Edit: These are Choya's long tweets, thanks to the translation by GrazerRinge + Show Spoiler +
Starting from 31 December 2013, our Dota 2 Team will disband.
From March till December this year I experienced and learned a lot and had moments to look back on myself. I want to express deep thanks to Anarchy and Ranto (Dota 2 players) who wanted to stay til the end despite of difficult situation.
Instead of any excuses, I sincerly apologize for my shortcoming as coach that we didnt won despite having the best team and for receiving negative comments.
I think an end is also a new beginning. For now this is the end but in future there will be new challenges. Those people who always cheered us gave us lot of strenght.
Also i really want to thank the Nexon officials who took care of us for last 8 months!
It seems that I always bring bad news so I leave a short notice on facebook. It is a pity that it ends like this for those players who went through sufferings with a young coach with many shortcoming for last 3 years.
Starting tomorrow (tweet is from 25.Dec), I will try to transfer Leenock, Lucky, Hurricane, Seed, Tassadar and Gumiho. In case of Leenock, he already received an offer.
Originally I wanted to announce these informations after the qualification round, but since the players also have to prepare for the future, I inform you in this short notice.
If you have interest in our players, you can contact players directly or if you contact me, I will connect you more easily.
I thank you for the past. For now, I am planning to join the military (mandatory duty as korean citizen).
For those who got angry and upset by my shortcomings, I would be thankful if you can forgive me and resolve it in a good way.
My acknowledgement goes to our fans who loved and supported us for last 3 years. As I said earlier that an end is a new beginning, so I will look forward to a new beginning.
Welp... I guess it was the most likely that they were the one going down out of all the teams. Maybe it's a good thing for Choya, instead of bleeding off more money and getting into debt or something (no idea about his personal situation) to keep the team alive.
sucks to be right on this. This is some unfortunate news to wake up to on Christmas ;;
they were one of the oldest sc2 teams too..
Well, I suppose the bright side is maybe seeing my boys Leenock and Gumiho in SPL. I would rip my shirt in joy if they both joined IM. Hell, all of FoU could join, they were like my distant 2nd favorite Korean team.
On December 25 2013 22:48 FrostedMiniWheats wrote: sucks to be right on this. This is some unfortunate news to wake up to on Christmas ;;
they were one of the oldest sc2 teams too..
Well, I suppose the bright side is maybe seeing my boys Leenock and Gumiho in SPL. I would rip my shirt in joy if they both joined IM. Hell, all of FoU could join, they were like my distant 2nd favorite Korean team.
Seed back to IM eh? All planned, collapse fou to secure gumiho and leenock to bolster their terran/zerg line up.
On December 25 2013 22:48 FrostedMiniWheats wrote: sucks to be right on this. This is some unfortunate news to wake up to on Christmas ;;
they were one of the oldest sc2 teams too..
Well, I suppose the bright side is maybe seeing my boys Leenock and Gumiho in SPL. I would rip my shirt in joy if they both joined IM. Hell, all of FoU could join, they were like my distant 2nd favorite Korean team.
Seed back to IM eh? All planned, collapse fou to secure gumiho and leenock to bolster their terran/zerg line up.
The Seed of destruction! Now, onward to Startale! We require Life and Bomber
Oh wow.. I really hope all the players can find new teams. So sad to see a team I've loved as much as FXO/fOu disbanding. I just hope we don't lose more good players to retirement. :<
through google translations of his other tweets, it appears choya is trying to encourage and facilitate player transfers; he will also be doing military service after this
Was to be expected. SouL couldn't find a sponsor and they had recent 2 time Champion Dear to back it up. Personally I don't consider this a bad thing. I hope the current PL teams(and startale ) can be safe for the future, thats all.
Thank you for all the great games, especially to Choya who managed to keep the team together while also being a competing player for a long time. I wish all the fOu players the best of luck and hope they find new teams asap. (Leenock, Hurricane and Gumiho should find a team really really fast)
*cries* Every time I read one of these announcements, it hurts. I suppose it's to be expected, but I hope I'm not alone in feeling a bit sentimental. fOu has been around forever.
man, this is snowballing a bit quicker than i thought. i figured the inevitable team closures would happen over a longer period but we've got a bunch in a row
always loved fOu and FXO. Favourite player Leenock leading the charge. Hope plenty of them can find new homes. Axiom could do with a new zerg huehuehue
On December 25 2013 23:57 Akaann wrote: That's a sad news. There were a lot of them recently, I feel like i'm getting used to it :-/ So sad to see how fast Starcraft is declining in Korea...
