ReDeYe Profile Blog Joined March 2012 United Kingdom 158 Posts Last Edited: 2013-08-26 08:31:29 #1



I’ll admit, I don’t know anywhere near the level of detail my fellow broadcasters have about Starcraft 2, but what I lack in knowledge, I hopefully make up for (a little) with passion for the game, the players and the community. Honestly, I’ve not felt like this about a game for a long time. I do commentate on a lot of games and host tournaments for all manner of genre and overall, I guess I’m just a gamer/esports nerd who loves it all, but sometimes a game comes along that just grabs you by the balls and wont let go, even if you wanted to, you can’t abandon it. Starcraft 2 is that game.



I’m not a great player of the game (hellbat drops ftw!), nor do I pretend to understand the ultimate complexities that the top players seem to unravel with ease. But there is something magical about watching Starcraft, something I just can’t put my finger on, but ultimately something that fills me with adrenaline and makes the hairs on my neck stand up when I see a great play or get ready to watch two amazing players take each other on.



WCS Season 2 was an incredible experience for me as a host. To be involved, even if only on the fringes of this amazing community, was awesome. I got to watch, first hand, some incredible games this weekend. How can we ever forget MC v Jaedong? Game 1 was insane, but then game 2 went and topped it. And just when I thought it wasn’t possible to beat that, Scarlett and Bomber gave us another classic. The matches were just electric.



We also witnessed the downfall of Innovation to Naniwa and the same Swede picking off his WCS Europe nemesis Duckdeok. Until he met Bomber in the semi finals, Taeja looked unstoppable and let’s not forget Scarlett also took out Maru.



In the end, we got the “Bridesmaid Final” between Bomber and Jaedong. The popular Evil Genius player had the crowd support for sure, but Bomber was simply ruthless, even bringing out the triple bunker play he’d saved for use against Scarlett, that he didn’t need.



I thoroughly enjoyed WCS Season 2 finals and I know a lot of you did too. Sure, the final was a bit of a let down (especially for poor JD), but the experience, the other matches and hopefully the show helped everyone in the crowd and especially those who couldn’t be there, appreciate the game and the players.



From the production side, it wasn’t perfect but without wishing to blow our own trumpet, I think we did a bloody good job as a team of people to deliver a great show. Certainly from the feedback, the majority of you really enjoyed it. We can always improve though and I know it’s not just me that is “never happy” with it, we have many people who want to always improve, no matter what the level.



Part of my love for this game is the community. I don’t think I have ever been accepted in to a gaming community so easily or with such affection and whilst this might sound a bit cheesey, I really do appreciate it.



I want to thank all of you for tuning in over the entire season of WCS and thanks for the comments, not just the nice ones, but all of them. We do read feedback and we do implement changes where it is possible to do so. I'm also happy to have gotten through the weekend without dropping anything



I can't wait for the next Starcraft 2 tournament!



Thank you TL’ers. <3



It has been a while since I last blogged on TL and now, with the wrap up of WCS Season 2, it feels like the right time for another.I’ll admit, I don’t know anywhere near the level of detail my fellow broadcasters have about Starcraft 2, but what I lack in knowledge, I hopefully make up for (a little) with passion for the game, the players and the community. Honestly, I’ve not felt like this about a game for a long time. I do commentate on a lot of games and host tournaments for all manner of genre and overall, I guess I’m just a gamer/esports nerd who loves it all, but sometimes a game comes along that just grabs you by the balls and wont let go, even if you wanted to, you can’t abandon it. Starcraft 2 is that game.I’m not a great player of the game (hellbat drops ftw!), nor do I pretend to understand the ultimate complexities that the top players seem to unravel with ease. But there is something magical about watching Starcraft, something I just can’t put my finger on, but ultimately something that fills me with adrenaline and makes the hairs on my neck stand up when I see a great play or get ready to watch two amazing players take each other on.WCS Season 2 was an incredible experience for me as a host. To be involved, even if only on the fringes of this amazing community, was awesome. I got to watch, first hand, some incredible games this weekend. How can we ever forget MC v Jaedong? Game 1 was insane, but then game 2 went and topped it. And just when I thought it wasn’t possible to beat that, Scarlett and Bomber gave us another classic. The matches were just electric.We also witnessed the downfall of Innovation to Naniwa and the same Swede picking off his WCS Europe nemesis Duckdeok. Until he met Bomber in the semi finals, Taeja looked unstoppable and let’s not forget Scarlett also took out Maru.In the end, we got the “Bridesmaid Final” between Bomber and Jaedong. The popular Evil Genius player had the crowd support for sure, but Bomber was simply ruthless, even bringing out the triple bunker play he’d saved for use against Scarlett, that he didn’t need.I thoroughly enjoyed WCS Season 2 finals and I know a lot of you did too. Sure, the final was a bit of a let down (especially for poor JD), but the experience, the other matches and hopefully the show helped everyone in the crowd and especially those who couldn’t be there, appreciate the game and the players.From the production side, it wasn’t perfect but without wishing to blow our own trumpet, I think we did a bloody good job as a team of people to deliver a great show. Certainly from the feedback, the majority of you really enjoyed it. We can always improve though and I know it’s not just me that is “never happy” with it, we have many people who want to always improve, no matter what the level.Part of my love for this game is the community. I don’t think I have ever been accepted in to a gaming community so easily or with such affection and whilst this might sound a bit cheesey, I really do appreciate it.I want to thank all of you for tuning in over the entire season of WCS and thanks for the comments, not just the nice ones, but all of them. We do read feedback and we do implement changes where it is possible to do so. I'm also happy to have gotten through the weekend without dropping anythingI can't wait for the next Starcraft 2 tournament!Thank you TL’ers. <3 @PaulChaloner on Twitter - facebook.com/paulredeyechaloner - fanclub - http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=369239

Talin Profile Blog Joined September 2010 Montenegro 9071 Posts #2 You did really well. It was the only tournament that grabbed my attention since the end of WoL for more than a couple minutes.

