• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 03:55
CEST 09:55
KST 16:55
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL20] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Ascent9Maestros of the Game: Week 1/Play-in Preview12[ASL20] Ro24 Preview Pt2: Take-Off7[ASL20] Ro24 Preview Pt1: Runway132v2 & SC: Evo Complete: Weekend Double Feature4
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sept 1-7): MaxPax rebounds & Clem saga continues11LiuLi Cup - September 2025 Tournaments2Weekly Cups (August 25-31): Clem's Last Straw?39Weekly Cups (Aug 18-24): herO dethrones MaxPax6Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris75
StarCraft 2
General
#1: Maru - Greatest Players of All Time SpeCial on The Tasteless Podcast Team Liquid Map Contest #21 - Presented by Monster Energy Weekly Cups (Sept 1-7): MaxPax rebounds & Clem saga continues What happened to Singapore/Brazil servers?
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series Chzzk MurlocKing SC1 vs SC2 Cup Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond)
Strategy
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 490 Masters of Midnight Mutation # 489 Bannable Offense Mutation # 488 What Goes Around Mutation # 487 Think Fast
Brood War
General
[ASL20] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Ascent FlaSh on ACS Winners being in ASL ASL20 General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BSL Polish World Championship 2025 20-21 September
Tourneys
[ASL20] Ro16 Group B [ASL20] Ro16 Group A BWCL Season 63 Announcement [IPSL] ISPL Season 1 Winter Qualis and Info!
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Muta micro map competition Fighting Spirit mining rates [G] Mineral Boosting
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Path of Exile
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread The Games Industry And ATVI UK Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
The Happy Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023 TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread High temperatures on bridge(s)
TL Community
The Automated Ban List TeamLiquid Team Shirt On Sale
Blogs
Collective Intelligence: Tea…
TrAiDoS
A very expensive lesson on ma…
Garnet
hello world
radishsoup
Lemme tell you a thing o…
JoinTheRain
RTS Design in Hypercoven
a11
Evil Gacha Games and the…
ffswowsucks
INDEPENDIENTE LA CTM
XenOsky
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1245 users

GSL 2023: Significant contraction announced

Forum Index > SC2 General
152 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next All
Also Read: ESL's 2023/2024 ESL Pro Tour Announcement

GSL 2023: Significant contraction announced

Text byTL.net ESPORTS
February 23rd, 2023 19:15 GMT
[image loading]

AfreecaTV has announced the format and schedule for the 2023 season of the Global StarCraft II League (Korean post).

The GSL will undergo significant contraction in 2023, in terms of both prize money and tournament size.

Three seasons of GSL will be held with a total of ₩34,000,000 Korean Won in prize money per season, for a total of ₩102,000,000 Won paid out in 2023 (approximately $78,000 USD at the time of writing). The prior 2022 GSL featured three seasons of Code S, two Super Tournaments, and $430,000 in total prize money.

[image loading]


The 2023 seasons of GSL will consist of 16 players and be held in combined online/offline format. The round-of-16 and round-of-8 will be played online, while the semifinals and grand finals will be held live.

[image loading]


AfreecaTV said details regarding EPT points will be announced following ESL's announcement of its yearlong schedule (unclear if this refers to ESL's Feb 23 announcement).

While the exact dates have not been determined, AfreecaTV have announced a rough timetable for the three GSL tournaments:
  • Season 1: April-May
  • Season 2: June-July
  • Season 1: September-October

Facebook Twitter Reddit
TL+ Member
swarminfestor
Profile Joined September 2017
Malaysia2449 Posts
February 23 2023 19:25 GMT
#2
Does it means the Super Tournament will be conducted before season 1 begins?
Rogue & Maru fan boy. ^^
geokilla
Profile Joined May 2011
Canada8240 Posts
February 23 2023 19:28 GMT
#3
I anticipate a lot of retirement announcements. Most of the players are gone anyways and the prize pool is minuscule. There's no way players can support themselves while having a career in SC2.

On February 24 2023 04:25 swarminfestor wrote:
Does it means the Super Tournament will be conducted before season 1 begins?

