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Hello guys,
I wanted to answer you all after coming back to Poland, but the situation is serious enough that I will do it from here. Today we have first day off, so I could read it all and I have time to address it.
First of all I want to let you know, that of course I didn't know that Rapid will be / was invited and will come to the LAN. I was surprised to see him in hotel lobby, same as the players who I arrived from the airport with.
Before the event I've only talked with Artosis and Saiyan about them being the casters, of course I was planning to bring as many people as possible to the cast, to make it feels like we are in the LAN party.
First day of the cast I was asked to bring Rapid to help with the cast since both Artosis and me were playing/working hard, to be honest it crossed my mind that I shouldn't allow for it, and during a cast I was thinking that it might end up badly - but I was really working my ass out here and I didn't really have time to seat and think about it the day one. I had to set up all the computers, players cameras, fpview, we had only 2 cameras first day, so I needed to switch them and install on each player computer separately after each game, capture them, solve different issues like audio, video, microphones, sharing feed for the casters etc. Not to mention things like obsing the games, updating scores, switching scenes etc. It's probably hard to believe for some people, but it's really a lot of work to make all those things work live on stream, and it was my priority to deliver the best reportage, content, stream out of this event. That being said, it's not justifying my bad decision / judgement on that day, and I agree it's my mistake.
Of course after the first day I realized that having Rapid on the stream was a mistake, and I didn't allow him to the cast on the next days.
I've talked with Rapid about it and told him that I hope that he will make some kind of a statement where he explains all this and shows his side of the story, at the same time he knows that I won't bring him back to the casts, at least not until he will clarify the situation, adress the allegations, apologize to some people and resolve this matter. You need to know that banning Rapid was one of the hardest things I've done during all those years of working on StarCraft. I know him for a long time, as he was casting BSL for multiple seasons and I wish him all the best, at the same time he didn't do anything to address any of the allegations towards him. Rapid for now will be banned from casting indefinitely.
Long story short: I screwed up allowing Rapid to cast day one, but I did work my ass off to make this LAN as good as possible and I was focused on so many different things that my mind didn't take this matter as seriously as it should have.
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Not everyone blamed you Zzzero. I appreciate how much you are doing for the community. Looking forward to play upcoming BSLs.
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Right on Mr ZZZero.
Personally I hope the BSL keeps growing and improving.
I can understand a temporary lapse of judgement.
I am glad you are addressing the issue.
I now know that his contribution was not trivial. He may be the best guy in person in most situations. However ignoring the allegations is not the way to go. It is a serious matter now just as it was in 2020.
I hope he can improve himself as well for his sake and everyone around.
I hold the BSL in high regard.
Personally I will continue to watch, enjoy and recommend the content you provide.
I also hope Rus_Brain as well does not let him cast an eventual RCG, Corrupted Cup or any future event that he has the absolute final say in.
If anyone is still a close personal friend with Rapid tell him it's not too late to address this. Casting may be out of the question, but some things you don't do just because you like or may benefit you in some way. Looking around the threads one can see the arguments made for ignoring this, silence or right out trolling. Those are not the people I would want defending me in the way they do.
Cheers
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On December 14 2023 15:31 cRoSsyy wrote:
Not everyone blamed you Zzzero. I appreciate how much you are doing for the community. Looking forward to play upcoming BSLs.
I don't really think anyone was really blaming Zero, more just wanting clarity on the situation. Seeing as Zero himself banned rapid from casting his events 3 years ago and then for him to randomly be casting day one without any clarifications was extremely odd. Since BSL is primarily community funded it is important to bring clarity to the community for these types of controversial decisions/oversight. It certainly didn't help that you had people who were at the LAN defending Rapid's predatory behavior as no big deal either.
I doubt that most people would have even cared or brought this up if this wasn't branded as a BSL/Zero event. If this was just a random russian/polish rus_goon LAN that Rapid was casting, I would assume it would have mostly gone unnoticed. It's especially painful though when, not only is a caster banned for being a predator, but they clearly don't really know the game very well either.
