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Why StarCraft Needs Team Leagues - ESH

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
mikkmagro
Profile Joined April 2011
Malta1513 Posts
April 13 2014 08:47 GMT
#1
Why StarCraft Needs Team Leagues by ploguidic3

I share this author's views in that the lack of a premier western tournament (or a western proleague of sorts) is detrimental to SC2, especially since far fewer players get opportunities to get support. A fanbase that rallies to teams and not just players is also important for sponsorship opportunities. It is well worth a read!

Historically speaking Korea has always had the all important Proleague, an ongoing team league, and the individual leagues (otherwise known as star leagues). Although the star leagues offered more individual money and prestige than Proleague's team emphasis allowed, the individual leagues always played second fiddle to Proleague in terms of important for the team, and sponsorship dollars.


Due to the fact that team leagues are no longer important, we see teams like Dignitas that are unable to field a roster for a best of seven.

There is currently no real incentive for teams to develop the kind of roster needed to compete in a team environment. Shifting money into a team leagues would create an incentive for teams to do this. If Europe and North America had a premiere team league to call their own, one could expect an explosion of growth in terms of roster depth and new talent.


Looking at the success of LCS, DOTA 2, and Counterstrike GO it is clear that audiences are hungry for team oriented competitions. This is supported by the fact that Proleague gets significantly more viewership in Korea than the GSL. A premiere team league has the potential to capitalize on the audiences hunger to see powerful teams collide.


The increased significance of teams plus the stability offered by a team league are clear immediate benefits that would be brought about by having premiere North American and European team leagues. The team leagues would also encourage foreign organizations to take Starcraft more seriously, because the individual stars shine so much brighter than the team from which they hail it can make teams view having a Starcraft squad as a burden as much as an asset. Team leagues can help a team leverage it's Starcraft roster into a financial asset.
mousesports, Team Acer, Fnatic!
GumBa
Profile Blog Joined July 2012
United Kingdom31935 Posts
April 13 2014 09:00 GMT
#2
Completly agree. Thats why I support ATC alot because it kinda THE western teamleague at the moment.
To all the haters: you deserve to witness many, many more Serral victories, worthy of the godlike player he is.
Serimek
Profile Joined August 2011
France2274 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-04-13 09:20:13
April 13 2014 09:17 GMT
#3
I'd love ESL to create their own team league, more or less like GSTL used to be, into their German studio. It would be perfect and most of the best non-Korean teams can participate in an European based league.

Actually, except EG, Root and the Chinese/Taiwanese teams, I can't see any "big" team that can't have players in Europe to play offline on a regular basis.
SC2 is the best game to watch and was the best to play before I grew old and slow...
nkr
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Sweden5451 Posts
April 13 2014 09:19 GMT
#4
idno, i feel the team aspect of sc2 drives the need for exposure more than results, leaving us with the current climate where a demuslim is worth more than oz to a team

the more players that are able to secure personal deals, the better in my eyes
ESPORTS ILLUMINATI
Serimek
Profile Joined August 2011
France2274 Posts
April 13 2014 09:23 GMT
#5
On April 13 2014 18:19 nkr wrote:
idno, i feel the team aspect of sc2 drives the need for exposure more than results, leaving us with the current climate where a demuslim is worth more than oz to a team

the more players that are able to secure personal deals, the better in my eyes


Personal deals are good for "star" players, maybe, but what for new comers then ?
SC2 is the best game to watch and was the best to play before I grew old and slow...
nkr
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Sweden5451 Posts
April 13 2014 09:25 GMT
#6
On April 13 2014 18:23 Serimek wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 13 2014 18:19 nkr wrote:
idno, i feel the team aspect of sc2 drives the need for exposure more than results, leaving us with the current climate where a demuslim is worth more than oz to a team

the more players that are able to secure personal deals, the better in my eyes


Personal deals are good for "star" players, maybe, but what for new comers then ?


I don't know to be honest, but something is rotten in StarCraft 2. I don't see bad (in comparison) players get the nod over the skilled ones in LoL, Dota2 or CS:GO.
ESPORTS ILLUMINATI
HsDLTitich
Profile Blog Joined October 2012
Italy831 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-04-13 09:42:36
April 13 2014 09:39 GMT
#7
On April 13 2014 18:17 Serimek wrote:
I'd love ESL to create their own team league, more or less like GSTL used to be, into their German studio. It would be perfect and most of the best non-Korean teams can participate in an European based league.

Actually, except EG, Root and the Chinese/Taiwanese teams, I can't see any "big" team that can't have players in Europe to play offline on a regular basis.


ESL runs (ran?) the Euro Series http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/ESL_Euro_Series
I used to organize tournaments for ESL Italy and referee Go4SC2s, WCSs, and IEMs for ESL SC2.
Serimek
Profile Joined August 2011
France2274 Posts
April 13 2014 09:48 GMT
#8
On April 13 2014 18:39 HsDLTitich wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 13 2014 18:17 Serimek wrote:
I'd love ESL to create their own team league, more or less like GSTL used to be, into their German studio. It would be perfect and most of the best non-Korean teams can participate in an European based league.

