[HDPhoenix]

TOURNAMENT BRACKETS ARE UP! :
http://challonge.com/espcupmay
All the best to everyone and may the map pool be ever in your favor

Prequel :

+ Show +

At the start of SC2, I organized 4 really fun and enjoyable LAN tournaments in Singapore. Players got to know each other, there were mini-games in the down time and most importantly, it made me realize how much I loved eSports and running events.

It had to come to an end thou, as I was the primary funder of the tournaments and it wasn't cheap. In the months that followed, I continued to run my day-business but was looking to see how I could do this full time, to do it to a scale that could be sustainable.

I have found a way. This tournament is the first step to a great many things to come. It will be run differently, but then again, doing things differently is how progress gets made.

Welcome to the first Electronic Sports Program Cup, League A!

While the competitive tournament will be run by international rule sets, there are a few things that are different with the ESP Cup.

+ Show +

The first and most important difference is there is no cash prize pool. Instead, the top 3 players will be awarded medals, as well as having their names engraved onto the ESP Cup, a large golden trophy (pictures to come). If possible, I will buy a page from Digital Life and run an interview with the top players and their journey to no.1.

The reason is simple. Winning $500 is great, but you won't remember it. Neither will the public. I wanted a more lasting prize for the winners, as well as the POSITIVE MEDIA ATTENTION on eSports in Singapore finally.

The second difference is that with every $10 tournament entry fee comes a lucky draw ticket! The lucky draw pool for May will be $300 of products, with the winner of the tournaments drawing the winning tickets. Additional lucky draw tickets can be purchased at $5.

The reason for this is to be more inclusive; taking away focus from just winning. The common gamer should want to play to have fun, and have victories, even if its small. That's why the mini-games section will continue and the lucky draw adds on to that.

The last and biggest difference is that Mothership Studios will be launching the Electronic Sport Program, Singapore's first eSports school and our ESP Cup tournaments are a great way to meet the teachers, learn more about the program and find out how to attend our free class. It would be seminar room styled, structured classes, once a week with clear concept learning, mechanic polishing and overall strategic thinking training.

The reason is very far-seeing, for I aim to send players overseas, to compete in the IPL, MLG, Dreamhack and maybe even one day, the GSL. To do that, players need to train with like-minded people, learn things faster and better in classes and have opportunities to test their new capabilities through regular tournaments. Thus, the school.

Not everyone will be a MarineKingPrime or Stephano, but that's not the point. The school is for all gamers. There is a joy in being good at what you do, and a bigger joy at watching yourself improve over time. And one day, through a structured school, perhaps we will produce a MKP (?)

Tournament Ruleset

Date: May 12th
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Mysterybox LAN Gaming, Golden Wall Centre
Max Players: 32 (down from 36)
Registration Fee: $10 (onsite)
Tournament format: Best of 3, Double Elimination. Finals are Best of 5 (changed from group stage)

Tournament Maps
Terminus SE
Shakuras Plateau
Calm Before the Storm
Shattered Temple
Antiga Shipyard (Cross Only)
Daybreak
Tal’Darim Altar

First map to be played, both players get to veto one map, loser picks next map
Rof32: Daybreak
Rof16: Terminus SE
Rof8: Calm Before the STrom
Semis: Tal'Darim Altar
Finals: Daybreak

FAQ

:
Have a question about the ESL Cup? Post below and I'll compile it here.

+ Show +

What is the timings for group stage? How do I advance to the tournament bracket?
There will be 3hrs given for group stage. With a group of 6 players, that is a possible 15 matches, thus all best of 1. Win = 3pts, Lost = 1pts. Top 2 per group advances. In the event of a tie, the victor of their individual match against each other will decide. Otherwise, its the organizer's choice

When are the mini-games being played?
After the 3 hours of group stage. While the tournament brackets are going on, there will be 3 hours of mini games before the award ceremony and lucky draw.

Will I be able to use my computer for all 6 hours of the tournament?
Yes. 3 hours for group stage, 3 hours for tournament bracket or for own usage if you did not qualify. However, there will be separate computers used for the mini-games, utilizing sponsors equipment.