...just hope Prime can pick up some of the players. they need it! Pls Leenock join them^^
How is it declining? Originally there were 7 eSF teams + Slayers. Now we have 8 Kespa teams + 2 eSF (ST and Claufzubu) + (maybe) team Epic + AxAcer.
On December 25 2013 23:57 Akaann wrote: That's a sad news. There were a lot of them recently, I feel like i'm getting used to it :-/ So sad to see how fast Starcraft is declining in Korea...
...just hope Prime can pick up some of the players. they need it! Pls Leenock join them^^
How is it declining? Originally there were 7 eSF teams + Slayers. Now we have 8 Kespa teams + 2 eSF (ST and Claufzubu) + (maybe) team Epic + AxAcer.
Well I'd say we originally had 7 kespa teams + 8th team after the match fixing scandal. Due to BW still being played by Kespa for a bit we simply had two scene that could both kinda somewhat manage to support 7-8ish teams. Now that both of those scenes have merged it is obvious to anyone that, as either side that was previously able to support 7-8 teams, our scene couldn't magically support like 15+ korean teams. Now throw in that two (wongjin + stx) were taken from us due to their parent companies going bankrupt, I'd say we are doing pretty well atm.
On December 25 2013 23:57 Akaann wrote: That's a sad news. There were a lot of them recently, I feel like i'm getting used to it :-/ So sad to see how fast Starcraft is declining in Korea...
...just hope Prime can pick up some of the players. they need it! Pls Leenock join them^^
How is it declining? Originally there were 7 eSF teams + Slayers. Now we have 8 Kespa teams + 2 eSF (ST and Claufzubu) + (maybe) team Epic + AxAcer.
I really don't get how people are surprised by this. We've been told for 2+ years by dozens of managers/coaches/casters/players that the Korean scene is hopelessly inflated and cannot support the current amount of teams and players. With the transfer of Kespa, the load was doubled almost overnight. Of course this was going to happen, and it will keep happening until the scene reaches equilibrium.
I see maybe 6-8 teams being a reasonable amount for SC2 in Korea, and until we get there this will keep happening. All we can hope for is that the younger guys stick around and don't ditch Sc2 for greener pastures. The older guys and teams retiring and disbanding respectively is a good thing, it's necessary if the scene is going to survive in Korea at all.
Holy shit, this is so shocking. Truly the end of an era now, hopefully the Korean scene stabilizes soon, and the players from FXO find a good new home a lot of them are very talented and have produced good results in the past.
O neul 2013 nyeon 12 weol 13 il bu ro jeo hyi do ta 2 tam I cae che ca ge doe eoss seub ni da. Ol hae 3 weol bu teo 12 weol gga ja jeong mal myach eun gyeong cheom eul haess go je ja sin eul dol a bo neun mwach eun gye gig a doe eoss seub di da. Tim I eo ryeo un sang hwang e seo do ggeut gga ji nam a ju ryeo chaess deon chwang bo jae cho seon su oe choe tae in seon su e je sip eun gam sa ham gwa.
O neul 2013 nyeon 12 weol 13 il bu ro jeo hyi do ta 2 tam I cae che ca ge doe eoss seub ni da. Ol hae 3 weol bu teo 12 weol gga ja jeong mal myach eun gyeong cheom eul haess go je ja sin eul dol a bo neun mwach eun gye gig a doe eoss seub di da. Tim I eo ryeo un sang hwang e seo do ggeut gga ji nam a ju ryeo chaess deon chwang bo jae cho seon su oe choe tae in seon su e je sip eun gam sa ham gwa.
Why would you translate to romanization?
If you mean to English then it's just about them dissolving their dota 2 team
Sad day. I still remember watching (and being wowed by) asdfOu, alivefOu in the wee hours of the morning and being wowed by their plays. And Choya, as fun and at home at events just as much as he was an affable troll. Find new teams or live out retirement well, fOu.
dam :/ I remember Choya from the group ceremonies where he used his powers to land Gumiho in a group of all zergs lol. One of the better and funnier things I've seen in SCII. Best of luck to everyone on the team! I'm sure most will find new homes
On December 25 2013 22:48 FrostedMiniWheats wrote: sucks to be right on this. This is some unfortunate news to wake up to on Christmas ;;
they were one of the oldest sc2 teams too..
Well, I suppose the bright side is maybe seeing my boys Leenock and Gumiho in SPL. I would rip my shirt in joy if they both joined IM. Hell, all of FoU could join, they were like my distant 2nd favorite Korean team.
My least favorite teams joined together in a force of pure evil? You diabolically son of a---
RIP fOu. I hope as many players as possible find homes, particularly Leenock, Hurricane and GuMiho.
