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[Interview] Zoun’s Last Message to His Fans

Forum Index > SC2 General
20 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 All last
CicadaSC
Profile Joined January 2018
United States1609 Posts
March 04 2023 09:20 GMT
#2
Thank you for the interview! Nice to see he plans on playing Stormgate, hope military goes by quick
Remember that we all come from a place of passion!!
dbRic1203
Profile Joined July 2019
Germany2655 Posts
March 04 2023 09:30 GMT
#3
Thank you for the interview Maddox and GGs Zoun
MaxPax
lechatnoir
Profile Joined November 2016
386 Posts
March 04 2023 10:08 GMT
#4
Wow, that came abrubtly!

GGs Zoun. Iirc he was the first from the old T1 roster to retire when proleague shut down but wow did he have a comeback later.

I wish him a hassle-free military duty and hope to see him again in this game or the next.
Haku
Profile Joined August 2013
Germany550 Posts
March 04 2023 10:39 GMT
#5
Did not expect his retirement tbh but I think its good for him to get the military service done now.
Probably his best shot at returning to pro gaming, if he desires to do so and we actually have a game with the right amount of fans to make a living out of it.

GG Zoun!
Jaedong | Life | MKP | PartinG | LosirA | ByuN | TaeJa | TY | TLO | Bomber | HerO | Rotti | Dark | Stephano | Maru | Ragnarok | MC | IdrA | Serral | Creator | Bunny | INnoVation | Liquid | Prime | JinAir
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8989 Posts
March 04 2023 11:22 GMT
#6
Goodbye Zoun and good luck on your journey!

Great interview btw, Zoun sound like he has a good head on his shoulders.
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
Charoisaur
Profile Joined August 2014
Germany15919 Posts
March 04 2023 11:53 GMT
#7
Strange that pros put this much faith into Stormgate considering we know nothing about the game. They could just as well switch to age of empires if they just want to play another game
Many of the coolest moments in sc2 happen due to worker harassment
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1138 Posts
March 04 2023 12:22 GMT
#8
On March 04 2023 20:53 Charoisaur wrote:
Strange that pros put this much faith into Stormgate considering we know nothing about the game. They could just as well switch to age of empires if they just want to play another game


I think some pros are a bit more involved with the game, like Harstem. Honestly I hope so, because every little thing I've seen so far from Stormgate was super-generic and didn't exactly scream "the next best thing".
As for AoE: There is not much money to get in AoE IV and while it is somewhat easy to break through the higher ranks in AoE II, basically everything that happens offline is in Europe.
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
Charoisaur
Profile Joined August 2014
Germany15919 Posts
March 04 2023 12:32 GMT
#9
On March 04 2023 21:22 Balnazza wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 04 2023 20:53 Charoisaur wrote:
Strange that pros put this much faith into Stormgate considering we know nothing about the game. They could just as well switch to age of empires if they just want to play another game


I think some pros are a bit more involved with the game, like Harstem. Honestly I hope so, because every little thing I've seen so far from Stormgate was super-generic and didn't exactly scream "the next best thing".
As for AoE: There is not much money to get in AoE IV and while it is somewhat easy to break through the higher ranks in AoE II, basically everything that happens offline is in Europe.

True but there's little reason to assume there will be more money in Stormgate
Many of the coolest moments in sc2 happen due to worker harassment
swarminfestor
Profile Joined September 2017
Malaysia2449 Posts
March 04 2023 13:24 GMT
#10
Come back stronger, Zoun. I would love to see all the military returnees like Rogue, TY, Stats, Inno, herO, Parting, Zest, Trap still continue their professional gaming careers and maybe trying Stormgate.if they think sC2 does not last long enough to be able to support themselves financially.
Rogue & Maru fan boy. ^^
Glorfindelio
Profile Joined October 2022
203 Posts
March 04 2023 13:25 GMT
#11
A fond farewell and all the best, Zoun
swarminfestor
Profile Joined September 2017
Malaysia2449 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-03-04 13:35:46
March 04 2023 13:34 GMT
#12
On March 04 2023 21:32 Charoisaur wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 04 2023 21:22 Balnazza wrote:
On March 04 2023 20:53 Charoisaur wrote:
Strange that pros put this much faith into Stormgate considering we know nothing about the game. They could just as well switch to age of empires if they just want to play another game


I think some pros are a bit more involved with the game, like Harstem. Honestly I hope so, because every little thing I've seen so far from Stormgate was super-generic and didn't exactly scream "the next best thing".
As for AoE: There is not much money to get in AoE IV and while it is somewhat easy to break through the higher ranks in AoE II, basically everything that happens offline is in Europe.

