Yesterday Major League Gaming announced that StarCraft II Player Passes have sold out. For those of you who don’t know, MLG sells two types of passes to their events. There are “Spectator Passes” which admit you to the event to observe. “Player Passes” on the other hand, are for gamers who are looking to try their luck in the open pool tournament.
According to the post on the MLG forums, MLG will be creating a waiting list “to reserve Player Passes if any become available due to cancellations.” In order to sign up for the waiting list, leave a post on the forum link above.
While it’s unfortunate that not everyone who wants to participate in MLG Columbus will be able to, one can always be an optimist and take this as a sign that eSports is growing larger and larger.
The Syndicate would like to wish a very Happy Birthday Josh “AskJoshy” Sutherland as he turns 25 today!
Josh originally joined compLexity to host our weekly SC2 last man standing tournament called The V, which is held every Friday at 7PM EST. He has become part of the coL family over the last few months and has proven himself to be one of North America’s favorite casters.
To celebrate Josh’s birthday, he is running a 12 hour LIVE stream which can be viewed below:
Once again, we’d like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Josh “AskJoshy” Sutherland!
In the July 2011 issue of PC Gamer Magazine, Origin PC is featured in an article about how the most pricey notebook’s aren’t always the best buys. The article breaks down the components of the EON15-S gaming laptop that retails for roughly $2,500. PC Gamer gave the EON15-S an outstanding score of 93/100.
More information about the EON15-S can be found by clicking here.
MLG has announced today, via their website, the addition of numerous stream and spectator improvements, including a partnership with Streamworks that will allow the MLG broadcast to be transmitted in full 720p HD via the use of multiple independent satellites and datacenter content delivery systems. MLG has also announced the addition of sound-proof booths for the Starcraft II competition that will prevent players from hearing the play-by-play broadcasts on the main stage.
The official “changelog” is below:
The Streamworks Partnership
To make certain that you can watch the streams at home, uninterrupted and in superb quality, we have partnered with world-class live streaming company Streamworks. Our partnership with Streamworks will begin at MLG Columbus and continue throughout the 2011 Pro Circuit Season. Working together, we have pulled out all the stops.
The new stream system will affect all games: StarCraft 2, Halo: Reach, and Call of Duty: Black Ops
In Columbus, we will have two redundant satellite trucks, blasting video signal to two independent satellites.
The signals will be pulled into multiple data centers and the video feed will be distributed to you through multiple Content Delivery Networks to ensure stability.
The HQ stream will be available in up to 720p.
There is no download required; you can watch both the standard and HQ streams directly from the video player on majorleaguegaming.com.
Rebroadcast Availability
The changes we’ve made ensure that everyone will be able to watch live, and in high quality. But what if you miss a match?
If you purchase an HQ pass, you will have almost immediate access to rebroadcasts of commentated matches for all three games. We will be making rebroadcasts available to you all weekend right on the site, just a few hours after each match finishes.
Even if you haven’t purchased an HQ pass, you will be able to see full rebroadcasts on MLG.tv on Monday, the day after the Competition finishes.
Free HQ Friday
To give you the chance to see our all-new streams for yourself, all of the streams on Friday will be shown in HQ, for free.
HQ rebroadcasts from Friday’s matches will also be made available to everyone right on the site as the matches are played.
Starting on Saturday, HQ passes will be available for $10. You can purchase them directly through the on-site player. The pass will give you full HQ access to the entire rest of the Competition, as well as faster access to rebroadcasts.
Better Score Reporting
Floor staff in the venue will be sending real-time updates to the liveblogs for all games on the site, and to our Twitter feed.
Brackets will be quickly updated, and will be available on the site all weekend so you can follow exactly what’s happening
Most StarCraft 2 replays will be available several hours after the match is played.
What’s New for StarCraft 2
To vastly improve the experience of both players and spectators, MLG will have sound-dampening booths for StarCraft 2 players at MLG Columbus and all the rest of 2011’s Pro Circuit Competitions.
The booths, in combination with noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, will ensure that the players can’t hear anything happening in the venue.
Spectators in the venue will be able to hear every word of the commentary for all Main Stage matches.
The MLG and Streamworks partnership press release can be found below.