And this has got to be the end for GSTL; AxA, AZUBU and StarTale aren't enough to have a team league. Even if Team Epic actually ends up existing, 4 teams aren't really enough either.
The crazy doomsayers need to remember that at the start of any sport you will see a higher percentage of teams being created and disbanded. It was the same in 'conventional' sports as well (unless they are non-professional). It isn't until a sport is around for an extended period that you being to see the construction of teams slow down a bit and that is generally because the cost of set up and the risk of problems is a lot higher.
Even though it was expected, still heartbreaking. Hopefully all the players can be put into good teams. Wanting to see Leenock and Gumiho play in proleague though.
On December 26 2013 03:29 Big J wrote: Kespa is getting awefully dominant.... hope they dont go for another try destroying GSL
KeSPA: no more GSL for our players BLizzard: No more games for Kespa players Blizzard controls everything and if kespa dares to mess with WCS they will feel it.
On December 26 2013 03:29 Big J wrote: Kespa is getting awefully dominant.... hope they dont go for another try destroying GSL
KeSPA: no more GSL for our players BLizzard: No more games for Kespa players Blizzard controls everything and if kespa dares to mess with WCS they will feel it.
Another slap fight between blizzard and kespa would be amazing to watch though.
On December 26 2013 03:29 Big J wrote: Kespa is getting awefully dominant.... hope they dont go for another try destroying GSL
KeSPA: no more GSL for our players BLizzard: No more games for Kespa players Blizzard controls everything and if kespa dares to mess with WCS they will feel it.
Another slap fight between blizzard and kespa would be amazing to watch though.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS 2014 is fucking the korean scene even more. The system we had this year massively helped out koreans, and probably stopped a lot of the contraction we should have seen from KeSPA entering in full force.
I'm pretty sure that ESF will now be porting other teams into GSTL such as EG, TL, Mill, mouz, that girlfriend team, VAyi spiders, ummm... help me out, I'm running out of foreign teams to name here.
If there's going to be any more large scale dis-bands I hope they come before December 31st so we can just lug them together and just write-off 2013 as the year of death.
On December 26 2013 05:48 Greendotz wrote: If there's going to be any more large scale dis-bands I hope they come before December 31st so we can just lug them together and just write-off 2013 as the year of death.
There is nothing more left to disband basically :p Well, the only thing left that needs to disband soonish would be eSF itself
On December 26 2013 03:14 Maasked wrote: Poor, poor state.
Damn serious, he went man-mode moved to Korea and switched to WCS Korea. Maybe he can go back to StarTale? He was there for a bit with Illusion went Quantic and StarTale were partnered.
Sad to see fOu go
On December 26 2013 05:46 Xiphos wrote: I'm pretty sure that ESF will now be porting other teams into GSTL such as EG, TL, Mill, mouz, that girlfriend team, VAyi spiders, ummm... help me out, I'm running out of foreign teams to name here.
Pretty sure unless GOM comes to some kind of agreement with KeSPA and has their teams participate, GSTL is dead.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
On December 26 2013 03:14 Maasked wrote: Poor, poor state.
Damn serious, he went man-mode moved to Korea and switched to WCS Korea. Maybe he can go back to StarTale? He was there for a bit with Illusion went Quantic and StarTale were partnered.
On December 26 2013 05:46 Xiphos wrote: I'm pretty sure that ESF will now be porting other teams into GSTL such as EG, TL, Mill, mouz, that girlfriend team, VAyi spiders, ummm... help me out, I'm running out of foreign teams to name here.
Pretty sure unless GOM comes to some kind of agreement with KeSPA and has their teams participate, GSTL is dead.
I can say that unless GSTL somehow magically brings together a roster of teams with KeSPA involvement, Axiom-Acers partnership will dissolve. GSTL had a reputation as being an excellent teamleague and right up until the end it was, but I just can't see how they could continue with only 3 teams, 4 at most if Team Epic becomes a thing.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
On December 26 2013 03:14 Maasked wrote: Poor, poor state.
Damn serious, he went man-mode moved to Korea and switched to WCS Korea. Maybe he can go back to StarTale? He was there for a bit with Illusion went Quantic and StarTale were partnered.
Sad to see fOu go
On December 26 2013 05:46 Xiphos wrote: I'm pretty sure that ESF will now be porting other teams into GSTL such as EG, TL, Mill, mouz, that girlfriend team, VAyi spiders, ummm... help me out, I'm running out of foreign teams to name here.
Pretty sure unless GOM comes to some kind of agreement with KeSPA and has their teams participate, GSTL is dead.
