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https://zdnet.co.kr/view/?no=20261017180019
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SOOP: "Starcraft Remastered to Launch New League Within the Year"
(Translated using Google Translate)
SOOP plans to unveil a new esports league based on 'Starcraft: Remastered (Star 1)' within the year and expand the game's sustainable ecosystem.
The plan is to move beyond the existing top-tier-centered league operation and create a new stage that connects grassroots amateurs, streamers, and the fandom to drive the long-term success of StarCraft 1.
Im Il-bin, Head of the eSports Content Business Division, and Wi Young-kwang, Head of the Content Production Division at SOOP, met with ZDNet Korea after the end of the first set of the 'Google Play ASL Season 22' finals held at the Lotte World Ice Rink in Jamsil, Seoul on the 17th and revealed their vision for operating the eSports league and future plans.
Director Im Il-bin cited "league aging" and "player pool stagnation" as chronic challenges that have persisted for over 20 years in StarCraft 1 esports.
Director Lim stated, "It is true that the current structure allows top-tier ranked players to repeatedly remain in the upper ranks," but added, "We are preparing a response in two directions to expand the player pool and maintain the ecosystem."
He continued, "The first is to create a large-scale stage like today's finals at Lotte World Ice Rink to provide strong motivation to the players and reward the fans," adding, "Second, we are planning new esports league content based on StarCraft 1, and we expect to be able to make an official announcement as early as within this year."
The plan is to facilitate the influx of new players and reignite fan interest through this.
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United Kingdom1744 Posts
That's great, I'll be very excited to watch. Giving younger players a platform seems like it could do a lot to move them up the ladder as well as just providing exciting matches.
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The same thing needs to happen in Europe and the Americas!
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Great news in general.
I wonder if they'll take advantage of the current starcraft university system, though the problem with that is that said system is more focused on female streamers
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ALLEYCAT BLUES51706 Posts
if you really want to get people behind new players you need something like proleague. individual tournaments are great at finding the best of the best but a lot of people like me became true fans because we picked a team and stuck with them on a daily basis and learned the players on our favorite teams.
I still rock the KT flair as you can see, plenty of us who never updated our profiles do.
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On October 23 2026 22:36 BLinD-RawR wrote:
if you really want to get people behind new players you need something like proleague. individual tournaments are great at finding the best of the best but a lot of people like me became true fans because we picked a team and stuck with them on a daily basis and learned the players on our favorite teams.
I still rock the KT flair as you can see, plenty of us who never updated our profiles do.
Absolutely. And I don't think what you say applies only to foreigners. AFAIK. Proleague was the most hype-generating in Korea too. Fans identifying with their team, waving their flag in the audience, face painting with team logo, etc.
That sort of identification makes the rookie instantly important to the viewer.
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Time to make a university-based proleague!
Oh wait.
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United Kingdom12071 Posts
On October 23 2026 22:36 BLinD-RawR wrote:
if you really want to get people behind new players you need something like proleague. individual tournaments are great at finding the best of the best but a lot of people like me became true fans because we picked a team and stuck with them on a daily basis and learned the players on our favorite teams.
I still rock the KT flair as you can see, plenty of us who never updated our profiles do.
I still miss proleague. I never liked individual tournaments ever as much as team ones (hence me eventually setting up STPL). Seeing more chances to see your favourite players and the stories between teams was the best.
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I think another interesting idea would be to run a starleague with a non standard map pool. Not necessarily all insane, but just exploring some new ideas. Have a similar prize pool to ASL if possible, and who cares if the top pros don't want to play. I would rather watch the next best 24 korean players play on some innovative maps than the best play on the the same standard bleh
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Watch there being zero coverage on tl.net, but full writeup for every wardi 400 dollar or 100 dollar prizepool tuna cup tournament
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On October 24 2026 00:09 Qikz wrote:Show nested quote +On October 23 2026 22:36 BLinD-RawR wrote:
if you really want to get people behind new players you need something like proleague. individual tournaments are great at finding the best of the best but a lot of people like me became true fans because we picked a team and stuck with them on a daily basis and learned the players on our favorite teams.
I still rock the KT flair as you can see, plenty of us who never updated our profiles do. I still miss proleague. I never liked individual tournaments ever as much as team ones (hence me eventually setting up STPL). Seeing more chances to see your favourite players and the stories between teams was the best.
Man you should bring that back now that global lag-free competition is possible thx to shield battery. Game Changer.
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On October 24 2026 03:06 doktordingerdonger wrote:
Watch there being zero coverage on tl.net, but full writeup for every wardi 400 dollar or 100 dollar prizepool tuna cup tournament
Perhaps it is time for a new place dedicated to korean bw esports..
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ALLEYCAT BLUES51706 Posts
On October 24 2026 05:22 Comedy wrote:Show nested quote +On October 24 2026 03:06 doktordingerdonger wrote:
Watch there being zero coverage on tl.net, but full writeup for every wardi 400 dollar or 100 dollar prizepool tuna cup tournament Perhaps it is time for a new place dedicated to korean bw esports..
We shall call it teamsolid.net
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Japan11908 Posts
A young players' teamleague is a nice idea.
There should also be 2 sets (regular, winner's) and an ace match like in the Daily Proleagues
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I wish there was a legit offline proleague, those were always so much more hype than individual touraments
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On October 24 2026 23:52 Trick_Worldliness_21 wrote:
I wish there was a legit offline proleague, those were always so much more hype than individual touraments
Honestly a waste of money to have all the infrastructure what can be done all online as well. More money goes to the players by far these days... although the old proleague days were hype af for fans
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United Kingdom12071 Posts
On October 25 2026 07:55 doktordingerdonger wrote:Show nested quote +On October 24 2026 23:52 Trick_Worldliness_21 wrote:
I wish there was a legit offline proleague, those were always so much more hype than individual touraments Honestly a waste of money to have all the infrastructure what can be done all online as well. More money goes to the players by far these days... although the old proleague days were hype af for fans
The issue with the current online proleagues is the teams are always different. It was what sucked going from Moo Proleague Season 1 > 2. You need a number of players who play in the same team over and over again to become attached to a team.
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Translated some KR comments from the recent finals and so many are commenting on the stagnated player pool and diminishing the results of Soulkey, saying even though the optimization and build order execution is higher than the proleague days, it means less. Was a bit shocked to see just how many comments there were about this or sharing a similar sentiment. I think a tournament like this is deemed very necessary by the KR community. Glad to see SOOP finally taking initiative.
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EPT
