestea won when the only people were previous foreign BW players and the older generation of BW who retired from that game or weren't the top. Now the market is going to be ridiculously saturated, and SeleCT doesn't think he has the motivation to keep up. It's a valid decision.
He's one of my favourite players even though I don't really see him winning tournaments like I wish he would. I guess he can't be boss at everything, though I hope DotA 2 fairs better for him.
On October 25 2012 06:47 Shakattak wrote: Funny thing is a slow select is way way way faster then most young players I feel like he may have retired fr sc2 from disinterest.
Sad to see you go. I was there when you lost to IdrA in ASUS ROG Stars Invite at Helsinki, Finland. I cheered for you then and I will cheer for you in whatever you choose to do in future. I'm also very glad that you switch to DotA and not to LoL. Best of luck in the future, handsome.
On October 25 2012 06:36 ishyishy wrote: Also, this is proof for any of you doubters (looking at you inside the game crew lol) that age affects RTS play quality. If Select says that his hands are getting slower as he gets older, then who are you to say he is full of shit?
Nestea won multiple GSLs in spite of being closer to 30 than 20 and Boxer was a GSL mainstay before his shoulder injury sidelined him, and he's over 30.
There's some merit to the claim that you slow down once you hit your 40s or something, but guys in their teens and 20s are in their physical prime, and it's silly to think that there's some kind of significant difference between someone who's 16 and someone who's 26.
Don't want to see him leave SC2 but not surprised since he has had lackluster results recently and haven't heard of him for a while. Best of luck in Dota 2.
So so sad to see him leave SC2, was one of my favorite players, so much fun to watch him perfectly control awesome all in's and defenses. I am glad that if he did have to leave for another game, it is DOTA 2 instead of something else, as I watch, play and also love DOTA 2. Best of luck to him, and can't wait to see meepo played at 9000 APM
I really doubt he left SC2 because he was "getting old." Probably got tired of the game and isn't liking where SC2 is headed with HotS. Either way I really enjoyed watching him when I was interested in SC2. GL with DotA 2 I guess.
Good luck in dota! you are one of the main reasons i root for dignitas teams whenever ever i see them play (unless they play eg ) but you were a great player who showed so many great games in the start and i hope you have a ton of fun and success in your future! SELECT FIGHTING!
I started out with "so sad..." but then I realise that this is a good thing as I'm watching more DoTA2 now anyways. Hope to see you play DoTA2 competitively soon Select
On October 25 2012 07:57 Enki wrote: I really doubt he left SC2 because he was "getting old." Probably got tired of the game and isn't liking where SC2 is headed with HotS. Either way I really enjoyed watching him when I was interested in SC2. GL with DotA 2 I guess.
You mean...he got tired of losing all the time and getting trolled by Idra? his last good run was what, early 2011? sometimes the game moves past you, especially when you employed micro intensive strategies to beat people with equally crappy mechanics.
On October 25 2012 09:05 Headnoob wrote: When starcraft gets too hard, you switch games to make easier money.
Makes sense to me, especially when you want to be the very best at something in your career at least once.
DotA 2 isn't easier money, at least not yet. The top teams are extremely good, and there's not much money in amateur tournaments or anything. In fact SC2 is probably easier to make money in general for a pro player, even someone who's falling behind like Select.
If he wanted easier money he would have gone to LoL. So I doubt his decision had anything to do with that.
Wow, this is a pretty big hit. SeleCT has been a "household name", if you will, in the sc2 scene since the beginning.
I have to say I've always been a fan of SeleCT, I've watched his stream and studied his play. I remember adebisi did a youtube video about SeleCT's fast medivacs build in TvP, where he does a quick command center and produces off of only 2 barracks while quick teching to medivacs. It was brilliant stuff, he took advantage of the toss player's inability to deal with drops in 2 places at once without colossi.
He really taught me a lot about the game. He honestly was an innovator for the terran race.
