I just got to say this format is better since it gives people who face the beasts still have a chance to go out second place from the group. In the open seasons many good players were elimanted by the best early on. Just my vision on it as a whole. And ofc we can se more MUs of each player with groups.

CreationSoul

Romania200 Posts

January 15 2011 10:42 GMT

you still need to win 2 games to advance.... but now you have to prepare for multiple opponents and multiple races at the same time

Pixel.

Netherlands287 Posts

January 15 2011 10:46 GMT

I think for the players that Gsl3 format is better, Easyer to practice. But I like Gsl4 format more to watch.

cYaN

Norway3319 Posts

January 15 2011 10:47 GMT

I want ro32 groups and ro16 brackets

GTR

48772 Posts

January 15 2011 10:48 GMT

the group format would be fine if the matches determined after the initial two weren't so dumb.

should have just used the dual tournament format that has been used for over nine years in the bw scene. pretty easy to understand and placings are always determined in five games.

pred470r

Bulgaria3139 Posts

January 15 2011 11:08 GMT

GSL3 format is better for the players since they know the maps and the players they're up against, hence they can prepare better, but GSL4 is better for the viewers because it leads to more exciting matches with unpredictable outcomes of the groups.

canucks12

Canada760 Posts

January 15 2011 11:11 GMT

I like the GSL 4 format a lot better because it makes it possible for a good player, that just so happens to go up against a powerhouse, to still advance. It helps to ensure that the later rounds will be filled with quality players, and very few players that got lucky draws.

storm8ring3r

Germany227 Posts

January 15 2011 11:21 GMT

It's not called GSL 4 it's called GSL January 2011

Hoju

United States449 Posts

January 15 2011 11:22 GMT

in terms of fairness, probably gsl3, but the gsl4 format was very entertaining to watch. Every game means something for the group, so you're trying to figure out who is going to play who, and all the different scenarios. You also get to see a bunch of different players play each other in one night.

Tough to say.

uNiGNoRe

Germany1093 Posts

January 15 2011 11:23 GMT

#10

The biggest advantages of groups in my opinion are:
- the outcome of the groups is less predictable, thus more exciting
- every single game counts
- you get to see more different match ups
- your favorite has two chances to advance, as the groups first or second

I personally prefer the group play of GSL4.

JayDee_

548 Posts

January 15 2011 11:59 GMT

#11

I wish they did a 32 person double elimination tourney. That would be most fair imo. I suppose that would take too many games?

seiferoth10

3308 Posts

January 15 2011 12:29 GMT

#12

I voted groups because you truly have to be the best player in the tournament because you have no idea who you'd be facing until the semi-finals. This encourages sound, solid play instead of sniping builds, which brings out the best player.

Dromar

United States2057 Posts

January 15 2011 12:35 GMT

#13

At first I thought it was stupid, but thinking about it, I kind of like the group stage format more. Having a bunch of Bo3 and Bo5 at the lower stages results in a crapload of very one-sided and boring games. There were so many situations where I found myself thinking "okay this guy got completely roflstomped in game 1, what are his chances in game 2?"

Technically there's no reason for there to be less one-sided games with the new format. BUT, that second game that would be completely boring, is instead a matchup against a different player, different race, etc, and so there's more of an illusion of "he could still win the game." There's also more of a feeling of "every game counts."

Another thing that I actually kind of like is that the games are frontloaded by code A matches. It's like a salad before a meal; not that great, but it's filling, and it makes you appreciate the main course more.

I think in general there's a positive response toward the new format, even if not because people actually like the format more, but rather because the games have been much better. Quite the majority of the code S games played in group stages were recommended by vote.

Roggay

Switzerland6314 Posts

January 15 2011 12:35 GMT

#14

I actually really like the GSL4 format, when there is a tense group it makes things so interesting. It might be harder on the players, but we get more diversified games and we can see more matchups.

Aragos

France182 Posts

January 15 2011 12:53 GMT

#15

Ro32 & Ro16 Bracket is fine for me ^^

liaf

Norway318 Posts

January 15 2011 13:05 GMT

#16

I like group play a lot more. I actually really like the format they have in the MSL, but I guess they won't be getting that in GOM

Mikilatov

United States3897 Posts

January 15 2011 13:15 GMT

#17

On January 15 2011 19:48 GTR wrote:
the group format would be fine if the matches determined after the initial two weren't so dumb.

should have just used the dual tournament format that has been used for over nine years in the bw scene. pretty easy to understand and placings are always determined in five games.

Exactly. I love the GSL format, but it'd be perfect if they did winners/winners and losers/losers instead of this messed up shit they're doing now.

Euronyme

Sweden3799 Posts

January 15 2011 13:22 GMT

#18

The one thing with group play that I don't like is that every game does in fact not count.
Saw the game with Nada vs Idra? It was just about who'd get second and first in the group, so nada went for a thor drop on metal, just to not reveal any more of his strategy. You kinda feel robbed off the epic epic epic show match you were in for.
Other than that I do like group play, but imo it should only be for ro32. Switch it up to brackets in ro16!.

Kanil

United States1705 Posts

January 15 2011 13:22 GMT

#19

I don't mind groups in theory, but the group format is awful.

MSL-style groups > GSL3 bracket > GSL4 groups.

Heimatloser

Germany1493 Posts

January 15 2011 13:47 GMT

#20

On January 15 2011 22:22 Kanil wrote:
I don't mind groups in theory, but the group format is awful.

MSL-style groups > GSL3 bracket > GSL4 groups.

at least ro32 should have been msl style.
ro16 im fine with gsl style