There is no Super Tournament.
Morbidius
Profile Joined November 2010
Brazil3449 Posts
February 23 2023 19:29 GMT
#4
Horrible but unsurprising. With only semifinals live, 16 players and a pitiful 8k for the winner makes me wonder if its even worth watching a tournament becoming such a shadow of itself.
I can already see the massive number of retirements coming.
Has foreign StarCraft hit rock bottom?
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33425 Posts
February 23 2023 19:30 GMT
#5
On February 24 2023 04:28 geokilla wrote:
I anticipate a lot of retirement announcements. Most of the players are gone anyways and the prize pool is minuscule. There's no way players can support themselves while having a career in SC2.

Show nested quote +
On February 24 2023 04:25 swarminfestor wrote:
Does it means the Super Tournament will be conducted before season 1 begins?

There is no Super Tournament.


I typoed a year so there was some confusion
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
swarminfestor
Profile Joined September 2017
Malaysia2449 Posts
February 23 2023 19:33 GMT
#6
On February 24 2023 04:28 geokilla wrote:
I anticipate a lot of retirement announcements. Most of the players are gone anyways and the prize pool is minuscule. There's no way players can support themselves while having a career in SC2.

Show nested quote +
On February 24 2023 04:25 swarminfestor wrote:
Does it means the Super Tournament will be conducted before season 1 begins?

There is no Super Tournament.


It is pretty sad that it has came to this eventually. Also, there was no sign of new blood coming from Korean scene.during the last couple of years.
Rogue & Maru fan boy. ^^
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13977 Posts
February 23 2023 19:33 GMT
#7
Dare we say 2023/2024 shall be our swansong?
Kaina + Drones Linkcro Summon Cupsie Yummy Way
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33425 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-23 19:37:52
February 23 2023 19:34 GMT
#8
edit: fact-checking
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4953 Posts
February 23 2023 19:34 GMT
#9
So many awesome memories watching the GSL, best SC2 tournament! seeing it reduced to this, hurts
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
Moonerz
Profile Joined March 2014
United States446 Posts
February 23 2023 19:38 GMT
#10
On February 24 2023 04:33 swarminfestor wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 24 2023 04:28 geokilla wrote:
I anticipate a lot of retirement announcements. Most of the players are gone anyways and the prize pool is minuscule. There's no way players can support themselves while having a career in SC2.

On February 24 2023 04:25 swarminfestor wrote:
Does it means the Super Tournament will be conducted before season 1 begins?

There is no Super Tournament.


It is pretty sad that it has came to this eventually. Also, there was no sign of new blood coming from Korean scene.during the last couple of years.


The death of Proleague along with the region lock really killed any avenues for upcoming talent to make any money playing SC2. The gap was too big between them and the top players, had there been some type of availability to play in Foreignerland I think the KR scene would have been much healthier for a longer period of time.

Region locking was a decent idea but too strict. NA would have been perfect to add in some KR players but the criteria to determine that would have been really tough.
Vindicare605
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States16071 Posts
February 23 2023 19:42 GMT
#11
Welp, wish I could say that I'm shocked and surprised by all of this but I'm not.
aka: KTVindicare the Geeky Bartender
Blargh
Profile Joined September 2010
United States2103 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-23 20:01:40
February 23 2023 19:58 GMT
#12
I mean, let's be real here... If AAA eSports orgs are going bust, it shouldn't be a surprise for stuff as small as StarCraft to get chopped.

It's basically impossible to even call GSL the premiere tournament series now. Almost laughable to think of someone going to Korea to participate. It's just a Ro16 too?

It's really sad to see. I guess it's the end of an era.

Additional thought, I suppose we'll see a lot of career transitions, particularly for those coming out of the military. I think a lot of players will begin their military service soon too. I heard rumors somewhere of Innovation going to LoL, as a coach or something. His younger brother is the best AD carry in the world, so I suppose it can't be that hard to transition into something right?
PresenceSc2
Profile Joined February 2011
Australia4032 Posts
February 23 2023 20:01 GMT
#13
If they put in a battle pass they would make more then enough to keep KR scene going and make the ESL prize pool bigger. It wouldn't take too much effort to do really.

This is it boys. Actual deadgaem incoming. Enjoy the final season of Starcraft 2. It's been a fun 10+ years.