My favorite memory in sc2 was actually getting to play against SeleCT on ladder once. I remember the enormous rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins in the moments following the appearance of his name on the pre-game screen. I thrive on this adrenaline, and I played the best game I have ever played. I put up the hardest fight, I gave it my all, and I am proud to say I lost a 29 minute TvT with SeleCT.
He's too fast. That's what he should be remembered for, his speed.
To old and slow at 24? You don't get slower as long as you keep yourself in shape and that's not a factor until you are 40. I am 30 and have no problems keeping up with teens and Im not in the best of shape either.
On October 25 2012 10:51 Unidus wrote: To old and slow at 24? You don't get slower as long as you keep yourself in shape and that's not a factor until you are 40. I am 30 and have no problems keeping up with teens and Im not in the best of shape either.
It's not about hand speed in sc2, it's about how fast your brain is.
On October 25 2012 09:05 Headnoob wrote: When starcraft gets too hard, you switch games to make easier money.
Makes sense to me, especially when you want to be the very best at something in your career at least once.
DotA 2 isn't easier money, at least not yet. The top teams are extremely good, and there's not much money in amateur tournaments or anything. In fact SC2 is probably easier to make money in general for a pro player, even someone who's falling behind like Select.
If he wanted easier money he would have gone to LoL. So I doubt his decision had anything to do with that.
Relatively speaking, SeleCT wasn't falling behind. He was and is still one of the best foreigners. I suspect the travesty which is HOTS had a lot to do with him switching and will have a lot to do with other pros thinking to do the same. Might as well jump ship sooner than later if you know you'll want to get out of SC2 once HOTS comes.
On October 25 2012 11:30 mango_destroyer wrote: goodluck select! stream that good shit and we will watch :D
Well good luck to Select, my memory of him was on ladder when he 2raxed for 2-3 games in a row, but i did beat him once. I wish Select the best in the DotA scene and I wish him well in the future.
Going to be really sad missing Select in SC2, he was basically a staple of the foreign scene for a long time. but cool to see him go to DOTA 2, might get me to start playing more if he streams enough :D
After Jinro, another terran leaves the scene… He actually wrote many tweets where he explains how hard it is to be terran nowadays and how much efforts are needed compared to other races… I'm really sad because I was watching his stream very very often, now what are the main terran streams ? EG Thorzain & Demuslim… ?
Sad day for the NA Terrans. You're truly a gifted individual and I hope you continue to pursue your talents in gaming. The level you play SC2 at is terrifying, which should make you the best at any other game
I will continue to keep the loves on you, without a doubt. GL HF
SeleCT has one of the largest impacts on the scene with an attitude and emoticon that will be forever immortalized.
They say that a man dies twice, once when he passes away and once when everyone forgets about him. With that thought, though you're no longer playing SC2, you'll be in the thoughts of your fans till the end.
On October 25 2012 13:51 LastDance wrote: this is so sad. grr i hate mobas so much
It's okay, he is going to play DotA not mobas.
And it doesn't sound like he is quitting SC2 to play DotA but rather that he is going to play DotA due to quitting SC2, if that makes sense at all.
Please stream Select.
But dota is a moba, or did i miss the joke?
i feel like this has something to do with the fearmongering going on in the community. Personally, dota 2 is just not very spectator-friendly to be a true esports like sc2. You can't see much amidst all those flashy spells going off in the teamfights.
Ok this makes me feel a little bit better, the part where he used to play DOTA. So it is less of the rumor that SC is dying and more of the ones who can't go any further switch. Perfectly acceptable imho.
On October 25 2012 13:51 LastDance wrote: this is so sad. grr i hate mobas so much
nothing wrong with dota tbh. its acually highly entertaining when you learn the game. starcraft was exactly the same for me when i didn't know how to play the game it was just boring to watch.
On October 25 2012 13:51 LastDance wrote: this is so sad. grr i hate mobas so much
It's okay, he is going to play DotA not mobas.
