Officially the third international LAN of LotV, HSCXII had a rocky start before the tournament even began. Tournament organizers had to decide whether to opt in to the new WCS 2016 system which would have forced them to kick out all of their Korean participants. TaKe refused the extra support and funding, but was met with misfortune as the GSL/SSL qualifiers were scheduled at the same time so many of the Korean players had to cancel and drop out. He was forced to scramble for players to fill the event. This led many spectators to become more negative about the event as many were looking forward to seeing the Korean players that had qualified or possibly invited.
That was all swept away once the camera started rolling and everyone remembered why we've all come to love HSC. HSC is unlike any tournament in the world. There have been some attempts to try to mimic the incredible feel, comfort and humor of the event, but no one can do it like the TaKeTV crew can. It’s the only event where SC2 pros can both compete and have a great time at an event, where the party isn't an afterthought. It is the only event where spectators get a behind the scenes look at the players' personalities in a relaxed atmosphere. It lives up to its name, HomeStory Cup.
Because HSC is all of those things and more, it was the perfect place for one of SC2’s biggest legends to officially retire. Even among the greatest players of all time, retirement is an uncertain practice. When most decide to hang up their mouse and keyboard, they do it by slowly fading out of the scene. They start playing less and less until one day they tweet they’ve retired. Flash was given an incredible exit out of the scene, but Rain, one of the greatest Protoss SC2 has ever produced, quietly announced his retirement a day afterwards with no fanfare.
Even those who could have had a chance to retire on the big stage could be struck with bad luck. Duckdeok made a final miracle run that ended his career at BlizzCon 2013, but was relegated to the backstage where only a handful of the second stream viewers got to witness his final moments. Spectators at the event probably didn’t even know he was there.
That is why this HSC is particularly special. TaKe’s refusal of WCS support is admirable, especially when you consider later on in the stream he admits that there are bigger games out there that could get him bigger sponsors and more money, but he refused to leave a game that he loved and refused to turn away Korean players from his event. TaKe and his crew are very much SC2 legends in their own right. He could have taken the easier way out, but in his refusal he gave SC2 fans one last chance to say goodbye to MMA, one of the first great Champions of SC2 and one of its greatest players.
At the same time, he also gave HyuN his last international tournament to participate in, as HyuN can no longer travel out of Korea come 2016 (likely because of impending military service). Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t account for all of the casters and pro-players who cast on stream and made it a really fun event to watch. (I’d list them all but as far as I could tell, nearly everyone cast a game this go around.)
This was all topped off as MMA beat Europe’s top Zergs on his way to claim his last tournament victory. This was a fairy tale ending for MMA. He becomes the first player to win a Premier in WoL, HotS and LotV. His last tournament victory was at HSC, which is in many ways a second home for all SC2 players. He beat BL/infestor one last time. And after he won and lifted his trophy, the tournament ended with his long time rival MC serenading him with a rendition of "Let it Go".
It was a great tournament and it ended in a final interview with MMA. He thanked HyuN and thanked his fans for all of their support. Forever the gracious champions, he had HyuN do his last interview on foreign soil as this would also be HyuN’s last foreign tournament. In true SC2 player fashion though, his last words after winning were, “Thank God my bracket didn’t have a Protoss.”
Farewell MMA, you will be missed and your achievements in SC2 will live in perpetuity. A true legend.
After tuning in and watching HSC for the first time since VII (I think), this particular HSC gave a very nostalgic feel with the old timers. I'm glad MMA won, it was a lovely end to an awesome career.
His best line of the weekend was something like 'Blue Corner - MC MinChul Bosstoss'
MMA leaves the way a player of his gravitas and importance is meant to leave: With a smile on his face and a trophy in his hands. A fitting goodbye to a legend in his own time.
No other tournament can compete with the HSC atmosphere. Not even close.
Thanks to TaKe and his team, the players and obviously MC. And Scarlett, for some reason she made it "more special", even though she looked pretty hammered at the end.
Line up was a bit lackluster, but i don't think that the HSC team is to blame for that.
In the end, can't wait for the next one. As always, kinda.
A fairy tale start and end for MMA. Never forget Team SlayerS, and the battles against DRG, MVP, Gumiho... Good luck, my favorite starcraft player of all time, wish you a happily ever after.
Congratz to MMA and wishing him a good luck! Thx to Take, it was an amazing tournament, i liked everything, except "Secret Santa" event - it was just ridiculous.