I hope BSL can continue to be funded, and wish Zero the best of luck. I'm sure running an open event in a different country has a world of hurdles that the average TL or reddit poster has no clue about, and I'm glad Rapid was removed from casting after the first day. Although it was a bit slow in my opinion as it's a pretty obvious blunder.
Hiding under a rock is not a good strategy for anyone who is wishing to return or reestablish themselves into a community that they have been shunned away from. If Rapid ever wants to make a public statement, I'm sure a lot of people would be interested in seeing what he would have to say. I bet he would even have a ton of defenders from certain eastern eu countries that may ore may not be "new accounts"
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I appreciate you taking some time to make this statement. The oversight itself is an unfinished ruling on rapids removal from the BSL and it never being addressed. Maybe rapid has changed, but it doesn't hide the fact that he just up and left with no statement whatsoever. It would have been nice to hear his statement following the removal from BSL but again he abandoned us, and then hoped we would just accept him. I still don't but I'm also willing to hear him out for you and BSL.
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This makes a lot of sense. I've hosted a couple tournaments and it's actually huge work to put these things together. I hope people don't boycott the event over this sort of unintended oversight.
A not small part of me feels sympathy for Rapid after all this. People are quick to pull out the pitchforks when one or more pretty girls say, "This is making me really uncomfortable". On the other hand, Rapid is probably feeling Extremely uncomfortable by the way he is treated in the community - but very few people are willing to raise a finger for him. Avoiding that sort of discomfort by vanishing seems perfectly logical.
A LOT of what makes people uncomfortable is either arbitrary or unknowable until you've crossed that invisible line. With a large enough sample size of people disliking you or whatever, you might draw generalizations that keep you safe - but you'll still never know for sure if pursuing what you want from someone will upset them or be the best thing to do in the long run. Engaging with other people is always a risk. Take too many risks in too short of a time, and have enough of them critically fail - and that's it, reputation ruined. Game over. No re.
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Firstly, Mr. Zero, in light of how things played out at the LAN (removal of Rapid from the cast after day 1), I wish you hadn't more or less been forced to make this statement before you were ready to give a more complete statement and fully explain what happened here. But now that we're here, there are some obvious additional questions.
- Who invited Rapid to the LAN in the first place?
- Who asked that Rapid join the cast on day 1?
- Do you assume responsibility for these two actions, or are those individuals held accountable as well in some way?
I'm not here to judge Rapid, but I did trust BSL's judgement of him. I'm an individual, BSL is an organization much more capable of making that judgement than me. Yes, even after years of silence it's still worth hearing his side of the story (not that it should necessarily change anything in terms of his involvement). The real issue, of course, was Rapid being involved in a BSL event without any resolution of a previous BSL decision to remove him from the organization.
In my opinion, it's still unclear who is really responsible for what happened at the LAN, and how something like this would be prevented in the future. Just more to be said here before I would trust supporting BSL again.
With all that nonsense said - thanks for putting on an otherwise great tournament. I did enjoy the opportunity to play in the qualifiers as well.
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Please........... This is at best a cheap cover up for the poor decisions of your godfather there, and grown up competent adults know much better than to let him off the hook by accepting that u'll take the hit,
I STRONGLY hope that those who raised their voices here keep pressing the matter that the main issue is not Rapid's presence and absence, but your submissive relationship to Mr Above-the-rules.
This is but a sample, and not the first one. Neither would it be the last one.
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There you go, no talking around the bush. thanks zzzzZero
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Thanks for making a statement on the matter. To me the most important thing was to know that Rapid being a caster at Thailand wasn't a sudden reversal of his ban, and that you did not invite him specifically to help out with casting. It's enough to know that it was just a heat of the moment decision and not a deliberate change in policy.
For the record, I already suspected that was the case, although it does leave me puzzled why he was there if you didn't invite him. But in the end, what's more important is that we hold people to a high standard of good conduct and don't just forget about past issues of harassment as if they didn't happen.
