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Northern Ireland24160 Posts
On April 01 2025 19:12 tigera6 wrote:
I mean, GSL didnt really depend on ESL money to survive and still had great prizepool, because they had a different deal with Blizzard earlier? ESL just use GSL result and make them the de-facto “KR regional” instead of putting in money themselves. The moment the deal for GSL ran out, it just stopped being meaningful and ESL didnt do anything to help it.
Aside from the sportswashing angle, the combination of the two show match series at Gamers8 having bigger prize pots than GSL, and GSL getting no subsequent help was really a sign that the writing was on the wall there.
One thing I would like to know is what’s stopping them trying to crowdfund another season? I think there’s an appetite there, especially if it was funding the last GSL, or last couple.
I’d love to know, there’s a lot of speculation because very little concrete is being communicated to fans. Is it Blizzard licensing issues? Is it everyone waiting for EWC, or something else?
I mean Bellum Stargoza [sic] is due to run again this summer, we had an HSC not all that long ago so seemingly you can organise at least some kind of tournament with a certain prize pool. Add a GSL or two, a Euro tourney, an international event and you’re already getting towards a decent tournament cadence, albeit downsized.
Frustrating enough as a fan, god knows how it is for stakeholders like progamers and orgs
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On April 01 2025 21:31 WombaT wrote:Show nested quote +On April 01 2025 19:12 tigera6 wrote:
I mean, GSL didnt really depend on ESL money to survive and still had great prizepool, because they had a different deal with Blizzard earlier? ESL just use GSL result and make them the de-facto “KR regional” instead of putting in money themselves. The moment the deal for GSL ran out, it just stopped being meaningful and ESL didnt do anything to help it. Aside from the sportswashing angle, the combination of the two show match series at Gamers8 having bigger prize pots than GSL, and GSL getting no subsequent help was really a sign that the writing was on the wall there. One thing I would like to know is what’s stopping them trying to crowdfund another season? I think there’s an appetite there, especially if it was funding the last GSL, or last couple. I’d love to know, there’s a lot of speculation because very little concrete is being communicated to fans. Is it Blizzard licensing issues? Is it everyone waiting for EWC, or something else? I mean Bellum Stargoza [sic] is due to run again this summer, we had an HSC not all that long ago so seemingly you can organise at least some kind of tournament with a certain prize pool. Add a GSL or two, a Euro tourney, an international event and you’re already getting towards a decent tournament cadence, albeit downsized. Frustrating enough as a fan, god knows how it is for stakeholders like progamers and orgs
HomestoryCup and PiG-Fest had no trouble at all raising 20k+ over a span of only a couple days. Add to that generell streaming revenue, subs and other donations it might well be worth it.
EDIT: Add maybe a decent sponsor or two like TL.net, Shopify or some gaming gear producer to that as well
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Northern Ireland24160 Posts
On April 01 2025 22:01 Harris1st wrote:Show nested quote +On April 01 2025 21:31 WombaT wrote:On April 01 2025 19:12 tigera6 wrote:
I mean, GSL didnt really depend on ESL money to survive and still had great prizepool, because they had a different deal with Blizzard earlier? ESL just use GSL result and make them the de-facto “KR regional” instead of putting in money themselves. The moment the deal for GSL ran out, it just stopped being meaningful and ESL didnt do anything to help it. Aside from the sportswashing angle, the combination of the two show match series at Gamers8 having bigger prize pots than GSL, and GSL getting no subsequent help was really a sign that the writing was on the wall there. One thing I would like to know is what’s stopping them trying to crowdfund another season? I think there’s an appetite there, especially if it was funding the last GSL, or last couple. I’d love to know, there’s a lot of speculation because very little concrete is being communicated to fans. Is it Blizzard licensing issues? Is it everyone waiting for EWC, or something else? I mean Bellum Stargoza [sic] is due to run again this summer, we had an HSC not all that long ago so seemingly you can organise at least some kind of tournament with a certain prize pool. Add a GSL or two, a Euro tourney, an international event and you’re already getting towards a decent tournament cadence, albeit downsized. Frustrating enough as a fan, god knows how it is for stakeholders like progamers and orgs HomestoryCup and PiG-Fest had no trouble at all raising 20k+ over a span of only a couple days. Add to that generell streaming revenue, subs and other donations it might well be worth it
Indeed, hence the confusion on my end!
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United States33128 Posts
welp EPT is over and EWC 2025 was announced; back to being a GSL doom thread 
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Can't say it comes as a surprise to me.
It's been an amazing run though and the grassroots scene can and will continue for years to come.