I like the focus on how retarded and evil the new WCS system and picturing Take as a noble guy that fought for the rights of Koreans to enjoy SC2 out of Korea
I've met MMA a few times when I lived in Korea. I'd always go see his games because I loved how he played in WoL and as he was the first person I tried to emulate as I played Terran. The other really good Terran pros that I've had a chance to meet, Innovation, Maru, Dream, always felt cool to meet, but it was clear that they were the pro, and you were the fan in their greetings. MMA was different. His greetings always felt really warm, he was always polite, after a win or a loss and always had this bright smile on his face; like he was just glad to be there. That's what I'll remember most about MMA. Not his great play, but the passion he brought to the game and to his fans.
On December 19 2015 12:06 Ja.Y. wrote: Saddest part for me was MMA retiring. Hopefully, he can pull one last bag of tricks out for HomeStory Cup and win it all. What a nice way to retire and a great Christmas present to give to all of his fans!
Congratulations MMA! Thank you for the years of fun. It will be weird not seeing your name in tournament lineups anymore or constantly checking to see if you're playing in SPL every week or played in the ace matches the next morning. From your GSL runs, to foreign tournament performances, to WCS, to team leagues, it's been a great 5+ years. Thank you.
On December 21 2015 12:52 Circumstance wrote: MMA leaves the way a player of his gravitas and importance is meant to leave: With a smile on his face and a trophy in his hands. A fitting goodbye to a legend in his own time.
Starcraft: Where challenging the notion of one nationality having absolute superiority over all others and calling for greater diversity in competitive play means you're a racist.
You mean greater diversity in the results of tournaments. It actually will reduce overall diversity.
Putting up hurdles for players in hopes that they will be excluded to participate is discrimination.
SC2, its made a sweet place by the people in the scene and man will MC and MMA be missed. Lotv will rise at the break of dawn and the perfect boy is gone <3
The finals, game 7 of MMA vs DRG was the game I stumbled onto on youtube, its what made me fall in love with competitive starcraft 2. I owe everything that Starcraft 2 have given me to that one game, to DRG and MMA. Thank you for everything MMA, Believe me when I say that you will never be forgotten!
Really sad to see MMA & Hyun go, those 2 with MC always seemed to me the most fun & easy-going of all the korean pros, the coolest representatives of each race
Also props to TaKe for keeping the HSC spirit alive, despite the hurdles Blizz throws at them.
On December 21 2015 12:52 ClaudeSc2 wrote: I love MMA, but I don't think HSC should be considered a premier with the number of invites it had.
and he played zero koreans on his way to the victory. Still MMA owns.
That's actually not important. But the lineup wasn't premierish to be sure. But the same could have been said about 2015 WCS Season 3. I guess objectively HSC3 had stronger lineup for its time than HSC12.
MMA winning was a great ending to a very good tournament. Hopefully we we still see him in the future in SC2, hes had a great career and is a great Terran
I remember there was a special ring to his name being mentioned somewhere during the WoL-era, "it's MMA", not yet because he was a SC2 player with one of the greatest careers overall but because he was arguably the best Terran, astonishing his opponents and viewers and pretty much owning SC2 swagger.
Really sad to see MMA retire, he always was one of my favourite players. However he couldn't have ended his carrer in a better way. Homestory Cup was great as always and the ending ceremony hit me right in the feels.
GG and goodbye MMA you're a SC2 legend and will never be forgotten! 문성원 선수 항상 사랑할 거예요 <3 건강 잘 챙기세요!
I wasn't exactly a great fan of MMA before, but I was praying and wishing that he would win the tournament, and when he actually win, it brought tears to my eyes. When everyone started chanting MMA and throwing him in the air, while the whole Twitch chat (famous for having retard comments) starts crying and chanting for him, and when MC personally sings a farewell song for MMA, I realised how beautiful and special it is. Possibly one of the most beautiful moment in this year. He really went out with a bang.
