The groups and open brackets have already been announced, but we are now happy to also reveal who will be hosting and commentating the matches. There's a little over two weeks to go until Intel Extreme Masters San Jose kicks off at the SAP Center on the 6th and 7th of December, and we're pleased to announce the fantastic talent lineup who'll be presenting the StarCraft II action to you.
Hosting the stage will be none other than Paul "ReDeYe" Chaloner, while the analyst desk will be hosted by Richard Lewis. Providing insight and commentary will be ESL and WCS regulars, Shaun "Apollo" Clark, James "Kaelaris" Carrol, Yoan "ToD "Merlo and Kevin "RotterdaM" van Der Kooi along with Sean "Day[9]" Plott. Additionally, joining them on the stage for translations will be the incredibly talented Sue "Smix" Lee.
The full talent lineup is as follows:
Paul "ReDeYe" Chaloner Richard Lewis Shaun "Apollo" Clark James "Kaelaris" Carrol Sean "Day[9]" Plott Kevin "RotterdaM" van Der Kooi Yoan "ToD" Merlo Sue "Smix" Lee
For the latest information on Intel Extreme Masters San Jose, be sure to keep an eye on the official Intel Extreme Masters website as well as following us on Facebook and Twitter.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
I've never seen any sport puting so much emphasis on the people describing what's going on, then on what's actually going on. Even previous RTS games, such as Warcraft 3, didn't put nearly as much effort and money into it. Kind of says a lot when you think about it.
If Starcraft 2 was easier to grasp for beginners, and more action-packed, commentators wouldn't have such a dominant position. Also, maybe well-dressed casters acting cool are a way to make the viewers forget all the negative stigmas related to gaming.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
I've never seen any sport puting so much emphasis on the people describing what's going on, then on what's actually going on. Even previous RTS games, such as Warcraft 3, didn't put nearly as much effort and money into it. Kind of says a lot when you think about it.
Casters matter so much dude. I've met people who said they only watched SC2 because they like Tasteless and Day9.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
I've never seen any sport puting so much emphasis on the people describing what's going on, then on what's actually going on. Even previous RTS games, such as Warcraft 3, didn't put nearly as much effort and money into it. Kind of says a lot when you think about it.
Casters matter so much dude. I've met people who said they only watched SC2 because they like Tasteless and Day9.
They shouldn't though. It should be about the players and game - not who's talking. (Not to say we don't need quality casters etc, just saying that the emphasis should be players.)
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
I've never seen any sport puting so much emphasis on the people describing what's going on, then on what's actually going on. Even previous RTS games, such as Warcraft 3, didn't put nearly as much effort and money into it. Kind of says a lot when you think about it.
Casters matter so much dude. I've met people who said they only watched SC2 because they like Tasteless and Day9.
They shouldn't though. It should be about the players and game - not who's talking. (Not to say we don't need quality casters etc, just saying that the emphasis should be players.)
You'd think, but the casters get a lot more opportunity to show of there personality than players, I think and a lot of people connect with that. To the outside viewer, the players (especially the koreans), are just kind of random players, but the casters can get you into the game still like no other.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
The whole "casters vs players" regarding SC2 is indeed incredibly strange. It's almost as casters are more important or just as important as the players, which should not be the case.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
The whole "casters vs players" regarding SC2 is indeed incredibly strange. It's almost as casters are more important or just as important as the players, which should not be the case.
As I said before, it shouldn't be, but it totally is if not more important than the players
On November 24 2014 04:38 AzBozz wrote: smix everywhere! She deserves it
Can't agree more. I used to dislike her not so long ago due to her very simple and nervous interviews. But she has changed that so much in the last couple of months. Very good and indepth interviews being much more relaxed. Well deserved Smix, you seemed to have improved a lot. Keep up the good work!
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
The whole "casters vs players" regarding SC2 is indeed incredibly strange. It's almost as casters are more important or just as important as the players, which should not be the case.
As I said before, it shouldn't be, but it totally is if not more important than the players
Most of the casters are actively working on making themselves celebrities in e-sports world. Announcements like this help to solidify that status.
If you'd invite some Ricky Gervais and Brad Pitt to cast basketball, they too would be more important than the teams, in the event, despite that they don't know more about basketball than a regular viewer. Especially if basketball talents would disappear in a year or two like it is with SC2. People need something stable, and in a world where you can go from top contender to nonfactor in half a year, casters are what's stable.
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
Indeed.
Players are just an excuse for us to bake in glory of casters, hosts and analysts.
