• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 09:36
CET 14:36
KST 22:36
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT30Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13Rongyi Cup S3 - Preview & Info8
Community News
2026 KongFu Cup Announcement3BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled12Blizzard Classic Cup - Tastosis announced as captains15Weekly Cups (March 2-8): ByuN overcomes PvT block4GSL CK - New online series18
StarCraft 2
General
BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled Blizzard Classic Cup - Tastosis announced as captains BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT Terran AddOns placement
Tourneys
RSL Season 4 announced for March-April PIG STY FESTIVAL 7.0! (19 Feb - 1 Mar) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament 2026 KongFu Cup Announcement [GSL CK] Team Maru vs. Team herO
Strategy
Custom Maps
Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026] Map Editor closed ?
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 516 Specter of Death Mutation # 515 Together Forever Mutation # 514 Ulnar New Year
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BSL 22 Map Contest — Submissions OPEN to March 10 ASL21 General Discussion Are you ready for ASL 21? Hype VIDEO Gypsy to Korea
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL22] Open Qualifiers & Ladder Tours IPSL Spring 2026 is here! ASL Season 21 Qualifiers March 7-8
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Fighting Spirit mining rates Zealot bombing is no longer popular?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread PC Games Sales Thread No Man's Sky (PS4 and PC)
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Five o'clock TL Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Mexico's Drug War Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine NASA and the Private Sector
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread General nutrition recommendations Cricket [SPORT] TL MMA Pick'em Pool 2013
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Laptop capable of using Photoshop Lightroom?
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Money Laundering In Video Ga…
TrAiDoS
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
Unintentional protectionism…
Uldridge
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 3056 users

IEM World Championship to be Winner Takes All for $100,000…

Forum Index > SC2 General
1003 CommentsPost a Reply
Prev 1 24 25 26 27 28 51 Next
BigFan
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
TLADT24920 Posts
January 27 2014 22:29 GMT
#501
As much as I can see what the problem is, this outcry over such a big tourney is going way overboard. IEM chooses how they want to hand out the prize money and they've decided on this method. Does the method have some flaws? of course, they are kind of obvious. Does that mean it should be changed? that's IEM's decision but I can see where they're going with this. This will make the games more high stake and emotional which can lead to a stronger atmosphere than in past tourneys. Even previous GSLs didn't have 100k for the winner(~90k or so) so this is one of the biggest payouts in SCII's history for 1st place(Blizzcon was onpar or left, right?). I for one will likely tune in to IEM unless the timing is messed up with my schedule lol.

On January 28 2014 07:25 Darkhoarse wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 28 2014 07:10 Kergy wrote:
better one


Kind of weird to see this from someone who has little to no chance of coming close to that money except maybe by hanging out with Jaedong.

cmon, be nicer even if I do agree with your point lol.
Former BW EiC"Watch Bakemonogatari or I will kill you." -Toad, April 18th, 2017
Shinta)
Profile Joined July 2010
United States1716 Posts
January 27 2014 22:30 GMT
#502
On January 28 2014 07:23 danl9rm wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 28 2014 07:12 Epamynondas wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:10 danl9rm wrote:
I'm not seeing the huge problem here. If you dislike the tournament, don't sign up. It seems just that simple.

This point kind of falls flat since IEM is like halfway through their season though, no?


Honestly, I don't know how the IEM tourney works. I didn't even know there was a season. However, if the winners of the previous qualifier-tourneys already got paid and this is some 'winner's tourney,' then it's only a matter of being inconsiderate. They should have let the pros know sooner.

What ticks me off most though is just HOW inconsiderate they are being. Basically saying "what? You hate the idea for legitimate reasons? Well, even though you're the reason we make money, we'll fuck you over at the world championship to secure ourselves some dirty, end of the season profit money"
Suteki Da Ne 素敵だね Isn't it Wonderful
iamcaustic
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
Canada1509 Posts
January 27 2014 22:30 GMT
#503
I think the SaintSnorlax tweets are my favourite part about the whole thing. I get what IEM is trying to do, but that doesn't make it any less of a bad idea.
Twitter: @iamcaustic
Zeon0
Profile Joined September 2010
Austria2995 Posts
January 27 2014 22:31 GMT
#504
deals like in power inc?