Major League Gaming (MLG), the world’s largest competitive video game league, and Streamworks have partnered to deliver LIVE and on demand coverage of MLG’s 2011 and 2012 Pro Circuit beginning with the competition in Columbus, Ohio, on 3rd – 5th June 2011.
Now in the 8th and largest season to date, the MLG Pro Circuit brings together thousands of the world’s best players to compete LIVE for their share of more than $1 million in prizes and stipends. Under this partnership, Streamworks will deploy its unique LIVE solution, capturing, creating and broadcasting uninterrupted coverage of each weekend event, taking video streaming experience to new heights. Those that can’t make it in person can watch in real-time each weekend in standard or high-definition at www.majorleaguegaming.com. The competition will feature four live streams: one dedicated stream for Call of Duty®: Black Ops, one for Halo: Reach, and two streams for Blizzard Entertainment’s blockbuster real-time strategy game, StarCraft® II: Wings of Liberty™.
“We are fully committed to providing a seamless, stable and reliable viewing experience for all of our Pro Circuit competitions and have partnered with Streamworks to ensure that we deliver on our promise,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO, MLG. “Beginning with Columbus, we will use Streamworks’ revolutionary patented technology to provide a new level of picture quality.”
Jason Fletcher, Streamworks’ Marketing Director, said: ‘‘We’re very pleased to announce our new long term working relationship with MLG, we intend to bring the very best quality streams to their US and International fans. Our technical teams have been working hard to provide a solution that doesn’t just deliver but pushes the envelope. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to set a new benchmark for online streaming, the limits of what we intend to achieve are truly remarkable in terms of functionality, picture quality and interactivity. The solution we have at our disposal is unique, and integrating this with MLGs vast portfolio of events has been challenging, but more so we’re confident it will be equally rewarding for their fans who are going to enjoy watching and participating like never before.’’
Streaming will be available for the remainder of the 2010 MLG Pro Circuit as follows:
June 3-5: Columbus, OH – Columbus Convention Center
July 29-31: Anaheim, CA – Anaheim Convention Center
August 26-28: Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Convention Center
October 14-16: Orlando, FL – Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
November 18-20: Providence, RI – National Championship, Rhode Island Convention Center
About Streamworks
Founded in 2010, Streamworks owns and operates a managed global service, a next generation delivery network – built to deliver better, faster, and more cost effective LIVE video streaming. Using a unique technology solution, Streamworks delivers seamless cross platform video with on average 30% file size saving, with dramatically increased picture and audio quality for Live and On Demand. For more information – www.streamworksint.com
For more information about the stream and spectator changes, click here.
First off, the tournament is no longer known as the Starcraft II Open Season 1. Blizzard Entertainment requested that eSport TV Thailand change the name on the grounds that it is too “generic” sounding. It will now be known as the Thailand Starcraft League (THSL).
The other news is that, apparently, eSports TV Thailand has been receiving some mixed reactions about this tournament. “To choose Thailand/Bangkok as the location is by design already a ‘red flag’ for a lot of people, and in addition to being a unknown company [sic]. Also, to suddenly come out from nowhere looks ‘strange’ to many players. We did assume that we would have a 60% positive, 20% cautious and 20% negative response.” He continued, “Yes, we worry. People will sadly always try to cheat or get easy money. That is the reason why we will carefully select the players and companies we work with.”
In hopes of renforcing the legitimacy of his organization (there is a $100,000 prize purse after all), Modersitzki revealed that big name teams like Korea’s Incredible Miracle (IM) will be participating.
If that doesn’t satisfy suspicion, eSports TV Thailand holds a competition license from Blizzard, meaning Blizzard has approved the legitimacy of this tournament. “One thing, every single Blizzard Entertainment customer need to be aware of is that Blizzard Entertainment, as company, is very protective of their communities and would have shut us down or posted warnings on their own forums if we are not legit. We already hold a Tournament License, but due to the size, we have to extend the contract condition with Blizzard and are awaiting the new contract soon.” Modersitzki continued, “Blizzard Entertainment ensures that we will pay and not take the money and run away. The Blizzard Entertainment contracts are complex and ensure that the community is protected.”
Modersitzki stated that eSports TV Thailand has been in talks with several companies to help sponsor the event, but if they should back out “[eSports TV] are prepared to carry the prize on our own.”