Where is da James. Every event has books now Smix, It is like she is the only Translator ( and Host ) out there. I can understand that Events like it to have Translator/Host in one person, but when you have RedEye, why dont they take a Translator who is able to create more hype, who transports the players phrases better and maybe has some better questions like this allways "hey winner, why did you lose game X and how did you come back so hard" if someone won not X-0 and the other question is allways "this start, did you prepair that build or did you just go for it?" and finally there is "here are so many fans who cheer for you (shows us the 20 people crowd in Burbank ), what do you want to say to them?".
WCS America and RB had such great interviews, the last events... arg. Sorry Smix.
On November 24 2014 06:50 Clonester wrote: Where is da James. Every event has books now Smix, It is like she is the only Translator ( and Host ) out there. I can understand that Events like it to have Translator/Host in one person, but when you have RedEye, why dont they take a Translator who is able to create more hype, who transports the players phrases better and maybe has some better questions like this allways "hey winner, why did you lose game X and how did you come back so hard" if someone won not X-0 and the other question is allways "this start, did you prepair that build or did you just go for it?" and finally there is "here are so many fans who cheer for you (shows us the 20 people crowd in Burbank ), what do you want to say to them?".
WCS America and RB had such great interviews, the last events... arg. Sorry Smix.
Only so few available Koreans who can translate and host and are trusted in the StarCraft II scene.
Oh wow Richard Lewis and Day9 together probably the first time since Lewis started hating on Day9 and has held a grudge against him ever since years ago. Wonder if there will be any drama and how they will interact together. I'm sure Day9 has heard Richard call him a greedy, overrated fake for years now. He's probably Richard's number one target to hate on in esports. Lewis always took shots at Day9 on unfiltered whenever his name came up.
Who knows maybe they will make up. He has made up with people he's hated on in the past like Incontrol, Travis, nathanias and even hotbid who he hated on for blacklisting him but is now supporting his kickstarter.
Happy for Richard Lewis. He doesn't know a lot about Starcraft, but he knows about the structure and pressures of progaming, and can set up the other commentators well with his questions.
Who is Richard Lewis and why are people making fuss about him?
And Smix took all the translation jobs available right now XD. Or perhaps, rather than take, she's already has offers for every SC2 events from now until the end of 2015 and she simply pick whichever she likes. I also agree with previous poster, I think it's because not much choice for a translator-interviewer package available now. And she's there on pretty much every single event that interviewed players are already very comfortable around her (oh, this unni again...)
Since Suzie is active in Korea now, the only option I can think of is James, wonder why he hasn't do a single event nowadays
On November 24 2014 10:21 stefan16 wrote: Who is Richard Lewis and why are people making fuss about him?
He was once a major esports journalist - now he's an independent guy. He's noted for some very controversial statements made on Unfiltered and whatnot, but he was generally praised when he led the commentator's panel at Dreamhack Moscow.
On November 24 2014 12:03 FrostedMiniWheats wrote: Kaelaris is all business in that pic xD
TBH, everyone there except Rotti, Smix and Day[9] looks like the next words out of their mouth could be "This is a clear contradiction to the statement you released last week."
On November 24 2014 10:21 stefan16 wrote: James, wonder why he hasn't do a single event nowadays
if you think i havent done an event nowadays willingly, you are greatly mistaken, sir. its not like i dont want to work. im just not given one. guess i gotta be more influential or just be more active all around including online before im completely forgotten XD
On November 24 2014 10:21 stefan16 wrote: James, wonder why he hasn't do a single event nowadays
if you think i havent done an event nowadays willingly, you are greatly mistaken, sir. its not like i dont want to work. im just not given one. guess i gotta be more influential or just be more active all around including online before im completely forgotten XD
On November 24 2014 10:21 stefan16 wrote: And she's there on pretty much every single event that interviewed players are already very comfortable around her (oh, this unni again...)
Since the Korean players she interviews are all male, they'd refer to her as noona (누나) provided they are also younger than her. ^_^
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
I've never seen any sport puting so much emphasis on the people describing what's going on, then on what's actually going on. Even previous RTS games, such as Warcraft 3, didn't put nearly as much effort and money into it. Kind of says a lot when you think about it.
If Starcraft 2 was easier to grasp for beginners, and more action-packed, commentators wouldn't have such a dominant position. Also, maybe well-dressed casters acting cool are a way to make the viewers forget all the negative stigmas related to gaming.
I think starcraft is both way easier to grasp for beginners than Moba's in terms of why things are happening and what the ultimate goal is and way more actionpacked on average than any other esport aside CS atm.
casting personalities are important to sc2 since they were attached to it from the very beginning. you could say we were spoiled by having many excellent casters from the get go, and now we expect at least as much effort from casters in tournament than we do from players. i think that's a good thing actually.
