Trang Le

Hmm I understand Contenders production is no longer viable : viewerships were dreadful despite good work from broadcasters. Same goes for World Cup, but I find it a unique way for upcoming talent to break through. Protecting Academy teams does seem an unfair advantage though

It looks like to become pro now you have to have a bunch of money first so you can actually train because you aint gonna earn it in contenders. Now, if only those Korean boys who were gonna try for Contenders in OW would go for the GSL next year :P

as a bunch of our pros are going to the military: FREE MONEY FOR FREE GSL SPOTS ANYONE???

The reason I respect Starcraft so much is that it is purely skill based. But the end may be nearing too: a lot of even the best players are now free agents. I hope Blizzard keeps supporting it - the games continue to be amazing and the skill and dedication is endless

the thing about sc2 is it is now mature enough as a game and a community that it only needs Blizz's help and not wholly dependent, I think. OW, in contrast, I feel like if Blizz doesn't hold its hand every step, is gonna crumble.

At this point I dont think SC2 can die anymore, people have already stepped up. If Blizz pulls the plug, it will hurt badly but it will not die. OW doesn't have such a strong backing force though, esp since Blizz killed the endemic scene.

Agreed. Starcraft's community is mature and highly self-reliant (cfr. @TaKeTV). OW is not dead by a longshot but a lot of the casual players, streamers and personalities have moved on. But if Blizzard stops supporting top SC2 esports, it would still be a bad thing.

That's why I have learned to support and love community tournaments. SC2 love for me is no longer just the big events anymore. All prepared for the (maybe one day) apocalypse. I will survive along with what's left of SC2 and be the real la Cucaracha