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Netherlands4648 Posts
Thank you for breaking silence despite having been busy. While it was more important to address the issue publicly immediately imho, it is what it is.
Your answer doesn't fully statisfy me, because we didn't get full info on Rapid being there yet.
From Rus_Brain's post and yours we can assume:
1. Rapid was invited by Rus_Brain
2. (1 of the reasons) Rus_Brain chose to invite Rapid was because he was able to convince a progamer, i.e.  Sharp, to attend
3. Rus_Brain knew about Rapid's history
4. Rus_Brain didn't inform you about any of these decisions
We don't know if Rapid reached out to Rus_Brain first or if Rus_Brain reached out to Rapid. This matters for integrity's sake. For clarity's sake it's also important we get those answers. What deal was made with Rapid? Was he offered to cast again because he could bring in Sharp? Would he still have been invited for being pro at taking pictures if not? (lmao)
Since you agreed to stick your brand (BSL) on Rus_Brain's tournament, you should have been informed on Rapid being there prior to boarding your plane. The same can be said for all others involved: They should have been made aware that Rapid will be there. I'm sorry you were put in this awkward situation far away from home.
If Rus_Brain doesn't want to disclose more factual information, it would be nice if you or other attendees told us more about what you know so we can get a clearer picture on why the fuck Rapid was invited and why he got a chair and mic. The first is already questionable, but if the latter never happened none of this was necessary.
Finally I find it a bit eerie that none of the attendees spoke up about this matter. I find it hard to believe no other attendee than you knew about Rapid's history before-hand and/or didn't read TL to learn about it during all this time.
@Rus_Brain You still have opportunity to come clean and own your mistakes.
@Rapid Why are you still silent, but decided it was a good idea to randomly pop up after 3 years and cast on this BSL branded tournament despite being fucking banned by BSL because of the numerous allegations against you?
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Thank you Zzzero for taking the time and post an update despite still not being back and rested! It means a lot.
Thank you for clarifying that it was not your decision to have Rapid at the event, and allowing him to cast was a spur-of-the-moment type of mistake that you have since acknowledged and owe up to. I am glad that the integrity of BSL is not compromised and that you did the right thing during the following days!
For the record, I do not have a personal grudge against Rapid. I do not like the way he handled the situation when it all went down three years ago and I understand your decision from back them to back away from being associated with him until his name was cleared or otherwise. What puzzled me the most is that despite the ban, he was given a forum again. Regardless why the ban was issued, it just did not paint BSL in a good picture. However, your statement makes it clear that this was not a premediated exercise and you were caught unaware for the most of it. I am happy with this, we all make mistakes, but it takes courage to admit your wrong doings and twice as much courage to apologize for them. So, well done.
Still, more details on the whole event and situation would definitely be welcome. I am sure I do not need to list them as people in the thread have already pointed them out, but below is a list in any case. I by no means hold you accountable to answer these immediately (or ever), but it would be good if they are addressed at some point:
1. Can you give us more details around the event whenever you feel comfortable talking about it, i.e., when you are rested and are not trying to juggle a thousand more tasks at the same time?
2. Could you clarify who invited Rapid to the event (if known) and his purpose of being there?
3. Did Rapid have a discussion with you or any of the other organizers addressing the controversy around his name?
4. Now that we are at a done deal where you were caught off guard and mistakes were made, what are the repercussions that follow from this?
5. Finally, would anyone take responsibility for the mistake that happened and are there going to be any consequences as a result?
As I said, please address these at your own time whenever is comfortable if you decide to address the questions at all. Once again, thank you for your statement, I am glad all is clear now and I can enjoy the VoDs. Hope everyone had a great time and thank you for putting in the work to organize this and make sure everyone's needs were accommodated during the event. Thank you for contributing to keep the scene alive.
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Hi ZZZero,
I appreciate you releasing this statement, though as others have said it is incomplete and after you have some well deserved rest you can add to it or release a more detailed one later at your convenience.