True but there's little reason to assume there will be more money in Stormgate


There must be a thinking that Stormgate will exhibit the similar gaming experience they have in Sc2 so that they won't need much time to study or practice. During the time when Sc2 start launching, the pre-existing Broodwar player transitioned to Sc2 part time or full time, then the new generation player like Maru come in making the pool of talents diversifies. Money starts pouring in as many come to view the tournaments. So, I don't blame that some of them may think these can happen again in Stormgate era later after glimpse hope in Sc2 recently.
Rogue & Maru fan boy. ^^
Crocolisk Dundee
Profile Blog Joined October 2015
870 Posts
March 04 2023 14:23 GMT
#13
Thanks for making the viewing experience for us Prime fans a bit more enjoyable in the first rounds of 2015 Proleague, Zoun. I also thought your two GSL Super Tournament runs were big accomplishments. They weren't championships, but two 2nd places is still more than the majority of players achieved in their career.

Best of luck in the military. I will cheer for you should you decide to return to a progaming career.
Stopped watching ESL content in 2022 when the company was acquired by Savvy Gaming Group. Also object to sponsorships by the U.S. Air Force. Thanks for the lively discussions about sportswashing. StarCraft II is not for me anymore.
Charoisaur
Profile Joined August 2014
Germany15919 Posts
March 04 2023 15:55 GMT
#14
On March 04 2023 22:34 swarminfestor wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 04 2023 21:32 Charoisaur wrote:
On March 04 2023 21:22 Balnazza wrote:
On March 04 2023 20:53 Charoisaur wrote:
Strange that pros put this much faith into Stormgate considering we know nothing about the game. They could just as well switch to age of empires if they just want to play another game


I think some pros are a bit more involved with the game, like Harstem. Honestly I hope so, because every little thing I've seen so far from Stormgate was super-generic and didn't exactly scream "the next best thing".
As for AoE: There is not much money to get in AoE IV and while it is somewhat easy to break through the higher ranks in AoE II, basically everything that happens offline is in Europe.

True but there's little reason to assume there will be more money in Stormgate


There must be a thinking that Stormgate will exhibit the similar gaming experience they have in Sc2 so that they won't need much time to study or practice. During the time when Sc2 start launching, the pre-existing Broodwar player transitioned to Sc2 part time or full time, then the new generation player like Maru come in making the pool of talents diversifies. Money starts pouring in as many come to view the tournaments. So, I don't blame that some of them may think these can happen again in Stormgate era later after glimpse hope in Sc2 recently.

The difference is that back then RTS games were popular. Today they are just not and I just don't see the same hype happening for Stormgate. Very likely it will be only played by current SC2/WC3/BW players of whom many will switch back to their old game after trying it a bit.
Many of the coolest moments in sc2 happen due to worker harassment
aringadingding
Profile Joined September 2010
474 Posts
March 11 2023 20:43 GMT
#15
thanks for the interview!
And also. Damn!....
Monochromatic
Profile Blog Joined March 2012
United States997 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-03-12 01:31:46
March 12 2023 01:30 GMT
#16
On March 05 2023 00:55 Charoisaur wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 04 2023 22:34 swarminfestor wrote:
On March 04 2023 21:32 Charoisaur wrote:
On March 04 2023 21:22 Balnazza wrote:
On March 04 2023 20:53 Charoisaur wrote:
Strange that pros put this much faith into Stormgate considering we know nothing about the game. They could just as well switch to age of empires if they just want to play another game


I think some pros are a bit more involved with the game, like Harstem. Honestly I hope so, because every little thing I've seen so far from Stormgate was super-generic and didn't exactly scream "the next best thing".
As for AoE: There is not much money to get in AoE IV and while it is somewhat easy to break through the higher ranks in AoE II, basically everything that happens offline is in Europe.

