Rannasha Profile Blog Joined August 2010 Netherlands 2398 Posts Last Edited: 2011-11-01 13:28:38 #1 Update: Code S group stage matches are Bo1, all Code A matches Bo3. Source (Twitter Mr. Chae): http://twitter.com/#!/wownstarcraft



GomTV has changed up their GSL format (again). Since they love making things confusing (and they've outdone their previous performance), I figured I could help shed a light on the new format.



First the image from the GomTV website:





But what does it mean?!

First, Code S is now always played before Code A, rather than the other way around. The first round of Code S is the group stage as usual. What changes is what happens to the losers. The #4 of each group joins the 40 Code A players in the first round of Code A (Ro48). The 24 losers are out of the GSL, they'll have to requalify.



The 24 winners of the Ro48 mix up with the #3 players of each group in the Code A Ro32. The losers go to the up&down matches (more on that later). The winners move on. Next is the Code S Ro16, which will also use a group format like the Ro32. The 8 losers (#3 and #4 in each group) drop down to Code A and play the Code A Ro24 (together with the 16 remaining players from the Ro32). The losers go to the up&down matches. The 12 winners go straight to Code S.



Meanwhile, in Code S, the Ro8 and onwards are played with no changes to the setup, all players in the Ro8 stay in Code S.



The up&down matches consist of 28 players that lost in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of Code A and 2 "seeded international players". That's 30 people that will play in 5 groups with the top 2 advancing. That's 10 players going into Code S, together with the 12 Code A "winners", the top 8 from the previous Code S and 2 seeded players (MLG, I guess).



20 losers from the up&down go to Code A together with 20 players that either qualified or are seeded directly (MLG).



Summary of the changes and consequences

- Players can go from Code S to Code B in one season (place 4th in group and lose Code A Ro48).

- Much larger potential turnover in Code S: Only the top 8 are garantueed to stay.

- Code A is no longer a separate tournament, but it more resembles a loser bracket from a double-elimination tournament. There are no finals as the top 12 advance directly into Code S.

- More group-stages in Code S, with the Ro16 now also using this format.



Poll: What do you think of the new GSL format?



I like it. (1475)

75%



I don't understand it well enough to give an opinion. (212)

11%



I don't like it. (141)

7%



I'm neutral. (131)

7%



1959 total votes (1475)75%(212)11%(141)7%(131)7%1959 total votes Your vote: What do you think of the new GSL format? (Vote): I like it.

(Vote): I'm neutral.

(Vote): I don't like it.

(Vote): I don't understand it well enough to give an opinion.





A different graphic by jamessooy that shows the progress of players through code S and code A more clearly:





Even more simplified explanation thanks to Choboo (Warning: sarcasm alert!)

+ Show Spoiler +



GomTV has changed up their GSL format (again). Since they love making things confusing (and they've outdone their previous performance), I figured I could help shed a light on the new format.First the image from the GomTV website:First, Code S is now always played before Code A, rather than the other way around. The first round of Code S is the group stage as usual. What changes is what happens to the losers. The #4 of each group joins the 40 Code A players in the first round of Code A (Ro48). The 24 losers are out of the GSL, they'll have to requalify.The 24 winners of the Ro48 mix up with the #3 players of each group in the Code A Ro32. The losers go to the up&down matches (more on that later). The winners move on. Next is the Code S Ro16, which will also use a group format like the Ro32. The 8 losers (#3 and #4 in each group) drop down to Code A and play the Code A Ro24 (together with the 16 remaining players from the Ro32). The losers go to the up&down matches. The 12 winnersMeanwhile, in Code S, the Ro8 and onwards are played with no changes to the setup, all players in the Ro8 stay in Code S.The up&down matches consist of 28 players that lost in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of Code A and 2 "seeded international players". That's 30 people that will play in 5 groups with the top 2 advancing. That's 10 players going into Code S, together with the 12 Code A "winners", the top 8 from the previous Code S and 2 seeded players (MLG, I guess).20 losers from the up&down go to Code A together with 20 players that either qualified or are seeded directly (MLG).- Players can go from Code S to Code B in one season (place 4th in group and lose Code A Ro48).- Much larger potential turnover in Code S: Only the top 8 are garantueed to stay.- Code A is no longer a separate tournament, but it more resembles a loser bracket from a double-elimination tournament. There are no finals as the top 12 advance directly into Code S.- More group-stages in Code S, with the Ro16 now also using this format.A different graphic by jamessooy that shows the progress of players through code S and code A more clearly:Even more simplified explanation thanks to Choboo (Warning: sarcasm alert!) Such flammable little insects!

Lunares Profile Joined May 2010 United States 907 Posts #2 Nice explanation. So all of the group stages are the 1v2, 3v4, winner vs winner, loser vs loser, final match to determine #2? All Bo1 is a bit sketchy though....