I can say that unless GSTL somehow magically brings together a roster of teams with KeSPA involvement, Axiom-Acers partnership will dissolve. GSTL had a reputation as being an excellent teamleague and right up until the end it was, but I just can't see how they could continue with only 3 teams, 4 at most if Team Epic becomes a thing.
Ah, too bad Thought you guys would try to get into Proleague next season, if that will happen. AxAcer would imo do great there!
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
It's almost like sponsors will intentionally gravitate towards casual-friendly, free to play games with massive playerbases over an expensive, hyper-competitive product with a stagnant, hardcore crowd. Who wuddathunkit.
Blizzard didn't harm the Korean scene with WCS 2013, if anything it was a year long session of CPR. SC2 harmed the Korean scene.
I can say that unless GSTL somehow magically brings together a roster of teams with KeSPA involvement, Axiom-Acers partnership will dissolve. GSTL had a reputation as being an excellent teamleague and right up until the end it was, but I just can't see how they could continue with only 3 teams, 4 at most if Team Epic becomes a thing.
Would you be amenable to playing in PL if invited and conditions were satisfactory?
I roughly translated the long series of tweets from choya; sorry if i made mistakes or used incorrect words ^^ + Show Spoiler +
Starting from 31 December 2013, our Dota 2 Team will disband.
From March till December this year I experienced and learned a lot and had moments to look back on myself. I want to express deep thanks to Anarchy and Ranto (Dota 2 players) who wanted to stay til the end despite of difficult situation.
Instead of any excuses, I sincerly apologize for my shortcoming as coach that we didnt won despite having the best team and for receiving negative comments.
I think an end is also a new beginning. For now this is the end but in future there will be new challenges. Those people who always cheered us gave us lot of strenght.
Also i really want to thank the Nexon officials who took care of us for last 8 months!
It seems that I always bring bad news so I leave a short notice on facebook. It is a pity that it ends like this for those players who went through sufferings with a young coach with many shortcoming for last 3 years.
Starting tomorrow (tweet is from 25.Dec), I will try to transfer Leenock, Lucky, Hurricane, Seed, Tassadar and Gumiho. In case of Leenock, he already received an offer.
Originally I wanted to announce these informations after the qualification round, but since the players also have to prepare for the future, I inform you in this short notice.
If you have interest in our players, you can contact players directly or if you contact me, I will connect you more easily.
I thank you for the past. For now, I am planning to join the military (mandatory duty as korean citizen).
For those who got angry and upset by my shortcomings, I would be thankful if you can forgive me and resolve it in a good way.
My acknowledgement goes to our fans who loved and supported us for last 3 years. As I said earlier that an end is a new beginning, so I will look forward to a new beginning.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
Dota 2 has more viewers in Korea than SC2?
most likely
Source...? Afaik, Dota is also completely negligible in Korea, Lol just dominates.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
Dota 2 has more viewers in Korea than SC2?
most likely
Source...? Afaik, Dota is also completely negligible in Korea, Lol just dominates.
If you've seen Nexon Leagues featuring Chinese players, the crowd was amazing.
isnt even funny reading comments anymore ... normal things happens, after fxo was gone as sponsor it was kinda expected, its a normal things teams disbands after some years ... but sure its wcs fault or the evil blizzard or whatever ... rly wonder why you guys not quit sc2 and go watch halma
sad news but saying its "death of sc2" or anything is so stupid
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
Dota 2 has more viewers in Korea than SC2?
most likely
Source...? Afaik, Dota is also completely negligible in Korea, Lol just dominates.
It is, but... Starcraft 2 isn't doing very well, too... so it's not easy to say. I don't know about viewers but PC bang wise neither game is bringing in considerable numbers, none of them is a top 10 game, while LoL has more market share than place 2-10 combined. It's kind of one sided. Interesting is that BW is still in middle of the top 10.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
Dota 2 has more viewers in Korea than SC2?
most likely
Source...? Afaik, Dota is also completely negligible in Korea, Lol just dominates.
It is, but... Starcraft 2 isn't doing very well, too... so it's not easy to say. I don't know about viewers but PC bang wise neither game is bringing in considerable numbers, none of them is a top 10 game, while LoL has more market share than place 2-10 combined. It's kind of one sided. Interesting is that BW is still in middle of the top 10.
BW smashing Sc2 in PC bangs is my favorite fact in the whole world, it always makes me laugh.
Blizzard is slowly but surely doing the right things and correcting mistakes, the problem with Korea is that it is simply too late. The train has already left the station, circled the whole subway system twice, come back to the station and left again. Nothing will move LoL off the top spot or create a massive surge of interest in a 60 dollar game with 30 dollar expansion set at this point, you only get one shot at this. The game will be fine in terms of survival, but the idea of growth is a pipe dream, there is no target demographic.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
Dota 2 has more viewers in Korea than SC2?
most likely
Source...? Afaik, Dota is also completely negligible in Korea, Lol just dominates.
