• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 01:47
CEST 07:47
KST 14:47
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview6[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Progenitors8Code S Season 1 - RO12 Group A: Rogue, Percival, Solar, Zoun13[ASL21] Ro8 Preview Pt1: Inheritors16[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star10
Community News
Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !7Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple0RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event12Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO12 Results12026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers25
StarCraft 2
General
Code S Season 1 - RO8 Preview Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book Weekly Cups (April 27-May 4): Clem takes triple Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool Code S Season 1 (2026) - RO12 Results
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! GSL Code S Season 1 (2026) RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players
External Content
Mutation # 524 Death and Taxes The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 523 Firewall Mutation # 522 Flip My Base
Brood War
General
Quality of life changes in BW that you will like ? Why there arent any 256x256 pro maps? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ RepMastered™: replay sharing and analyzer site Tulbo's ASL S21 Ro8 Post-Review
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro8 Day 4 [ASL21] Ro8 Day 3 Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Fighting Spirit mining rates What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Any training maps people recommend?
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Daigo vs Menard Best of 10 OutLive 25 (RTS Game)
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread The Letting Off Steam Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread UK Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
streaming software Strange computer issues (software) [G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How EEG Data Can Predict Gam…
TrAiDoS
ramps on octagon
StaticNine
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1631 users

TLnet Poll - Will you consider 2023 GSL tournaments to be…

Will you consider 2023 GSL tournaments to be 'legitimate?' :

Yes (584)48%
Don't know/neutral (352)29%
No (271)22%

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
TL.net Bot
Profile Joined June 2004
TL.net135 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-24 12:28:24
February 24 2023 12:27 GMT
#1
Discussion thread for front page poll: Will you consider 2023 GSL tournaments to be 'legitimate?'
MJG
Profile Joined May 2018
United Kingdom1451 Posts
February 24 2023 12:45 GMT
#2
Unless the top 8 players all retire at the same time, I don't think the level of play we'll see will decrease much.
puking up frothing vitriolic sarcastic spittle
CicadaSC
Profile Joined January 2018
United States1912 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-24 12:48:06
February 24 2023 12:47 GMT
#3
yes, of course. and if anyone disagrees you better hope they disagreed when kespa stopped supporting sc2, because the level of competition went down then too.

*note not to be confused with the skill of players going down. Skill of players has continued to rise. The competition just wasn't as fierce.
Remember that we all come from a place of passion!!
argonautdice
Profile Joined January 2013
Canada2719 Posts
February 24 2023 12:50 GMT
#4
I voted neutral. Kind of a loaded questions. It is what it is: the number of players and prize pool in particular has dropped dramatically, which will alter the motivation and competitiveness of the players, but the player pool may only shift at a similar rate as last year unless we see a massive wave of retirement without many returnees competing.

So in short yes GSL will likely be less competitive but still one of the most competitive premier tournaments of 2023.
very illegal and very uncool
CicadaSC
Profile Joined January 2018
United States1912 Posts
February 24 2023 12:55 GMT
#5
[image loading]

for fun here is what chatgpt thinks.
Remember that we all come from a place of passion!!
Balnazza
Profile Joined January 2018
Germany1284 Posts
February 24 2023 12:56 GMT
#6
I'm not big on Broodwar, but out of curiosity: Do people consider the last few OSLs as "legitimate"?
"Wenn die Zauberin runter geht, dann macht sie die Beine breit" - Khaldor, trying to cast WC3 German-only
-NegativeZero-
Profile Joined August 2011
United States2142 Posts
February 24 2023 13:48 GMT
#7
If anything it's the lower performing players who are more likely to retire.
vibeo gane,
CicadaSC
Profile Joined January 2018
United States1912 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-24 14:47:21
February 24 2023 14:46 GMT
#8
[image loading]

One could entertain the argument that this is one of the *most* legitimate tournaments, as players will prep as much as they can knowing the stakes, and that it could be their last.
Remember that we all come from a place of passion!!
NeWHoriZonS
Profile Joined April 2018
55 Posts
February 24 2023 15:15 GMT
#9
To be fair, even the GSL in 2022 weren't very legitimate imo. Not as much as the previous ones at least.
It's basically the same top players winning again and again, they just stomp everyone until RO4 until they meet each other.
Creator and Ragnarok making it to the final wasn't entirely due to them increasing their skill level let's be honest, and it showed in the finals.
This year the same will happen : herO, Maru and Dark (until he retires himself, which should happen very soon) will just compete against each other and the other matches won't actually matter. It could get interesting if HM and Reynor participates as it's rumored, but that's about it.
JJH777
Profile Joined January 2011
United States4418 Posts
February 24 2023 15:38 GMT
#10
On February 24 2023 23:46 CicadaSC wrote:
[image loading]

One could entertain the argument that this is one of the *most* legitimate tournaments, as players will prep as much as they can knowing the stakes, and that it could be their last.


