GSLife 2011
Since the beginning of Open Season 1 in September of last year, GOMTV’s StarCraft 2 league has come a long way. However, in year 2011, GSL showed that it still has a lot of room for growth. In this article, we will bring you a brief summary of GSL woots and woes since the beginning of this year.
The Start of Something
Sony Ericsson GSL January
Woots
1. New tournament system was announced: GSL starts a new system with Code S, Code A, and Up & Down Matches. The new system is designed to bring in new and skilled players into the tournament and keep the pre-existing players competitive. You better bring your A game if you play in the GSL.
For more information about the tournament system: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors1/news/52017
2. GSL Tour, a year full of tournaments and events, is announced: GOMTV announces to bring exciting events other than the GSL Sponsorship such as ‘Super Tournament’, ‘World Championship’, and ‘Blizzard Cup’.
For more information about the GSL Tour: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors1/news/52018
3. GSL season ticket price is reduced: GOMTV decides to decrease the price of the season tickets to better accommodate the users.
4. GOMTV t-shirt giveaway: GOMTV.net users who attend the Final of GSL January received free GSL t-shirts. 4 lucky people received t-shirts autographed by Tastosis, IdrA and Jinro. I want one.
Woes
1. Cocoshoo’s comics hits GOMTV.net: Now I am just faking you out by putting this in the ‘woes’ category. Cocoshoo, a self-claimed biggest fan of FruitDealer, writes GSL reviews (comics).
You can read her comics here: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors1/photos/
Will more of these put many GOMTV.net users in misery in the future? Only time will tell…
2. MarineKing on his path to become a new legend: Mvp wanted GOMTV staff to go home early and get some rest so he decides to end the Final match of the season quickly. What MarineKing did not know at the time is that he will rise to be the successor of one of the greatest legends of all time. Oh yeah?
Don’t Stop Me Now
Global StarCraft2 Team League February
Woots
1. First StarCraft2 Team League hosted by GOMTV: Top 8 Korean pro SC2 teams fought till death (not literally).
For more information about the team league: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gstl1/news/60315
2. Overkill and Triple Kill: Squirtle of StarTale team achieves an all kill over fOu team while MMA of SlayerS clan achieves a reverse triple kill in the league.
3. Mothership: That’s all.
Watch Motership in action: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gstl1/vod/60831 (Set 8)
4. New maps: Crevasse, Terminus RE, Crossfire SE, and Tal’Darin Altar were added to the map pool.
5. ToD Interview: Random I know but it is always good to see WC3 legends switching to SC2.
Read ToD’s interview here: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gstl1/forum/60911
Woes
1. Only… 4 days? It is my personal wish that GSTL lasted longer than 4 days. But on the other hand, doctors might agree that more than 4 days of GSTL might be dangerous to one’s health due to its sheer awesomeness.
Free Falling
2nd Generation Intel Core GSL March
Woots
1. GSL hits the cable TV in South Korea: Lying on my couch watching GSTL with a coke in my hand was…
2. Code S Group Nominations: Top 8 players for last season’s Code S each get to pick a player to be in their groups. A lot of love was shared at the GOMTV studio during the nominations.
I hope you already have but if you still haven’t watch this: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors2/vod/61569
3. Emergence of dominant Code A players: Players like Losira, SuperNova, and Alicia show the world what they are capable of.
Watch the showdown between Losira and SuperNova: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors2/vod/62599
4. Return of the God of War: The former BW player and Golden Mouse winner, July, makes the GSLers tremble with fear.
5. MC becomes a two time GSL champ: It could be that MC taking pictures with his global fans and signing autographs before the start of the match are what allowed him to take GSL March trophy. Oh and he thanked his fans from all over the world in English.
6. Korean pop group, Secret and GSL March: Watch their performance at GSL March Final here http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors2/vod/63200
Woes
1. The Curse: Mvp, the winner of last season’s GSL, was eliminated in Ro32. However, people did not know then that this was just the beginning of a jinx that will come along with winning a GSL.
Who is the MVP of this group? http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors2/vod/61321
2. IdrA leaves GSL: Some of us cried a river when he left us to go back to his home country. Think I am joking? Then watch this: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors2/vod/61324 (M 2 Set 1)
3. The fall of the Emperor: BoxeR decides to visit Code A territory.
4. Cocoshoo is at it again: Be aware your eyes might not like this http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors2/photos/61039
We are the Champions
Global StarCraft2 Team League March
Woots
1. The comeback of the underdogs: SlayerS takes the winner’s trophy after beating IM in a close battle. Was it epic? You decide: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gstl2/vod/63470
2. Holy Check: Cella returns. But this time as SlayerS coach. Cella plus BoxeR equals oh my.
3. New maps: Dual Sight, Xel’Naga Fortress, and Typhon Peaks http://www.gomtv.net/2011gstl2/news/62974 Dual Sight looks wicked.
4. The birth of a new MVP: MMA takes a new name of “Champion Killer”.
Woes
1. Not long enough.
Around the World
2011 LG Cinema 3D World Championship Seoul
Woots
1. Free: VODs are free. If you haven’t watched the matches yet then you really need to or your mama is going to slap you. http://www.gomtv.net/2011championship/
2. Another great team match: World All Stars vs. Korean All Stars. Watching coach Artosis in action = priceless.
3. Donations: Thanks to everyone, we raised over thirty thousand dollars which we will be delivering to World Vision to help the ones who were affected by the recent Japanese earthquake.
4. NesTea gets iced: http://www.gomtv.net/2011championship/vod/64001
5. CattleBruisers: Mvp likes to bruise cattles. http://www.gomtv.net/2011championship/photos/63937
6. Girl’s Day: The Korean pop group performed at the Final of World Championship.
7. Stream: Stream quality gets upgraded.
8. Mac: GOM Player is now available for Mac. http://www.gomtv.net/2011championship/news/64310
9. Records Page: You can check out players’ GSL statistics at our Records Page. http://www.gomtv.net/records/index.gom
Woes
1. MarineKing joins the Kong line: MarineKing’s favorite number is 2. I am personally waiting for the day he changes his ID to Optimus. http://www.gomtv.net/2011championship/vod/64516
2. The World Team leaves Korea: Wishing all of them best of luck http://www.gomtv.net/2011championship/photos/64553
To be continued...