It is, but... Starcraft 2 isn't doing very well, too... so it's not easy to say. I don't know about viewers but PC bang wise neither game is bringing in considerable numbers, none of them is a top 10 game, while LoL has more market share than place 2-10 combined. It's kind of one sided. Interesting is that BW is still in middle of the top 10.
BW smashing Sc2 in PC bangs is my favorite fact in the whole world, it always makes me laugh.
Blizzard is slowly but surely doing the right things and correcting mistakes, the problem with Korea is that it is simply too late. The has already left the station, circled the whole subway system twice, come back to the station and left again. Nothing will move LoL off the top spot or create a massive surge of interest in a 60 dollar game with 30 dollar expansion set at this point, you only get one shot at this. The game will be fine in terms of survival, but the idea of growth is a pipe dream, there is no target demographic.
Hey there, LoL was on place 2 for one week when Diablo3 was released! The D3 hype was just enormous (back in May 2012 or so?) I don't think the fact that you have to pay for it should matter as much at PC Bangs, where you pay anyway?
Really sad news. I wonder what will ST and AxA do now that there is no way to put a GSTL together. Also curious if Team Epic will actually recruit any player now.
On December 26 2013 05:32 JJH777 wrote: Thanks for WCS2013 Blizzard!!
WCS had nothing to do with it. If anything, it extended the lives of a lot of Korean teams by allowing easy money in NA and EU to be picked up. Sponsors are easier to sell on LoL and Dota because those have more viewers.
Dota 2 has more viewers in Korea than SC2?
most likely
Source...? Afaik, Dota is also completely negligible in Korea, Lol just dominates.
It is, but... Starcraft 2 isn't doing very well, too... so it's not easy to say. I don't know about viewers but PC bang wise neither game is bringing in considerable numbers, none of them is a top 10 game, while LoL has more market share than place 2-10 combined. It's kind of one sided. Interesting is that BW is still in middle of the top 10.
BW smashing Sc2 in PC bangs is my favorite fact in the whole world, it always makes me laugh.
Blizzard is slowly but surely doing the right things and correcting mistakes, the problem with Korea is that it is simply too late. The has already left the station, circled the whole subway system twice, come back to the station and left again. Nothing will move LoL off the top spot or create a massive surge of interest in a 60 dollar game with 30 dollar expansion set at this point, you only get one shot at this. The game will be fine in terms of survival, but the idea of growth is a pipe dream, there is no target demographic.
Hey there, LoL was on place 2 for one week when Diablo3 was released! The D3 hype was just enormous (back in May 2012 or so?) I don't think the fact that you have to pay for it should matter as much at PC Bangs, where you pay anyway?
Yeah I remember the D3 hype, I was one of the guilty ones. Talk about an absolute deflation, what a let-down.
I don't think you can't play SC2 unless you have a Bnet account with Sc2 on it, which means you have to buy it anyway. At least I think that's how it works, unless the PC bang has accounts you can use, but then you don't get any achievements or portraits or anything.
It's just really fucking hard to compete with free stuff, you need a crushingly superior product to justify spending a 100+ dollars for the game plus two expansions. And this...just isn't it.
A lot of people have been asking about what my situation is now that fOu has disbanded. I'll stay here until the Code A Qualifiers in January, and I'll be looking for a new team house to train in the meantime. No matter what happens, I want to continue living and training in Korea.
I'm really sad that fOu has disbanded. Everyone here has been incredibly warm and welcoming, and they're all amazing players. I want to thank them and head coach Choya for the opportunity to train in Korea. If it wasn't for fOu, I wouldn't even have a chance at playing in the GSL.
Hopefully everyone will find a new team soon. Happy holidays, all.
This is so sad. The Fou guys always been extremely skilled and really nice guys too. Choya always been my favorite coach. Such a sparkling personality. The scene will certainly miss him.
On December 26 2013 08:20 ROOTState wrote: Hey guys,
A lot of people have been asking about what my situation is now that fOu has disbanded. I'll stay here until the Code A Qualifiers in January, and I'll be looking for a new team house to train in the meantime. No matter what happens, I want to continue living and training in Korea.
I'm really sad that fOu has disbanded. Everyone here has been incredibly warm and welcoming, and they're all amazing players. I want to thank them and head coach Choya for the opportunity to train in Korea. If it wasn't for fOu, I wouldn't even have a chance at playing in the GSL.
