• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 06:41
CEST 12:41
KST 19:41
  • 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
[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star10Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists14[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Fresh Flow9[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash10[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0
Community News
2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers12Maestros of the Game 2 announced52026 GSL Tour plans announced14Weekly Cups (April 6-12): herO doubles, "Villains" prevail1MaNa leaves Team Liquid23
StarCraft 2
General
MaNa leaves Team Liquid Maestros of the Game 2 announced 2026 GSL Tour plans announced Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists
Tourneys
2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers GSL CK: More events planned pending crowdfunding RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players [M] (2) Frigid Storage
External Content
Mutation # 522 Flip My Base The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 521 Memorable Boss Mutation # 520 Moving Fees
Brood War
General
[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star Data needed ASL21 Strategy, Pimpest Plays Discussions BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ RepMastered™: replay sharing and analyzer site
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro16 Group D [ASL21] Ro16 Group C [ASL21] Ro16 Group B [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Any training maps people recommend? Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Dawn of War IV Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread YouTube Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Movie Discussion!
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
[G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Sexual Health Of Gamers
TrAiDoS
lurker extra damage testi…
StaticNine
Broowar part 2
qwaykee
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1933 users

ZombieGrub talks about EPT changes, StormGate, and more

Forum Index > Closed
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
StarcraftHistorian
Profile Joined November 2022
United States162 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-03-24 17:07:24
March 24 2023 10:55 GMT
#1
Clarification: The title of this post is my take on what ZG said. Not a quote from her and not a representation of her views

As quoted by ZombieGrub in my latest interview with her, "Blizzard pulled the rug out from under" the SC2 scene.

Essentially what was explained is that behind the scenes, Blizz led people to believe a contract extension/renewed funding was coming all year long, but decided to cut the program at the last minute. If not for the support of ESL, SC2 would have dieed overnight, the same way Heroes of the Storm was left to die.
E.g. https://www.esports.net/news/blizzard/blizzard-officially-ending-heroes-of-the-storm-development/
https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/14/18141331/heroes-of-the-storm-canceled-hgc-blizzard-community

Clip from ZG interview:
Crocolisk Dundee
Profile Blog Joined October 2015
870 Posts
March 24 2023 11:51 GMT
#2
I am holding off on any judgement here. The video clip does not make clear what happened.

There is a possibility Blizzard had not signed a formal contract, certain people expected them to sign based on previous interactions, then were disappointed when their expectation was not met.

If that was the case, I would understand the disappointment, but it would be just a normal business decision by Blizzard.
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.
I wasbanned fromthis
Profile Blog Joined August 2012
113 Posts
March 24 2023 13:39 GMT
#3
Blizzard Activision will cut losses like a combat knife.
One time for Kerri Moynihan
TossHeroes
Profile Joined February 2022
281 Posts
March 24 2023 15:14 GMT
#4
Who was really expecting an extension funding from blizzard?

Most people KNEW the blizzard funding was gonna stop after the 3 year contract with ESL

Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8989 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-03-24 16:03:51
March 24 2023 16:03 GMT
#5
On March 24 2023 20:51 Crocolisk Dundee wrote:
I am holding off on any judgement here. The video clip does not make clear what happened.

There is a possibility Blizzard had not signed a formal contract, certain people expected them to sign based on previous interactions, then were disappointed when their expectation was not met.

If that was the case, I would understand the disappointment, but it would be just a normal business decision by Blizzard.


It does sound like a somewhat stardard buisness practices where everyone tell you everything is fine and there's just a few last things to tie up, until suddenly everything fall off when the boss give his decision.

It's a shitty practice though
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
ZombieGrub
Profile Blog Joined May 2011
United States714 Posts
March 24 2023 16:45 GMT
#6
On March 25 2023 01:03 Nakajin wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 24 2023 20:51 Crocolisk Dundee wrote:
I am holding off on any judgement here. The video clip does not make clear what happened.

There is a possibility Blizzard had not signed a formal contract, certain people expected them to sign based on previous interactions, then were disappointed when their expectation was not met.

If that was the case, I would understand the disappointment, but it would be just a normal business decision by Blizzard.


It does sound like a somewhat stardard buisness practices where everyone tell you everything is fine and there's just a few last things to tie up, until suddenly everything fall off when the boss give his decision.

It's a shitty practice though


Pretty much this. "Things were on an optimistic path and then it got nixed" is why I compared it to HotS. I certainly don't think Blizzard has this super ill-intent where they're trying to kill something. Business decisions were made eventually and it didn't favor us, so yeah, just disappointing.
Commentator"Defeat is the acceptance of my own laziness." - SlayerS_'Boxer'
M3t4PhYzX
Profile Joined March 2019
Poland4250 Posts
March 24 2023 18:09 GMT
#7
oh wow, seriously?! Damn.. I'm REALLY shocked right now ! ! !














not.
ASeriousMan
Profile Joined May 2015
5 Posts
March 24 2023 19:26 GMT
#8
On March 25 2023 03:09 M3t4PhYzX wrote:
oh wow, seriously?! Damn.. I'm REALLY shocked right now ! ! !














not.