Hopefully Storm Gate blows up and is a worthy successor.
Stephano//HerO//TaeJa//Squirtle//Bomber
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33425 Posts
February 23 2023 20:01 GMT
#14
On February 24 2023 04:58 Blargh wrote:
I mean, let's be real here... If AAA eSports orgs are going bust, it shouldn't be a surprise for stuff as small as StarCraft to get chopped.

It's basically impossible to even call GSL the premiere tournament series now. Almost laughable to think of someone going to Korea to participate. It's just a Ro16 too?

It's really sad to see. I guess it's the end of an era.


welp, there goes the Big Gabe to Korea plan
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Vindicare605
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States16071 Posts
February 23 2023 20:06 GMT
#15
On February 24 2023 05:01 PresenceSc2 wrote:
If they put in a battle pass they would make more then enough to keep KR scene going and make the ESL prize pool bigger. It wouldn't take too much effort to do really.

This is it boys. Actual deadgaem incoming. Enjoy the final season of Starcraft 2. It's been a fun 10+ years.

Hopefully Storm Gate blows up and is a worthy successor.


Activision isn't interested in putting together anything just to better their game. They need a direct profit motive and there's none to be had for SC2.

Even if SC2 esports keeps drawing players to the game, where is there money to be made from it? That's their logic. It's just a waste of resources to keep investing in something just because the fans and players love it. That's how modern Activision/Blizzard thinks.
aka: KTVindicare the Geeky Bartender
Riquiz
Profile Joined June 2011
Netherlands402 Posts
February 23 2023 20:15 GMT
#16
Hate to see the deadgame-meme become a reality.
Caster man does casting on yt/RiquizCasts
JimmyJRaynor
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada16747 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-23 20:24:20
February 23 2023 20:18 GMT
#17
On February 24 2023 05:06 Vindicare605 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 24 2023 05:01 PresenceSc2 wrote:
If they put in a battle pass they would make more then enough to keep KR scene going and make the ESL prize pool bigger. It wouldn't take too much effort to do really.

This is it boys. Actual deadgaem incoming. Enjoy the final season of Starcraft 2. It's been a fun 10+ years.

Hopefully Storm Gate blows up and is a worthy successor.


Activision isn't interested in putting together anything just to better their game. They need a direct profit motive and there's none to be had for SC2.

This is just polemics. Do like Wardi and create your own events. That'll be tough though because Wardi does an abolutely spectacular job. A more practical thing would be to just donate $$$ to his events.

Red Alert 3 and C&C 4 came out around the same time as SC2. How is EA's esports support for those titles? How are the Relic//Sega CoH2 live events doing? What is up with AoE esports these days?

It is great to have all these pie-in-the-sky theories about what you expect from a publisher. The reality is... if you are thoroughly dissatisfied then play an RTS that has better esports support.

Over the past 15 years, Activision has done a better job supporting their RTS's than any major publisher.

As a consumer all I can do is pick my best option... ATVI's RTS games are it.

I am thankful to ATVI that we have another year of SC2 esports to watch. During the down time between major events I anticipate watching Wardi's events.
On February 24 2023 04:58 Blargh wrote:
Additional thought, I suppose we'll see a lot of career transitions

career transitions out of the "SC2-only" niche have been a smart move for a long long time. many years ago Incontrol made the smart move of rebranding himself as the "Strategy Game" guy. This allowed him to get involved in C&C and other big strategy titles.
Ray Kassar To David Crane : "you're no more important to Atari than the factory workers assembling the cartridges"
lechatnoir
Profile Joined November 2016
386 Posts
February 23 2023 20:19 GMT
#18
Well that sucks.
Vindicare605
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
United States16071 Posts
February 23 2023 20:24 GMT
#19
On February 24 2023 05:18 JimmyJRaynor wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 24 2023 05:06 Vindicare605 wrote:
On February 24 2023 05:01 PresenceSc2 wrote:
If they put in a battle pass they would make more then enough to keep KR scene going and make the ESL prize pool bigger. It wouldn't take too much effort to do really.

This is it boys. Actual deadgaem incoming. Enjoy the final season of Starcraft 2. It's been a fun 10+ years.

Hopefully Storm Gate blows up and is a worthy successor.


Activision isn't interested in putting together anything just to better their game. They need a direct profit motive and there's none to be had for SC2.

