iG.Jim disqualified from IEM - Jim and MacSed possibly fai…

On July 25 2013 19:37 LefaLefa wrote:

And you can get a visa with a reason that you might be coming to play some computer game if you first clear preliminary stage for the tournament. Yeah, I also think that it's that easy to get a visa, especially if you are a Chinese.

And no, you aren't getting the 2nd place if Blizzard has any part of their brains still working. It's the same situation as with Violet last season. Seriously this post is just stupid and a kind of disgusting.

On July 26 2013 18:36 Orlandu wrote:
Finally, I just want to point out that plenty of Chinese that DON'T have family in the U.S. have no trouble traveling there for short times, even for work. There are a lot of factors involved, but the most important ones are that you can show you have money and/or a stable job, and that you have a reason to return to China. If you give them any reason to question those things, or if you're unclear about what exactly your purpose is, don't be surprised if you get denied. It's unfortunate, but consider all of the factors at play before you get too up into arms over the issue.

On July 27 2013 00:05 baubo wrote:


Ah, good ole American Xenophobia. Isn't this the reason why we're building higher border fences at the Mexican border and trying to weed out any illegal immigrant hoping to clean our restrooms and pick our fruits?

It's the American way to look at a teenage kid, not even old enough to smoke or drink legally, asking to work in the US for a weekend tournament, and think, "Hmm... do I want to risk this kid staying in the US long term, playing SC2, and taking the jobs of hard working American SC2 players? I mean, I know that he can't actually get his tournament winnings without having a valid visa and all that, so there shouldn't be any reason why he would stay in the US beyond the tournament... But ya never know! Can't take the chance! I mean look at him. He looks nervous. I bet he has something to hide. Nevermind he's 16 and probably doesn't talk to a lot of Americans in his everyday life. He's probably trying to weasel his way into the glory land that is the USA and spend the rest of his life there washing dishes and busing tables."

Visa Rejected!

On July 26 2013 21:43 Plansix wrote:

There are like 15 pages in this thread explaining why that is not possible for Blizzard unless they want to employ every player in SC2. And there was nothing wrong with the invitation from Blizzard. Blizzard had NOTHING to do with this.

On July 26 2013 22:16 Fischbacher wrote:

I'm getting tired of posting this, but here goes nothing: the visa Riot is getting for LoL players is a work visa that allows athletes to work (play) for an American-based organization. It works for Riot since all the LCS teams are essentially employed by Riot and stay in the US for months at a time.

This kind of visa would only work for Blizzard if 1. they wanted to start paying all the player's salaries and 2. wanted all the players in WCS AM to live in the US permanently. It has nothing to do with Jim not being able to get a visa.

On July 27 2013 02:04 dacimvrl wrote:


I'm sorry, this is obviously and completely wrong lol.. 1. you don't need to pay all the players' salaries, and 2, you don't need to have the players in WCS AM to live in the US permanently lol

Supporting Documents
The Form I-129 must include the following documents:

A written consultation from an appropriate labor organization
A copy of the contract with a major U.S. sports league or team or a contract in an individual sport commensurate with international recognition in the sport, if such contracts are normally utilized in the sport
An explanation of the event and itinerary

Documentation of at least two of the following:
Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major United States sports league
Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in international competition with a national team
Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition
A written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or an official of the governing body of the sport which details how you or your team is internationally recognized
A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport which details how you or your team is internationally recognized
Evidence that you or your team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings
Evidence that you or your team has received a significant honor or award in the sport

On July 27 2013 01:59 dacimvrl wrote:


straight from the article:
"And most unfortunately, because Blizzard's invitation letter problem, the Visa was denied. "
"And most unfortunately, because Blizzard's invitation letter problem, the Visa was denied. "
"And most unfortunately, because Blizzard's invitation letter problem, the Visa was denied. "

And how is it not possible for Blizzard to do the same? Riot sponsors every team, so why can't Blizzard sponsor the professional teams as well?

On July 26 2013 18:36 Orlandu wrote:
I had refrained from posting in this thread because I assumed most people already understood some of the most obvious factors related to this case, but apparently I was wrong, so I want to point out some things that really should be taken into consideration.

Getting a visa into the U.S. is difficult for a lot of reasons, and it's not because the U.S. is some "big, bad wolf" trying to eat the dreams of young Chinese. The first and foremost reason why it's so difficult for Chinese to get a visa to the U.S. is because of the insanely high volume of people from China trying to go to the U.S. every single day. You wonder why they had to wait in line for almost 3 hours? Go check out the nearest U.S. consulate when you're in China. See how many people are out there (coincidentally, I was at the one in Guangzhou 2 days ago. Wasn't pretty.). Whether they love it or hate it, for rational reasons or irrational reasons, mainland Chinese are absolutely obsessed with the U.S., and it's not hard to see once you've spent any significant time living here. For many Chinese, it's their ultimate dream to go to the U.S., whether it be for studying, traveling, or whatever. There are a lot of factors at play, but the end result is you have an insanely high volume of Chinese trying to immigrate or get visas every day. It's unfortunate, but some people have to get denied. When there are so many applying, sometimes the reasons may seem a bit arbitrary, sure. But there aren't a lot of alternatives, and one has to remember, at the end of the day, these officers have to do what's best for their country. To expect them not to act in such a way would be quite ignorant, and in some cases even hypocritical, I think.