if i play the finals, i go to the other guy and ask if he wanna make 75/25 or 60/40 or something
Hater of MKP since GSL Open Season 2 | Fanboy of: NesTea Stephano IdrA DIMAGA MorroW ret DongRaeGu Snute SaSe Mvp ThorZaIN DeMusliM
playa
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States1284 Posts
January 27 2014 22:32 GMT
#505
Tournaments like these are a good reason for players to bet against themselves. Bring back match fixing and agreements. Good times.
shinobi112
Profile Joined May 2005
19 Posts
January 27 2014 22:32 GMT
#506
To bring up another point, if this tournament does do well, it can bring more interest into the scene, a lot of big heads like to up the stakes when they see once tournament offering a 100,000 prize pool they will look to increase their prize pool as well. NO I am not saying they will do winner takes all format also but they will be more inclined to RAISE their prize pool, just look at other sports, you need competitiveness in the prize pool area to help boost all prize pools.
one day one life
shinobi112
Profile Joined May 2005
19 Posts
January 27 2014 22:33 GMT
#507
On January 28 2014 07:30 Shinta) wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 28 2014 07:23 danl9rm wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:12 Epamynondas wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:10 danl9rm wrote:
I'm not seeing the huge problem here. If you dislike the tournament, don't sign up. It seems just that simple.

This point kind of falls flat since IEM is like halfway through their season though, no?


Honestly, I don't know how the IEM tourney works. I didn't even know there was a season. However, if the winners of the previous qualifier-tourneys already got paid and this is some 'winner's tourney,' then it's only a matter of being inconsiderate. They should have let the pros know sooner.

What ticks me off most though is just HOW inconsiderate they are being. Basically saying "what? You hate the idea for legitimate reasons? Well, even though you're the reason we make money, we'll fuck you over at the world championship to secure ourselves some dirty, end of the season profit money"


Secure themselves end of season profit? They are a business trying to be profitable? Would you rather they go out of business instead? Seriously? Besides this is a HUGE sum of money they are giving away.
one day one life
Eliezar
Profile Joined May 2004
United States481 Posts
January 27 2014 22:34 GMT
#508
Why this is a great decision:

1) It has already generated tons of free publicity. What other tournament gets this much attention?
2) It has a marketable feel to it. "Playing for $100k" sure sounds better than "Playing for $40K, but second gets $20K, so really each have won $20k and they are playing to double it".
3) If their prize pool is $100k this might be the best way to use it for IEMs benefit.

Why this is a bad decision:

1) Pro players are showing up and working and not getting paid.
2) Benefits one individual and everybody else loses
3) SC needs to look towards how tennis or golf reward their players. Wimbledon in 2013 for instance had this structure

23,500 for appearing with more each round
...
105,000 for round of 16
205,000 for round of 8
400,000 for round of 4
800,000 for 2nd
1.6M for 1st

so the 16th round gets about 6.25% of what the winner gets, runner up gets 50% of what the winner gets

Done similarly you are talking $6250 per player that comes. This would make this tournament cost way too much so you would have to drastically lower the total payout. Even at $50k for the winner under a ratio like that you are spending $100k on just the top 4 and then like $24k on the round of 8 losers and then could give $25k appearance money to first round losers. This would cost around $150k for the same prize distribution model with a $50k top prize. But the players would be happy...but IEM may not have that in their budget and it definitely wouldn't have the same marketing appeal.
Darkhorse
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
United States23455 Posts
January 27 2014 22:35 GMT
#509
On January 28 2014 07:33 shinobi112 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 28 2014 07:30 Shinta) wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:23 danl9rm wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:12 Epamynondas wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:10 danl9rm wrote:
I'm not seeing the huge problem here. If you dislike the tournament, don't sign up. It seems just that simple.

This point kind of falls flat since IEM is like halfway through their season though, no?


Honestly, I don't know how the IEM tourney works. I didn't even know there was a season. However, if the winners of the previous qualifier-tourneys already got paid and this is some 'winner's tourney,' then it's only a matter of being inconsiderate. They should have let the pros know sooner.

What ticks me off most though is just HOW inconsiderate they are being. Basically saying "what? You hate the idea for legitimate reasons? Well, even though you're the reason we make money, we'll fuck you over at the world championship to secure ourselves some dirty, end of the season profit money"


Secure themselves end of season profit? They are a business trying to be profitable? Would you rather they go out of business instead? Seriously? Besides this is a HUGE sum of money they are giving away.

Even though I don't agree with this prize pool, I also agree with your point here. The business should be profitable, and they aren't actually decreasing the overall prize pool so they aren't making any more profit than previous years. The last world championship still had a prize pool of 100k, it was just split, so this "dirty, end of season profit money" argument is pretty bad.
WriterRecently Necro'd (?)
Danish3
Profile Joined September 2013
United States12 Posts
January 27 2014 22:35 GMT
#510
Who ever drops out of this tournament, will just show how cowardly you are, and have no faith in your own game. I know there a plenty of players out there that believe they can win this, and who ever has that mind set, has the best chance of winning this tourny
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough"
Darkhorse
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
United States23455 Posts
January 27 2014 22:37 GMT
#511
On January 28 2014 07:34 Eliezar wrote:
Why this is a great decision:

1) It has already generated tons of free publicity. What other tournament gets this much attention?

