[TAhackdZ]

Starcraft 2 Scene News - with TAhackdZ

Ladies & Gentlemen, it is with a warm heart, and a fresh pair of Zerglings, that I wish to welcome you to the all new format Scene News article! That's right, we're shaking things up a bit and bringing you an entire months worth of Starcraft 2 goodness in one big a$* article. All of the latest months changes, developments, drama's and heroes will be illuminated in the following, so please my friends, read on and be enlightened...

Don't forget to keep you eyes out on the 25th of each and every month for another juicy helping of Starcraft 2 News...

HIGHLIGHTS (MARCH, 2012)

+ Show +

March 2nd, 2012 - SjoW leaves Team dignitas (UK)

On March 2nd, UK powerhouse dignitas released their FIRST EVER Sc2 player, Jeffrey 'SjoW' Brusi. Unfortunately it appears his contract has expired and the pair were unable to come to a new agreement.

SjoW first joined dignitas in August 2010 and has performed admirably for the team since then, earning some spectacular finishes at (but not limited too) IEM Season V - European Championships taking down the ever popular White-Ra 3 - 1, and the IeSF 2011 World Championships, smashing Grubby 3 - 0.

It remains to be seen exactly which team will pick up SjoW, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks it's only a matter of time.

dignitas' MepH noted on the Team website;

Today one of our Starcraft 2 players, the Swede Jeffrey 'SjoW' Brusi, departs from Team Dignitas. His contract expired and we could not come to an agreement to offer him a new contract.

SjoW was the first addition to our Starcraft 2 squad as he joined us in August 2010. We wish him good luck where ever he might go.

Sourcehttp://www.team-dignitas.net/article...Team-Dignitas/


March 2nd, 2012 - Razer sponsors Team MvP. (KR)

On the 2nd of March, Team Razer announced the newest addition to the ever expanding list of partner organisations, Korean Team MvP. This makes 2 (if memory serves) Korean teams that are now a part of Team Razer, SlayerS & MvP. Talk about a one - two punch.

Razer's goal is to provide a stronger pro-gaming scene in Korea, and additional financial support for Korean players wishing to participate in international tournaments. GSTL Las Vegas anyone?

Team MvP were originally recognised as a professional team by the Korean Starcraft 2 Association on December 15th 2010, and since then the Team has earned numerous awards, the most notable of which are probably 1st place at the first ever season of the GSTL, and when Team member, and player, Genius walked away with the 2010 Blizzcon invitational.

Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, President of Razer USA remarked;

“It’s an honor to work alongside arguably one of the best StarCraft II organizations in the world, Korea is in many ways the heart of e-Sports for StarCraft II and supporting such a distinguished team allows both of us to grow, develop and reinforce our support for this community on many levels”.

Yun-sang Choi, Head-Coach and Owner of MvP noted;

"We are pleased to be supported by the number one gaming gear company, Razer, The MVP players and I appreciate Razer’s passion for e-Sports as a whole and we will try to show good and interesting games for StarCraft 2 fans in the world. We look forward to a strong and positive future between Razer and MVP from this point forward.”

Source:http://www.razerzone.com/press/detai...m-mvp-fighting


March 6th, 2012 - LiquidRising Documentary delayed (USA)...

The up and coming eSports documentary, LiquidRising produced by one of the worlds best teams, Team Liquid has been delayed. On March 6th, Hot_Bid announced that several circumstances had prevented the film from being completed by it's originally announced release in late February.

However, Team Liquid plans to include additional footage from NASL2, and IPL4. As well as footage of Liquid'Zenio on his trip to the oGs House in Korea.

If you havn't heard about the doco yet you can check out the teaser here; http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=284814

Source:http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=318075


March 7th, 2012 - The "Dragon" joins Millenium! (FR)

French Team Millenium announced their newest member of March 7th. The popular streamer Jeon "Dragon" Yong Soo.

Dragon will be the first Korean member of French Team Millenium and join Team mates like; Ilyes "Stephano" Satouri, and Faton "LaLuSh" Rekathati at The Lone Star Clash event in Texas, and at the IPL4 Open Bracket Qualifiers.