If you doubt any of the above, do a little experiment. Go check out other consulates in China, and see what they're like. Then go back to the U.S. consulate. The differences are extraordinary. Just for reference, the other day I visited 3 separate consulates (Indian, Russian, and U.S.) in the same day, and the Indian and Russian ones were essentially empty. Relatively small, inside office buildings. The U.S. one however was huge, and yet there were still Chinese lined up all the way around the block, in two separate lines. That should help put things in perspective a bit.

It's also quite ignorant to assume that this is simply because of politics, or that the U.S. is just bullying Chinese. There are a LOT of Chinese in the U.S., and there have been for a very long time. As a whole they aren't being denied, there's just so many of them trying to immigrate. You also have to remember that there are a lot of them that really do try to lie and overstay their visa. As an immigration officer, you have to use your best judgement to prevent such issues, and that's not something you can get down to an accurate science. The U.S. is also far from the only country that Chinese have issues getting into, it's just understandably more difficult.

Finally, I just want to point out that plenty of Chinese that DON'T have family in the U.S. have no trouble traveling there for short times, even for work. There are a lot of factors involved, but the most important ones are that you can show you have money and/or a stable job, and that you have a reason to return to China. If you give them any reason to question those things, or if you're unclear about what exactly your purpose is, don't be surprised if you get denied. It's unfortunate, but consider all of the factors at play before you get too up into arms over the issue.


Either way, the situation with Jim is quite unfortunate. He may have done everything he was supposed to and had bad luck. It's sad, but it seems the entire thing wasn't planned very well. He may not have been able to provide proof of his reasoning before knowing he could compete in America, BUT he very well could have begun the process long before so that if he qualified he'd be more than ready. You don't need all of your documents to start scheduling appointments and preparing. Regardless of the preparation, it's still unfortunate, but you have to remember why this sort of thing happens. A young Chinese male going to the U.S. for a short term to essentially play video games isn't exactly the most solid of reasons for visiting, and isn't exactly the most convincing argument to an immigration officer, whether your family is wealthy or not. Don't forget, plenty of people have tried to cheat the system before (especially Chinese). Blame them, not the ones who are responsible for preventing it.

Anyway I'm not claiming to be an expert on visa-related issues with the U.S., but I have lived in China for a hell of a lot longer than a year, I have many friends here who have gone through these experiences, and I have a background in areas far more valuable than a degree in Chinese from the U.S. (not to be condescending, but a student who's learned even just 6 months of Chinese in China will be way ahead of a recent graduate with a Chinese degree from the U.S.), and these are all things I've witnessed and dealt with quite often (they aren't just random thoughts). Whether there are other factors at play or not is arguable for sure, but I can guarantee you that the things I mentioned here are absolutely relevant, and it seems most people aren't taking them into consideration when they really need to. You have to look at the bigger picture, not just what you see from the relatively isolated world of StarCraft 2.

Regardless, I hope everything works out for the Chinese players and I'd absolutely love to see them succeed. These unfortunate incidents will happen, and maybe it is best to move WCS America to a more neutral location, but we mustn't forget to look at the bigger picture when these things happen. Otherwise we're only moving further away from legitimizing this sort of thing in the eyes of the rest of the world.

On July 27 2013 03:29 mikumegurine wrote:
Each year Evolution (videogame tournament) happens in US, many Chinese people come to play video games

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and other Chinese such as ones who came from the China qualifiers for Evo2013

http://www.17utt.com/2013/0603/16321.html

These players from China got visa to come over here and play videogames at Evolution tournament some how

how then, since you guys say its impossible?

Cant be cause of age, cause these guys vary from 17-28s, and Macsed is 25 (Macsed has visa problem just like Jim)

These Chinese probably did not need a invitation letter either, besides ANYONE can go MLG Studios in Manhattan for Round of 16 WCS NA, either as audience/player

How did all these Chinese, each year, somehow get visas to travel to US to play at Evolution Videogame tournament?

On July 27 2013 03:34 mikumegurine wrote:



WCS NA ro 16 was set in advance too, you could get the dates directly from Blizzard

And some of the EVO Chinese players, only had 1 month and a half (42 days basically) from winning the qualifier in China then traveling and playing in the US for the tournament

On July 27 2013 03:49 mikumegurine wrote:



I dont know exactly what the China EVO players said to get their visas, but it was probably that they were going to Evolution to watch/play videogames

The EVO Chinese didnt need a letter, they just did the process very early (since its first come first serve)

So why couldnt Jim/Macsed apply earlier for visa with the same idea? Tell them going to MLG Manhattan to watch/play videogames