There is such thing as bad press, which is certainly at play here.
WriterRecently Necro'd (?)
TeeTS
Profile Joined June 2011
Germany2762 Posts
January 27 2014 22:38 GMT
#512
This is turning an SC2 tournament into a "cash cow". This is only for the show and will only work short time, because it just fucks up with every but one participating player. We have more and more signs of this being the last year of SC2 as professional esport. We should enjoy it.
Darkhorse
Profile Blog Joined December 2011
United States23455 Posts
January 27 2014 22:38 GMT
#513
On January 28 2014 07:35 Danish3 wrote:
Who ever drops out of this tournament, will just show how cowardly you are, and have no faith in your own game. I know there a plenty of players out there that believe they can win this, and who ever has that mind set, has the best chance of winning this tourny

No one is going to "drop out" of this tournament, you qualify by making the finals of another IEM event. You're calling out people who don't exist absurdly early for no particular reason.
WriterRecently Necro'd (?)
Skidmeyer
Profile Joined October 2010
United States10 Posts
January 27 2014 22:38 GMT
#514
I don't understand all the hate for this tournament.....
nkr
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Sweden5451 Posts
January 27 2014 22:38 GMT
#515
Probably late to the party, but I liked Sockes idea of only the best caster getting paid :D
ESPORTS ILLUMINATI
WolfintheSheep
Profile Joined June 2011
Canada14127 Posts
January 27 2014 22:39 GMT
#516
On January 28 2014 07:26 shinobi112 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 28 2014 07:17 WolfintheSheep wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:13 BirdKiller wrote:
On January 28 2014 07:00 Shinta) wrote:
On January 28 2014 05:34 tuoli9 wrote:
On January 28 2014 05:32 DinoMight wrote:
On January 28 2014 04:38 shinobi112 wrote:
On January 28 2014 04:35 Qwyn wrote:
This is really, really stupid. Thanks for giving all the other competitors in this thing no reward for their efforts whatsoever...

Honestly, what the fuck? This seems like more of the thing where a lot of talent would STAY AWAY just because there's no fucking point if they're just going to lose to a Korean...


Really, you believe any foreigner just says well I am going to lose a Korean, I might as well not go… If you are going to lose to a korean mentality and there are 10 koreans you are not going to participate anyways because you will be knocked out first round before any money anyways… They all are INVITED to this tournament after getting other prize money earlier in the year… THIS is like a BONUS tournament… with a BONUS prize of 100,000 so… All these players already got paid for their efforts.


90% of Tennis players who get to the finals are eliminated by Nadal, Djokovic, or Federer.

They still show up and compete. They are getting exposure, they are getting paid by their sponsors. AND there is a chance they could win.

Aaannd they make much more money than SC2 pros...

AND they make a fuck ton of money from losing to Djokavic.
The problem is not that only a few players have a solid chance at winning, it's that everyone else needs to get paid and get points.
Even if they lose to Djokavic in the first round, they make good money for qualifying and they get good points that will help them get qualified to play the highest level of tournaments (which give a lot of prize money, even to last place, because they are the highest level tournaments).
Can you imagine Rolland Garros or something saying "okay guys, this time we'll fuck around and not give points to anyone, and only give prize money to first place"
Rolland Garros probably wouldn't be a major after that. The association would kick the Rolland Garros out of the majors.


Like I said before, the idea of a winner takes all tournament is fun and cool, but not for a high level tournament. That sort of thing needs to be done as a side event, on a much smaller scale.
That's a lot of prizemoney that a lot of people won't be getting. It's not a joke that you fuck around with.
Imagine if your boss at work said "hey guys, we've been paying everyone steady rates all this time, now let's have some fun and give everyone's wages to whoever is employee of the month!!"

This isn't part time shit. IEM is supposed to be helping sc2 pros maintain something closer to a stable career. WCS can not do it by themselves. Not even close.
And the IEM employee's view on this is what's most disgusting.


No. IEM isn't an employer of SC2 professional gamers nor are they some kind of source of welfare for them. It's a form of entertainment for the viewers. It's their money with the help of sponsors. They get to use it how they want it. It didn't come from the government, gamers' employers, or from any association/organization that advocates a gamers' career.


I don't have an issue with them doing whatever they want with their money.

