"According to the announcement made by AfreecaTV and Gretech, The two companies have signed a contract to transfer GomeXP Studio`s installation and equipment.
Still, it is not confirmed whether GomeXP`s employees transfer or not; however, the persons concerned predict AfreecaTV to hire core personnel away from GOMeXP, considering the need of skilled personnel.
...Gretech says this won`t affect any GomeXP leagues, noting that they will still use the place by borrowing it from AfreecaTV."
Though there have always been voices that worry Gretech`s financial state, this sounds especially critical to me because it is something like 'a landlord sells his house and become a tenant in the very house.'
Worth noting that Afreeca hired away Mr. Oh Joo Yang (the top behind-the-scenes man) and Mr. Chae from GomEXP earlier this year. The ZDnet article states that Mr. Oh was said to be involved in a lot of talks with GomEXP in the weeks leading up to this studio acquisition..
Keep in mind, "existing" only means until this season of GSL is over. Who knows what will become of WCS Korea next year. My bet is that there will be some big shake ups. But given Blizzard's apparent newly positive attitude towards SC2 and SC2 eSports with LotV right around the corner, I have to imagine they will have big plans come WCS 2016 Season 1, likely the first season of LotV.
On August 01 2015 01:42 DeadByDawn wrote: No matter how good BW is supposed to be, it hurts my eyes to watch it. It looks like something that would run on a Sinclair Spectrum.
Hopefully this is good news for SC2 but I do not know what it really means.
I could say the same thing about sc2 and it being too cluttered to notice anything.
On July 31 2015 22:57 ThomasjServo wrote: What does Afreeca do besides streaming services? I assume it is a small portion of some Korean Megaconglomerate.
Nothing much. AfreecaTV earned 4.3m$ in the first half of this year itself, just by subscribers' donations and ads.
*FIY, the whole sales revenue is 30.9m$.
Though it is known that AfreecaTV is planning to expand their business into shopping and entertainment, we don't know the specifics yet.
On July 31 2015 23:45 looknohands119 wrote: Keep in mind, "existing" only means until this season of GSL is over. Who knows what will become of WCS Korea next year. My bet is that there will be some big shake ups. But given Blizzard's apparent newly positive attitude towards SC2 and SC2 eSports with LotV right around the corner, I have to imagine they will have big plans come WCS 2016 Season 1, likely the first season of LotV.
wouldn't be shocked if SpoTV became their preferred partner over GSL
On July 31 2015 23:45 looknohands119 wrote: Keep in mind, "existing" only means until this season of GSL is over. Who knows what will become of WCS Korea next year. My bet is that there will be some big shake ups. But given Blizzard's apparent newly positive attitude towards SC2 and SC2 eSports with LotV right around the corner, I have to imagine they will have big plans come WCS 2016 Season 1, likely the first season of LotV.
wouldn't be shocked if SpoTV became their preferred partner over GSL
I would miss the history of GSL but most of the really good folks left GOM a while ago (Seeker and John are the notable exceptions) and I can't say that I approve of their spending decisions. Also, SpoTV is doing great things for SC2 in Korea right now so I would be lying if I said that I thought taking the funds from GSL and putting them into Starleague wouldn't be an improvement.
On July 31 2015 23:45 looknohands119 wrote: Keep in mind, "existing" only means until this season of GSL is over. Who knows what will become of WCS Korea next year. My bet is that there will be some big shake ups. But given Blizzard's apparent newly positive attitude towards SC2 and SC2 eSports with LotV right around the corner, I have to imagine they will have big plans come WCS 2016 Season 1, likely the first season of LotV.
wouldn't be shocked if SpoTV became their preferred partner over GSL
I would miss the history of GSL but most of the really good folks left GOM a while ago (Seeker and John are the notable exceptions) and I can't say that I approve of their spending decisions. Also, SpoTV is doing great things for SC2 in Korea right now so I would be lying if I said that I thought taking the funds from GSL and putting them into Starleague wouldn't be an improvement.
Agreed, spotv having been doing such an excellent job bringing the popularity back as you can see by the audience growing tremendously than before. If gsl did end up crashing, i'd prefer there to be 2 tournaments instead of just one still. Theres a possibility that ogn's starleague might take that roll.
