• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 17:06
CEST 23:06
KST 06:06
  • 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
TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection2Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview5[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview2herO wins GSL Code S Season 1 (2026)7
Community News
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th120Weekly Cups (May 18-25): MaxPax wins doubles0Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League5Weekly Cups (May 11-17): Classic wins double1Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO8 Results2
StarCraft 2
General
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection The death of cheese, from a professional cheeser. Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes?
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League GSL Code S Season 2 (2026) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 528 Infection Detected Welcome to the External Content forum Mutation # 527 Hell Train
Brood War
General
Data needed BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Quality of life changes in BW that you will like ? Soma's ASL Finals Review FlaShFTW vs A.Alm Grudge Match Event
Tourneys
[ASL21] Grand Finals [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [BSL22] WB Final & LB Semis - Saturday 21:00 CEST
Strategy
Any training maps people recommend? Muta micro map competition [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne ZeroSpace Megathread 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
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 Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Trading/Investing Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Dating: How's your luck?
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
McBoner: A hockey love story 2024 - 2026 Football Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Esportsmanship: How to NOT B…
TrAiDoS
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 3583 users

How interested would you be in watching competitive SC2 wi…

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
TL.net Bot
Profile Joined June 2004
TL.net136 Posts
August 12 2024 20:47 GMT
#1
Discussion thread for front page poll: "How interested would you be in watching competitive SC2 without the ESL and GSL tours?"
CicadaSC
Profile Joined January 2018
United States1923 Posts
August 12 2024 21:03 GMT
#2
Why would I watch it without the big tourneys? The pro players would quit especially in Korea where they can't even stream on twitch.
Remember that we all come from a place of passion!!
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1292 Posts
August 12 2024 21:58 GMT
#3
Without the big money tours (and offline finals), a lot of the current pro-scene would either die out or stop practicing as much. The game would probably devolve into what WC3 is currently, with just a very select handful of players basically playing every tournament that dedicated streamer like Wardi put together.
Those who can live from streaming will probably keep up some level of skill, but it wouldn't be nearly as high as it is today.
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8990 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-08-12 22:28:58
August 12 2024 22:28 GMT
#4
I'm happy to follow a Starcraft competition if there's enough structure and stability to create a narrative I can get excited about (for something outside ESL/GSL see WTL obviously).
The level of competition is not hugely important to me, so pro players becoming part-timers isn't much of a problem. High-level Starcraft can be very fun even if the players aren't quite as sharp as before and I'm not sure I can see the difference anyway if I'm honest.

But if GSL or ESL end, I would probably not replace those with smaller ''one-off'' online events or weekly the likes of which Wardi or others are organizing. I have nothing against those, but nowadays I need something more than just Starcraft 2 to commit a lot of hours to watching.

If the scene is just grinding online tournaments I'll tune in once in a while because I obviously like watching SC2, but probably not as intensely as I've done in the last decade or so.
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
sidasf
Profile Joined February 2023
103 Posts
August 12 2024 22:54 GMT
#5
If ESL drops SC2, the pro scene will completely die, as will viewership. There will be nothing left to watch. Most of our beloved SC2 pros will stop playing, the skill levels will drop, it will be nothing left but a few low level locally funded tournaments where people are drinking beer and bsing. Nothing like the thrilling high stakes tournaments we have now. I truly hope ESL can fund SC2 for another year or two, especially with players like Trap and Rogue coming back.
Poopi
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
France12925 Posts
August 12 2024 23:02 GMT
#6
I wouldn't watch sc2 without the KR scene, so I will probably just stop watching sc2 unless some "big" tournaments happen.
WriterMaru
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland26923 Posts
August 12 2024 23:44 GMT
#7
Depends entirely on what replaces it, who sticks around etc.

I still enjoy watching WC3, sure it’s past its peak but you’ve still got legends going at it in impactful matches.

If SC2 downsizes, but a good chunk of these players we’ve watched for years stick around, maybe a few new names crop up, well worth a watch even if it’s a bit smaller.

If basically everyone moves on to pastures new and it’s a case of watching which prior B/C tier players end up King/Queen of the new pile, I’m not crazy interested in that.
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33623 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-08-13 04:02:37
August 13 2024 02:48 GMT
#8
On August 13 2024 08:44 WombaT wrote:
Depends entirely on what replaces it, who sticks around etc.

I still enjoy watching WC3, sure it’s past its peak but you’ve still got legends going at it in impactful matches.