Most notably Dragon seems very pleased with the move and actually comments of the skill difference between 'Korean' and 'Foreign' players stating;

Despite what a lot of people believe, I don't think there is a lot of level difference between Koreans and foreigners, so I feel like I have a lot to learn.

Read the full interview here; http://www.millenium.org/starcraft-2...2-62439?page=4

Dragon is best known for being a former member of the Korean team SlayerS. Along side some unscrupulous business regarding smurfing during some KotH events.

Dragon comes as the latest in a long line of Korean players that are signing up with 'Foreign' teams. Perhaps this new trend will see a rise in popularity of eSports in the West? I certainly hope so! The more the merrier.

Source:http://www.millenium.org/starcraft-2...2-62439?page=4


March 9th, 2012 - EG releases caster Orb (USA)

This one caused a stir to say the least. On March 9th EG publicly acknowledged that they would be releasing their in-house caster Orb from his duties.

This was due in part to some 'racist' comments made by Orb on an older broadcast. EG's CEO, Alexander Garfield gave a thoughtful and sincere community apology via TL.net, in which he made clear his thoughts regarding contemporary racism and discrimination, and how they had no place within the greater Starcraft community. NOTE He also clearly stated his had no ill feelings towards Orb and no intention of labelling him a racist.

While this incident is not in anyway positive, it has produced a heartfelt community response, Mr Garfield said it better than I could so I'll shut up and pass it over to him;

I think we all already knew, prior to this incident, that the StarCraft community was one of the more mature gaming communities out there, but it's still refreshing and encouraging to see that maturity reinforced by how (most of) you guys have reacted over the past few days. I urge you to continue to stand up for what you think is right, and help make this community a safe, comfortable space for everyone.

Source:http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=319018

Please note; This is a sensitive issue for many people, think before you comment!


March 12th, 2012 - Axslav join Infinity Seven (USA)

North American player, Nick “Axslav” Ranish was announced as the newest member of North American Team Infinity Seven on March 12th.

Infinity Seven (or iS) are a relativly new name in the NA eSports Scene. Formed in February 2011, iS has performed admirably earning several team achievements including first place in the American ProLeague Season 1 (Alpha League) beating Team nrG 4 - 3.

Axslav will be joining team mates; Mentalist, CrazymoviNG and jEcho in the iS A-Team.

Owner Jingna “zemotion” Zhang commented;

“I first met Nick last year at IEM New York. When Infinity Seven heard about ReIGN disbanding, I got together with my managers and we decided to take action in recruiting him. We saw a player not only capable of producing results, but also someone who would help build and strengthen the team as a whole. With this new addition to our roster, I am very excited to see how the future of Infinity Seven will unfold. I’d also like to give special thanks our sponsor SteelSeries for their support in making this addition to our roster possible.”

Source:http://www.infinityseven.net/home/m/...article/623870


March 13th, 2012 - Korean Pro Gamer 'Check' Retires (KR)

Former member of Prime & eSahara, Lee "Check" Hyung Joo announced his retirement from pro-gaming with these simple words on March 13th;

retire from progamer
thx for the support and cheer
i will never forget it

Check leaves behind a prestigious history in eSports, being one of the premier players of Warcraft 3. He won 2 OnGameNet televised Warcraft 3 leagues in 2003 and 2004, as well as a number of team and clan matches.

After switching over to SC2 Check participated in both Code A, and Code S, managing to take a game off of Jinro in January 2011, and beat RainBOw in the March 2011 GSL.

All the best Check, in whatever you do!

Sourcehttp://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=320241


March 13th, 2012 - Ganzi & Taeja both leave Team SlayerS (KR)

Korean Team SlayerS is the most recent Korean team to see players leave for 'Foreign' opportunities. On March 13th, SlayerS_Jessica announced the sad news, stating that both the boys had represented SlayerS well during their time with the Team.