Yaki Profile Joined April 2011 France 4232 Posts #3 Thanks for the explanation MC ■ MarineKing ■ LosirA ■ To someone who has lost after trying his best, no words from the winner can console him.

Surili Profile Blog Joined March 2011 United Kingdom 1136 Posts #4



I think i like it. Think. I like the way being code S is still a big advantage but not astronomical, and that going to korea for a single month can now be enough to win the whole tournament



(as unlikely as that may be it might provide more encouragement to foreign players) Thanks man, really helpful.I think i like it. Think. I like the way being code S is still a big advantage but not astronomical, and that going to korea for a single month can now be enough to win the whole tournament(as unlikely as that may be it might provide more encouragement to foreign players) The world is ending what should we do about it?

tw!tch Profile Blog Joined October 2010 United States 546 Posts #5 Thanks for this, I laughed and shook my head when I first saw this picture ><

sleepingdog Profile Joined August 2008 Austria 6145 Posts Last Edited: 2011-10-27 09:47:57 #6 I really, really like it - way less safety for code S players, but still guaranteed spots for the elite that goes deep.



Even though it's pretty complicated, I seriously think this will be very good for future. Especially, I don't deny my bias, since it will allow for some of the mediocre terrans to get eliminated quickly if protoss gets back on track again....with the old system the racial imbalance would've been 100% guaranteed for several seasons to come. "You see....YOU SEE..." © 2010 Sen

Rannasha Profile Blog Joined August 2010 Netherlands 2398 Posts #7 On October 27 2011 18:35 Lunares wrote:

Nice explanation. So all of the group stages are the 1v2, 3v4, winner vs winner, loser vs loser, final match to determine #2? All Bo1 is a bit sketchy though....



They said on the group selection stream that it's Bo3 instead of Bo1. So a lot less volatility in those rounds. They said on the group selection stream that it's Bo3 instead of Bo1. So a lot less volatility in those rounds. Such flammable little insects!

AmericanUmlaut Profile Joined November 2010 United States 2383 Posts #8 Thanks for the explanation! They kind of screwed up the diagram in my opinion, though: The arrows leading down from the current season to the next season should just lead to giant question marks. Who knows what GSL will look like in another month?



In all seriousness, I love the idea of this. We'll be much more likely to get to see new faces every season, and players who manage to stay in Code S season after season will earn bona fide legend status: making top 8 in Code S or top 12 in Code A over and over again will not be an easy task. The frumious Bandersnatch

HwangjaeTerran Profile Blog Joined October 2009 Pitcairn 5045 Posts #9 , Anyways I made one too.



The new GSL format explained step by step.



First starts the Code S with 32 players in eight 4player groups.

The 4th place finishers are seeded into the Code A tourmanent with 48 players(= 20 from up and down, 20 from up and downs and the 8 from Code S)



Now Code A plays out it's Ro.48.

The losers of their match are out of the GSL (=24 players)

The winners move on to Ro.32 (= 24players)



Code A Ro.32 consists of the winners of the last round and Code S 3rd place finishers.

Now 16 advance and the losers get placed to the Up and Downs.



Now Code S 1st and 2nd place finishers play out 4 groups of 4 players.

3rd and 4th place finishers (=8players) are placed into the ongoing Code A tournament.

The 1st and 2nd place finishers play Ro.8 and onwards as single elimination tournament. (they are also seeded into next Seasons Code S)



Code A has now the 16 players and the 8th players from Code S.

Of these 24 players 12 get seed into Code S and the other 12 are placed into up and downs.

(I'm unsure how this stage plays out, I'm guessing single elim or round robin)



Now we have 20 players into next Season's code S, so where do the missing 12 come from?

Well, 2 are seeded from elsewhere (MLG's ?), so we are missing 10. To get these guys we need to play out the up and down bracket.



The Up and Down is 30 players, 5 groups of 6.

28 players come from the Code A Ro.32 (=16) and Ro.24(=12) and the last 2 are seeded foreigners.

Of these 5 groups the 1st and 2nd place finishers are seeded into the next seasons Code S

(The missing 10 !)

The rest(=20) get seeds to Code A.



The next seasons Code A therefore consists of 20 seeds, 20 offline qualifiers. Along the way the 24 Code S players are mixed in the rounds.





So each season 24 players can get kicked out of the GSL. Up to 8 Code S players can end up in Code B too (previously they could only drop down to Code A).