This is surprising. Have to wait and see if there is any big changes. What happened to the world of tanks tournament thing? I guess this move is because the venue is not really used after the games they had didn't have good return?
On August 01 2015 01:42 DeadByDawn wrote: No matter how good BW is supposed to be, it hurts my eyes to watch it. It looks like something that would run on a Sinclair Spectrum.
Actually the quality on BW was better than GomTV's free low setting for SC2. Most of the time Gom was just purple pixels with a few dark shadows moving around, functioned better as a radio broadcast.
On August 01 2015 13:49 BLinD-RawR wrote: I don't see this as any indication of GSL going away, rather its the studio thats going to be the setting for a lot of different events.
I can't technically confirm anything but the word on the street is that GSL is highly unlikely to live through the purchase. The real question is where the money that was going towards GSL from Blizzard for WCS goes next.
On August 01 2015 13:49 BLinD-RawR wrote: I don't see this as any indication of GSL going away, rather its the studio thats going to be the setting for a lot of different events.
I can't technically confirm anything but the word on the street is that GSL is highly unlikely to live through the purchase. The real question is where the money that was going towards GSL from Blizzard for WCS goes next.
So to chime in a bit, Mr. Chae told me about this over lunch a few days ago.
To answer the biggest question, GSL Season 3 is going nowhere. It will still be live-streamed on Twitch, but we may start doing re-streams on AfreecaTV. What the live-stream quality will be I do not know, nor do I believe we have any control over it.
WCS 2016 is a complete question mark at this point.
More Leagues for Brood War? I've heard that something may be in the works
On August 02 2015 04:33 afreecaTV.Char wrote: So to chime in a bit, Mr. Chae told me about this over lunch a few days ago.
To answer the biggest question, GSL Season 3 is going nowhere. It will still be live-streamed on Twitch, but we may start doing re-streams on AfreecaTV. What the live-stream quality will be I do not know, nor do I believe we have any control over it.
WCS 2016 is a complete question mark at this point.
More Leagues for Brood War? I've heard that something may be in the works
Maybe I'll have to start actively watching Brood War if there's gonna be more leagues for it in the future :D
On August 02 2015 04:33 afreecaTV.Char wrote: So to chime in a bit, Mr. Chae told me about this over lunch a few days ago.
To answer the biggest question, GSL Season 3 is going nowhere. It will still be live-streamed on Twitch, but we may start doing re-streams on AfreecaTV. What the live-stream quality will be I do not know, nor do I believe we have any control over it.
WCS 2016 is a complete question mark at this point.
More Leagues for Brood War? I've heard that something may be in the works
Maybe I'll have to start actively watching Brood War if there's gonna be more leagues for it in the future :D
On August 02 2015 04:33 afreecaTV.Char wrote: So to chime in a bit, Mr. Chae told me about this over lunch a few days ago.
To answer the biggest question, GSL Season 3 is going nowhere. It will still be live-streamed on Twitch, but we may start doing re-streams on AfreecaTV. What the live-stream quality will be I do not know, nor do I believe we have any control over it.
WCS 2016 is a complete question mark at this point.
More Leagues for Brood War? I've heard that something may be in the works
That's some excellent news, I eagerly look forward to it
On August 02 2015 04:33 afreecaTV.Char wrote: So to chime in a bit, Mr. Chae told me about this over lunch a few days ago.
To answer the biggest question, GSL Season 3 is going nowhere. It will still be live-streamed on Twitch, but we may start doing re-streams on AfreecaTV. What the live-stream quality will be I do not know, nor do I believe we have any control over it.
WCS 2016 is a complete question mark at this point.
More Leagues for Brood War? I've heard that something may be in the works
<3 <3 <3 I hope that Blizz finds a good solution that allows both BW and SC2 to grow while complementing each other in a way that's advantageous for everyone involved and both games.
On August 02 2015 04:33 afreecaTV.Char wrote: So to chime in a bit, Mr. Chae told me about this over lunch a few days ago.
To answer the biggest question, GSL Season 3 is going nowhere. It will still be live-streamed on Twitch, but we may start doing re-streams on AfreecaTV. What the live-stream quality will be I do not know, nor do I believe we have any control over it.
WCS 2016 is a complete question mark at this point.