This thread almost made it to a full page without an edgelord showing up, we should take pride.
NewSunshine
Profile Joined July 2011
United States5938 Posts
March 24 2023 19:33 GMT
#9
On March 25 2023 04:26 ASeriousMan wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 25 2023 03:09 M3t4PhYzX wrote:
oh wow, seriously?! Damn.. I'm REALLY shocked right now ! ! !














not.



This thread almost made it to a full page without an edgelord showing up, we should take pride.

Seems less like edge to me and more like a normal reaction to the way Acti-Blizz cuts off anything that doesn't make $$$$$.
"If you find yourself feeling lost, take pride in the accuracy of your feelings." - Night Vale
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1281 Posts
March 24 2023 19:41 GMT
#10
On March 25 2023 04:33 NewSunshine wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 25 2023 04:26 ASeriousMan wrote:
On March 25 2023 03:09 M3t4PhYzX wrote:
oh wow, seriously?! Damn.. I'm REALLY shocked right now ! ! !














not.



This thread almost made it to a full page without an edgelord showing up, we should take pride.

Seems less like edge to me and more like a normal reaction to the way Acti-Blizz cuts off anything that doesn't make $$$$$.


Blizzard funded the SC2 scene for three years and still got hated on from the community en masse. What exactly were they supposed to gain from this?
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
JJH777
Profile Joined January 2011
United States4416 Posts
March 24 2023 19:42 GMT
#11
Blizzard has already shown they'd prefer no scene rather than a self sustaining scene they aren't in control of with Broodwar. Not surprising that they'd actively try to kill SC2 rather than just see what happens without them involved.
QOGQOG
Profile Joined July 2019
834 Posts
March 24 2023 19:53 GMT
#12
On March 25 2023 04:42 JJH777 wrote:
Blizzard has already shown they'd prefer no scene rather than a self sustaining scene they aren't in control of with Broodwar. Not surprising that they'd actively try to kill SC2 rather than just see what happens without them involved.

Yeah, if they try the BW style extortion-for-tournaments thing it will completely shut the game down.
BluemoonSC
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
SoCal8910 Posts
March 24 2023 19:56 GMT
#13
I think if you're going to post a sensationalist headline as the title as well as self promote, the least you could do is drop the full interview in here for 100% of the context..
LiquidDota Staff@BluemoonGG_
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8989 Posts
March 24 2023 20:04 GMT
#14
On March 25 2023 04:42 JJH777 wrote:
Blizzard has already shown they'd prefer no scene rather than a self sustaining scene they aren't in control of with Broodwar. Not surprising that they'd actively try to kill SC2 rather than just see what happens without them involved.


Huh?
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
sM.Zik
Profile Joined June 2011
Canada2550 Posts
March 24 2023 21:22 GMT
#15
On March 25 2023 05:04 Nakajin wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 25 2023 04:42 JJH777 wrote:
Blizzard has already shown they'd prefer no scene rather than a self sustaining scene they aren't in control of with Broodwar. Not surprising that they'd actively try to kill SC2 rather than just see what happens without them involved.


Huh?


Afreeca gotta pay blizzard a huge license fee to host their broodwar tournaments..
Jaedong Fighting! | youtube.com/ZikGaming
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8989 Posts
March 24 2023 21:35 GMT
#16
On March 25 2023 06:22 sM.Zik wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 25 2023 05:04 Nakajin wrote:
On March 25 2023 04:42 JJH777 wrote:
Blizzard has already shown they'd prefer no scene rather than a self sustaining scene they aren't in control of with Broodwar. Not surprising that they'd actively try to kill SC2 rather than just see what happens without them involved.


Huh?


Afreeca gotta pay blizzard a huge license fee to host their broodwar tournaments..


Oh I get it for BW, I have no idea what we are referencing for SC2
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
StarcraftHistorian
Profile Joined November 2022
United States162 Posts
March 24 2023 21:49 GMT
#17
What I meant with this post was not that Blizzard is a malicious actor, and wants to see the Starcraft scene suffer. I understand that they are part of a huge company, and that cutting funding for SC2 was a business decision.

What I'm upset about is this, Blizzard should have learned their lesson from the public backlash they faced regarding their handling of the Heroes of The Storm scene. People are building their lives around these games, and they deserve to know if they have a job in 3 months.

You're going to cut funding for a program that isn't generating enough of a return? Great, do what you need to for your shareholders. But GIVE PEOPLE NOTICE, have people sign NDA's if you must, just make it clear what your intentions are, to the people whose lives depend on your decision. If ESL didn't step in, Pro SC2 would have disappeared overnight.

[Phantom]
Profile Blog Joined August 2013
Mexico2170 Posts
March 25 2023 00:30 GMT
#18
What Blizzard did in Heroes of the Storm was pretty bad. Basically even in novemember during BlizzCon they were telling people the tournaments would continue and more info would be released later. And then suddenly they announced it would end a couple of weeks later.

