I may not have followed SC2 for a long time, but I still remember cheering for Axiom back in the day. Reading Ryung's comment at the end gave me actual chills.

A well written article to celebrate a great man. Thank you.

Spect8rCraft

649 Posts

May 25 2019 06:39 GMT

#43

Totalbiscuit was one of the earlier persons I began following in earnest on the web. I can't say that I agreed with everything he said over the years. One of the biggest sticking points for me was microtransactions, and he had quite an opinion about it, parts of which I agreed and some of which I did not approve. His shouting matches over Twitter for a plethora of things became so... charged that I ended up unfollowing him. Still, things like the Co-Optional Podcast and his fellow cohorts in crime there were always a blast to see. He was a brutally honest man, and equally contentious to many, myself included.

But if it was Starcraft, then I'd let him take the reins. Really, a single person like him had no reason to sustain himself afloat the hellscape that was the esports industry, especially in the very much hostile environment of Starcraft 2. And yet, this man, with the help of many, from players to staff, family to crew, managed to create tournaments that attracted even the most hardened of pros. And while they weren't always necessarily a smashing success, he tried his damnedest to stretch and pull at the seams of what was established in Starcraft. Team games, wacky maps, interfering hosts, an entire team, tournaments with prize pools that didn't look out of place snug between the main series, he tried to give it all to prevent Starcraft from stagnating while games like League of Legends were leaving this RTS in their wake.

He really might have saved Starcraft 2 from utter damnation. In an era when Blizzard managed to make broodlord-infestor look good, and before they really got down to brass tacks about cleaning up balance and design (say what you want about the current iteration, but damn was it drab back then; those units know who/what they are), he tried his best to make Starcraft 2 interesting. And while games these days have increased in intensity and creativity, I honestly don't think that we've had, and perhaps ever will, have games of that sort of off-the-wall quality.

virpi

Germany3599 Posts

May 25 2019 06:45 GMT

#44

TB will never be forgotten.

Great article, thank you.

RatzBarcode

United States98 Posts

May 25 2019 07:05 GMT

#45

I can't believe he's gone sometimes. so sad.

Judgement

Netherlands152 Posts

May 25 2019 07:07 GMT

#46

I got chills reading this

ZigguratOfUr

Iraq16955 Posts

May 25 2019 07:14 GMT

#47

Thank you for the article. It brought back great memories--of spending the summer watching Crank's stream before seeing him go to MLG, of Alicia's void ray openings, of so many more details I hadn't thought of in quite a while.

RIP TotalBiscuit.

Koivusto

Finland542 Posts

May 25 2019 07:31 GMT

#48

Such a memory lane and really heart warming words from Ruyng in the end...Thank you wax for putting this together.

RaiKageRyu

Canada4773 Posts

May 25 2019 07:53 GMT

#49

God I can't believe its been a year since then.

Brained

Germany58 Posts

May 25 2019 07:58 GMT

#50

Axiom <3

FFW_Rude

France10201 Posts

May 25 2019 08:58 GMT

#51

Feelings overwhelming

FFW_Rude

France10201 Posts

May 25 2019 09:03 GMT

#52

for those who don't know. This thread as homages in videos https://tl.net/forum/starcraft-2/547956-my-name-is-totalbiscuit-documentary

figq

12519 Posts

May 25 2019 09:59 GMT

#53

Totalbiscuit was an extraordinary human being who inspired and helped so many others. We miss him very much. Not only in Starcraft, but in games in general. We miss his sharp intelligent and brave dissection of all the questionable things in gaming. He was incredibly efficient with his time and was able to do so much and achieve great positive impact.

Zambrah

United States7393 Posts

May 25 2019 10:32 GMT

#54

I almost cried before I had a work thing to do you sweet glorious bastards.

I will miss TBs presence for the rest of my life.

The founder of the Glorious 60FPS Revolution!

EDIT: 4000th post well spent tbh.

Edpayasugo

United Kingdom2217 Posts

May 25 2019 10:33 GMT

#55

Great piece, thank you.

That GSTL final had a bizarre format but was amazing.

DSK

England1110 Posts

May 25 2019 11:31 GMT

#56

Great read Wax, you've out done yourself.

Axiom always seemed to have a genuine familial passion in SC2 and now I can see why. When Ryung went on stage in his Axiom uniform I remember having a firm but sadness-tinged smile on my face for the series.

Thank you, Genna and John.

ETisME

12631 Posts

May 25 2019 12:26 GMT

#57

I love SC2, it's the only esports game that I follow and will ever follow.

The scene is blessed to have people such as TB and many contributions from community and streamers etc
And I think they are also blessed to have met with SC2.

But the most blessed of all is me. I can't imagine what my life would be without SC2, without knowing these great communities and figureheads. How it changed my attitude in life and work ethics.

I still play youtube videos/streams at night to help getting sleep.

I love you all.

Orlok

Korea (South)227 Posts

May 25 2019 14:43 GMT

#58

God, its been a year already. Time flies.
I hope wherever TB is, he's happy.
May we all keep in our minds his passion.

AlgeriaT

Sweden2197 Posts

May 25 2019 15:35 GMT

#59

You know, I didn't even like TB at first. I thought he was just kind of a cocky showoff. But as time went on he really proved me wrong so many times over, until I felt properly ashamed of my initial judgement.

This incredible, self-sacrificing effort that he and Genna made for Axiom and its players. But most of all how TB (and Genna) stood his ground in front of death itself, really the ultimate challenge for anyone, unyielding in his continuing passion and wit. All the way to the bitter end. Now that I think is the point where your passion and integrity can inspire beyond the confines of whatever your particular interest or field of work, so that you're not just doing something real for e-sports; you're doing something real for the world.

I know that when inevitably facing life's true difficulties some day, I will remember TB and how he handled it; and I know that it will make me stronger. So hats off to you Mr (and Mrs) B, and thanks. I'm so sorry for once doubting you.