Hopefully everyone will find a new team soon. Happy holidays, all.
Thanks for the update. GL in the GSL! I'll make sure to watch the qualifiers if Khaldor does a stream as usual.
On December 26 2013 06:31 Squat wrote: Would you be amenable to playing in PL if invited and conditions were satisfactory?
We have considered it but the general opinion of the team at the moment is that Proleagues strict schedule would mean that we'd have to choose between WCS America and Proleague. We have 1 player with a guaranteed spot into WCS America in 2014 and 2 more who only have to win 1 BO5 against one of the new qualifiers to return to Premier league for guaranteed money and WCS points. We will be sending 2 of our players back to attempt to qualify for GSL and keeping 3 in WCS America. MMA and Innovation are also very busy, in particular MMA was not able to play in most of our GSTL matches due to commitments with other tournaments, particularly WCS Europe. Considering all of these factors, Proleague outside of a partnership with an existing KeSPA team seems highly unlikely for us.
We're rather glum about the whole thing. The silver lining is it was our dream to win a GSTL and it looks like we won the final GSTL.
I see, thanks for the update. I'm a little miffed about no AxA in teamleagues, but I understand the decision. Man, AxA could have been such a powerhouse in PL. Oh well, you got to win possible the most dramatic GSTL final ever, bittersweet though it is now I'm sure.
I assume that if the AxA partnership ends, there will no longer be housing in Korea for Acer players available from Axiom?
On December 26 2013 06:31 Squat wrote: Would you be amenable to playing in PL if invited and conditions were satisfactory?
We have considered it but the general opinion of the team at the moment is that Proleagues strict schedule would mean that we'd have to choose between WCS America and Proleague. We have 1 player with a guaranteed spot into WCS America in 2014 and 2 more who only have to win 1 BO5 against one of the new qualifiers to return to Premier league for guaranteed money and WCS points. We will be sending 2 of our players back to attempt to qualify for GSL and keeping 3 in WCS America. MMA and Innovation are also very busy, in particular MMA was not able to play in most of our GSTL matches due to commitments with other tournaments, particularly WCS Europe. Considering all of these factors, Proleague outside of a partnership with an existing KeSPA team seems highly unlikely for us.
We're rather glum about the whole thing. The silver lining is it was our dream to win a GSTL and it looks like we won the final GSTL.
Out of curiosity who is staying for GSL? I'm assuming Impact and one of the Terrans?
On December 26 2013 06:31 Squat wrote: Would you be amenable to playing in PL if invited and conditions were satisfactory?
We have considered it but the general opinion of the team at the moment is that Proleagues strict schedule would mean that we'd have to choose between WCS America and Proleague. We have 1 player with a guaranteed spot into WCS America in 2014 and 2 more who only have to win 1 BO5 against one of the new qualifiers to return to Premier league for guaranteed money and WCS points. We will be sending 2 of our players back to attempt to qualify for GSL and keeping 3 in WCS America. MMA and Innovation are also very busy, in particular MMA was not able to play in most of our GSTL matches due to commitments with other tournaments, particularly WCS Europe. Considering all of these factors, Proleague outside of a partnership with an existing KeSPA team seems highly unlikely for us.
We're rather glum about the whole thing. The silver lining is it was our dream to win a GSTL and it looks like we won the final GSTL.
Out of curiosity who is staying for GSL? I'm assuming Impact and one of the Terrans?
On December 26 2013 08:20 ROOTState wrote: Hey guys,
A lot of people have been asking about what my situation is now that fOu has disbanded. I'll stay here until the Code A Qualifiers in January, and I'll be looking for a new team house to train in the meantime. No matter what happens, I want to continue living and training in Korea.
I'm really sad that fOu has disbanded. Everyone here has been incredibly warm and welcoming, and they're all amazing players. I want to thank them and head coach Choya for the opportunity to train in Korea. If it wasn't for fOu, I wouldn't even have a chance at playing in the GSL.
Hopefully everyone will find a new team soon. Happy holidays, all.
Thank you for the update, I hope you find a nice new team house to stay with Please let Choya and the team know that they'll be sorely missed by the TL community.
I can say that unless GSTL somehow magically brings together a roster of teams with KeSPA involvement, Axiom-Acers partnership will dissolve. GSTL had a reputation as being an excellent teamleague and right up until the end it was, but I just can't see how they could continue with only 3 teams, 4 at most if Team Epic becomes a thing.
I can say that unless GSTL somehow magically brings together a roster of teams with KeSPA involvement, Axiom-Acers partnership will dissolve. GSTL had a reputation as being an excellent teamleague and right up until the end it was, but I just can't see how they could continue with only 3 teams, 4 at most if Team Epic becomes a thing.