Aww.. why are you guys so fast, Anyways I made one too.The new GSL format explained step by step.First starts the Code S with 32 players in eight 4player groups.The 4th place finishers are seeded into the Code A tourmanent with 48 players(= 20 from up and down, 20 from up and downs and the 8 from Code S)Now Code A plays out it's Ro.48.The losers of their match are out of the GSL (=24 players)The winners move on to Ro.32 (= 24players)Code A Ro.32 consists of the winners of the last round and Code S 3rd place finishers.Now 16 advance and the losers get placed to the Up and Downs.Now Code S 1st and 2nd place finishers play out 4 groups of 4 players.3rd and 4th place finishers (=8players) are placed into the ongoing Code A tournament.The 1st and 2nd place finishers play Ro.8 and onwards as single elimination tournament. (they are also seeded into next Seasons Code S)Code A has now the 16 players and the 8th players from Code S.Of these 24 players 12 get seed into Code S and the other 12 are placed into up and downs.(I'm unsure how this stage plays out, I'm guessing single elim or round robin)Now we have 20 players into next Season's code S, so where do the missing 12 come from?Well, 2 are seeded from elsewhere (MLG's ?), so we are missing 10. To get these guys we need to play out the up and down bracket.The Up and Down is 30 players, 5 groups of 6.28 players come from the Code A Ro.32 (=16) and Ro.24(=12) and the last 2 are seeded foreigners.Of these 5 groups the 1st and 2nd place finishers are seeded into the next seasons Code S(The missing 10 !)The rest(=20) get seeds to Code A.The next seasons Code A therefore consists of 20 seeds, 20 offline qualifiers. Along the way the 24 Code S players are mixed in the rounds.So each season 24 players can get kicked out of the GSL.too (previously they could only drop down to Code A). hjt is overweight... because of his massive dong - emulator 2017

sitromit Profile Joined June 2011 7051 Posts #10 So there's no longer really a Code A tournament, there won't be a Code A winner, it's just a qualifier and nothing more... I don't know how I feel about that. It was nice to have Code A finals, we had some good ones...

Shield Profile Blog Joined August 2009 Bulgaria 4822 Posts #11

Thanks. Can we please have a poll about the new format? It's up to you how you're going to make it.Thanks.

PrideNeverDie Profile Joined November 2010 United States 299 Posts #12 i love it ... it lets the elite stay while giving a lot more chances for the unknown stars to make their mark If you want it bad enough you will find a way; If you don't, you will find an excuse

KgKris Profile Joined April 2011 United States 153 Posts #13 Can someone please confirm that the round of 32 is a bo3 format? "The spider comes."

Stiluz Profile Joined October 2010 Norway 688 Posts #14 I like this... the best players can still stay, but we'll get more fresh blood on the scene. Good stuff Gomtv!

Deshkar Profile Joined June 2011 Singapore 1236 Posts #15 Totally love the format, altho a bit difficult to understand.

Lunares Profile Joined May 2010 United States 907 Posts #16 On October 27 2011 19:16 KgKris wrote:

Can someone please confirm that the round of 32 is a bo3 format?



John the translator confirmed it to be so on the Code S selection. We don't know about the Ro48 yet but it also has to be Bo3. John the translator confirmed it to be so on the Code S selection. We don't know about the Ro48 yet but it also has to be Bo3.

Inori Profile Blog Joined March 2010 Estonia 1664 Posts #17 Thank you!



Just thinking about trying to understand what that picture meant got me scared :/

kvn4444 Profile Joined September 2010 1509 Posts #18 i like the format changes. combined tournament rather then two seperate one's. that gsl format diagram is a nightmare though thanks for explaining.

Fubi Profile Joined March 2011 2180 Posts #19 On October 27 2011 18:53 Rannasha wrote:

Show nested quote +

On October 27 2011 18:35 Lunares wrote:

Nice explanation. So all of the group stages are the 1v2, 3v4, winner vs winner, loser vs loser, final match to determine #2? All Bo1 is a bit sketchy though....



They said on the group selection stream that it's Bo3 instead of Bo1. So a lot less volatility in those rounds. They said on the group selection stream that it's Bo3 instead of Bo1. So a lot less volatility in those rounds.

Is that for ALL group stages being Bo3? (both ro32, ro16, and up and down) Is that for ALL group stages being Bo3? (both ro32, ro16, and up and down)

Mauldo Profile Blog Joined January 2011 United States 702 Posts #20 I love this actually. It keeps people from staying in Code S by simply getting lucky/chessing through the Group stages and then losing in the Ro16 every tournament. It also keeps players like MC or Jinro (sorry you two, I love you), when they're in a slump, from taking forever to drop out. Getting them out faster will get someone better in, and that's always good.



Also, it should be reinforced that it's all Bo3 in the Code S rounds. If it's not, then we'll get 16 pages about how Bo1 is not okay. John the translator said so in the group selections, and I'm sure we can trust what he says.



The one thing I really love is that the GSL is dragged out over something like two months now. That makes them more important by essentially cutting the amount of tourneys in half. There's been a clamoring for fewer GSLs to give the tournaments long enough to mature, create stories, and develop. Here you go.

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