Therefore while it is very hard on the team to let them go, SlayerS respects both players' decisions and hope to see them do well in the future with foreign teams. I would like to express my gratitude to both players for all their hard work with SlayerS"

Kim "GanZi" Dong Ju first joined SlayerS after leaving his former home in IM. Best known for his history in SC:BW as 'GanZi'. He first participated in Code A, defeating players like HayprO, FruitDealer, Check & his team mate TaeJa.

After qualifying for Code S he made it past the group stages 2 - 0 (in a group with July, HongUn, and LosirA no less) but was eventually defeated by the reigning champion Mvp.

Yoon "TaeJa" Young Suh, originally of Team ZeNEX. TaeJa has only qualified for the GSL twice, where he was knocked out by FruitDealer in the Ro32. He later resurfaced however as a member of Team SlayerS taking a noteable all-kill in GSTL May 2011 against his former team ZeNEX.

Source:http://www.thisisgame.com/board/view...438&id=1123332
Trans:http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/view...opic_id=320301


March 15th, 2012 - Razer launches the "Razer Academy" A whole new platform for Competitive Gaming. (USA)

On March 15th Razer announced their new "Razer Academy", a learning platform aimed at anyone from the lowliest noob, to the almighty Pro's. Driven by some of the industries leading personalities.

The Razer Academy, an online platform still currently in its beta phase, is designed to provide an interactive, in-depth and enjoyable learning experience for e-Sports fans, will provide gaming shows, guides, game analysis, commentary, articles, interviews and documentaries, brought to you by some of the most famed individuals in e-Sports history.

Ranging from match analysis and commentary in StarCraft II and League of Legends to live e-Sports ][/B]gaming shows and guides to hone and develop your game, the Razer Academy will be situated on a brand new online portal where you can pick and choose those games and e-Sports stars you wish to follow.

The Academy will be headed by some of the best including;

Abdulatif “Latif” Alhmili – Streetfighter champion
Bachir “Athene” Boumaaza – world famous gamer and YouTuber
Toby “TobiWanKenobi” Dawson – professional Defense of the Ancients commentator
Ben “MrBitter” Nichol – professional StarCraft II commentator
Martin “AngeL” Olsen – professional Defense of the Ancients player
Protato Monster – League of Legends YouTube channel
John “Swifty” Pyle – World of Warcraft legend
Rachel “Seltzer” Quirico – e-Sports journalist and gamer
Stuart “TosspoT” Saw – professional commentator
Kendall “arCtiC" Smith – professional console gamer
Leigh “Deman” Smith – professional commentator
Kevin “RotterdaM” van der Kooi – professional StarCraft II commentator
Alexei “Cypher” Yanushevsky – Quake professional

Source:http://www.razerzone.com/academy/[/URL]


March 19th, 2012 - Fnatic Opens Korean Team House (KR)

On March 19th, Team Fnatic announced their brand new Korean Team training House. Including a whole crap load of pictures. (***see source thread)

The 75m2 apartment, located in Seoul will be the new HQ for the Korean Fnatic SC2 and LoL teams, giving them the opportunity to practice and learn in that famous Korean style.

In attendance will be ToD, aLive, Moon, Rain and NightenD!

And yes, they are planning on entering the GSTL! So keep an eye out for them in upcoming seasons.

Source:http://fnatic.com/news/9639/fnatic-o...use-korea.html

As usual guys you can check out all the latest Tournament Results here;

+ Show +

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft...nament_Results

That's it for this time round guys, keep and eye out next month on the 25th for more news about that game we all love, Starcraft 2.

See you then, and as always GLHF!
TAhackdZ

Quick Comments

	deL:
	xGKingdelete:
	TCPLemminks:	well worth you not being able to come to ACL Brissy
	nirvAnA:
	TAriiChard:
	FaDeKerrigan:
	NDG.Stitch:	This is amazing.

[SmirkToT]

i wish it's the SEA esport scene- -

Quick Comments

TAhackdZ:

Haha, that's what the whole rest of the site is for silly!