I am and will be forever thankful for what was essentially 25+ years of SC esports in my life; About 20 years more than I ever imagined possible back when I started playing this beautiful gem of game.
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I mean, with that everyone knows who is what. I wouldn't hold my breath for a new EWC next year, but atleast players get *something* for this year. And PiG, Wardi and co. know how the future looks aswell and after EWC will know with what playerpool they can work.
I'm now though wondering if the tremendous delay was perhaps connected with ESL negotiations with Intel? As far as I know, Intel and ESL recently negotiated a new multi-year contract, but Intel apparently considerably scaled down (because of their own problems). For example, the "Grand Slam" in Counterstrike will no longer be sponsored by and named after Intel.
Anyway...glad we got clarity, even though a Circuit would probably be more healthy for the scene than the World Cup, but money for our boys is money!
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Northern Ireland24160 Posts
Ah well, shame.
That’s me kinda done now, outside of what the grass roots can pull out of the bag, been a hell of a ride though!
I’m sure plenty will be happy to gargle EWC balls to compensate for my absence
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Still we need more clarity about the situation, now that EPT is gone:
Are we just gonna get one more year of SC2 in EWC, or muitiple years? If it is just one year, will it be the last?
How will the qualification for EWC work this year? How may players will be playing in this EWC? All players through qualifiers or we have some invites based on past results?
What will the qualifiers for the EWC look like? Are they gonna be all online? Or there gonna be any offline tournament that lead to qualifications to EWC?
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On April 05 2025 02:44 0Amorphis0 wrote:
Still we need more clarity about the situation, now that EPT is gone:
Are we just gonna get one more year of SC2 in EWC, or muitiple years? If it is just one year, will it be the last?
How will the qualification for EWC work this year? How may players will be playing in this EWC? All players through qualifiers or we have some invites based on past results?
What will the qualifiers for the EWC look like? Are they gonna be all online? Or there gonna be any offline tournament that lead to qualifications to EWC?
Brave of you the Saudis know what next year will look like when they didn't finish this-years rooster until three months before the tournament...
I would also heavily assume that qualification will be invite-based and the rest will be online qualifiers. Without ESL, no one is there to make any kind of offline tournaments that could function as qualifiers
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well... no pro circuit is an incredible thorn in the side of SC2 esports. It will, of course, scale down quite a bit. Will be interesting to see who stays pro with just community run events. I imagine most korean pros will retire after EWC especially those who still need to do military service, maybe when they come back, the future will be more clear.
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As unfortunate as it is, I think more players may be willing to give Stormgate a try as Frost Giant, at least in previous notions, want to make an esports scene work.
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It was a fun ride speculating and ripping out our hair with y'all. Godspeed.
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On August 23 2024 23:31 ZombieGrub wrote:Show nested quote +On August 23 2024 11:25 JimmyJRaynor wrote:On August 23 2024 07:56 Brutaxilos wrote:
ZG on her stream yesterday mentioned she was feeling confident for the next few years. She mentioned she spoke with someone she considered reputable who claimed to have heard from some higher ups that they want to keep StarCraft for at least the next few years. Obviously just a hearsay statement, but she was confident enough to say it on stream. ZG throws around compliments like man hole covers; over the years she has a credible track record when she has speculated. She has never been afraid to be negative. So, I'd say this is a positive sign. Also, there is not necessarily a need to listen to the words of the SC2 major players. Watch their actions. If they continue to invest in SC2 then chances are ... they are not doing it as an act of charity. Chances are .. they see value in the competitive landscape. Thanks? haha I talked to a separate esport's talent who had lunch with some uhh important people, and at least one person said "SC2 for a few more years at least" and pointed toward its credibility, prestige, history, etc. It could've been smoke blowing but I'm guessing this person doesn't need to do a whole lot of that on the day-to-day. It is just hearsay but it makes sense. If EWC wants to keep a RTS to fulfill an "olympics of esports" vision, SC2 still remains top dog despite Blizzard giving us the shaft. Plus, I'm doubtful anyone really wants to be the "one who killed SC2" - they're looking for good press, not bad. The bigger question is, imo, whether or not there's a full circuit. Having one huge tournament every summer will only keep the scene going for so long, and won't really get it to thrive. It's gotta be a circuit with a few big tournaments, and a commitment to years, not year, to encourage younger talent to try and overtake the likes of Clem, Serral, Maru, etc.
welp... awkward...
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On April 05 2025 03:13 CicadaSC wrote:
As unfortunate as it is, I think more players may be willing to give Stormgate a try as Frost Giant, at least in previous notions, want to make an esports scene work.