When is the deadline for registration? -by Bubblepoosh
Deadline is on 10th May, midnight. Brackets will be out late 11th May

How often are these cups? - by Muthu
For League A, it will be monthly

Registration List

+ Show +

Seeded: Seeded players will not meet each other till Upper Bracket Semis
1. FlashRevz.721 (due to being a badass)


Registration:
1. TCPfrogmite.365
2. eehanProAnnn.969
3. phoney.812
4. EveSnow.352
5. EveJaFF.415
6. FlashKyzer.757
7. EveYekke.360
8. GGFiery.206
9. iVnclare.778
10. zFxJYoong. 926
11. EveVendetta.285
12. FlashDrake,254
13. FlashNeo.531
14. FlashBlysk.149
15. FaDeVenosauR.819
16.
17. onsBigBoi. 775
18. GnsxEverlast. 995
19. CruxKiisS.624
20. sudragon.701
21. Washington.534
22. Lobo.721
23. GGMera.672
24. EveParachute.918
25. aLtMrFool.792
26. Sweet.477
27. eehanPolaris.939
28. eehanWrath.497
29. eehanRiver 249
30. eehanDgNa.265
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.

Thanks and Acknowledgements!!

+ Show +

Thank you to Mysterybox LAN Gaming for once again hosting us. Your support for eSports has never waived

Thank you to Mary-Anne from Robotsgonebad.com for writing a great article about us. Check her out at http://robotsgonebad.com/2012/04/mot...sports-school/

Thanks to all the men and ladies who I have discussed MSS and ESP with in the background, leading to this. You know who you are. Without you, this would not be possible!

And most importantly, thanks to all the fans and support. Without you all, there is no eSports. See you all soon!

Quick Comments

	NDG.Stitch:	PHOEEENIXXXX Sensei back in action!!!!!
	korendir:	Nice!
	Bash:	No cash at all for 1st is weird, but this still looks really cool.
	JaFF:
	FlashVeno:	LANs are awesome

[NDG.Stitch]

Cannot explain how much I've missed your existence.

[Frogmite]

TCPfrogmite.365

Good job buddy. Love to see SC2 competitions without cash prize pool

[ProAnnn]

eehanProAnnn.969

Abit sad that we have to pay registration fee for a tournament with no cash prize pool . But i shall consider it as paying for the experience

And i dont like the lucky draw part for cash prizes. Cause it just doesn't reward skill..

Quick Comments

	NDG.Stitch:	But you get a trophy.... :) everyone loves shiny things!
	iRLpuku:	at least your name and picture will be on digital life! that's more awesome then a cash prize

[EveRekanise]

EveRekanise.618

[EveSnow]

EveSnow.352

[JaFF]

EveJaFF.415

[x5.Revenant]

FlashRevz.721

[wTlzq]

TT 4 days before my finals exam paper

[kyzers0ze]

FlashKyzer.757

[Fierypower]

I am out of shape but gotta support!

GGFiery.206

[EveYekke]

EveYekke.360

[DM.MCZ.Polaris]

When is the deadline for registration~?

[Sc2Clare]

i'll join to try my luck ^^ iVnclare.778

[jaeyoong92]

zFxJYoong. 926

[EveVendetta]

EveVendetta.285 thanks!

[FlashDrakE]

FlashDrake (can't rmb char code, i'll update this when i book out)

[EveParachute]

Nice sg lan . How often would these cups be held?

[HDPhoenix]

Registration list updated. 27 slots left. Thanks for all the support!

5 FAQ questions added.

Thanks and acknowledge section added

[DM.MCZ.Shondy]

May i know what are the criterial for a person to be seeded?

[HDPhoenix]

Originally Posted by eehanDgNa

May i know what are the criterial for a person to be seeded?

For the first League A tournament, it will be mainly based on past tournament experience. For future tournament, seeds will be based on top 4 placement.

Revenant gets a seeded spot based on his past year performance (i.e. being a total monster-crushing zerg badass)

Quick Comments

DM.MCZ.Shondy:

[sudragon]

sudragon.701

[FaDe'Shampoo]

Washington.534
should be cool meeting everyone =)

[mGMUSE]

FlashMUSE.859 . Joseph can I suggest double elim all the way..? I feel that it's the best format for both players and organizers unless it's a huge international tourny where players are all rather evenly matched(and even so double elim after group stage is not uncommon!)

also drastically reduces team killing..