I just think their reasoning is going to backfire, and it's going to be the biggest joke of a finals when the top 4 all know they're getting an even split of the cash.


Really the top 4 are going to split it? lol how do you know this? You speak with these programers that are going to be in the top 4? If I was in the top 4 I would not split it, why would they? because they doubt their ability to win? That creates a healthy mentality. Even in other events sometimes the dropoff from first to second in pay is huge, whats stopping deal from occurring in these? Players compete to win, they will go for the total money, not sharing it.


I know there's going to be a prize split because that's what happens. It wouldn't be the first time, and it's happened for lesser reasons. There is absolutely no player that is confident enough to give up $50,000 when they could get absolutely nothing.

Maybe not Top 4, but almost assuredly the two finalists.

And prize splitting has happened with other events. But when the distribution is good enough, it's less likely to be put on the table...and when it's players making the offer, they tend to be a lot more even with their splitting.
Average means I'm better than half of you.
odaxium
Profile Joined October 2010
United States356 Posts
January 27 2014 22:39 GMT
#517
A one time, winner take all tournament of this magnitude isn't that bad
IncubusSC
Profile Joined December 2013
Canada57 Posts
January 27 2014 22:41 GMT
#518
This uproar just goes to show how phobic to change a large portion of this community is. Something unique gets presented and all these people get scared and nestle up inside their little imaginary safety bubbles.
"Growing old is natural, growing up is optional."
TheBB
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Switzerland5133 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-01-27 22:42:54
January 27 2014 22:42 GMT
#519
If anyone still cares about my opinion after 25 pages, I think this is retarded.

Yes, $100,000 is great. Yes, it's just for one time. Yes, it's only one tournament among many. A reasonable prize money distribution wouldn't interfere with any of those things.

I don't care that it's different and unique. It could be different and unique by having a flatter distribution and I'd be stoked.
http://aligulac.com || Barcraft Switzerland! || Zerg best race. || Stats-poster extraordinaire.
Josh_Video
Profile Joined August 2013
Canada798 Posts
January 27 2014 22:42 GMT
#520
Im usually ok with very top heavy tournaments, but 100k for 1st, 0 for 2nd? thats way to far.
MKP :D ~ MMA ~ Scarlett ~ Taeja ~ Mvp ~ InnoVation ~ Polt | Prime ( RIP :( ) ~ Acer ~ SK Telecom T1 | I enjoyed the locust war of May 3, 2014.
Prev 1 24 25 26 27 28 51 Next
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV Team League
12:00
Group B
WardiTV443
IntoTheiNu 4
Liquipedia
Sparkling Tuna Cup
10:00
Weekly #123
Classic vs CreatorLIVE!
CranKy Ducklings95
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Tasteless 1324
IndyStarCraft 267
Rex 138
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 53317
Calm 15278
firebathero 5993
Horang2 2506
GuemChi 2372
Jaedong 1503
BeSt 666
EffOrt 522
Mini 430
Stork 307
[ Show more ]
Soma 266
Rush 222
actioN 169
Last 113
Dewaltoss 105
Mind 95
ToSsGirL 82
Backho 53
Barracks 38
JulyZerg 36
Hm[arnc] 36
sorry 31
IntoTheRainbow 31
Nal_rA 21
GoRush 17
SilentControl 10
ivOry 9
Icarus 8
Terrorterran 6
Dota 2
Gorgc6942
XaKoH 308
canceldota123
BananaSlamJamma91
Counter-Strike
byalli693
zeus431
x6flipin322
edward88
kRYSTAL_32
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King93
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor285
Other Games
B2W.Neo2197
Liquid`RaSZi877
Fuzer 193
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream26015
Other Games
gamesdonequick886
ComeBackTV 264
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 18
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 17 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• 3DClanTV 100
• musti20045 22
• Adnapsc2 10
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP6
• intothetv
• Kozan
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• sooper7s
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• blackmanpl 30
• iopq 1
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 1595
Upcoming Events
Patches Events
3h 24m
BSL
6h 24m
GSL
18h 24m
Wardi Open
22h 24m
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 3h
WardiTV Team League
1d 22h
PiGosaur Cup
2 days
Kung Fu Cup
2 days
OSC
3 days
The PondCast
3 days
[ Show More ]
KCM Race Survival
3 days
WardiTV Team League
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
KCM Race Survival
4 days
WardiTV Team League
4 days
Korean StarCraft League
5 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
6 days
BSL
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-03-13
WardiTV Winter 2026
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
BSL Season 22
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

CSL Elite League 2026
ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
2026 Changsha Offline CUP
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
NationLESS Cup
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.