On November 24 2014 07:09 Canucklehead wrote: Oh wow Richard Lewis and Day9 together probably the first time since Lewis started hating on Day9 and has held a grudge against him ever since years ago. Wonder if there will be any drama and how they will interact together. I'm sure Day9 has heard Richard call him a greedy, overrated fake for years now. He's probably Richard's number one target to hate on in esports. Lewis always took shots at Day9 on unfiltered whenever his name came up.
Who knows maybe they will make up. He has made up with people he's hated on in the past like Incontrol, Travis, nathanias and even hotbid who he hated on for blacklisting him but is now supporting his kickstarter.
if they're both proffessionals, then we won't notice a thing.
On November 24 2014 06:50 Clonester wrote: Where is da James. Every event has books now Smix, It is like she is the only Translator ( and Host ) out there. I can understand that Events like it to have Translator/Host in one person, but when you have RedEye, why dont they take a Translator who is able to create more hype, who transports the players phrases better and maybe has some better questions like this allways "hey winner, why did you lose game X and how did you come back so hard" if someone won not X-0 and the other question is allways "this start, did you prepair that build or did you just go for it?" and finally there is "here are so many fans who cheer for you (shows us the 20 people crowd in Burbank ), what do you want to say to them?".
WCS America and RB had such great interviews, the last events... arg. Sorry Smix.
I have to disagree. There's always room for improvement and then there's nit picking. I've been watching sc2 interviews for 4 years and she's one of the best we've had. Probably because she knows the game and the players. Plus she's female which adds diversity to any line up.
On November 24 2014 07:09 Canucklehead wrote: Oh wow Richard Lewis and Day9 together probably the first time since Lewis started hating on Day9 and has held a grudge against him ever since years ago. Wonder if there will be any drama and how they will interact together. I'm sure Day9 has heard Richard call him a greedy, overrated fake for years now. He's probably Richard's number one target to hate on in esports. Lewis always took shots at Day9 on unfiltered whenever his name came up.
Who knows maybe they will make up. He has made up with people he's hated on in the past like Incontrol, Travis, nathanias and even hotbid who he hated on for blacklisting him but is now supporting his kickstarter.
if they're both proffessionals, then we won't notice a thing.
Yes, probably. In truth it seemed like Day9 took note and visibly changed his approach after that time. It wasn't just random hate, people tell the esports journalists things off the record.. it's just considered professional suicide in SC2 to say anything bad about day 9, even now players don't explicitly say his name when talking about why those caster tourneys will never happen. But then maybe he seems more fake to the cynical English ear, he gives off a strong sound confident and people will believe you vibe that some find very irksome.
And lets not forget Richard lets the booze talk all too often... and then tries to style it out. Always entertaining
On November 24 2014 07:09 Canucklehead wrote: Oh wow Richard Lewis and Day9 together probably the first time since Lewis started hating on Day9 and has held a grudge against him ever since years ago. Wonder if there will be any drama and how they will interact together. I'm sure Day9 has heard Richard call him a greedy, overrated fake for years now. He's probably Richard's number one target to hate on in esports. Lewis always took shots at Day9 on unfiltered whenever his name came up.
Who knows maybe they will make up. He has made up with people he's hated on in the past like Incontrol, Travis, nathanias and even hotbid who he hated on for blacklisting him but is now supporting his kickstarter.
if they're both proffessionals, then we won't notice a thing.
Yes, probably. In truth it seemed like Day9 took note and visibly changed his approach after that time. It wasn't just random hate, people tell the esports journalists things off the record.. it's just considered professional suicide in SC2 to say anything bad about day 9, even now players don't explicitly say his name when talking about why those caster tourneys will never happen. But then maybe he seems more fake to the cynical English ear, he gives off a strong sound confident and people will believe you vibe that some find very irksome.
And lets not forget Richard lets the booze talk all too often... and then tries to style it out. Always entertaining
Day 9 has much less to worry about than other casters. You can tell from his analysis that he is surprisingly in touch with the meta. He makes bold predictions, even if they are wrong. He mentions specific builds and timings. The guy is a brood war legend and achieved a high enough level in sc2 to let it carry him for a long, long time. I can't say the same for a couple other wcs casters. Many generic low level casts full of "solid," "standard," and "macro game."