So what will happen with the team house?
What do you mean what will happen to it? It's the Axiom teamhouse, it's not going anywhere.
On December 26 2013 06:27 TotalBiscuit wrote: I can say that unless GSTL somehow magically brings together a roster of teams with KeSPA involvement, Axiom-Acers partnership will dissolve. GSTL had a reputation as being an excellent teamleague and right up until the end it was, but I just can't see how they could continue with only 3 teams, 4 at most if Team Epic becomes a thing.
Sad news You could keep your partnership and just basically have Take send you a winners cheque every time a new ATC is announced?
On December 26 2013 05:48 Greendotz wrote: If there's going to be any more large scale dis-bands I hope they come before December 31st so we can just lug them together and just write-off 2013 as the year of death.
There is nothing more left to disband basically :p Well, the only thing left that needs to disband soonish would be eSF itself
Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm waiting for now, just the GSTL though, if (god forbid) the GSL was suddenly pulled then I really would be depressed. Lets be perfectly honest, when IM, Prime and MVP pulled out of the GSTL a couple of days before it started (something I'm still a little unhappy about) the realists amongst us were hoping for the best but expecting the worst. We were lucky we had a GSTL at all.
I always felt that the SC2 scene had too many teams and players to sustain itself since the addition of the Kespa teams. Teams disbanding is completely expected. Especially with LOL taking off and SC2 being weaker in Korea than BW. If we end up with as many teams and players in Korea as we had during BW along with a strong foreign scene, I'd call that a win.
On December 26 2013 11:07 ( bush wrote: Gumiho retired, as far as I know.
Just checked the transfer table on the liquipedia front page (quite sad to look at atm, so much red ) and at the time of disbandment he was still officially on the fOu roster.
I will always remember how Artosis and Tasteless kept mispronouncing fOu ( as Fow) when they (at least seemed) to appear out of nowhere in the Open Season 3 - specifically when Leenock took out Clide. Sad to see them go, but it was sadder to see them linger pointlessly
On December 26 2013 06:31 Squat wrote: Would you be amenable to playing in PL if invited and conditions were satisfactory?
We have considered it but the general opinion of the team at the moment is that Proleagues strict schedule would mean that we'd have to choose between WCS America and Proleague. We have 1 player with a guaranteed spot into WCS America in 2014 and 2 more who only have to win 1 BO5 against one of the new qualifiers to return to Premier league for guaranteed money and WCS points. We will be sending 2 of our players back to attempt to qualify for GSL and keeping 3 in WCS America. MMA and Innovation are also very busy, in particular MMA was not able to play in most of our GSTL matches due to commitments with other tournaments, particularly WCS Europe. Considering all of these factors, Proleague outside of a partnership with an existing KeSPA team seems highly unlikely for us.
We're rather glum about the whole thing. The silver lining is it was our dream to win a GSTL and it looks like we won the final GSTL.
Very sad news. Always liked FXO/fOu. Hurricane is really good, and Gumiho and Leenock are still decent with the potential to get back to where they were, so hopefully they can find a new team. Prime?
everyone involved really should have figured out a way to do a joint Proleague/GSTL thing before this season started. the writing has been on the wall for months now. put it on SPOTV in Korea, alternate days between the new IEG stadium and GOM's stadium, and allow Wolf and Khaldor to cast for the international audience through GOM. easy solution. cut down on the days to accommodate the new reality of korean players needing foreign and WCS tournaments in order to make a living. this should have already been done.
On December 26 2013 12:13 negativedge wrote: everyone involved really should have figured out a way to do a joint Proleague/GSTL thing before this season started. the writing has been on the wall for months now. put it on SPOTV in Korea, alternate days between the new IEG stadium and GOM's stadium, and allow Wolf and Khaldor to cast for the international audience through GOM. easy solution. cut down on the days to accommodate the new reality of korean players needing foreign and WCS tournaments in order to make a living. this should have already been done.
While that would be great for fans, the problem is there's no incentive for KeSPA to do this now that they've effectively put GSTL out of business without having to come to any arrangement with eSF.
On December 26 2013 12:13 negativedge wrote: everyone involved really should have figured out a way to do a joint Proleague/GSTL thing before this season started. the writing has been on the wall for months now. put it on SPOTV in Korea, alternate days between the new IEG stadium and GOM's stadium, and allow Wolf and Khaldor to cast for the international audience through GOM. easy solution. cut down on the days to accommodate the new reality of korean players needing foreign and WCS tournaments in order to make a living. this should have already been done.