On December 21 2015 21:09 JokerAi wrote: i forget so say tanks to MIFcom, lioncast, needforseat EIZO. we realy need this powerfull sponsors that they can the next homestorycup happen.
instead of thanking them here, go to their respective websites so that they actually see increased traffic during/after the event
MMA could have been a legend but he fell short due to his betrayal. Its good that he went out with a tournament win but to be honest after his slayers days he never regained his former glory, only participating in "foreign" leagues, rather than competing in korea with the best of the best. As a former fan it still hurts me how the Slayers thing panned out and what kind of role MMA played in the whole thing. For me, he always will be remembered as the crownprince that ultimately stabbed the emperor to death.
what an amazing HSC it was, I was rooting for snute but dont mind MMA winning. HSC is my favourite esports event by far. Thank you so much to everyone involved!!
Congratulations to MMA! Best of luck in the future!
Home Story Cup is a cool event apart from one thing. What the fuck is up with hiring strippers to the party that gives lap dances to some players after stream is out?? Tweeting about it like it's a cool thing. It doesn't belong there. E-sport should take a stand against such embarrassing behaviour. It's a right shame. Such a stupid thing to, in all other aspects, an awesome tournament. Grow up and be real men.
On December 22 2015 00:58 Legobiten wrote: Congratulations to MMA! Best of luck in the future!
Home Story Cup is a cool event apart from one thing. What the fuck is up with hiring strippers to the party that gives lap dances to some players after stream is out?? Tweeting about it like it's a cool thing. It doesn't belong there. E-sport should take a stand against such embarrassing behaviour. It's a right shame. Such a stupid thing to, in all other aspects, an awesome tournament. Grow up and be real men.
I was a bit puzzled by that too, and also with the highlights montage of day 3 that included only shots of female HSC visitors. I doubt any harm is intended though, and apparently the strippers were a gift from Stephano to Demuslim, rather than a HSC-sponsored thing.
Still such things give off a bit of a boy's club vibe which I didn't like very much. It's not the end of the world but it would be nice if they'd be a bit more conscious of it. Luckily it's only a small blemish on an otherwise excellent tournament.
The games weren't much to remember but the hilarious anti-chemistry of the Tod/Huk/Destiny casting couch was. And then there was MC....... launching his post-retirement career as the new Psy?!!
HSC was awesome as always and full of heart jokes dodgy casting and alot of fun. Idk what Dennis does to make it work but much respect for him and his crew , awesome event.
Sad that MMA retired (how many top Terrans players are still left there? Taeja / Inno can some1 else fill the list ?) not a huge fan but the titles he got through his career speak for him.
On December 22 2015 03:58 Pegas wrote: HSC was awesome as always and full of heart jokes dodgy casting and alot of fun. Idk what Dennis does to make it work but much respect for him and his crew , awesome event.
Sad that MMA retired (how many top Terrans players are still left there? Taeja / Inno can some1 else fill the list ?) not a huge fan but the titles he got through his career speak for him.
I don't recognize this game as "my game" anymore but that's a good thing. Best of luck to MMA. And MC can sing, I can't believe it but he can actually sing, I am amazed.
Depending how you definie "top Terran". The list isnt much longer for Protoss or Zerg, when I search for the "top".
top = who won a major title (who confirmed their individual skill) , that beeing said I`m a bit ashamed forgeting Maru. TY is a good terran but he needs to confirm it.
Stephano casting was the highlight of this homestory cup. Stephano is hilarious and so free spirited. Purely epic, tlo stephano with noregret casting. Eventhough noregret was trying to one-up stephano. Which is funny seeing stephano basically ignored/didn't care what negative noregret had to say. I like noregret as a player but he should try to not slander the old god stephano. Banter is banter, but that was the shittiest banter i've seen on all off homestory. Was more malicious and petty than anything. Oh well the joy of stephano and joy of TLO made it all 10/10 !
I was disappointed with the line up of players at first, after watching Homestory cup tho, i felt it was the best one they ever had. Just the production and programs they planned. Just seems like it was such a blast. Fuck blizzcon i wanna go to homestory cup lol!
Wow... Soo much spoilers on the home page title! what happened to spoiler free titles??
but seriously i thought TL had spoiler free titles, did they change that? I was checking out the community feedback of the balance notes and then this happend..
GG MMA, you'll be missed Hopefully he'll do something in the SC2 scene after military service... This was again a very awesome and cool HSC. I love them so, the whole atmosphere and the interaction between the players is sooooo nice to see :D
And btw: MC retired, right? He can sing and loves to sing, right? MC K-Pop career incoming XD
I remember the beginning when MMA was carrying SlayerS in the GSTL and then again at Columbus with that game vs Idra. I had the chance to see him play against MVP in the GSL October 2011 finals, live at blizzcon. the ups and downs across the end of WoL and throughout HotS. It's great to see him go out with a win.
also, it's pretty frickin' amazing that MC hit all the high notes.