[HDPhoenix]

Originally Posted by mGMUSE

FlashMUSE.859 . Joseph can I suggest double elim all the way..? I feel that it's the best format for both players and organizers unless it's a huge international tourny where players are all rather evenly matched(and even so double elim after group stage is not uncommon!)

also drastically reduces team killing..

I hear what you're saying Muse, but with the timeframe of 6 hours, that's already too long for my liking, especially when you work in lunch into that. Double elims take so much time, so for this first tournament, it'll be singles... Sorry. If we end up with loads of extra time (a possibility), I will change it to doubles as I feel its a better showcase of skill as well.

[mGMUSE]

Originally Posted by HDPhoenix

I hear what you're saying Muse, but with the timeframe of 6 hours, that's already too long for my liking, especially when you work in lunch into that. Double elims take so much time, so for this first tournament, it'll be singles... Sorry. If we end up with loads of extra time (a possibility), I will change it to doubles as I feel its a better showcase of skill as well.

I absolutely understand about the time issue, but wouldnt group stage + single elim take the same amount of time as double elim all the way?

[Neoneoz]

neoneo.802 !

[crAzerk]

Originally Posted by Neoneoz

neoneo.802 !

Not FlashNeo?



And @Phoenix How will the maps in the Bo1s during group stage be decided upon?

Quick Comments

	HDPhoenix:	gotta catch them all!
	DM.MCZ.Shondy:	Flash's Ace

[HDPhoenix]

Originally Posted by crAzerk

Not FlashNeo?



And @Phoenix How will the maps in the Bo1s during group stage be decided upon?

Ah, did I leave that out? My bad. All Bo1 group stage matches will be played out on Shattered Temple. I would have preferred a larger map, but due to time constricts, S.Temple will do nicely.

Good catch as always, crAzerk ^^

[ProAnnn]

Originally Posted by HDPhoenix

Ah, did I leave that out? My bad. All Bo1 group stage matches will be played out on Shattered Temple. I would have preferred a larger map, but due to time constricts, S.Temple will do nicely.

Good catch as always, crAzerk ^^

Shattered Temple is such a bad map . Change it please. Futhermore, it is out of the ladder pool so we wont practice it much.

A much better map would be Daybreak/Antiga/Cloud Kingdom.

Quick Comments

	DM.MCZ.Shondy:
	HDPhoenix:	A reasonable question and accepted, I'll change the Rof1 maps to Daybreak

[neKo]

Im not competing in this but I can tell you that shattered temple is a terrible map don't use it.

[Sc2Clare]

i would vote for either gsl antiga, or gsl daybreak~

[DM.MCZ.Shondy]

me vote for ohana ! :P

[ProAnnn]

Another suggestion i have is you can also seed the 5th to 10th player so they wont hit each other on the groups stage, you can seed according to ladder or something.

[Neoneoz]

stepps of war to save time !

[DM.MCZ.Shondy]

Originally Posted by Neoneoz

stepps of war to save time !

[EveRekanise]

shattered temple bad map

[EveVendetta]

Agree with ProAnn and Clare. Think Daybreak would be a fair map for 1st round

[Blysk]

OOooo I love LANs! and hdphoenix for hosting it. I'm IN!
FlashBlysk.149

[HDPhoenix]

Thanks everyone (especially ProAnn) for the feedback! Shattered Temple has been removed as a starting map. Shattered Temple remains in the map pool thou, as its the IPL 4 maps (minus the fan made maps) so its good to keep current with what the major tournaments are going for.

Originally Posted by MGMuse

I absolutely understand about the time issue, but wouldnt group stage + single elim take the same amount of time as double elim all the way?

Coming back to Muse's query about double elims all the way, after much thought and talking to various people, I do agree and the format will be changed to double elims, Bo3. When the tournaments get more fiercely competed and smaller in player numbers, we can go back to a group stage format to ensure more games per player. I'll edit the original posting. =)

[ProAnnn]

I still encourage seedings though, wouldnt want rev and muse hit each other in the 1st round or something. But double elimination is awesome ~

[Sc2Clare]

seedings is always a must IMO. Team kills r always sad

[HDPhoenix]

The seedings for the top 4 remain, only group stage was removed

[FlashVeno]

FaDeVenosauR.819
:P

[FaDeGofire]

FaDeGofire.202

[onsBigBoi]

onsBigBoi. 775

[yongming]

if only i have a video cam, i would love to cover this event -.-

[xeverlasting]

GnsxEverlast. 995

[HDPhoenix]

Originally Posted by yongming

if only i have a video cam, i would love to cover this event -.-

That can arranged! I'll even do the post-production, interviewing and scripting with you if you're up for it

Quick Comments

Neoneoz:

[MooZfY]

CruxKiisS.624 Calm Before the storm so good for protoss T_T

[ProAnnn]

Calm before the storm is a shitty map. It is so protoss favoured that if a protoss loses, he should quit protoss.