And it doesn't sound like he is quitting SC2 to play DotA but rather that he is going to play DotA due to quitting SC2, if that makes sense at all.
Please stream Select.
But dota is a moba, or did i miss the joke?
i feel like this has something to do with the fearmongering going on in the community. Personally, dota 2 is just not very spectator-friendly to be a true esports like sc2. You can't see much amidst all those flashy spells going off in the teamfights.
Moba is just a bad genre name Riot came up with and is trying to market, don't see why rest of the community should be forced to adopt it. Football won't be called soccer outside america anytime soon either.
I didn't enjoy watching DotA to start with either but after putting hours into playing the game it became quite enjoyable to spectate as well. Definitely not friendly to watch from the get go though, but in current world how many people watch games they have never played anyway.
His SC2 skills were good, really interested to see how he does in Dota 2. Never seen him play Dota so not sure but if his Dota skills are anything like his SC2 skills it will be pretty cool. :D
He will definitely be missed. The early aggression with macro behind it is associated with Select. He even took a game off mvp with his marine hellion push while adding add ons and expanding... This is my favorite american terran.
Even though my best memories with Select will always be from the DoW-scene (the game who made me fall in love with RTS) it has still been a pleasure following Select in the Sc2-scene aswell. No more fleet of foot, no more chaos lords, no more Thors and no more Medivac-drops. You put on a damn good show though and I enjoyed every minute of it
On October 25 2012 18:39 Elroi wrote: i wonder if this trend is about sc2 declining or about the proleague people making it impossible for other players to win things.
On October 25 2012 14:42 Vaelone wrote: Football won't be called soccer outside america anytime soon either.
From what I understand, the Japanese do call it soccer.
You really that thickheaded? You don't think they would have an actual Japanese word for it?
Uh... lots of Japanese words are derived from words from other languages.
Google translate football English > Japanese
サッカー Sakkā
Sakkä =/= soccer lol. it's the same etymology not the same word.
No shit? People in Spain call it fútbol, but wouldn't you say that they call it football with reference to football/soccer word usage? The point is some guy called someone "thickheaded" for saying something that was true in all but the most hyper-technical sense.
On October 25 2012 18:39 Elroi wrote: i wonder if this trend is about sc2 declining or about the proleague people making it impossible for other players to win things.
On October 25 2012 18:20 Gheed wrote:
On October 25 2012 17:54 Technique wrote:
On October 25 2012 17:20 dabom88 wrote:
On October 25 2012 14:42 Vaelone wrote: Football won't be called soccer outside america anytime soon either.
From what I understand, the Japanese do call it soccer.
You really that thickheaded? You don't think they would have an actual Japanese word for it?
Uh... lots of Japanese words are derived from words from other languages.
Google translate football English > Japanese
サッカー Sakkā
Sakkä =/= soccer lol. it's the same etymology not the same word.
No shit? People in Spain call it fútbol, but wouldn't you say that they call it football with reference to football/soccer word usage? The point is some guy called someone "thickheaded" for saying something that was true in all but the most hyper-technical sense.
On October 25 2012 06:36 ishyishy wrote: Also, this is proof for any of you doubters (looking at you inside the game crew lol) that age affects RTS play quality. If Select says that his hands are getting slower as he gets older, then who are you to say he is full of shit?
Yeah, and Nestea won GSL being 28 years old by pure luck?
The game right now is getting a huge influx of young Koreans from the Kespa teams who are willing to spend 10 hours a day improving themselves, are younger, and are more motivated. Thus, soon, there is going to be a huge Brood War-like gap between foreigners and Koreans, which we've already experienced a bit of so far. Nestea won when the only people were previous foreign BW players and the older generation of BW who retired from that game or weren't the top. Now the market is going to be ridiculously saturated, and SeleCT doesn't think he has the motivation to keep up. It's a valid decision.
He's one of my favourite players even though I don't really see him winning tournaments like I wish he would. I guess he can't be boss at everything, though I hope DotA 2 fairs better for him.
