EPTI’m happy to announce that we are bringing back StarCraft 2 starting with the MLG GameOn Invitational January 19-26, continuing with additional online competition, and culminating with the MLG Championship in Anaheim, CA from June 20-22. Our activity will kick off with the GameOn Invitational where 16 players from the Americas, including 12 invited players and four players voted in by you, the fans, will compete for $5000. Voting will open on January 13 – see details below.
The background: After taking a close look at the SC2 activity in 2013, we wanted to build something in 2014 that the SC2 community needed and wanted. We all follow the major tournaments in Europe, the team leagues in Korea, and the overarching WCS, but we realized that outside of Shoutcraft America, the Americas have very little in the way of online or offline competition. So we began asking players if they would be interested in Americas-only competition. Not surprisingly, the response was a resounding, unanimous, YES. Next, we reached out to Catz to help organize something great, and we decided to launch with GameOn, an Americas-only competition platform. Lastly, Catz brought Destiny onto the team as our co-caster and we were off and running.
We recognize that in the past we were not as transparent and communicative as we should’ve been. We’ve learned that community interaction and involvement is essential in creating a successful tournament scene. Therefore, in the spirit of transparency, we want you to know that we are operating this Invitational as a test. We intend to use the feedback that you provide throughout this activity to help us design competition for February through May that will ultimately be used to qualify players into Pool Play at the MLG Championship in Anaheim. Full Championship details, including the size of the Open Bracket, are coming soon!
We really want to work towards creating something that is enjoyable to watch, fun for players, and helps to develop talent within the Americas. We’ll be reading and incorporating feedback throughout the planning and execution of this activity. Help us build something great!
I’ve included the breakdown for the MLG GameOn Invitational below. Stay tuned for information and thank you for your support.
The background: After taking a close look at the SC2 activity in 2013, we wanted to build something in 2014 that the SC2 community needed and wanted. We all follow the major tournaments in Europe, the team leagues in Korea, and the overarching WCS, but we realized that outside of Shoutcraft America, the Americas have very little in the way of online or offline competition. So we began asking players if they would be interested in Americas-only competition. Not surprisingly, the response was a resounding, unanimous, YES. Next, we reached out to Catz to help organize something great, and we decided to launch with GameOn, an Americas-only competition platform. Lastly, Catz brought Destiny onto the team as our co-caster and we were off and running.
We recognize that in the past we were not as transparent and communicative as we should’ve been. We’ve learned that community interaction and involvement is essential in creating a successful tournament scene. Therefore, in the spirit of transparency, we want you to know that we are operating this Invitational as a test. We intend to use the feedback that you provide throughout this activity to help us design competition for February through May that will ultimately be used to qualify players into Pool Play at the MLG Championship in Anaheim. Full Championship details, including the size of the Open Bracket, are coming soon!
We really want to work towards creating something that is enjoyable to watch, fun for players, and helps to develop talent within the Americas. We’ll be reading and incorporating feedback throughout the planning and execution of this activity. Help us build something great!
I’ve included the breakdown for the MLG GameOn Invitational below. Stay tuned for information and thank you for your support.
Vindication folks. It's time to go back to where it all started!
Edit:
Questions asked by the community:
Is there an open bracket?:
Yes, see the link above for further details
Why did MLG not have SC2 at the last event?:
On January 09 2014 05:44 MLG_Adam wrote:
That is the honest answer. What else do you want? I'm not going to spend $100s of thousands to operate an event on the same weekend in the same time zone as someone else. That is bad for us and for Redbull.
I can't spin the answer any other way.
That is the honest answer. What else do you want? I'm not going to spend $100s of thousands to operate an event on the same weekend in the same time zone as someone else. That is bad for us and for Redbull.
I can't spin the answer any other way.
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=440372¤tpage=5#93
Is MLG in it for the money?:
(yes this totally came up folks)
On January 09 2014 05:45 MLG_Adam wrote:
Of course we expect to make money, we're a damn business not a charity. Why is this even in question? If eSports companies don't make money they don't stay open.
Of course we expect to make money, we're a damn business not a charity. Why is this even in question? If eSports companies don't make money they don't stay open.
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=440372¤tpage=5#97
Will our favorite adopted Korean's Polt and Violet be able to play in the NA event?
Per MrMLGAdam - Still Discussing
http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/1uqgbs/mlg_announces_americas_only_sc2_activity_and/cekog42?context=3
Does Sundance feel bad about the way they announce that SC2 would not be at Columbus?
From Sundance:
That was sloppy and unprofessional and 100% my fault. I allowed my personal frustration to overwhelm me and responded to one of the many people who were asking me for an update with an ill advised tweet. I'm not expecting anyone to understand nor am I expecting it to be forgiven - I just want to apologize for how I personally handled it. There was a ton happening behind the scenes that led to my frustration but that doesn't make it ok. I fucked up MASSIVELY, which I do from time to time. Hopefully I'm a better person and learned from it. Time will tell.
Anyway - I'm excited about this. We're taking it very serious and I promise to try not to fuck up so majorly again (however, smaller fuck ups from me are almost guaranteed)
Hope to see some of you at Anaheim.
-sd
Anyway - I'm excited about this. We're taking it very serious and I promise to try not to fuck up so majorly again (however, smaller fuck ups from me are almost guaranteed)
Hope to see some of you at Anaheim.
-sd
http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/1uqgbs/mlg_announces_americas_only_sc2_activity_and/cekpvcr
Also, it should be pointed out that this is just one event and MLG has not announced their full calendar. Adam was hinting at some future dates, maybe around this PAX thing.