Actually, except EG, Root and the Chinese/Taiwanese teams, I can't see any "big" team that can't have players in Europe to play offline on a regular basis.


ESL runs (ran?) the Euro Series http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/ESL_Euro_Series


Nothing close to a GSTL-esque tournament
SC2 is the best game to watch and was the best to play before I grew old and slow...
mikkmagro
Profile Joined April 2011
Malta1513 Posts
April 13 2014 10:12 GMT
#9
On April 13 2014 18:39 HsDLTitich wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 13 2014 18:17 Serimek wrote:
I'd love ESL to create their own team league, more or less like GSTL used to be, into their German studio. It would be perfect and most of the best non-Korean teams can participate in an European based league.

Actually, except EG, Root and the Chinese/Taiwanese teams, I can't see any "big" team that can't have players in Europe to play offline on a regular basis.


ESL runs (ran?) the Euro Series http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/ESL_Euro_Series

It doesn't seem as though that will continue for SC2. The Euro Series Spring 2014 is already underway for LoL, so its very doubtful there will be one for SC2 anymore.
mousesports, Team Acer, Fnatic!
ejozl
Profile Joined October 2010
Denmark3488 Posts
April 13 2014 10:20 GMT
#10
Yes, I agree more teamleagues and more 2v2. 1v1 is good, but having more variance is only better.
SC2 Archon needs "Terrible, terrible damage" as one of it's quotes.
Dingodile
Profile Joined December 2011
4139 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-04-13 10:31:21
April 13 2014 10:26 GMT
#11
yeah and we need one ot two regional (!) tournament yearly like WCS EU/KR/NA 2012.

edit: I disagree that ProLeauge has more viewers than GSL (twitch numbers).
Grubby | ToD | Moon | Lyn | Sky
monx1e
Profile Joined June 2010
Spain37 Posts
April 13 2014 11:04 GMT
#12
I can't agree more. Here in Spain we've done a proleague format with 8 teams, and it has had impressive numbers on the stream. In addition to this, I feel it has increased sc2's exposure and fanbase here, revitalizing the scene.

Something bigger from the ESL would definately be good news, although I don't know how would teams adapt to an offline regular season format. ATC is really trying to help develop this kind of aspect of the game, but I would personally love an offline regular season.
Meavis
Profile Blog Joined September 2011
Netherlands1300 Posts
April 13 2014 11:34 GMT
#13
can we have a clan ladder now ? :3
"Not you."
therabit
Profile Joined August 2011
795 Posts
April 13 2014 11:36 GMT
#14
I totally agree, I pretty much only follow Proleague now
StarStruck
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
25339 Posts
April 13 2014 11:44 GMT
#15
We technically have them, but from my standpoint they're all bush league.
coloursheep
Profile Joined May 2011
China497 Posts
April 13 2014 11:55 GMT
#16
On April 13 2014 18:25 nkr wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 13 2014 18:23 Serimek wrote:
On April 13 2014 18:19 nkr wrote:
idno, i feel the team aspect of sc2 drives the need for exposure more than results, leaving us with the current climate where a demuslim is worth more than oz to a team

the more players that are able to secure personal deals, the better in my eyes


Personal deals are good for "star" players, maybe, but what for new comers then ?


I don't know to be honest, but something is rotten in StarCraft 2. I don't see bad (in comparison) players get the nod over the skilled ones in LoL, Dota2 or CS:GO.


I could not care less about any of those games but maybe it is because SC is 1v1 not 5v5 individual players stand out much more so personalities have a more important role
s.a.y
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
Croatia3840 Posts
April 13 2014 12:06 GMT
#17
I would be nice if teamliquid would host such a tournament. With TSL 5 missing it could fill the spot quite nicely. Even if there would be no prizes, the games would still have a lot of weight and lots of viewers. With the liquid HQ near Take's place, they could hold the finals there.
I am not good with quotes
TAMinator
Profile Joined February 2011
Australia2706 Posts
April 13 2014 12:22 GMT
#18
They need a serious team league that incorporates at least 1 game of 2v2, and with as diverse a team lineup as possible (global teams, not just koreans). I know I personally would find that much more interesting to watch.
TheVictornator
Profile Joined December 2013
United Kingdom16 Posts
April 13 2014 12:39 GMT
#19
I completely agree. It could definitely help stop the current Starcraft "slump"- as the guy from the article put it.
SCguineapig
Profile Blog Joined January 2013
Netherlands289 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-04-13 12:41:55
April 13 2014 12:41 GMT
#20
would love to see a team league. perhaps throw some 4v4's in there. i think seeing 2 teams with 4 players fight it out in a 4v4 match would attract a lot of views. at least it is something other then 1v1 for a change.
broodwar wasn't perfect
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