This is just polemics. Do like Wardi and create your own events. That'll be tough though because Wardi does an abolutely spectacular job. A more practical thing would be to just donate $$$ to his events.

Red Alert 3 and C&C 4 came out around the same time as SC2. How is EA's esports support for those titles? How are the Relic//Sega CoH2 live events doing? What is up with AoE esports these days?

It is great to have all these pie-in-the-sky theories about what you expect from a publisher. The reality is... if you are thoroughly dissatisfied then play an RTS that has better esports support.

Over the past 15 years, Activision has done a better job supporting their RTS's than any major publisher.

As a consumer all I can do is pick my best option... ATVI's RTS games are it.

I am thankful to ATVI that we have another year of SC2 esports to watch. During the down time between major events I anticipate watching Wardi's events.


Wardii's tournaments work because they are very small in cost and scale compared to the relatively gigantic operations that GSL and ESL are.

If you want a peek at what "sustainable" Starcraft 2 looks like then yea he's a good one to look at.

But without larger funding for the more fun events that draw in the big viewers, smaller scale stuff like Wardii's is all we're going to eventually be left with. And I hate to break this to you, but none of the players that play in Wardii's tournaments see it as a form of sustainable income for them. His tournaments are a nice side addition to have while the big tournaments provide the main course for everyone.

I can guarantee you that this sort of negative impact on the scene WILL roll downhill. If the top events that keep the fans engaged are no longer around or are drastically reduced in scope, the drop in engagement from the community that will result will impact tournaments like Wardii's too eventually.


aka: KTVindicare the Geeky Bartender
Cricketer12
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States13977 Posts
February 23 2023 20:32 GMT
#20
On February 24 2023 05:15 Riquiz wrote:
Hate to see the deadgame-meme become a reality.

Deadgame meme existed for over 10 years. We should be content with how long the game lasted
Kaina + Drones Linkcro Summon Cupsie Yummy Way
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 2h 5m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
OGKoka 2
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 449
Tasteless 323
EffOrt 248
Killer 223
Leta 144
PianO 86
ggaemo 71
Dewaltoss 64
ToSsGirL 61
sSak 47
[ Show more ]
Soma 35
Bale 18
Noble 13
scan(afreeca) 7
Sharp 3
Light 0
Dota 2
BananaSlamJamma184
XcaliburYe45
League of Legends
JimRising 615
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K623
shoxiejesuss301
semphis_31
Other Games
summit1g6927
WinterStarcraft671
ceh9346
C9.Mang0261
NeuroSwarm33
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick551
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 50
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• LUISG 3
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Stunt860
Upcoming Events
Afreeca Starleague
2h 5m
BeSt vs Alone
Queen vs Bisu
Kung Fu Cup
4h 5m
TaeJa vs Classic
Creator vs SHIN
Rogue vs MaxPax
PiGosaur Monday
16h 5m
Kung Fu Cup
1d 4h
ByuN vs HeRoMaRinE
OSC
1d 8h
OSC
1d 16h
RSL Revival
2 days
Cure vs SHIN
Reynor vs Zoun
Kung Fu Cup
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
RSL Revival
3 days
Classic vs TriGGeR
ByuN vs Maru
[ Show More ]
Online Event
3 days
Kung Fu Cup
3 days
BSL Team Wars
3 days
Team Bonyth vs Team Dewalt
BSL Team Wars
3 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Maestros of the Game
4 days
ShoWTimE vs Classic
Clem vs herO
Serral vs Bunny
Reynor vs Zoun
Cosmonarchy
4 days
Bonyth vs Dewalt
[BSL 2025] Weekly
4 days
RSL Revival
5 days
Maestros of the Game
5 days
BSL Team Wars
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
Snow vs Sharp
Jaedong vs Mini
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Copa Latinoamericana 4
SEL Season 2 Championship
HCC Europe

Ongoing

BSL 20 Team Wars
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 3
BSL 21: BSL Points
ASL Season 20
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
LASL Season 20
RSL Revival: Season 2
Maestros of the Game
Chzzk MurlocKing SC1 vs SC2 Cup #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1

Upcoming

2025 Chongqing Offline CUP
BSL Polish World Championship 2025
BSL Season 21
BSL 21 Team A
EC S1
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters Fall
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.