If SC2 downsizes, but a good chunk of these players we’ve watched for years stick around, maybe a few new names crop up, well worth a watch even if it’s a bit smaller.

If basically everyone moves on to pastures new and it’s a case of watching which prior B/C tier players end up King/Queen of the new pile, I’m not crazy interested in that.


I'd also find a War3-sized scene to still be enjoyable, but I do wonder if top SC2 players are less likely to stick around because they came up in a scene that was VERY well supported financially and have their expectations anchored quite high.
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
Blitzball04
Profile Joined June 2024
191 Posts
August 13 2024 05:29 GMT
#9
I watch the big tournaments. Saudi ones

Don’t really care for the KR scene for years.

I’m okay with just the ESL scene and their quarterly big tournaments such as dreamhack etc.
radracer
Profile Joined March 2020
United States75 Posts
August 13 2024 05:52 GMT
#10
Game is straight dead if GSL is gone. Just the ESL/Euros would be boring AF
old
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7216 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-08-13 06:46:50
August 13 2024 06:46 GMT
#11
If GSL ends but is kinda replaced with ESL Asia or something, I would still watch.
If ESL ends there would be nothing left. We had some good times and I'll always cherish the memories <3
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
MJG
Profile Joined May 2018
United Kingdom1451 Posts
August 13 2024 06:47 GMT
#12
I'd probably still be watching if the only competition left was Rotterdam's Big Brain Bouts.

Unless another game comes along that captures my imagination like this one, I don't see why I wouldn't.
puking up frothing vitriolic sarcastic spittle
luxon
Profile Joined August 2012
United States117 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-08-13 07:19:12
August 13 2024 07:18 GMT
#13
ive been watching since 2010 and i'll stop when the korean scene disappears. maybe when the pro scene drops to 4.6k on NA, i'll go pro
WombaT
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Northern Ireland26923 Posts
August 13 2024 08:01 GMT
#14
On August 13 2024 11:48 Waxangel wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 13 2024 08:44 WombaT wrote:
Depends entirely on what replaces it, who sticks around etc.

I still enjoy watching WC3, sure it’s past its peak but you’ve still got legends going at it in impactful matches.

If SC2 downsizes, but a good chunk of these players we’ve watched for years stick around, maybe a few new names crop up, well worth a watch even if it’s a bit smaller.

If basically everyone moves on to pastures new and it’s a case of watching which prior B/C tier players end up King/Queen of the new pile, I’m not crazy interested in that.


I'd also find a War3-sized scene to still be enjoyable, but I do wonder if top SC2 players are less likely to stick around because they came up in a scene that was VERY well supported financially and have their expectations anchored quite high.

Aye, I guess plenty of these folks do love the game so might stick around even if it’s to just play part-time for tournies and stuff. Maybe wouldn’t be quite as high a standard in terms of gameplay, but sometimes that’s not actually the most watchable as a spectacle.

They’re very talented RTS players after all, we still haven’t seen too many top players migrate elsewhere, but even that next tier down (or even lower) were pretty immediately competitive in other recent titles.

If SC2 downsizes further, but still has a bit of money floating around my guess would be the top guys will stick around, or if not, just retire from competitive gaming and do something else.

Plenty of maybes there I suppose
'You'll always be the cuddly marsupial of my heart, despite the inherent flaws of your ancestry' - Squat
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1292 Posts
August 13 2024 09:55 GMT
#15
On August 13 2024 11:48 Waxangel wrote:
Show nested quote +
On August 13 2024 08:44 WombaT wrote:
Depends entirely on what replaces it, who sticks around etc.

I still enjoy watching WC3, sure it’s past its peak but you’ve still got legends going at it in impactful matches.

If SC2 downsizes, but a good chunk of these players we’ve watched for years stick around, maybe a few new names crop up, well worth a watch even if it’s a bit smaller.

If basically everyone moves on to pastures new and it’s a case of watching which prior B/C tier players end up King/Queen of the new pile, I’m not crazy interested in that.


I'd also find a War3-sized scene to still be enjoyable, but I do wonder if top SC2 players are less likely to stick around because they came up in a scene that was VERY well supported financially and have their expectations anchored quite high.