Stormgate shills are amazing, the game isn't going to take off. SC2 pros would be way better off going to AOE IMO
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On April 05 2025 03:31 LaughNgamezYT wrote:Show nested quote +On April 05 2025 03:13 CicadaSC wrote:
As unfortunate as it is, I think more players may be willing to give Stormgate a try as Frost Giant, at least in previous notions, want to make an esports scene work. Stormgate shills are amazing, the game isn't going to take off. SC2 pros would be way better off going to AOE IMO
ehh, a new game where everyone starts on the same footing vs a game with years of knowledge and established players is a bit different. And I don't think I am a shill. In stormgates current state of course I dont suspect this to be the case. I'm just hoping 1.0 is a fantastic launch and is fun to play. If lots of people play it, and we already know frost giant wants to do esports, why cant it be a natural transition for SC2 pros?
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I would love if Rotterdam, Wardi, or any other big community member could say "hey guys! I know it sucks ESL is not doing another pro circuit but I want SC2 esports to continue, and im sure a lot of you guys want it to as well. Here is a patreon where 100% of the funding will go into a year-long circuit." and the community could rally behind that as being the main league. I think a lot of people would contribute. Of course, it is a lot to ask for and a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, and a lot of people have families and other commitments but I really think one centralized place where people could donate to and fund tournaments would be much better than 15 different commentators trying to fund their own tournies. I hope we can get it centralized again somehow. I know Totalbiscuit would have tried. Miss that guy.
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On April 05 2025 03:38 CicadaSC wrote:
I would love if Rotterdam, Wardi, or any other big community member could say "hey guys! I know it sucks ESL is not doing another pro circuit but I want SC2 esports to continue, and im sure a lot of you guys want it to as well. Here is a patreon where 100% of the funding will go into a year-long circuit." and the community could rally behind that as being the main league. I think a lot of people would contribute. Of course, it is a lot to ask for and a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, and a lot of people have families and other commitments but I really think one centralized place where people could donate to and fund tournaments would be much better than 15 different commentators trying to fund their own tournies. I hope we can get it centralized again somehow. I know Totalbiscuit would have tried. Miss that guy.
From experience with other games: You can't donate for a "year-long circuit". It is too vague, you need too much money, the fluctuation is too high and the community does not have an "immediate" payoff.
Not to mention someone actually would have to keep all that money in the bank for a year, which might bring in some tax problems aswell.
The way PiG does it seems much better: Just collect donations for one tournament, even capping the prizepool of the tournament (giving over any excess donations to the next). That way, everyone knows exactly what they are donating for and get an immediate "payout".
What could be done is something like the "Warcraft Pro League" (see here). Tournaments of different hosts get connected by a point-system and in the end there are "Finals", but the donations for the finals are only done later on.
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On April 05 2025 03:54 Balnazza wrote:Show nested quote +On April 05 2025 03:38 CicadaSC wrote:
I would love if Rotterdam, Wardi, or any other big community member could say "hey guys! I know it sucks ESL is not doing another pro circuit but I want SC2 esports to continue, and im sure a lot of you guys want it to as well. Here is a patreon where 100% of the funding will go into a year-long circuit." and the community could rally behind that as being the main league. I think a lot of people would contribute. Of course, it is a lot to ask for and a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, and a lot of people have families and other commitments but I really think one centralized place where people could donate to and fund tournaments would be much better than 15 different commentators trying to fund their own tournies. I hope we can get it centralized again somehow. I know Totalbiscuit would have tried. Miss that guy. From experience with other games: You can't donate for a "year-long circuit". It is too vague, you need too much money, the fluctuation is too high and the community does not have an "immediate" payoff. Not to mention someone actually would have to keep all that money in the bank for a year, which might bring in some tax problems aswell. The way PiG does it seems much better: Just collect donations for one tournament, even capping the prizepool of the tournament (giving over any excess donations to the next). That way, everyone knows exactly what they are donating for and get an immediate "payout". What could be done is something like the "Warcraft Pro League" (see here). Tournaments of different hosts get connected by a point-system and in the end there are "Finals", but the donations for the finals are only done later on.
Ehh, GSL does it where u are essentially donating to one tournament after another. Their patreon is rolling and still running despite there not being a tournament for a while. I think their system would be great with a little more communication and instead you just turn it into a global online league (or whatever the tournament organizer envisions). In fact, I like that idea so much I think SOOP should be the ones to do this lol. Announce it at the next GSL you will have a cap ($20k or whatever per GSL) and any further donations exceeding that go towards running a global online tournament.
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EPT