Setting up for a tournament is a lot of work, you rightly pointed out all the steps, it s doubly so as you are fresh of a long travel, tired and jetlagged.
That being said, those steps are also always there for such a tournament and should be planned properly. It doesn't take away from the actual difficulty of them, but they shouldn't either be used as an excuse to get rapid behind the mic. Sure rapid could have helped setup, test the system, hung out and be on the pictures. He s a free man, what he and everyone there does privately is their business. He can be your good friend to this day as well, it s irrelevant.
You were asked to bring rapid? Whoever made this call should come clean. I m sure you were exhausted and also possibly not in a position to refuse but someone is ultimately responsible and must own it. There must also be a clear commitment that such issues will never happen again (be it rapid or anyone else banned from BSL). I appreciate you recognise the issue and reaffirming Rapid's ban, kudos for that.
Finally while you (or whoever asked you to use him day 1) pulled rapid after day 1, there was no statement, to my knowledge, that it had been a mistake. Should have done it beginning of day 2 on stream instead of pretending nothing happened. This is water under the bridge now but do consider it for next time an issue arises, though hopefully there won't be one.
Again you re tired after a well run event (if we ignore this one blight, which is honestly sad and such an own goal for what was otherwise a great event) and it is understandable so please enjoy some rest, take the time you need, and then come back with a a bit more answers to some of the outstanding questions if you feel like it, or at the very least update your processes internally to avoid the situation in the future.
Same for whoever asked you to bring rapid. Mistakes can be made, but they shouldn't be recurring. Also can we be assured you are the one running BSL going forward and this situation were someone else essentially overrules you in your own event won't happen again? I would support you and I trust you, but if you re not the one making the calls, then I wouldn't trust whoever does.
This was at best amateur negligence or at worst malicious action, neither have a place if you want to call yourself a professional organization. I hope you tighten your processes and grow from it and be successful. Everyone makes mistakes, it s normal and this statement is a first step in owning it and I praise you for it. Best of luck to you and long live BSL.
Edit: few edits upon rereading zzzero s post and the sequence of events described. I will accept the reasoning and assurances given here, even if i don't fully agree with them and there are some unanswered questions.
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Ok, I have two responses to this situation,
As a TO:
The moment you saw Rapid walk in the door of the venue you should have walked up to him and politely, yet firmly asked him to leave. That would be the integrity thing to do. You have publicly cut ties with him and banned him. Hanging out with him at the hotel is fine, but the moment he enters a BSL related event, he should be booted right back out. Not doing this brings into question how much any of the BSL rules mean. On top of that you then let the guy cast. I'll save any comments about his casting for my second response, but if you're really that worried about people to talk about starcraft, in a room full of pro players, come on. You could tap half the people playing and they probably would have casted at some point. I've held live events and I know it can be annoying to find a caster sometimes, but of all the people to tap, you picked the one guy you've publicly burned in the past? That's not a great look.
My personal opinion:
I don't know enough about the accusations made towards Rapid, because I wasn't active when it all came out. But I do know that he has never denied them or tried to defend himself. That to me is just disgusting. Even politicians know to at least deny things, even if they are true. Additionally, every report I've seen or person I've talked to who's met Rapid in person said he was a creep and not that great to talk to. And also his casting just sucks. With all of these things combined, why are you softballing this? The way I read your statement is that you're more sad that people are upset about Rapid being there than anything else. Why are you trying to defend a guy who won't defend himself? Sure, you might have been friends or maybe you still are. But at some point you have to go "wow, my friend is being a bad person, maybe we shouldn't be friends". We've all done it, it's part of being an adult. As far as I can see, you're defending Rapid because Rus_brain liked the dude, and has said in other threads "fk the kids", so we know how he feels.
At this point ZZZero, you're in a corner. You can either choose to defend Rapid, and you'll win the support of no_brain, and his bots on polish 4chan, or you can side with the community, double down on the Rapid ban, and call out rus. The choice is yours, and I don't envy you.
