[Meatex]

With buzz being that HotS beta invites going out very soon (or started already) I was wondering how that will affect things like tournaments and players abilities.
Casuals who get an invite will likely jump at the chance but to the pros; do you focus on practicing WoL so you stay in best form for ACL or other big events? Or will you just muck around for fun? Is it even a concern for you that HotS beta will affect your play when you jump back into WoL?
I think not many pros will play HotS beta in the international scene at least - the pros that have chances to win LAN or other tournaments that is. Will the absence of top pros in the beta slow preparatory balance testing?

And what happens when the beta opens up? Think we will see pros - especially those struggling in WoL jump over early to try and get the lead on the better players? Do you think we will see HotS beta tournaments along side WoL tournaments and how do you think it will affect audiences of WoL tournaments?

My thinking is we will see the InControls jump over while guys like Taeja will stick to WoL until theres more money in HotS. What about SEA players? Will our best try to get the jump on HotS metagame or keep competing in WoL?

[inFeZa]

I would just only play hots coz that's only that matters for me

[syfChadMann]

I don't think tournaments will pick up HotS until after full release.. as the game won be balanced yet... At least I hope they don't.. D:

Sure people will have Beta tournaments for fun.. but the big MLG, GSL or our very own, ACL. Shouldn't switch to HotS till after full release.. Any tournaments announced in the nesxt 6-12 months will probably have to state which title they are supporting.. there will probably still be WoL tournaments finishing up when HotS is released.. D:

Very excited to see how the game changes with HotS!!!

[Meatex]

Originally Posted by cR.ChadMann

but the big MLG, GSL or our very own, ACL. Shouldn't switch to HotS till after full release..

Of course but will smaller HotS tournaments affect viewership of the bigger ones. Might not have big names but people may be more interested in seeing new stuff that they haven't seen before

Quick Comments

syfChadMann:

people will watch both.. hard core watch the competitive.. casuals watch HotS to check it out

[jayaiwhy]

I'd love to see HDH invitational again : D

[Daboo]

^^ Dont think HD and husky are friends anymore..they kinda had a falling out after the first mlg they casted,if I remember correctly.

But it would be cool,if it did happen..I remember scouring for videos on sc2 and found the TLO vs Nazgul match,and also nony's phonixes...was so awesome.


You guys should check out the videos now..they are so funny, and you can see how far the game has come since then.

Quick Comments

Maynarde:

I spoke to HD about it, they are still friends just moved to different towns and do other things

[TABjornbrandr]

I'd say there'll be a fair number of smaller tournaments that are eager to try out HotS competitively.
However, I'd be surprised if major tournaments move away from WoL until the meta-game settles down and things approach a comfortable stage.
I'm going to go HotS as soon as I can, probably. Most certainly by its release, though.

[dippa]

everyone will play a little bit of both to get familiar (you don't want to be totally behind when HOTS launches) but they will stick to whatever tournaments prefer.

that said, there will be beta HOTS tournaments, that is a guarantee. but the majority of them will be WoL.

chances are most progamers will play a bit of HOTS in the downtime to try and figure out new builds and things with the units so they can hit the ground running, or at least be on both feet, for release.

[ToR.Arnor]

Speaking as someone you runs Tournaments (although they are only local LANs not Major Circuits like ACL)

I plan to run WoL Tournaments until HotS is released then switch right over, HotS beta tournaments are a maybe now but Id like to run a couple if possible

[ZizLah]

you can already download the beta off battle net. you just cant log in, but you can play with the editor

[iVnschmuttt]

I think the best players will stay with WoL, whilst some B tier pros and below will probably switch over to try and gain an edge. Tournaments would be crazy to completely switch to HotS since the game will be full of bugs and balance issues, but I think we will see a few beta tournaments.

I'll probably play both .

[inFeZa]

Big Tournaments won't (or should not) pick up HoTS until its actually released. But still would love to see fun King of the Beta kinda stuff.

I'm very eager to play, i don't think i will go back to practicing WoL once Beta time comes.

[Hwangje]

I think that tournaments will slowly switch over to HoTS completely(major tournaments) maybe 6 or so months after the release of HoTS

[Unstable]

All the teams I've spoken to about it have the same mindset as our team at the moment.

HOTS is a good breather from regular practice, but until all the tournaments switch over, those who are already in events will keep with WoL, In the future there will be a grey area like GSL/MLG etc all say "next season we will move to HOTS" then everyone not in gsl/mlg will be practising HOTS fulltime to get ready for the transition.

The benefit of the team environment, is those pros who are still doing WoL up to the final day, don't haveto experiment with new units, that's what the B teamers have spent months doing so the transition will be very clean.