Well speed issue is pretty funny and meaningless if u think about it. Look at F1. It takes a huge amount of reflex and perfect physical condition to drive these cars, yet people in their late 30 drove there succesfully, for example, Michael Schumacher. And we talk about sport where happens stuff like this:
I can only think of lack of motivation as the only reasonable cause that players in their 20s leave professional gaming.
On October 25 2012 18:39 Elroi wrote: i wonder if this trend is about sc2 declining or about the proleague people making it impossible for other players to win things.
On October 25 2012 18:20 Gheed wrote:
On October 25 2012 17:54 Technique wrote:
On October 25 2012 17:20 dabom88 wrote:
On October 25 2012 14:42 Vaelone wrote: Football won't be called soccer outside america anytime soon either.
From what I understand, the Japanese do call it soccer.
You really that thickheaded? You don't think they would have an actual Japanese word for it?
Uh... lots of Japanese words are derived from words from other languages.
Google translate football English > Japanese
サッカー Sakkā
Sakkä =/= soccer lol. it's the same etymology not the same word.
No shit? People in Spain call it fútbol, but wouldn't you say that they call it football with reference to football/soccer word usage? The point is some guy called someone "thickheaded" for saying something that was true in all but the most hyper-technical sense.
What have I done to this thread.
Haha, that was worth reading the whole convo. Talk about derailing a thread.Aren't we supposeed to be focusing on our arguments with him playing Dota or something? xD
On a sidenote, I think the Koreans are probably going to start to regret joining foreign teams soon. If Select is right, they're just going to get behind the ball and fade from the scene.
damn that makes me sad, i copied all my builds from you, i thought u were one of the coolest people in the sc2 scene and cried in joy everytime i saw you stream. GL in dota, i know you are going to be kickass at it.
GLHF SeleCT. You were one of my favorite SC2 players! I'm thinking about switching to Dota2 myself so I guess I have a built-in favorite player already. ^_^
On October 25 2012 19:15 Embir wrote: I can only think of lack of motivation as the only reasonable cause that players in their 20s leave professional gaming.
Just look at White-Ra. That dude is like a hundred years old and still cool, enthusiastic and fast.
A sad day. Select has been one of my favorite Terran's since the beta. I remember downloading his replays and watching his amazing micro skills in awe when I was a noobie.
On October 25 2012 09:05 Headnoob wrote: When starcraft gets too hard, you switch games to make easier money.
Makes sense to me, especially when you want to be the very best at something in your career at least once.
Lmfao, if you think he switched to DotA for money, then that's pretty fucking hilarious.
Maybe i'm wrong, but for what i could see, making money is easier in MOBA scene right now in Korea. In fact, most Sc2 pros are searching foreing teams because they don't earn for a living with the local teams.
On October 25 2012 09:05 Headnoob wrote: When starcraft gets too hard, you switch games to make easier money.
Makes sense to me, especially when you want to be the very best at something in your career at least once.
Lmfao, if you think he switched to DotA for money, then that's pretty fucking hilarious.
Maybe i'm wrong, but for what i could see, making money is easier in MOBA scene right now in Korea. In fact, most Sc2 pros are searching foreing teams because they don't earn for a living with the local teams.
That's true for LoL. But DotA2 is very, very unpopular in Korea. Mainly because they never really played DotA to begin with (they played a korean version named Chaos DotA, which now has an standalone client), and now they play LoL. LoL + Chaos online are 99% of the DotA-like scene in Korea. I don't think he plans to earn any money in DotA2.
On October 29 2012 20:15 shalafi wrote: That's true for LoL. But DotA2 is very, very unpopular in Korea. Mainly because they never really played DotA to begin with (they played a korean version named Chaos DotA, which now has an standalone client), and now they play LoL. LoL + Chaos online are 99% of the DotA-like scene in Korea. I don't think he plans to earn any money in DotA2.
Interesting, thanks for the info. I'm also sad about this, but more others will come to SC2. GL to SelecT there where he goes.