[HDPhoenix]

Yes, looking forward to meeting everyone too!

List is updated, 13 slots left ^_^

[Lobo]

Lobo.721
.

[FlashDrakE]

My code's 254

[DM.MCZ.Shondy]

Those not yet/too late to register can take over if there are 'no show' slot on that day?

[HDPhoenix]

Originally Posted by eehanDgNa

Those not yet/too late to register can take over if there are 'no show' slot on that day?

That's rare but if there is a slot open and they are early, they could take the spot. If they are genuinely interested, they should sign up early thou. Its not a drop-in event

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TOURNAMNET DATE is shifted back TWO WEEKS, due to an important tournament running concurrently. Thanks for your understanding ^_^. See you in 2 weeks!

p.s. list is updated again

[FlashDrakE]

Originally Posted by HDPhoenix

That's rare but if there is a slot open and they are early, they could take the spot. If they are genuinely interested, they should sign up early thou. Its not a drop-in event

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TOURNAMNET DATE is shifted back TWO WEEKS, due to an important tournament running concurrently. Thanks for your understanding ^_^. See you in 2 weeks!

p.s. list is updated again

my name appears twice haha. one next to the ? and one at the bottom

[HDPhoenix]

Originally Posted by netherDrake

my name appears twice haha. one next to the ? and one at the bottom

fixed! ^____^

[x5.Revenant]

GGMera.672

[EveParachute]

EveParachute.918

[Sc2Clare]

shifted back 2 weeks means its at... 26 may?

[EveGaming]

Time's ticking and we're almost at Saturday! We can't wait to meet some of you SG Gamers there!

[ProAnnn]

Originally Posted by EveGaming

Time's ticking and we're almost at Saturday! We can't wait to meet some of you SG Gamers there!

Looks like you didnt read the OP that it's postponed?

[EveGaming]

Originally Posted by eehanProAnnn

Looks like you didnt read the OP that it's postponed?

Why thanks for catching that for us! You are sooo kind.

[EveParachute]

ProAnn so mannered and friendly as always

Quick Comments

	EveGaming:	yup
	DM.MCZ.Shondy:	I See what you did there :p
	DM.MCZ.Polaris:	LOLOLOL

[aLtMrFool]

Can I still register? XD

Time in NS destroyed my drive for this game and I'm still looking for something/someone to re-ignite it in me :| 7 months left and I'm happy I suddenly got the urge to play this game again after a few months ( I can't remember.. Maybe 2-3 months? ) Of hiatus and relaxing - dabbling in many other games..

[EveParachute]

Come back to sc2 mrfool!!!

[EveGaming]

Yea come back! We are missing all the awesome Singapore players from before

[aLtMrFool]

aLtMrFool.792 - registering (assuming that registration is still open)

Hopefully I still retain some of the skill I had a few months back.. It got really frustrating not being able to practise on a regular basis because of NS and I turned to a more casual game - LoL - and tapping on old dota skills, I got into top 1000 SEA elo rank within 2 months of playing but it didn't give me the same satisfaction as when I play a starcraft 2 match! Much much more rewarding.. I was planning to come back in 4 mnths from now when I can finally stay-out and play starcraft 2 regularly but starcraft 2 just keeps calling me back regardless

Maybe joining Mothership studios e-sports school for starcraft 2 would help? Considering how 90% of the time I spend in camp stay-ing in is full of people who play LoL.. Part of the influence of me playing with them xD Need some positive influence! On that note - when is lessons starting? :P

Quick Comments

EveYekke:

I expect a dota blog soon.

[Sweet]

Sweet.477

Hoping not a burn weekend for NS again.

[TNAnubis]

is the school thing still on tmr???if it is what time is it starting?

