On December 08 2018 04:08 Orphal wrote: Hey guys, @OGSC2 CM here. I wanted to clarify things a little bit, because all of this is well-known within the French community, but maybe not so much internationally.
O'Gaming recruited INnoVation on May 24th (that's about 7 months ago) after we reached our 2400 Subs goal (which we call "Road to Poutre", basically "Road to Awesomeness" if you will). It was a deal made with our community: reach 2400 Subs, we recruit a player.
During Nation Wars V, we were already talking with some players, but we had the opportunity to talk with INnoVation directly when he came to Paris for the finals. Both parties were interested (and to be honest, O'Gaming's crew was just ecstatic), and remained in contact. It took a while to draft the contract (especially because it has to be translated in Korean, by an official translator etc etc BORING), but here we go: on May 24th we announced him officially (with a video that personally still gives me nerdchills to this day after watching it dozens of times):
(I'm bad at timer, check from 1:56:02) (watch after the video, the reaction of the crew)
Since the very beginning (even said like 30 seconds before showing the video announcement), the deal was to sign with him up until BlizzCon, and then see what's up. Most importantly, O'Gaming did not get any sponsorship for INnoVation, and solely relied on Subs, therefore on money earned by the channel itself, to pay for INnoVation's contract. This is why we couldn't just sign him for 3 years or something, because Subs go up and down, and it's just too complicated to see too far in the future, especially in StarCraft II.
Obviously we were sad that INnoVation didn't manage to qualify for BlizzCon, but this did not prevent us from cheering for him in all other smaller tournaments, the last one being HomeStory Cup XVIII which he almost won, against arguably the strongest player out there right now. When we said we would recruit a player, we never imagined we would be able to sign such a legend as INnoVation. So his performance is not in question.
Near the end of his contract, INnoVation expressed the will to look for another team, pursue other ambitions. Remember that O'Gaming is not able to give INnoVation everything a more conventional team could give him: we are a WebTV, and not equipped to help him with a coach and support staff. On O'Gaming's side, we just signed OG_MarineLorD for his return to the SC2 scene. It seemed only natural to just part ways, in a very friendly way, and wish him good luck for the future.
The connection between INnoVation and the French community is very strong, and even though he's not officially under O'Gaming's colors anymore, we will definitely continue to cheer for him so he can show us good games. I can guarantee you that in our hearts, he's only going to be second to French players.
You know, it's really unfortunate that players moving to and from teams doesn't make as big of a splash as it used to, since team affiliations aren't that strong anymore.
Here you have a top-tier player changing teams, and I don't know if it has any material impact. Whereas back in 2011 when Huk left Liquid for EG, it was huge news and created a huge buzz.
Guys, it's mthrfcking INnoVation. What are you talking about? He does not need a team. Maybe it's a team was needed in INnoVation. Lost to Serral. Huge buzz. What are you talking about?
Hey guys, @OGSC2 CM here. I wanted to clarify things a little bit, because all of this is well-known within the French community, but maybe not so much internationally.
O'Gaming recruited INnoVation on May 24th (that's about 7 months ago) after we reached our 2400 Subs goal (which we call "Road to Poutre", basically "Road to Awesomeness" if you will). It was a deal made with our community: reach 2400 Subs, we recruit a player.
During Nation Wars V, we were already talking with some players, but we had the opportunity to talk with INnoVation directly when he came to Paris for the finals. Both parties were interested (and to be honest, O'Gaming's crew was just ecstatic), and remained in contact. It took a while to draft the contract (especially because it has to be translated in Korean, by an official translator etc etc BORING), but here we go: on May 24th we announced him officially (with a video that personally still gives me nerdchills to this day after watching it dozens of times):
Since the very beginning (even said like 30 seconds before showing the video announcement), the deal was to sign with him up until BlizzCon, and then see what's up. Most importantly, O'Gaming did not get any sponsorship for INnoVation, and solely relied on Subs, therefore on money earned by the channel itself, to pay for INnoVation's contract. This is why we couldn't just sign him for 3 years or something, because Subs go up and down, and it's just too complicated to see too far in the future, especially in StarCraft II.
Obviously we were sad that INnoVation didn't manage to qualify for BlizzCon, but this did not prevent us from cheering for him in all other smaller tournaments, the last one being HomeStory Cup XVIII which he almost won, against arguably the strongest player out there right now. When we said we would recruit a player, we never imagined we would be able to sign such a legend as INnoVation. So his performance is not in question.