When it comes to competition like GOMtv’s GSL and the North American Star League, Modersitzki is confident. “We compare GSL, NASL and others to the likes of MySpace while we will be the new Facebook in eSports.”
Be sure to keep an eye out for the Thailand Starcraft League this summer. The tournament will run from August 8th to the 19th.
Update 05/27: Congratulations to VP.Chance, the winner of the Amateur Finals, after taking down coL.Ryan by the score of 2-1.
compLexity Gaming is thrilled to announce that the $10,000 SoundBlaster Tactic3D Tournament, presented by Fry’s Electronics, will be holding the Amateur Finals and Grand Finals this week. The event, which featured a 1024 player open has now determined the 32 players who will face the 32 invited professionals.
Throughout the week we will be holding contests and giving prizes away to lucky viewers. Stay tuned here to the website and the stream for your chances to win.
1. Become a fan of the Sound Blaster Facebook page. 2. Reply to this post with your prediction of the overall tournament winner. 3. All entries must be submitted prior to Saturday at 10AM EST. 1 prediction per person.
* replaced coL.rsvp who was unable to attend **replaced sixjax.Mihai because he resides in Quebec
Casters for the event include DJWheat, JP McDaniel and AskJoshy.
Please support the sponsors that are making this event possible! Consider buying the new SoundBlaster Tactic3D gaming headset from Fry’s Electronics!
Evolve your game with immersive 3D Audio, thanks to THX TruStudio Pro Technology
Experience the evolution of 3D gaming audio with the Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha gaming headset. Acoustically optimized 40mm drivers combine with THX® TruStudio Pro™ technology to transform everyday audio into a mind-blowing cinematic experience. Touchscreen software and Tactic Profiles allow you to save and share your favorite settings including THX TruStudio Pro Surround for immersive 360º headphone surround and VoiceFX™ voice morphing technology. The dual mode design allows you to connect via standard minijacks or use the Dual Mode™ adapter to connect to your PC or Mac’s USB port for the full THX TruStudio Pro experience.
Click here to purchase the SoundBlaster Tactic3D from Fry’s Electronics!
Also, please help us show support for the companies sponsoring this event so that they will continue to support StarCraft 2! Please join and comment on their Facebook pages as this (and viewer counts) are the primary way they are measuring the success of the tournament.
Tonight, CompLexity’s Stalife will be taking on CatZ from ROOT Gaming in week 6 of the North American Star League. Last week, CatZ lost to StarTale’s Ace with a score of 1-2, while Stalife also lost to oGs.MC 1-2.
Congratulations to Michael Ma, the winner of the Pro Player Package consisting of a QPAD 5k gaming mouse as well as a CompLexity Pad by QPAD.
How to Enter
1. Like the CompLexity Gaming facebook using the window above. 2. Reply to this thread (Via the facebook or website comments)
The winner will be randomly decided and announced on Monday.
Win a Pro Player Package
Today, during The V, our weekly Starcraft 2 showmatch series, you will have the opportunity to win a pro-gaming prize package from QPAD. Details about how to win the package will only be available during the show so be sure to tune in to find out! The V begins at 7PM EST and will be between ROOT Gaming’s CatZ and FX’s optxzero. You can watch the show HERE!
QPAD®|5K™ Mouse
QPAD ®|5K™ features a powerful navigation engine, adapted for high performance laser navigation. It has been specifically designed for high-end professional gamers, and enables extremely high-speed motion detection and high resolution to provide precise tracking capabilities which are required for many of today’s most popular gaming applications. QPAD®|5K™’s new laser sensor is ideal for gamers who require precise high-speed tracking on a variety of different surfaces.
MSRP: $79.99
CompLexity Edition QPAD Mousepad
This is the special edition Complexity Pad by QPAD. Grab this sleekly designed and high performing pad while supplies last.
For all users with high demands on precision, feel and functionality this is the mouse pad that delivers. CT™ series smooth Hybratek™ coating ensures that the mouse registers every detail of the smallest mouse movement. It offers a smooth and a controlled glide with an optimum level of friction. Whether you are a hardcore gamer or work with other demanding tasks such as graphic design or large spreadsheets, you’ll thrill to the task.