On November 24 2014 07:09 Canucklehead wrote: Oh wow Richard Lewis and Day9 together probably the first time since Lewis started hating on Day9 and has held a grudge against him ever since years ago. Wonder if there will be any drama and how they will interact together. I'm sure Day9 has heard Richard call him a greedy, overrated fake for years now. He's probably Richard's number one target to hate on in esports. Lewis always took shots at Day9 on unfiltered whenever his name came up.
Who knows maybe they will make up. He has made up with people he's hated on in the past like Incontrol, Travis, nathanias and even hotbid who he hated on for blacklisting him but is now supporting his kickstarter.
if they're both proffessionals, then we won't notice a thing.
Yes, probably. In truth it seemed like Day9 took note and visibly changed his approach after that time. It wasn't just random hate, people tell the esports journalists things off the record.. it's just considered professional suicide in SC2 to say anything bad about day 9, even now players don't explicitly say his name when talking about why those caster tourneys will never happen. But then maybe he seems more fake to the cynical English ear, he gives off a strong sound confident and people will believe you vibe that some find very irksome.
And lets not forget Richard lets the booze talk all too often... and then tries to style it out. Always entertaining
Day 9 has much less to worry about than other casters. You can tell from his analysis that he is surprisingly in touch with the meta. He makes bold predictions, even if they are wrong. He mentions specific builds and timings. The guy is a brood war legend and achieved a high enough level in sc2 to let it carry him for a long, long time. I can't say the same for a couple other wcs casters. Many generic low level casts full of "solid," "standard," and "macro game."
haha Day9's predictions are quite reliably wrong this day and age. bold yes, informed? maybe not. i would say one of the best predictors in the scene right now is Apollo
On November 24 2014 03:13 SetGuitarsToKill wrote: Does anyone else find the phrase "talent lineup" kind of odd? Makes it sounds like players, not casters and hosts.
I've never seen any sport puting so much emphasis on the people describing what's going on, then on what's actually going on. Even previous RTS games, such as Warcraft 3, didn't put nearly as much effort and money into it. Kind of says a lot when you think about it.
Casters matter so much dude. I've met people who said they only watched SC2 because they like Tasteless and Day9.
They shouldn't though. It should be about the players and game - not who's talking. (Not to say we don't need quality casters etc, just saying that the emphasis should be players.)
Players don't have very much exposure in the e-sports world compared to casters and there's really not that much to be excited about with SC2 since nearly every game is the same.
I think it's fine if the casters are hyped out a bit. I know there were times when I looked forward to watching certain hosts and commentators when watching non-esports. Sometimes watching esports reminds me of watching F1. Can you imagine how boring it'd be if all you do is watching cars go around in circles without someone explaining that backstory and what's going on.
On November 24 2014 07:09 Canucklehead wrote: Oh wow Richard Lewis and Day9 together probably the first time since Lewis started hating on Day9 and has held a grudge against him ever since years ago. Wonder if there will be any drama and how they will interact together. I'm sure Day9 has heard Richard call him a greedy, overrated fake for years now. He's probably Richard's number one target to hate on in esports. Lewis always took shots at Day9 on unfiltered whenever his name came up.
Who knows maybe they will make up. He has made up with people he's hated on in the past like Incontrol, Travis, nathanias and even hotbid who he hated on for blacklisting him but is now supporting his kickstarter.
if they're both proffessionals, then we won't notice a thing.
Yes, probably. In truth it seemed like Day9 took note and visibly changed his approach after that time. It wasn't just random hate, people tell the esports journalists things off the record.. it's just considered professional suicide in SC2 to say anything bad about day 9, even now players don't explicitly say his name when talking about why those caster tourneys will never happen. But then maybe he seems more fake to the cynical English ear, he gives off a strong sound confident and people will believe you vibe that some find very irksome.
And lets not forget Richard lets the booze talk all too often... and then tries to style it out. Always entertaining
Day 9 has much less to worry about than other casters. You can tell from his analysis that he is surprisingly in touch with the meta. He makes bold predictions, even if they are wrong. He mentions specific builds and timings. The guy is a brood war legend and achieved a high enough level in sc2 to let it carry him for a long, long time. I can't say the same for a couple other wcs casters. Many generic low level casts full of "solid," "standard," and "macro game."
If I had a shot every time Day9 miscalled a game or situation just to hype it up, I'd have liver cirrhosis right now. Day9 definitely is one of those casters who prefers hype over what is actually happening, and not everyone likes. Nathanias tends to do that as well.
As Caster Day9 biggest strenght is talking/telling into camera, this is extremely appreciated to new people & fans & neutral viewers. Other casters (they do know more about this game) act like they are talking with their best friends.
EPT![[image loading]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3JcT8ACAAAyFEz.jpg)
