[breadfan]

Blizzard have made the announcement:

http://us.battle.net/blizzcon/en/blo...vent-1_25_2012

Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce the 2012 Battle.net World Championship, a major global eSports event featuring some of the best pro-gaming competition in the world. Slated to take place in Asia toward the end of 2012, the Battle.net World Championship will host this year’s StarCraft II and World of Warcraft Arena World Championship tournaments. Blizzard gamers and eSports fans from around the world will be invited to attend and witness some of the most skilled pro players on the planet battle it out for cash and glory.

We’re excited to be showcasing Blizzard eSports on a truly global stage this year. We're also heavily focused on getting Diablo III, Mists of Pandaria, and Heart of the Swarm into players’ hands as soon as possible. In light of our jam-packed schedule, we’ve decided to hold the next BlizzCon in 2013.

More details about the 2012 Battle.net World Championship and BlizzCon 2013, including specific dates and locations, will be coming in the months ahead.

They won't be holding BlizzCon this year, instead just holding a big esports tournament (with WoW thrown in), in 'Asia'. Hopefully the time works out for us SEA folk to be able to watch it.

Speculation time! Of course, the heart of global esports is Korea so there's a strong chance it will be there, but a big event in China might be useful to attract more attention to esports on that front, since I gather that it's still probably an "emerging scene" over there (although I understand it to be massive).

Wonder if this has anything to do with the big secret plans I heard Dox was concocting with Blizzard's people?

[Maynarde]

No BlizzCon T__________________________T

[nirvAnA]

Esports tournament in Asia = Yay
No BlizzCon = Boo

Overall: Still Boo!

[Kalikah]

awesome that means more time to save YAY

[iM tgun]

Will the qualifications be based like blizzcon invitationals were?

Quick Comments

mGGDrGooSe:

Get in there son.

[breadfan]

Originally Posted by tgun

Will the qualifications be based like blizzcon invitationals were?

Not sure, there hasn't been any announcement yet. I'll keep an eye out but they basically said there'll be one "within the coming months".

[iM yang]

i've heard whispers of qualification tournaments held in major cities with a national tournament determining the spot, like wcg

[breadfan]

Originally Posted by SQLTt.yang

i've heard whispers of qualification tournaments held in major cities with a national tournament determining the spot, like wcg

you mean like ACL?

Originally Posted by Flaunt

bnet invitational = top 16 of server rankings instead of players being picked out by blizzard. a lot more fair imo.

Isn't top 16 of KR ladder occupied by like 2 guys? Lots of pros don't get the same opportunity to ladder, so I really disagree - it's completely unfair to the absolute best players, who are the ones you actually want at a tournament. Sure, it might reduce the chance for the up and comer to have a breakout performance, but they can still get there through the qualification tournament route, which I think is the way to go (invites just scream revenue seeking)

[iM yang]

Originally Posted by breadfan

you mean like ACL?

yeah like acl, but blizzard

[iM tgun]

Originally Posted by SQLTt.yang

i've heard whispers of qualification tournaments held in major cities with a national tournament determining the spot, like wcg

That would be logical, so I'm going to completely and utterly not expect this, because Blizzard really isn't logical about tournaments.

Quick Comments

breadfan:

You speak truth

[Flaunt]

bnet invitational = top 16 of server rankings instead of players being picked out by blizzard. a lot more fair imo.

[mGGDrGooSe]

Originally Posted by Flaunt

bnet invitational = top 16 of server rankings instead of players being picked out by blizzard. a lot more fair imo.

IIR, this is the exact reason why Tgun was unable to get a shot at qualifying for the last one? Needs to be open, not invitational.

[Nikachu]

Sucks there's gonna be no blizzcon Ohwell looking forward to the big tournament! SEA fighting!

[fray`Alpha]

at no blizzcon

[Bash]

Updaaaaaaaaate.
TL interview with Blizz about it.
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=306396 ^_^

[zendex]

Originally Posted by Bash

Updaaaaaaaaate.
TL interview with Blizz about it.
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=306396 ^_^

Just read it a while ago. GL to all the eSports orgs all around in SEA ^_^

[KAshadowz]

interesting point about the expansions, if they release it mid year then players who want to play in the championship would be stuck playing WoL until the end of the year? while other players can get a head start in heart of the swarm?

[Bash]

Originally Posted by KAshadowz

interesting point about the expansions, if they release it mid year then players who want to play in the championship would be stuck playing WoL until the end of the year? while other players can get a head start in heart of the swarm?

On the same note though, someone who's "The Best" at this game might not win if it switched halfway through, Plus HotS wont be half as balanced as WoL when its out.

Idk, i like that its staying on WoL.

[KAshadowz]

Originally Posted by Bash

On the same note though, someone who's "The Best" at this game might not win if it switched halfway through, Plus HotS wont be half as balanced as WoL when its out.

Idk, i like that its staying on WoL.

yeah I agree that its good that they are staying on WoL, just feels like it may be a slight disadvantage to some players if they release it midyear. Taking that into consideration I could imagine them delaying the release to make sure this doesn't happen.

[MazEi]

I'm just concerned by where in Asia do they mean. Cos if Asia in their mind is just Korea, China and Taiwan, then I'll be frowning.