Game 1: Crevasse Both CrunCher and SjoW opened up the game with fast expansions, a pretty safe move considering the size of the map. CrunCher, recognizing that SjoW is notorious for not scouting, took a risk and grab an early third base. This move would prove to be the lynch pin of the game. As CrunCher expected, SjoW did not scout the third base until late in the midgame. All that extra income allowed CrunCher to macro hard, getting up tons of Gateways plus upgrades for all his units. CrunCher held map control for pretty much the whole game, allowing him to have five bases on the map when SjoW was just taking his third. At that point, CrunCher recognized that he could win a game of attrition, so he kept macroing, incorporating both High and Dark Templar into his Gateway unit army. Despite SjoW’s best efforts, even with some great EMP play, he was no match for CrunCher’s production and had to tap out.
Game 2: Typhon Peaks CrunCher opened up the game with a four Gate fast expansion where as SjoW started with a 3 Rax. CrunCher went in for an early contain, looking to intimidate SjoW. Unfortunately for CrunCher, SjoW caught the Protoss army out of position and easily dismantled it and moved across the map. With nothing to defend with, CrunCher had to GG.
Game 3: Xel’Naga Caverns Both players opened relatively safe, CrunCher opting for a three Gate expand and SjoW going with a three Rax. SjoW was first to push with a Stim timing attack. CrunCher held it off and was looking good with a pretty substantial economic lead. Unfortunately for CrunCher he was too focused on getting more Gateways out rather than teching. SjoW was able to rebuild an army while getting Medivacs out on the field. SjoW dropped two Medivacs full of Marines in the back of CrunCher’s base, causing him to pull his entire army back. While the Protoss ball was out of position, SjoW hit the natural taking out the Nexus. Knowing he was is bad shape CrunCher threw everything he had left at SjoW, but was unable to make a dent.
NASL – Week 6
Tonight, CompLexity’s CrunCher will be taking on SjoW from Dignitas in week 6 of the North American Star League. Last week, SjoW beat MoMaN from Cyber Nation with a score of 2-1, while CrunCher defeated oGs.Ensnare 2-0.
With Major League Gaming and the GSL have teaming up, it should come as no surprise that GOMtv is hard at work changing the format of the GSL. Today, GOMtv revealed some of the major changes that will be happening over the next few seasons.
The biggest change that will be coming is that the Team League (GSTL) will be expanded. Currently a short four day side event, the new GSTL will now feature ten teams, split into two groups of five. These ten teams will play in a format similar to the group stages in Code S, with the top three spots of each group advancing to the playoffs.
GOMtv is also making some changes to the Code A/Code S formats as well. These changes include:
Code S Group League Match Format Change
Pre-existing GOMTV League Format -> Dual Tournament Format
Group stage games will always have 5 sets and the last game will be the deciding game for 2nd and 3rd Place.
From each group, 3rd Place will stay in Code S and 4th Place will go through Up and Down Match.
1st and 2nd Place from each Group will advance to Ro16
Code A Morning Time Broadcast
For the 5 days of the first week, Code A games will be broadcasted at 1:10 PM.
Starting from the second week, Code A game will only be broadcasted at 7:10 PM.
Up & Down Match Format Change
Code A Winner will automatically advance to Code S without going through Up & Down Match
MLG Winner will receive a GSL Code S seed for the following month. (Even if the winner is a Korean player, the seed will be provided). If the winner turns down the Code S seed or is already a Code S player then the runner-up will be given the seed.
Code S 4th Place Players (8) + Code A Top 7 = 15 players
Players will be divided into 3 groups of 5.
One group per day will be broadcasted. Each group’s 1st and 2nd Place will advance to Code S.
GSTL 2 Group Full League
Every Thursday and Friday, GSTL 2 Group Full League will be held.
The current 10 SC2 pro teams will be divided into 2 groups of 5.
Each team will go through a full league and top 3 teams from each group will advance to the playoff (20 matches / twice a week = will be broadcasted for 10 weeks).
Playoff will be played with the following format: Group A 1st Place vs. (Group B 2nd Place vs. Group A 3rd Place) / Group B 1st Place vs. (Group B 3rd Place vs. Group A 2nd Place)
On top of all these changes, GOMtv has also completely shifted the schedule of their weekly broadcast. Mondays will now be Code A, Tuesday and Wednesday will be Code S, and Thursday and Friday will now feature the GSTL.
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CompLexity Edition QPAD Mousepad