On December 22 2015 00:58 Legobiten wrote: Congratulations to MMA! Best of luck in the future!
Home Story Cup is a cool event apart from one thing. What the fuck is up with hiring strippers to the party that gives lap dances to some players after stream is out?? Tweeting about it like it's a cool thing. It doesn't belong there. E-sport should take a stand against such embarrassing behaviour. It's a right shame. Such a stupid thing to, in all other aspects, an awesome tournament. Grow up and be real men.
I was a bit puzzled by that too, and also with the highlights montage of day 3 that included only shots of female HSC visitors. I doubt any harm is intended though, and apparently the strippers were a gift from Stephano to Demuslim, rather than a HSC-sponsored thing.
Still such things give off a bit of a boy's club vibe which I didn't like very much. It's not the end of the world but it would be nice if they'd be a bit more conscious of it. Luckily it's only a small blemish on an otherwise excellent tournament.
this homestory cup is my second favourite tournament ever, after TSL3. everything was so beautiful and MMA ending on top like this was awesome.
gotta say though, get rid of the strippers in the future please. if the players or crew necessarily need paid naked women around, can't they do that some other time when it's not about starcraft?
I'm honestly surprised that people didn't know that MC can sing well. He sings on his stream pretty often and sometimes he raps as well. Let It Go is a song that I have heard him practice many times before, I guess MC wants to give MMA the best farewell gift possible. I also want to add MC's rapping skill is as godly as his singing skills as well. Also congrats to MMA, his championship was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes even though I didn't follow the scene for long.
On December 22 2015 22:42 NinjaToss wrote: I'm honestly surprised that people didn't know that MC can sing well. He sings on his stream pretty often and sometimes he raps as well. Let It Go is a song that I have heard him practice many times before, I guess MC wants to give MMA the best farewell gift possible. I also want to add MC's rapping skill is as godly as his singing skills as well. Also congrats to MMA, his championship was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes even though I didn't follow the scene for long.
I fucking love Take and everyone in the HSC team. Truly heroic, what they've done for the SC2 scene, and what they CONTINUE to do, even when switching games would be more profitable.
MMA, you are a legend, and I will always miss your sick drops. Thank you, Take, for giving him and HyuN one last chance to shine at HSC.
On December 23 2015 19:29 LennX wrote: MMA - Marine Medicvac abuse :D
That reminded me day9 analyzing MMA's game and saying he doesn't need to check that on the edge of the map there's MMA's medivac with drop because MMA is good so it has to be there :D
MMA is a legend. I remember seeing him and Innovation at the gom studio when I visited Korea back in 2013. They were playing for Axiom-Acer in the GSTL. Seems an age ago now...
Seriously though... is it really that "awe inspiring" when you look at the field of players he was up against? Would he have won had some of the other Koreans not dropped out?
Don't get me wrong, I love MMA. But, Im not sure how someone can write this article with a straight face and proclaim this as a Christmas miracle and a story book ending.
MMA, very gracious way to let go. I'm sure with this big change he'll feel somewhat left out in the cold, good thing that the cold never bothered him anyway.
On December 22 2015 00:58 Legobiten wrote: Congratulations to MMA! Best of luck in the future!
Home Story Cup is a cool event apart from one thing. What the fuck is up with hiring strippers to the party that gives lap dances to some players after stream is out?? Tweeting about it like it's a cool thing. It doesn't belong there. E-sport should take a stand against such embarrassing behaviour. It's a right shame. Such a stupid thing to, in all other aspects, an awesome tournament. Grow up and be real men.
I was a bit puzzled by that too, and also with the highlights montage of day 3 that included only shots of female HSC visitors. I doubt any harm is intended though, and apparently the strippers were a gift from Stephano to Demuslim, rather than a HSC-sponsored thing.
Still such things give off a bit of a boy's club vibe which I didn't like very much. It's not the end of the world but it would be nice if they'd be a bit more conscious of it. Luckily it's only a small blemish on an otherwise excellent tournament.
EPT
![[image loading]](http://s30.postimg.org/aistdxhml/Screenshot_2015_12_21_06_14_40.png)