Assuming those are comments from his stream a few hours ago then on that same stream Solar said something along the lines of "getting eliminated from GSL will not impact me much now because the prize is so low." Additionally Ryung "joked" about needing to get a part time job.

I don't think 2023 GSL can be considered anywhere near prior years now. The difference between this and prior skill drops like Kespa leaving is that players still had incentive to put in a high amount of effort because prizes were always just as high as ever. Many GSL players are going to have to work due to this news. Others will just lack motivation. This will decrease level of play dramatically especially for the players who typically qualify for GSL but don't make it to global events.
Poopi
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
France12912 Posts
February 24 2023 16:02 GMT
#11
On February 25 2023 00:15 NeWHoriZonS wrote:
To be fair, even the GSL in 2022 weren't very legitimate imo. Not as much as the previous ones at least.
It's basically the same top players winning again and again, they just stomp everyone until RO4 until they meet each other.
Creator and Ragnarok making it to the final wasn't entirely due to them increasing their skill level let's be honest, and it showed in the finals.
This year the same will happen : herO, Maru and Dark (until he retires himself, which should happen very soon) will just compete against each other and the other matches won't actually matter. It could get interesting if HM and Reynor participates as it's rumored, but that's about it.

Well it was still by far the highest level tournament outside of international ones though?
There were far more top players than in EU, which was the second highest local tournament.

Creator and RagnaroK also really improved: top 4 at IEM for RagnaroK and top 12 for Creator. If we compare that to the top DH players: Clem only made top 24, Serral top 8, Reynor top 8, Neeb top 16, Astrea top 24 and Scarlett top 36.

WriterMaru
The_Red_Viper
Profile Blog Joined August 2013
19533 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-24 16:18:39
February 24 2023 16:18 GMT
#12
The level of competition has gone down for a long time, a starleague in 2022 wasn't the same as one in 2019 which wasn't the same as one in 2015, etc.
The more pros you lose in a scene (with basically noone new entering), the less competitive it is, obviously. (which isn't to say that the level of play was bad, two different things)

It remains to be seen what the current korean pros will do, though looking at the money in the scene i'd expect retirements, military services being done asap, some people switching to the bw scene where there is more money to be made, etc.
The korean sc2 scene just isn't attractive for anyone with that kind of money, speculating everything onto that championship at the very end of the season (which also won't have nearly the same amount of prize pool), yeah no way, the makeup of the korean playerbase will change once more drastically i imagine, and even for people who stay in it, this doesn't allow you to go allin either. 2023 gonna be a sad year.
IU | Sohyang || There is no God and we are his prophets | For if ‘Thou mayest’—it is also true that ‘Thou mayest not.” | Ignorance is the parent of fear |
M3t4PhYzX
Profile Joined March 2019
Poland4262 Posts
February 24 2023 17:15 GMT
#13
As Premier? Not really.

As Major though? Yes, of course.
Charoisaur
Profile Joined August 2014
Germany16063 Posts
February 24 2023 17:31 GMT
#14
On February 25 2023 01:02 Poopi wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 25 2023 00:15 NeWHoriZonS wrote:
To be fair, even the GSL in 2022 weren't very legitimate imo. Not as much as the previous ones at least.
It's basically the same top players winning again and again, they just stomp everyone until RO4 until they meet each other.
Creator and Ragnarok making it to the final wasn't entirely due to them increasing their skill level let's be honest, and it showed in the finals.
This year the same will happen : herO, Maru and Dark (until he retires himself, which should happen very soon) will just compete against each other and the other matches won't actually matter. It could get interesting if HM and Reynor participates as it's rumored, but that's about it.

Well it was still by far the highest level tournament outside of international ones though?
There were far more top players than in EU, which was the second highest local tournament.