[DM.MCZ.Polaris]

eehanPolaris.939

[DM.MCZ.Wrath]

hi can i register?

eehanWrath.497

[cvsbinu]

eehanRiver 249

[DM.MCZ.Shondy]

eehanDgNa.265 ~~~

[EveSnow]

EveSnow.352

[ProAnnn]

Can u update the seeded players? And map pool if possible cause I dont think there are any tournament using calm before the storm.

I think the TSL Map pool is good
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=339212

Metropolis
Daybreak
Antiga
Entombed
Ohana
Cloud Kingdom
Korhal Compound

Maybe 1 veto per person?

[mGMUSE]

real sorry but i have to back out. pls remove me from the reg list.

also i'm sure someone else deserves that seed spot more!

[EveRekanise]

hi sorry i need to withdraw too

[EveYekke]

yeah please change the map pool, those maps arent really used anymore. calm before the storm and terminus havent been used for the longest time.

[HDPhoenix]

Hi everyone! Just updated all the registrations. There are 5 slots left. Otherwise, I will compile all the names on Friday afternoon and set up the tournament brackets for Saturday.

I love the suggestions for the map changes, but I will not change the map pool just a few days before the tournament. Perhaps for the next ESP Cup. The current map pool, while outdated, was just played at the recent IPL4.

As for the school, more details on the tournament date itself but it will be dedicated to drills, concept understanding and scenario practices, the main items for improving overall play, rather than mass game randomness and other forms of training.

Quick Comments

x5.Revenant:

[ProAnnn]

Originally Posted by HDPhoenix

Hi everyone! Just updated all the registrations. There are 5 slots left. Otherwise, I will compile all the names on Friday afternoon and set up the tournament brackets for Saturday.

I love the suggestions for the map changes, but I will not change the map pool just a few days before the tournament. Perhaps for the next ESP Cup. The current map pool, while outdated, was just played at the recent IPL4.

As for the school, more details on the tournament date itself but it will be dedicated to drills, concept understanding and scenario practices, the main items for improving overall play, rather than mass game randomness and other forms of training.

That is not entirely correct, that map pool was played in the IPL qualifers, not the IPL 4 itself.

IPL 4 Map pool are
IPLMap Antiga Shipyard
• IPLMap Sanshorn Mist AE
• IPLMap Daybreak
• IPLMap Cloud Kingdom
• IPLMap Metropolis
• IPLMap Tal'Darim Altar
• IPLMap Atlantis Spaceship

No Calm before the storm and Terminus.

If it is too late to change the map pool, i suggest vetos for players so that we wont be forced to play on unfamiliar maps that we have not played in 6 months

[jaeyoong92]

Sorry most likely can't make it to the tourney. I'm back to Pro league of legends.. see ya soon !

Quick Comments

MooZfY:

LoL wcg champion ! :D

[FlashVeno]

fadegofire wont be coming for this lan.

[Fierypower]

Heya Phoenix,

I think Evesnow appears twice at 4 and 31.

[aLtMrFool]

How to get to the lan shop? D:

[EveParachute]

http://gothere.sg/maps#q:Golden%20Wall%20Centre there you go!

[phoney]

phoney.812 if there is still a chance to participate!

[HDPhoenix]

Phoney, yupz, added you in

Brackets are up. See you all in a few hours

[ProAnnn]

Originally Posted by HDPhoenix

Phoney, yupz, added you in

Brackets are up. See you all in a few hours

How are the seedings done? Are they randomized? I dont understand why Blysk is 1st seed while Revenant is 2nd seed..

[x5.Revenant]

Originally Posted by eehanProAnnn

How are the seedings done? Are they randomized? I dont understand why Blysk is 1st seed while Revenant is 2nd seed..

Most likely randomized, see the numbers on everyone~

[ProAnnn]

Originally Posted by Revenant

Most likely randomized, see the numbers on everyone~

so lucky flash gets top 2 seed? lol

[x5.Revenant]

Originally Posted by eehanProAnnn

so lucky flash gets top 2 seed? lol

I'd guess so, cos the top4 numbers dont look like top4 seeds, yeah?

[EveSnow]

Sry I have to pull out last minute due family outing.

[DM.MCZ.Shondy]

Epic upper bracket LOL

[Sweet]

hey phoenix. really sorry cant go later. last min have to go to SAF open house for duty due to people getting MC. Duty before gaming. =(