EDIT (forgot this sentence): I get that decision making in the heat of battle isn’t easy (a decade of production and running events), but there’s still consequences of a wrong choice. I do think you’re a great person Zero.
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Some of you are unreasonably entitled demanding answers to your questions. Especially those questions which are already answered.
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I find entire thing riddiculous.
You guys made really big deal out of nothing. Asking and demanding explanations, putting very serious statements etc. It feels like this is a case of life and death.
Just step back and look again on the entire thing and ask yourselves what are you doing.
And if, in the end, you actually find this is a very important thing in your life, I am genuinely sorry for you.
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There it is, the statement is not satisfying enough. The mob demands names, dates, a full confession including the dude's feelings. They would have acted differently, stood their ground, stopped the tournament, abandoned management, kicked Rapid and Sharp out all in the name of integrity. You definitely would have done that.
XDDDDDDDDDÐD
Now let's see Rapids statement
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Very emotional screed in #14. I think nobody cares that much about your personal opinion which you propably think is more important than anyone elses.
And making the irony of rus_brain or Polish "4chan" as you said is just pitiful. You hurt my bots feelings.
But yeah, at least one question wasn't answered and I'm also curious: who invited Rapid to the LAN?
(I suppose someone did because after all this time, I wouldn't imagine him coming just like that to that event)
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Netherlands4648 Posts
On December 15 2023 00:02 Chaosu wrote:
Some of you are unreasonably entitled demanding answers to your questions. Especially those questions which are already answered.
Hello respectable forum veteran.
How nice of you to spew some more of your opinions on this ordeal after 6+ years of inactivity on TL and forever more concerning BW related topics, be brave and name who you're refering to with "Some of you". Be clear. Also please enlighten me on which questions have already been clearly answered and what the answer to those questions is and answered by who. While you're at it also provide a source including a quote of where you found said answers.
Either contribute something useful here or shut up, same goes for last 3 posters that haven't contributed shit and decide their opinion should be heard.
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On December 14 2023 19:40 nikolaus8844 wrote:
Please........... This is at best a cheap cover up for the poor decisions of your godfather there, and grown up competent adults know much better than to let him off the hook by accepting that u'll take the hit,
I STRONGLY hope that those who raised their voices here keep pressing the matter that the main issue is not Rapid's presence and absence, but your submissive relationship to Mr Above-the-rules.
This is but a sample, and not the first one. Neither would it be the last one.
How is this a cheap coverup for poor decisions? It's not a perfect response but it's a start and over time it will take shape and be a productive conversation and learning experience. This isn't some witch hunt, and we aren't putting ZZZero to some fire. Just looking for accountability and responsibility.
On December 15 2023 00:02 Chaosu wrote:
Some of you are unreasonably entitled demanding answers to your questions. Especially those questions which are already answered.
Not all questions were answered and they did bring up new ones.
On December 15 2023 00:22 dabadeem wrote:
I find entire thing riddiculous.
You guys made really big deal out of nothing. Asking and demanding explanations, putting very serious statements etc. It feels like this is a case of life and death.
Just step back and look again on the entire thing and ask yourselves what are you doing.
And if, in the end, you actually find this is a very important thing in your life, I am genuinely sorry for you.
It's not nothing, it's genuine concern. It's not life or death but this is work and his livelihood for the time being. We want BSL to continue to thrive and enjoy the event's he put on. It's just disturbing that someone with Rapid's background was allowed back without a single remorseful sentiment or denial of accusations.
On December 15 2023 01:04 ShadPro wrote:
There it is, the statement is not satisfying enough. The mob demands names, dates, a full confession including the dude's feelings. They would have acted differently, stood their ground, stopped the tournament, abandoned management, kicked Rapid and Sharp out all in the name of integrity. You definitely would have done that.
XDDDDDDDDDÐD
Now let's see Rapids statement
I've been wanting rapids statement since the entire allegations started 3 years ago.
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EPT
