This was just brought to my attention a little bit ago. But I had talked with ESL EU quite a bit recently about including iCCup maps in their pool. Well starting in February it begins!

The ESL EU Feburary Map Pool will include iCCup Pawn Re and iCCup Testbug!!! I can assure everyone this is just the beginning, and I am still working on quite a bit on other things regarding maps, this is very big for the custom map scene!

So what does everyone think of this big news?

ESL News Link

Here are the two iCCup maps:

iCCup Testbug
+ Show Spoiler +

iCCup Pawn Re
+ Show Spoiler +

gerundium

Netherlands786 Posts

January 30 2011 22:20 GMT

<3 ESL for jumping in as the first major tournament. <3 ICCup as well, love the effort you guys are putting into the mapmaking and general SC2 Scene.

SmoKim

Denmark10305 Posts

January 30 2011 22:20 GMT

wuhu go ESL, great iniative to start using some of the ICCUP maps <3

Kleinmuuhg

Vanuatu4091 Posts

January 30 2011 22:22 GMT

Wow Testbug looks so awesome. Does this mean they will played in GO4SC2 as this is from ESL as well, isn'T it?
Edit: Im so blind, sorry.

Numy

South Africa35471 Posts

January 30 2011 22:22 GMT

Wow, this is huge. Massive props to them.

On January 31 2011 07:22 Kleinmuuhg wrote:
Wow Testbug looks so awesome. Does this mean they will played in GO4SC2 as this is from ESL as well, isn'T it?

This map pool will be used in at least the following competitions in February
- SteelSeries Go4SC2
- Diamond+ Skill Cups
- King of, Random Race and Late Night Cups
- 1on1 Ladder
- Open Cups
and more to be announced

Says that on the site.

Diamond

United States10796 Posts

January 30 2011 22:23 GMT

On January 31 2011 07:22 Kleinmuuhg wrote:
Wow Testbug looks so awesome. Does this mean they will played in GO4SC2 as this is from ESL as well, isn'T it?

Yep. In the ESL News Post they list which events it covers:

Competitions
This map pool will be used in at least the following competitions in February
- SteelSeries Go4SC2
- Diamond+ Skill Cups
- King of, Random Race and Late Night Cups
- 1on1 Ladder
- Open Cups
and more to be announced

1Eris1

United States5797 Posts

January 30 2011 22:23 GMT

Omg so happy testbug was chosen

Asha

United Kingdom38255 Posts

January 30 2011 22:24 GMT

Awesome move, I saw a few sick games on Testbug a while back in the custom map cup. Respect to the ESL for stepping up on this =)

SiguR

Canada2039 Posts

January 30 2011 22:25 GMT

Yay for moving forward with new maps.

However, I notice in Pawn Re that two of the expansions have only one gas. Do you guys think it's really a good idea to start with maps that will change fundamental aspects of match-ups instead of just correcting current flaws in maps? Why not just leave it with the standard two gasses?

I feel like these maps would be accepted by the players more effectively if they didn't try to change things that aren't really being complained about right now, you know?

Ragoo

Germany2773 Posts

January 30 2011 22:29 GMT

#10

Best news in a long time, this really boosts my interest in watching SC2 again

Finally all the really shitty maps are not in their map pool anymore.
And it will even get better next month:

We aim to increase the map pool to 9 maps for March,...

Thanks iCCup for these great maps and thanks ESL for being so awesome and using them! Helps the scene so much!

Numy

South Africa35471 Posts

January 30 2011 22:29 GMT

#11

On January 31 2011 07:25 SiguR wrote:
Yay for moving forward with new maps.

However, I notice in Pawn Re that two of the expansions have only one gas. Do you guys think it's really a good idea to start with maps that will change fundamental aspects of match-ups instead of just correcting current flaws in maps? Is it really necessary to take out a gas? Why not just leave it with the standard two? Whether such a change will end up being good for maps, I feel like it's trying to do two things at once.

Well those 2 expansions look more like "if you are way ahead and winning you can take these". So I don't think it matters that much?

Anyway I'm sure there's a thread on TL about the map where you can ask those questions. This thread is about the awesomeness of ESL changing map pool!

DeltruS

Canada2214 Posts

January 30 2011 22:30 GMT

#12

Wow is testbug split in 3? Very interesting.

Arccotangent

519 Posts

January 30 2011 22:31 GMT

#13

Damn, the colors and fact that it's a 3-player map really make Testbug look awesome.

xBillehx

United States1289 Posts

January 30 2011 22:31 GMT

#14

I'm really liking that major leagues are gaining confidence to move into the custom map area. First GSL, then ESL and you can bet MLG is already looking at 'em. It took a while but it looks like progress is finally being made. Major props to iCCup for pushing to get them accepted in the ESL & goodluck convincing MLG too.

Patriot.dlk

Sweden5462 Posts

January 30 2011 22:32 GMT

#15

I hope map pools stay united and stuff like this is only a transition into having the official map pool rotate

SiguR

Canada2039 Posts

January 30 2011 22:32 GMT

#16

On January 31 2011 07:29 Numy wrote:

Show nested quote +

Though I do disagree with your first statement, you're right that I shouldn't have brought it up here. My apologies.

I think ESL picking up these maps is a really good sign.

bkrow

Australia8532 Posts

January 30 2011 22:34 GMT

#17

Testbug is really cool; it is also a really nice size and dedicated to a kick ass mapmaker hehe

good work on getting these included iCCup team! The more custom maps the better i say

Diamond

United States10796 Posts

January 30 2011 22:36 GMT

#18

On January 31 2011 07:32 Patriot.dlk wrote:
I hope map pools stay united and stuff like this is only a transition into having the official map pool rotate

I think that is the long term goal, but for now this is a GREAT start imo!