More Leagues for Brood War? I've heard that something may be in the works
That's some excellent news, I eagerly look forward to it
It is excellent news if you predominantly follow BW but worrying if you follow SC2, or am I misunderstanding it?
Yeah i rather wait till official news are out there. But it was pretty clear that GSL has/had troubles, wouldn't surprise me one bit if next year GSL would be gone
On August 02 2015 23:11 The_Red_Viper wrote: Yeah i rather wait till official news are out there. But it was pretty clear that GSL has/had troubles, wouldn't surprise me one bit if next year GSL would be gone
That'd be such a shame! But I will follow the GSL music guy wherever he goes.
On August 02 2015 23:11 The_Red_Viper wrote: Yeah i rather wait till official news are out there. But it was pretty clear that GSL has/had troubles, wouldn't surprise me one bit if next year GSL would be gone
That'd be such a shame! But I will follow the GSL music guy wherever he goes.
I hope there still will be two korean leagues, sure GSL was there from the beginning, but overall the quality was decreasing (or not increasing fats enough) Well we will see what happens.
On July 31 2015 17:16 Thouhastmail wrote: Though there have always been voices that worry Gretech`s financial state, this sounds especially critical to me because it is something like 'a landlord sells his house and become a tenant in the very house.'
This is abnormal
no.. actually its quite normal when a landlord sells his house and becomes a tenant in the very house. its called sale and leaseback and its used oftentime to improve the balancesheet of a company.
Demanding subscriptions for decent quality GSL was always too greedy. Was there really no other way to try to make money? No other streaming service do that as I know...
Yeye, competetive sc2 taking another small hit. When was the last time a new young player broke through?
On August 05 2015 06:08 Slydie wrote: Demanding subscriptions for decent quality GSL was always too greedy. Was there really no other way to try to make money? No other streaming service do that as I know...
Yeye, competetive sc2 taking another small hit. When was the last time a new young player broke through?
There are plenty that do it, but they let you get above medium before they ask for the cash.
Worst case, no more GSL. Other than that, why acquire all this shit if you aren't going to do something with it? BW league as its afreeca, or competition for SSL, I think are far more likely, but that is just me.
On August 05 2015 06:54 ThomasjServo wrote: Worst case, no more GSL. Other than that, why acquire all this shit if you aren't going to do something with it? BW league as its afreeca, or competition for SSL, I think are far more likely, but that is just me.
You seem to be good at connecting dots, I hope your right.
On August 05 2015 06:54 ThomasjServo wrote: Worst case, no more GSL. Other than that, why acquire all this shit if you aren't going to do something with it? BW league as its afreeca, or competition for SSL, I think are far more likely, but that is just me.
You seem to be good at connecting dots, I hope your right.
Fingers crossed, but I can't see any other reason for the investment.
*sorry to pull up a dead thread, but I have some updates*
The studio(s) have been renamed to 'FreecUP Studios' with the Freec Studio being on the 2nd Floor and the UP Studio being on the 3rd Floor. I haven't received an official explanation on the naming of the studios, but I'm guessing 'Freec' is coming from 'Afreeca' and 'UP' is coming from the K-Pop Team that relocated to the studios.
Since it is AfreecaTV, they plan to use it for various events and shows and not just eSports. The studios may also possibly be used by BJs (Broadcast Jockeys) for large events, adding to the four small studios they can already use at our main office.
The more important update? A Brood War tournament/league is being planned to take place within this year. Nothing is official, but it looks like it will be an open tournament or at least have open qualifiers.
On August 20 2015 06:09 afreecaTV.Char wrote: *sorry to pull up a dead thread, but I have some updates*
The studio(s) have been renamed to 'FreecUP Studios' with the Freec Studio being on the 2nd Floor and the UP Studio being on the 3rd Floor. I haven't received an official explanation on the naming of the studios, but I'm guessing 'Freec' is coming from 'Afreeca' and 'UP' is coming from the K-Pop Team that relocated to the studios.
Since it is AfreecaTV, they plan to use it for various events and shows and not just eSports. The studios may also possibly be used by BJs (Broadcast Jockeys) for large events, adding to the four small studios they can already use at our main office.
The more important update? A Brood War tournament/league is being planned to take place within this year. Nothing is official, but it looks like it will be an open tournament or at least have open qualifiers.