It's already is. Only Startale is missing but I figure they will end up joining unless something happens
On December 26 2013 12:13 negativedge wrote: everyone involved really should have figured out a way to do a joint Proleague/GSTL thing before this season started. the writing has been on the wall for months now. put it on SPOTV in Korea, alternate days between the new IEG stadium and GOM's stadium, and allow Wolf and Khaldor to cast for the international audience through GOM. easy solution. cut down on the days to accommodate the new reality of korean players needing foreign and WCS tournaments in order to make a living. this should have already been done.
That's an unrealistically optimistic pipedream you have there. Do we need to remind people that this is KeSPA we're talking about here?
Really sad to see another great team go. Reading this and choya's twitter made me teary eyed. fOu was easily one of my favourite teams from the start of SC2/GSL/GSTL days. I had so much fun watching GSL back in the day and to see one of the earliest SC2 teams go... I don't even know what to say. It just makes me really sad to see old teams/progamers disband/retire... sigh.
Mad props to Choya for keeping the team running over the years. Good luck to him in the Army and afterwards, and to all the players, hopefully they can all get picked up, if not good luck to them in whatever they do in life. Its just so sad seeing people quit progaming.
On December 26 2013 12:13 negativedge wrote: everyone involved really should have figured out a way to do a joint Proleague/GSTL thing before this season started. the writing has been on the wall for months now. put it on SPOTV in Korea, alternate days between the new IEG stadium and GOM's stadium, and allow Wolf and Khaldor to cast for the international audience through GOM. easy solution. cut down on the days to accommodate the new reality of korean players needing foreign and WCS tournaments in order to make a living. this should have already been done.
Kespa has on numerous occasions shown themselves to be a bunch of underhanded bullies in fancy suites. This is the company that tried to pull all Kespa players from the GSL with just a couple of days notice in some bizarre mussel flexing ritual which subsequently blew up in their face (GOM basically responded by saying “your guys not in the GSL? Our guys not in the OSL” and Kespa blinked first). By reaching out to IM, Prime and MVP this just seemed like an opportunity to make a move to facilitate themselves as the sole organisers of SC2 team-league in Korea. I think any sane business would’ve done the same. Then consider that this is Kespa, a company that seem to derive pleasure from needless conflict and pointless public displays of bravado. Your idea of a collaboration, while no doubt would be awesome for the fans, would just never happen. Not even in the most far-fetched fantasy.
kespa has to realize they need to change, if they haven't already. they could do whatever they wanted with brood war because the game was huge and all the competition was upstart. if they try to take the ball and go home with SC2 proleague might simply die. everyone loses.
On December 26 2013 11:12 Havik_ wrote: I always felt that the SC2 scene had too many teams and players to sustain itself since the addition of the Kespa teams. Teams disbanding is completely expected. Especially with LOL taking off and SC2 being weaker in Korea than BW. If we end up with as many teams and players in Korea as we had during BW along with a strong foreign scene, I'd call that a win.
We now have about 1/3 of the pro players we had in BW though I'd say.
On December 26 2013 11:12 Havik_ wrote: I always felt that the SC2 scene had too many teams and players to sustain itself since the addition of the Kespa teams. Teams disbanding is completely expected. Especially with LOL taking off and SC2 being weaker in Korea than BW. If we end up with as many teams and players in Korea as we had during BW along with a strong foreign scene, I'd call that a win.
We now have about 1/3 of the pro players we had in BW though I'd say.
Yeah, team number is about the same between BW and SC2 but the rosters or say the number of players in Korea was larger during BW
sigh...this was obviously coming but it still sucks.. i loved this team i really hope the players, particularly Leenock, GuMiho and Hurricane are able to find new teams quickly. Please no retirements!
On December 26 2013 11:12 Havik_ wrote: I always felt that the SC2 scene had too many teams and players to sustain itself since the addition of the Kespa teams. Teams disbanding is completely expected. Especially with LOL taking off and SC2 being weaker in Korea than BW. If we end up with as many teams and players in Korea as we had during BW along with a strong foreign scene, I'd call that a win.
We now have about 1/3 of the pro players we had in BW though I'd say.
It's not that drastic, but yes the number of total players is lower. Which is perfectly expected given that SC2 is not as big in Korea as BW was.
I hope Choya returns to the scene in some form after military service. He always made the team league games amazing with his personality. I hope the best for the rest of the team and keep being a boss Choya.
They say Korea is the meca of e-sports, but I would sure hate to be a programmer in Korea at the moment. So many incredibely talented players teamless.
EPT
) can be safe for the future, thats all.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/NjSkRgz.png)