True but there's little reason to assume there will be more money in Stormgate


There must be a thinking that Stormgate will exhibit the similar gaming experience they have in Sc2 so that they won't need much time to study or practice. During the time when Sc2 start launching, the pre-existing Broodwar player transitioned to Sc2 part time or full time, then the new generation player like Maru come in making the pool of talents diversifies. Money starts pouring in as many come to view the tournaments. So, I don't blame that some of them may think these can happen again in Stormgate era later after glimpse hope in Sc2 recently.

The difference is that back then RTS games were popular. Today they are just not and I just don't see the same hype happening for Stormgate. Very likely it will be only played by current SC2/WC3/BW players of whom many will switch back to their old game after trying it a bit.


I agree with you - there's no way Stormgate gets anywhere near the same amount of hype as SC2. I do not see it being a viable replacement to SC2 as an esport (what advantage does it have that SC2 didn't have?).

I think Zoun is dead on in saying that the same people who dominate today will dominate Stormgate. I'm sure they've budgeted for at least a year of professional esports in their business plan, so there will be plenty of money in the scene. I just don't see a market of viewers who shun Starcraft but are open to Stormgate.
MC: "Guys I need your support! iam poor make me nerd baller" __________________________________________RIP Violet
ExpatRights
Profile Joined February 2021
53 Posts
March 12 2023 11:10 GMT
#17
stormgate is gonna suck because all the 'fans' are sc2 people who hate any kind of change, and the devs are too, it's gonna be super generic and boring without any of the interesting IP
QOGQOG
Profile Joined July 2019
834 Posts
March 12 2023 20:39 GMT
#18
On March 12 2023 20:10 ExpatRights wrote:
stormgate is gonna suck because all the 'fans' are sc2 people who hate any kind of change, and the devs are too, it's gonna be super generic and boring without any of the interesting IP

I am very dubious of Stormgate, but I'm not sure about how it's both going to fail due to making changes while also failing due to being totally generic.

Sad to see Zoun heading off without any sort of big victory, but a couple Super Tournament runners up has to count for something.
oneill12
Profile Joined February 2012
Romania1222 Posts
March 14 2023 06:17 GMT
#19
Good luck!
TheDougler
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada8304 Posts
March 14 2023 06:51 GMT
#20
I'm tempering my expectations with Stormgate, as people are rightfully pointing out how generic it sounds so far and how the community is perhaps overhyping it.

However, there are some advantages it has that SC2 didn't:

1. A bigger emphasis on casual play to create a larger audience from the ground up. Including not having the GOD AWFUL arcade system that was the only available way to do SC2 custom games at launch, which I think really held the game back.
2. A plan to funnel a portion of players from less competitive formats to more competitive formats. I think this is brilliant, and it's something that other successful franchises such as MTG do very well.
3. A co-op mode that is designed by people who have experience with the format. I actually think that this is the thing most likely to save Stormgate. Monk knows what he's doing with co-op, and co-op was possibly SC2's most played game mode after the game went free to play, which was after a bunch of systems to make co-op more enjoyable and increase replayability were added (prestiges, mastery, more maps, more commanders).
4. Less lethality meaning more room for error, which is more fun for noobs and pros alike, which I think was an advantage that WC3 and SCBW had that SC2 didn't especially at first. You can see interview after interview of Korean pros, especially after the Kespa transition, that points to this fact.

Basically, SC2 design seemed mostly top-down: Blizzard wanted it to be an esport and designed it with that in mind, whereas Stormgate is explicitly being designed from the bottom up, with an emphasis on growing the player base first, and then supporting the competitive scene as it develops, not before.
I root for Euro Zergs, NA Protoss* and Korean Terrans. (Any North American who has beat a Korean Pro as Protoss counts as NA Toss)
-NegativeZero-
Profile Joined August 2011
United States2141 Posts
March 14 2023 09:12 GMT
#21
On March 12 2023 20:10 ExpatRights wrote:
stormgate is gonna suck because all the 'fans' are sc2 people who hate any kind of change, and the devs are too, it's gonna be super generic and boring without any of the interesting IP

Starcraft is already a super generic sci-fi setting. Humans vs aliens vs hive-mind swarm - might as well be UNSC vs Covenant vs Flood. The main thing the IP has going for it is the name recognition.
vibeo gane,
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