It screwed a lot of people. TL actually had been investing in different projects and there was money spent during that time frame only for Blizzard to pull the plug without notice. Other orgs both in terms of media and pro teams were in the same boat. There were team houses, players literally moving to different states/countries. There was no indication at all the pro scene would die. Viewership wasn't as big as LoL or Dota, but even then it was decent.

So I was weary when they announced the Blizzard deal would end inn Katowice and they "may" renew it. I didn't trust Blizzard at all to do it. I suspect others were cautious too, so at least sc2 had some form of "heads up" since we knew the contract was ending.

Still, if they were telling people their support would continue until shortly before they dropped it, it is still very shitty. People's life's depend on this. Not only pros, but tournament staff, casters, media, teams. So it's very shitty.
WriterTeamLiquid Staff writer since 2014 @Mortal_Phantom
StarcraftHistorian
Profile Joined November 2022
United States162 Posts
March 25 2023 00:59 GMT
#19
On March 25 2023 09:30 [Phantom] wrote:
What Blizzard did in Heroes of the Storm was pretty bad. Basically even in novemember during BlizzCon they were telling people the tournaments would continue and more info would be released later. And then suddenly they announced it would end a couple of weeks later.

It screwed a lot of people. TL actually had been investing in different projects and there was money spent during that time frame only for Blizzard to pull the plug without notice. Other orgs both in terms of media and pro teams were in the same boat. There were team houses, players literally moving to different states/countries. There was no indication at all the pro scene would die. Viewership wasn't as big as LoL or Dota, but even then it was decent.

So I was weary when they announced the Blizzard deal would end inn Katowice and they "may" renew it. I didn't trust Blizzard at all to do it. I suspect others were cautious too, so at least sc2 had some form of "heads up" since we knew the contract was ending.

Still, if they were telling people their support would continue until shortly before they dropped it, it is still very shitty. People's life's depend on this. Not only pros, but tournament staff, casters, media, teams. So it's very shitty.


This is exactly my point.

Does it not sound like the SC2 scene was going to be put in the same position that HoTS was? Only ESL's support at the last minute stopped a catastrophic situation like that.
Blargh
Profile Joined September 2010
United States2103 Posts
March 25 2023 01:03 GMT
#20
While it's not great how they executed HotS, they kept SC2 scene alive 5 years longer than it should've. It was basically all charity work. New SC2 revenue is nearly zero. They could literally release [any new content] in Hearthstone and it'd make them more money, at a thousandth the cost to do and make.

And almost always, it's not even the fault of team's who are directly involved. Some things just get chopped, especially when they are hemorrhaging money.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Afreeca Starleague
10:00
Ro16 Group D
Barracks vs Leta
Royal vs Light
Afreeca ASL 13768
StarCastTV_EN326
Liquipedia
GSL
08:00
2026 Season 1: Qualifiers
herO vs Rogue
Maru vs SHIN
Cure vs ClassicLIVE!
IntoTheiNu 390
CranKy Ducklings SOOP175
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
OGKoka 267
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 10810
Jaedong 5708
Sea 3529
BeSt 1164
Horang2 955
Rush 669
Pusan 412
Zeus 243
Mind 231
Larva 221
[ Show more ]
JYJ 163
ToSsGirL 108
Sharp 105
ggaemo 91
Sexy 43
Shine 29
Bale 26
Killer 20
[sc1f]eonzerg 16
Noble 12
SilentControl 11
Sacsri 10
GoRush 9
JulyZerg 5
eros_byul 0
Dota 2
Gorgc1684
XaKoH 498
NeuroSwarm107
XcaliburYe91
Counter-Strike
olofmeister2629
allub260
x6flipin240
edward204
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King122
Other Games
singsing1682
ceh9635
crisheroes204
Trikslyr118
QueenE35
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream7600
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream3830
Other Games
gamesdonequick414
StarCraft: Brood War
UltimateBattle 243
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• TFBlade1325
• Stunt598
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
19m
herO vs Classic
SHIN vs Cure
Solar vs Percival
RSL Revival
23h 19m
Replay Cast
1d 13h
The PondCast
1d 23h
KCM Race Survival
1d 23h
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
2 days
Gerald vs TBD
Clem vs TBD
ByuN vs TBD
Rogue vs MaxPax
ShoWTimE vs TBD
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
Escore
2 days
RSL Revival
3 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
4 days
[ Show More ]
Universe Titan Cup
4 days
Rogue vs Percival
Ladder Legends
4 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
BSL
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
5 days
Ladder Legends
5 days
BSL
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Monday Night Weeklies
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-04-20
RSL Revival: Season 4
NationLESS Cup

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
StarCraft2 Community Team League 2026 Spring
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: W4
Acropolis #4
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
2026 GSL S2
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
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 © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.