[CarbonTwelve]

Originally Posted by ElectricAngel

Wise words... I don't think people understand that if they want something they need to support it .. not yell abuse at the party to get it.. pretty sure that's how LoL did it ^-^

The problem occurs when people are already supporting it as much as they can (by buying the game, playing it, watching tournaments, etc.), but there just aren't enough of them. I think the SC2 players complaining here are in exactly this position - they've done everything else they can towards encouraging Aussie/SEA support from Blizzard, but it still isn't happening, simply due to the lack of numbers. It's got nothing to do with not understanding that they need to support it.

I agree with what I think is Dox's sentiment (namely, that we shouldn't dump on Blizzard because they did do quite a bit despite the small scene), however that still doesn't change the fact that, regardless of the past, the SEA SC2 scene has all but been abandoned by Blizzard.

[ToR.Arnor]

Originally Posted by CarbonTwelve

The problem occurs when people are already supporting it as much as they can (by buying the game, playing it, watching tournaments, etc.), but there just aren't enough of them. I think the SC2 players complaining here are in exactly this position - they've done everything else they can towards encouraging Aussie/SEA support from Blizzard, but it still isn't happening, simply due to the lack of numbers. It's got nothing to do with not understanding that they need to support it.

I agree with what I think is Dox's sentiment (namely, that we shouldn't dump on Blizzard because they did do quite a bit despite the small scene), however that still doesn't change the fact that, regardless of the past, the SEA SC2 scene has all but been abandoned by Blizzard.

The SEA Scene hasnt Been abandoned, Over the last couple months Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines have all have national championships, next month theres going to a regional finals (top 2 from each event) to wrap it all up. The Oceania Scene however is an entirely different ball game.

The fact is true, our scene is small and for it to improve 1 of 2 things need to happen (well 3 if you include a combination of the 2 strategies). Either A) The community needs to continue to grow to the point where Blizzard has to support it and it becomes financially viable/sustainable to do so. On the other hand they can look into more ways to help grow the scene by investing more at the local level.

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TtSYF.tRoy:

^ VENGEANCE CUP!

[Dox]

Originally Posted by ToR.Arnor

The community needs to continue to grow to the point where Blizzard has to support it and it becomes financially viable/sustainable to do so.

There is no such thing as sustainability. They don't turn a profit from this.

Originally Posted by CarbonTwelve

regardless of the past, the SEA SC2 scene has all but been abandoned by Blizzard.

Melodramatic much? We miss out on 1 year of Blizzcon/WCS and suddenly Blizzard has abandoned us? I'm really uncomfortable with the pseudo-precedent that has been set by Riot/Valve. Suddenly the publishers are expected to grow the scenes while the rest of us just sit back disgruntled or spoonfed. It's great to see these companies growing their own games, but it's taking responsibility away from the community. And I know it's just going to get worse and worse as new generations of gamers enter the industry and take it for granted.



Some more (purely speculative) food for thought: Blizzards plans for WCS 2013 were locked in before the 2012 financial year had ended. Which meant budgets had been allocated and anyone who has worked in project management will tell you - that means any revisions to the plan get pushed over to next FY. With the recent addition & reshuffling of the Blizzard eSports team and a new financial year, I think it's very likely that we'll see them take some very positive direction between now and 2015. Something else to consider is that when WCS was conceived, they didn't really have an eSports team. What was merely an afterthought 12 months ago now has a dedicated team driving it. Those additional resources are gonna mean a world of difference.

I know it's easy to mindlessly kick up a tantrum and whinge about how nothing is changing, but you have to consider it from Blizzard's angle. The amount of money Riot is sinking into Australia would have blindsided them, and they can't just pull money from a non-existent budget and follow suit. It's not that simple. They have multiple franchises to support, and it's safe to say they currently have 6+ titles (Legacy of the Void, WoW XP, D3 XP, Titan, Hearthstone, Blizzard DotA) in development. I'd expect WCS to become a lot more generous, accommodating and competitive over the next two years.

In my line of work, we've been caught off guard by market competitors (technology, services, marketing) on numerous occasions. It was critical for us to keep up with our competitors, and we had the resources to match/exceed them. But our budget for the year had already been exhausted, so we had to wait until the new financial year before we could charge out the gate at full speed.

I guess all I'm saying is, don't expect immediate change. And don't be so bloody fickle.

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	Zepph:	BOOM SON!
	TABjornbrandr:	Oh hey look some common sense, what a novel idea.