Near the end of his contract, INnoVation expressed the will to look for another team, pursue other ambitions. Remember that O'Gaming is not able to give INnoVation everything a more conventional team could give him: we are a WebTV, and not equipped to help him with a coach and support staff. On O'Gaming's side, we just signed OG_MarineLorD for his return to the SC2 scene. It seemed only natural to just part ways, in a very friendly way, and wish him good luck for the future.
The connection between INnoVation and the French community is very strong, and even though he's not officially under O'Gaming's colors anymore, we will definitely continue to cheer for him so he can show us good games. I can guarantee you that in our hearts, he's only going to be second to French players.
Thanks Orphal for clarifying, that makes a lot of sense. Crazy how quickly the rumor mill naturally gets out of hand, thanks for giving us an official word.
I wish someone would bring back some sort of team league, I guess the current scene is not really in the right place for that but man would it be hype!
On December 08 2018 09:54 SlammerIV wrote: I wish someone would bring back some sort of team league, I guess the current scene is not really in the right place for that but man would it be hype!
Exactly what Afreeca has been doing with Korean players for a while. Unfortunately despite everyone saying they want a team league (myself included) those games barely have any viewers.
Also I heard rumors of a Chinese team league next year and they will recruit international players, not sure how that would turn out tho.
On December 08 2018 09:54 SlammerIV wrote: I wish someone would bring back some sort of team league, I guess the current scene is not really in the right place for that but man would it be hype!
Exactly what Afreeca has been doing with Korean players for a while. Unfortunately despite everyone saying they want a team league (myself included) those games barely have any viewers.
Also I heard rumors of a Chinese team league next year and they will recruit international players, not sure how that would turn out tho.
Which tournament are you talking about / are there any English casts? Without accessible english casts expecting international viewers is kinda The only tournament I am aware of is the QCL team power league or whatever, casted by Wardi (and Crank) - you mean that?
This game seems to slowly turning irrelevant in terms of profitability for investors and players. It looks like an activity for people on the fringes of society tbh... And I will stay one of the people in the fringe......until I die i guess.
Would make it more socially appealing to support and invest time into if it offered millions of dollars and was at least 10% of Fortnites' prize pool..
On December 08 2018 09:54 SlammerIV wrote: I wish someone would bring back some sort of team league, I guess the current scene is not really in the right place for that but man would it be hype!
Exactly what Afreeca has been doing with Korean players for a while. Unfortunately despite everyone saying they want a team league (myself included) those games barely have any viewers.
Also I heard rumors of a Chinese team league next year and they will recruit international players, not sure how that would turn out tho.
Which tournament are you talking about / are there any English casts? Without accessible english casts expecting international viewers is kinda The only tournament I am aware of is the QCL team power league or whatever, casted by Wardi (and Crank) - you mean that?
On December 08 2018 09:54 SlammerIV wrote: I wish someone would bring back some sort of team league, I guess the current scene is not really in the right place for that but man would it be hype!
Exactly what Afreeca has been doing with Korean players for a while. Unfortunately despite everyone saying they want a team league (myself included) those games barely have any viewers.
Also I heard rumors of a Chinese team league next year and they will recruit international players, not sure how that would turn out tho.
Which tournament are you talking about / are there any English casts? Without accessible english casts expecting international viewers is kinda The only tournament I am aware of is the QCL team power league or whatever, casted by Wardi (and Crank) - you mean that?
I guess it's good for the viewers. While it's uncontestable they bring a hell lot to the scene, their casting is not very good comparing to anglophone one (and I am being gentle), the games are rarely discussed and the analysis are inexistant, but when innovation was casted, it was becoming really annoying, they just screamed all games long.
On December 08 2018 12:17 nightowl879 wrote: Slammer! It was great to watch you vs RuFF man. That gig with you "SLAMMER GOING TO SLAM" or whatever was hilarious.
On December 10 2018 10:15 stilt wrote: I guess it's good for the viewers. While it's uncontestable they bring a hell lot to the scene, their casting is not very good comparing to anglophone one (and I am being gentle), the games are rarely discussed and the analysis are inexistant, but when innovation was casted, it was becoming really annoying, they just screamed all games long.
For me, O'Gaming is one of the main reason I still watch sc2. The casters (Pomf, Funka, Yogo, etc.) are smart, fun and always entertaining. I don't care too much about deep analysis, so maybe it's just me, but I really love their work.
EPT