Creator and RagnaroK also really improved: top 4 at IEM for RagnaroK and top 12 for Creator. If we compare that to the top DH players: Clem only made top 24, Serral top 8, Reynor top 8, Neeb top 16, Astrea top 24 and Scarlett top 36.


Well, in the foreign scene the situation is the same with Reynor, Serral, Clem winning everything and the rest of the playing field being even weaker than in GSL.
Only at international events the player field is at a respectable level with the top players of both regions competing but I'd still say an international tournament today is easier to win than a GSL in 2018 (which was easier to win than a GSL in 2015).
Many of the coolest moments in sc2 happen due to worker harassment
Argonauta
Profile Joined July 2016
Spain4967 Posts
February 24 2023 17:51 GMT
#15
I just hope Maru and Co doesnt decide to go to the military, but I would understand them if they do. I mean, even if you win all 3 GSLs in the year you would not even make the minimun wage salary. Comentators and producers get better pay as it is.
Rogue | Maru | Scarlett | Trap
TL+ Member
BluemoonSC
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
SoCal8910 Posts
February 24 2023 20:47 GMT
#16
Neutral for me.

We'll see how many players retire or what the quality of the games look like after the first GSL. I think it'll be worth it for the better players to get into the EPT events, but only time will tell.
LiquidDota Staff@BluemoonGG_
QOGQOG
Profile Joined July 2019
834 Posts
Last Edited: 2023-02-24 21:41:33
February 24 2023 21:41 GMT
#17
It's still got more player depth than other regions (for now, I imagine there will be more retirements coming) and I'd still consider it the most prestigious tournament outside of season finals. But it's certainly not what it once was.

The problem is these changes take away what little incentive there was for lower tier players to try to compete.
Slydie
Profile Joined August 2013
1935 Posts
February 24 2023 21:54 GMT
#18
Yes, it is legit if it keeps the name and most of the organization.

As many have said, this could have ended a long time ago, it is amazing how it kept running despite the Life scandal and mass team collapses.
Buff the siegetank
IMSupervisor
Profile Joined June 2016
Australia138 Posts
February 24 2023 23:52 GMT
#19
It depends how deep the participation of strong players is. If a lot of the Ro8 / Ro16 type players give it a pass in favour of focusing on participation at international events (or just straight up leaving the game) then I think GSL has lost its prestige, even if the quality of the games from the elite players is as high or higher than ever before.
[Phantom]
Profile Blog Joined August 2013
Mexico2170 Posts
February 25 2023 02:06 GMT
#20
I have the suspicioous that GSL season 2 and season 3 will look very different from s1. Many players will retire by then
WriterTeamLiquid Staff writer since 2014 @Mortal_Phantom
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Replay Cast
00:00
2026 GSL S1: Ro8 Group B
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 24505
JulyZerg 131
Shinee 29
yabsab 25
Bale 15
Movie 14
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm153
League of Legends
JimRising 713
Counter-Strike
Doublelift2491
Stewie2K888
Other Games
summit1g11372
WinterStarcraft539
monkeys_forever344
C9.Mang0148
RuFF_SC2136
Organizations
Counter-Strike
PGL15379
Other Games
gamesdonequick2518
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• practicex 38
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• Azhi_Dahaki19
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota2582
League of Legends
• Stunt392
Upcoming Events
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4h 13m
RSL Revival
4h 13m
Cure vs Zoun
Clem vs Lambo
WardiTV Invitational
6h 13m
ByuN vs Rogue
Solar vs Ryung
Zoun vs Percival
Cure vs SHIN
BSL
13h 13m
Dewalt vs DragOn
Aether vs Jimin
GSL
1d 2h
Afreeca Starleague
1d 4h
Soma vs Leta
Wardi Open
1d 6h
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 10h
OSC
1d 18h
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
[ Show More ]
Afreeca Starleague
2 days
Light vs Flash
Replay Cast
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
The PondCast
4 days
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
5 days
Korean StarCraft League
5 days
RSL Revival
6 days
BSL
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S2: W6
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
KK 2v2 League Season 1
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
SCTL 2026 Spring
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2

Upcoming

YSL S3
Escore Tournament S2: W7
Escore Tournament S2: W8
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Maestros of the Game 2
2026 GSL S2
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026: Closed Qualifier
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.