I think expectations is definetly a thing. WC3 always had big offline events, but the most part of it was randomly thrown together online tournaments and team leagues, so the scene never was used to something like a GSL or the EWC. Hell, without consistent video-streaming at the time, we often didn't even really get to see some of the bigger tournaments or enjoy the storylines like we do in SC2.
Another example is Age of Empires 2. The game got carried for ten+ years by its community alone, everything was "crowd-made". Only in the last few years have there been offline tournaments and bigger online tourneys, since Microsoft and Redbull throw in some bucks. But if Redbull would stop that for example, the scene would be completly fine - because the fans are not used to having multiple offline events per year.

SC2 fans are "spoiled" that way. A year without offline events wouldn't be fine, it would mean doomsday. And without ESL, there would probably be a sizeable gap before figures of the community raise up to organize their own tournaments again and fill the calendar.

There was also the thing that when WC3 as a top-dog ended, the biggest reason for it was SC2 itself, there was something to jump ship to - something that immediately offered a lot more money aswell. I don't see that at the moment.
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
baldgye
Profile Joined April 2011
United Kingdom1108 Posts
August 13 2024 10:20 GMT
#16
For me, I don't mind, but if the scene is going this route I hope that more tournaments become more relaxed and allow and encorage more players to cast alongside the casters.


Honestly one of the issues I have with most of the middle of the road tournaments and events, is the casting.
Blargh
Profile Joined September 2010
United States2103 Posts
August 13 2024 10:48 GMT
#17
What would even be left? If there were no replacements, the scene would be definitively dead. I'd probably spend more time watching BW though.
SoleSteeler
Profile Joined April 2003
Canada5461 Posts
August 14 2024 22:45 GMT
#18
I'll keep watching SC2 until it's completely gone. Without ESL/GSL it would be pretty lackluster though.
radracer
Profile Joined March 2020
United States75 Posts
August 15 2024 03:44 GMT
#19
Between it being a mostly 2 race game, the KR scene dwindling, so goes my interest. I still tune in for the big stuff, but usually turn it off if it goes into purely a T & Z game. Can only watch the same thing over and over so many times.
old
JimmyJRaynor
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada17546 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-08-15 15:31:38
August 15 2024 15:20 GMT
#20
i will watch competitive SC2 forever. I find SC2LInks.com makes watching competitive SC2 very convenient. I highly recommend both TL.Net and SC2Links.com as great ways to conveniently and quickly keep up with the competitive scene.
On August 15 2024 07:45 SoleSteeler wrote:
I'll keep watching SC2 until it's completely gone. Without ESL/GSL it would be pretty lackluster though.

When it dies you can always watch EA NHL '94 competitive events! There is a big one in Toronto in late September. The last one sold out and had people hanging off the rafters.

I think competitive SC2 will keep going until Microsoft pulls the plug.
Ray Kassar To David Crane : "you're no more important to Atari than the factory workers assembling the cartridges"
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 2h 54m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
ProTech2602
RotterdaM 979
IndyStarCraft 146
JuggernautJason86
StarCraft: Brood War
firebathero 85
ajuk12(nOOB) 15
soO 12
NaDa 8
League of Legends
KnowMe99
Counter-Strike
pashabiceps3698
apEX2517
shoxiejesuss2338
fl0m1893
Pyrionflax200
Super Smash Bros
PPMD34
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu453
Other Games
summit1g5758
Grubby5328
ZombieGrub191
UpATreeSC57
Mew2King42
Organizations
Other Games
BasetradeTV238
Algost 9
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• kabyraGe 319
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• Michael_bg 76
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2469
League of Legends
• Lourlo1259
• Stunt281
Other Games
• WagamamaTV380
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
2h 54m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
12h 54m
WardiTV Spring Champion…
13h 54m
Maestros of the Game
18h 24m
The PondCast
1d 12h
Kung Fu Cup
1d 13h
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
1d 17h
Maestros of the Game
1d 18h
Replay Cast
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
[ Show More ]
WardiTV Spring Champion…
2 days
Maestros of the Game
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
3 days
Maestros of the Game
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Solar vs Classic
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
GSL
5 days
herO vs Rogue
Maru vs Cure
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
5 days
BSL
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Monday Night Weeklies
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

KK 2v2 League Season 1
RSL Revival: Season 5
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
SCTL 2026 Spring
WardiTV Spring 2026
Maestros of the Game 2
2026 GSL S2
Murky Cup 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026

Upcoming

BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Heroes Pulsing #3
Heroes Pulsing #2
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 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.