On August 20 2015 06:09 afreecaTV.Char wrote: *sorry to pull up a dead thread, but I have some updates*
The studio(s) have been renamed to 'FreecUP Studios' with the Freec Studio being on the 2nd Floor and the UP Studio being on the 3rd Floor. I haven't received an official explanation on the naming of the studios, but I'm guessing 'Freec' is coming from 'Afreeca' and 'UP' is coming from the K-Pop Team that relocated to the studios.
Since it is AfreecaTV, they plan to use it for various events and shows and not just eSports. The studios may also possibly be used by BJs (Broadcast Jockeys) for large events, adding to the four small studios they can already use at our main office.
The more important update? A Brood War tournament/league is being planned to take place within this year. Nothing is official, but it looks like it will be an open tournament or at least have open qualifiers.
Sick!!! Open BW Qualifier, Szisky get ready!
Hell, I think we all need to start practicing again. BW is picking up some strong momentum! :D
On August 20 2015 06:09 afreecaTV.Char wrote: *sorry to pull up a dead thread, but I have some updates*
The studio(s) have been renamed to 'FreecUP Studios' with the Freec Studio being on the 2nd Floor and the UP Studio being on the 3rd Floor. I haven't received an official explanation on the naming of the studios, but I'm guessing 'Freec' is coming from 'Afreeca' and 'UP' is coming from the K-Pop Team that relocated to the studios.
Since it is AfreecaTV, they plan to use it for various events and shows and not just eSports. The studios may also possibly be used by BJs (Broadcast Jockeys) for large events, adding to the four small studios they can already use at our main office.
The more important update? A Brood War tournament/league is being planned to take place within this year. Nothing is official, but it looks like it will be an open tournament or at least have open qualifiers.
But will the GSL live to see LotV
I doubt it at this point :/ SSL is still there though, maybe a second tournament will start as well?
It would be really sad if GSL went under. Maybe we are bitching about the quality and whatnot, but honestly it is still the tourney I enjoy the most of all SC2 events.
On August 20 2015 07:01 opisska wrote: It would be really sad if GSL went under. Maybe we are bitching about the quality and whatnot, but honestly it is still the tourney I enjoy the most of all SC2 events.
Given the rumors going around and what was said in this update, it seems like we're safe to assume that this is the final season of the GSL, The question is where does the money Blizzard was pumping into GSL as part of WCS Korea go next? To SpoTV, Afreeca, or a third party... will be interesting!
If Afreeca starts broadcasting GSL in HD, I might actually stay up late again to watch it! I haven't seen anything but occasional VODs of GSL for all of 2015 and I miss it being watchable so much! I don't connect with the competitors on SSL as much, even though the games are (mostly) just as good.
I just hope this doesn't turn out as bad news... GSL has always been a league above all other tournaments. SSL cannot keep up iwith their 16player tournament. GSL is just much more content and produces better storielines.
I honestly have no information on what will happen to the GSL and the 2016 WCS, but I believe they want to take a step away from eSports. At least that is my personal guess.
On August 20 2015 07:45 afreecaTV.Char wrote: I honestly have no information on what will happen to the GSL and the 2016 WCS, but I believe they want to take a step away from eSports. At least that is my personal guess.
Nooooooooooooooooooooo please noooo, GSL is my favourite! Don't leave us :'(
Thanks for the updates tho. I hope there is more GSL in the future!
=( Sad if GSL disappears... that was the first SC tournament/league I consistently followed and have been following since 2010. Hope all their employees don't lose their jobs.
I sure hope gsl doesnt die. It is my second home. People alwayss ay make it free hd but that is not the answer. Do 30k people watch wcs? Yes. But how many people sub? Like 3? Sub equala money not views
from day 1, I had the perception of GOM as a bubble that was due to burst.
I don't know why, but they never ever seemed like a 'grounded, serious and stable company'... It always seemed like a millionare's fad.. somebody pumping money into a un-optimized system that's not self-sustainable.
It's funny and sad at the same time how everyone is just trying to look for the best for himself with this news. BW fans are like "Yeah for more BW, who cares about GSL" and SC2 fans are like "Screw BW, it's ded gaem, keep the GSL alive".
Can't we just enjoy both and go along with whatever happens ?