[CarbonTwelve]

Originally Posted by Dox

Melodramatic much? We miss out on 1 year of Blizzcon/WCS and suddenly Blizzard has abandoned us?

Not sure what the link from the ANZ CM is supposed to show...

It's great to see these companies growing their own games, but it's taking responsibility away from the community.

I don't see it as taking 'responsibility' away from the community. I see it as investing in the community. Besides, in case I haven't made it clear enough yet, I fully understand why Blizzard as a company would do what has been done. I just don't think the backlash against people who are wanting more or those who are making the comparison to LoL is fair. Yes, they're different games, and yes, the communities are different, and yes, the companies behind them are different, but they're still both eSports. You made the analogy to World Rally vs Formula 1, and I think that's a perfect example, and yes, people do make the comparison there: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130328/f1/130329801 (basically a short history of F1 rising vs NASCAR).

Some more (purely speculative) food for thought: Blizzards plans for WCS 2013 were locked in before the 2012 financial year had ended. Which meant budgets had been allocated and anyone who has worked in project management will tell you - that means any revisions to the plan get pushed over to next FY.

Yes, I'm sure that's true, but it still means that in 2012 Blizzard chose not to invest in Australia.

I think it's very likely that we'll see them take some very positive direction between now and 2015.

I hope you're right.

I guess all I'm saying is, don't expect immediate change. And don't be so bloody fickle.

And I guess what I'm saying is, don't be so negative towards people who are voicing their desire for more for the game they love.

Originally Posted by TABjornbrandr

I know it sucks that Riot is giving smaller tournaments financial support

Well, I'm not sure that anyone thinks it sucks that Riot is helping out smaller tournaments, just that they wish Blizzard could do the same (and again, I understand why they don't).

[TABjornbrandr]

Originally Posted by CarbonTwelve

Well, I'm not sure that anyone thinks it sucks that Riot is helping out smaller tournaments, just that they wish Blizzard could do the same (and again, I understand why they don't).

That's exactly what I'm saying.

[ElectricAngel]

Originally Posted by CarbonTwelve

The problem occurs when people are already supporting it as much as they can (by buying the game, playing it, watching tournaments, etc.), but there just aren't enough of them. I think the SC2 players complaining here are in exactly this position - they've done everything else they can towards encouraging Aussie/SEA support from Blizzard, but it still isn't happening, simply due to the lack of numbers. It's got nothing to do with not understanding that they need to support it.

I agree with what I think is Dox's sentiment (namely, that we shouldn't dump on Blizzard because they did do quite a bit despite the small scene), however that still doesn't change the fact that, regardless of the past, the SEA SC2 scene has all but been abandoned by Blizzard.

I will leave the term "abandoned" alone.. cause I could go on all day on how ungreatfull people are to the service they receive from Blizzard.. I come from the COD community..

And I still see no reason to turn on a company that has done so much for the community.. If its support they need, then it's support they need! Again turning your back on a scene because you compare it to a totally different scene and are not getting the same result..makes no sense to me.. If people like companies who throw money at people screaming "love me!" go for it.. but personally I'll play a game I enjoy thank you.. made and supported by a team that DOES listen and support its community.. just not in a superficial, materialistic way..

My opinion take it or leave it..

[CarbonTwelve]

Originally Posted by ToR.Arnor

The SEA Scene hasnt Been abandoned, Over the last couple months Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines have all have national championships, next month theres going to a regional finals (top 2 from each event) to wrap it all up.

Apologies for my ignorance of these. Just looked this up and found the info, and looks like a good tournament, although I'd be interested to find out just how much was invested by Blizzard.

Originally Posted by ElectricAngel

I will leave the term "abandoned" alone.. cause I could go on all day on how ungreatfull people are to the service they receive from Blizzard.. I come from the COD community..

Well, I don't think it's about being ungrateful. I mean, some people are, but please understand that I'm not using the term "abandoned" to sensationalise it, it's just that the support that once was there (WCS Australia / Oceania) no longer is.

If its support they need, then it's support they need!

What more kind of "support" can the people here provide? I'd say at this stage nothing is going to lure back enough people to the SC2 scene here to suddenly change whether hosting large events like WCS Australia is a worthwhile venture.

personally I'll play a game I enjoy thank you..

Which is what a lot of people in this thread are also doing. Wishing & hoping it was more isn't a bad thing.

Incidentally, I don't think the comparison to LoL is unfair either. The comparison does need to be made while taking into account the playerbase, but it's still true that Riot is currently investing in Australian tournaments and Blizzard is not. Things don't improve by hiding from the facts.