Even though the studio now belongs to Afreeca, if they don't need the time slot they can totally continue renting to GOM for the GSL even if they don't do any SC2 themselves at Afreeca. Also, the GSL could move again.
So be happy about more BW, don't mourne the GSL just quite yet.
On August 20 2015 12:40 tshi wrote: Does that mean tastosis will need a new job -- well not necessarily job-entirely, i guess what will happen to them?
Ohh wow that is a really good point, I'm sure they will be solid though, they should be able to find an awesome job in ESPORTS no problem.
If GSL comes to an end I will probably cry. Even though S2SL is much better run an usually more watchable, GSL just has such a historic legacy to it at this point that I'd hate to see it go. 5 years ago I would ask myself "do I want to stay up till 3am to watch GSL?" and often the answer was yes. I still ask that sometimes today.
On August 20 2015 12:12 Growiel wrote: It's funny and sad at the same time how everyone is just trying to look for the best for himself with this news. BW fans are like "Yeah for more BW, who cares about GSL" and SC2 fans are like "Screw BW, it's ded gaem, keep the GSL alive".
Can't we just enjoy both and go along with whatever happens ?
Even though the studio now belongs to Afreeca, if they don't need the time slot they can totally continue renting to GOM for the GSL even if they don't do any SC2 themselves at Afreeca. Also, the GSL could move again.
So be happy about more BW, don't mourne the GSL just quite yet.
Yes, we have been running events along side the GSL for the past month with more events planned throughout season 3. If the GSL participates in the 2016 Season, I do not imagine scheduling to be an issue. Don't forget Mr. Chae works in our eSports department and I'm sure he is more than willing to work around the GSL (as well as others who wish to use the studios).
On August 20 2015 12:40 tshi wrote: Does that mean tastosis will need a new job -- well not necessarily job-entirely, i guess what will happen to them?
I think if it came down to it they could easily go back to Brood War. It would be incredible for the foreign Brood War scene to have such high-level casters and would attract record numbers. That's assuming that has to happen though.
On August 20 2015 12:12 Growiel wrote: It's funny and sad at the same time how everyone is just trying to look for the best for himself with this news. BW fans are like "Yeah for more BW, who cares about GSL" and SC2 fans are like "Screw BW, it's ded gaem, keep the GSL alive".
Can't we just enjoy both and go along with whatever happens ?
Even though the studio now belongs to Afreeca, if they don't need the time slot they can totally continue renting to GOM for the GSL even if they don't do any SC2 themselves at Afreeca. Also, the GSL could move again.
So be happy about more BW, don't mourne the GSL just quite yet.
Yes, we have been running events along side the GSL for the past month with more events planned throughout season 3. If the GSL participates in the 2016 Season, I do not imagine scheduling to be an issue. Don't forget Mr. Chae works in our eSports department and I'm sure he is more than willing to work around the GSL (as well as others who wish to use the studios).
On August 20 2015 12:12 Growiel wrote: It's funny and sad at the same time how everyone is just trying to look for the best for himself with this news. BW fans are like "Yeah for more BW, who cares about GSL" and SC2 fans are like "Screw BW, it's ded gaem, keep the GSL alive".
Can't we just enjoy both and go along with whatever happens ?
Even though the studio now belongs to Afreeca, if they don't need the time slot they can totally continue renting to GOM for the GSL even if they don't do any SC2 themselves at Afreeca. Also, the GSL could move again.
So be happy about more BW, don't mourne the GSL just quite yet.
Yes, we have been running events along side the GSL for the past month with more events planned throughout season 3. If the GSL participates in the 2016 Season, I do not imagine scheduling to be an issue. Don't forget Mr. Chae works in our eSports department and I'm sure he is more than willing to work around the GSL (as well as others who wish to use the studios).
That's awesome to hear. Would hate to lose the GSL.
On August 20 2015 12:40 tshi wrote: Does that mean tastosis will need a new job -- well not necessarily job-entirely, i guess what will happen to them?
They cast some other games too, been casting heroes of the storm, they don't have all their eggs in the SC2 basket.
If gsl ended I would probably stop watching s2, proleague is awesome but the prestige of being a gsl champion , all the history and tastosis make it the most important thing to me
my cousin is in korea atm I'm wondering if somebody has the address for the studio? i'd like her to get me some autographs. SSL studios also would be nice PM me please.