Seekzor Profile Joined June 2011 Sweden 48 Posts #3 You guys did a great job this weekend. However you do have to work on that winning ceremony. Bomber looked completely lost and seemed to have no idea what to do after he won.

Heartland Profile Blog Joined May 2012 Sweden 24411 Posts #4 It was certainly one of the better tournaments. The later stages left a bit to be desired but in terms of storyline it was very good and the ro16 had some of the best gameplay seen to date. Usually a tournament only has one of those sets, but here it seemed like every set showed something new and amazing.



Plus you're the best person in the world. <333333333

macskeptic Profile Joined January 2012 Germany 3 Posts #5 Indeed a fantastic job overall. By far the best tournament I've watched in SC II.



The player introductions and the storylines for the playoffs were incredibly well done, just added even more to the epicness of the whole thing.



However, like mentioned before, I also think that the winner ceremony was lacking - after so much well delivered content it felt a bit rushed/shallow. I feel it is unfair to criticise considering I don't really have an actionable suggestion to improve it, but it is feedback nonetheless.



Thanks a lot for an entire weekend of epic starcraft action and high quality production and professionalism.

Pontius Pirate Profile Blog Joined August 2013 United States 1556 Posts #6 Thank you for lending your gravitas to SC2, to give the still-young game some much-needed dignity. That having been said, I agree with the criticism of the winning ceremony. I think a short handout to the participating players, instructing them where to go or what to do in the event of a victory might help with getting everyone in the right place at the right time. "I had to close the door so my parents wouldn't judge me." - ZombieGrub during the ShitfaceTradeTV stream

digmouse Profile Blog Joined November 2010 China 5661 Posts #7 You are absolutely great Paul, was there at IEM Shanghai, your hosting is simply great. Translator If you want to ask anything about Chinese esports, send me a PM or follow me @nerddigmouse.

Hondelul Profile Blog Joined December 2010 1510 Posts #8 As an almost purely Dota2 watcher nowadays I found myself watching a big chunk of the season finals and have to say I loved it. Most games where great, I loved the handcameras, player closeups cought the tension.



The background noise was sometimes a bit loud imo, but overall not really distracting. Only so much you can do when having a tournament at such a busy location.

Overall a really entertaining event so thanks for that ( I really only did watch the games so can't say anything about you, ReDeYe or interviews etc.)

elmoDD Profile Joined March 2013 89 Posts #9 You did a fantastic job! Your professionalism is really important for the scene.

macskeptic Profile Joined January 2012 Germany 3 Posts #10 Yeah, if it wasn't clearly expressed by my last post, the whole team did an excellent job. But you were absolutely stunning Paul, the way you talk and creates this rapport with the players is second to none.



I will never forget the "bro fist" with duckdeok on the WCS EUR Season 2.



Every single player interview made me think "that guy absolutely loves doing this", and it shows. Also you clearly makes sure to focus all the attention on the players, humbly keeping them as the stars of the show.





Keep up the inspiring work, the starcraft community has gained so much from having you aboard.

Scarecrow Profile Blog Joined July 2009 Korea (South) 8984 Posts #11 Easily the most of a weekend tourament I`ve watched. The only negative was the map vetoing. I got the sense it was meant to be like dota2 picks and bans phase but it`s just really dull. A guy with a clipboard crossing off maps brings 0 hype and wastes time. Yhamm is the god of predictions

grs Profile Blog Joined April 2011 Germany 2212 Posts #12 On August 26 2013 18:05 Scarecrow wrote:

Easily the most of a weekend tourament I`ve watched. The only negative was the map vetoing. I got the sense it was meant to be like dota2 picks and bans phase but it`s just really dull. A guy with a clipboard crossing off maps brings 0 hype and wastes time.

How does it waste time to broadcast it, since it has to be done anyways and takes around a minute or two? How does it waste time to broadcast it, since it has to be done anyways and takes around a minute or two?

BlueFlames Profile Joined February 2011 Germany 1427 Posts #13 It was greate tournament to watch the whole weekend. And not only that, wcs eu was always greate to watch during the whole season. When i think this is the product of esl, i still cant believe it. The whole team did a greate job and i loved that you had chobra, tod and rotterdam there. Mixed in with the regular greate casters kaelaris, apollo and artosis, it seemed like a greate mix. You Redeye, might not be as good to look at as kaci, but you did a fantastic job :-)

Keep up the greate job esl, cant wait for season 3.



Scarecrow Profile Blog Joined July 2009 Korea (South) 8984 Posts Last Edited: 2013-08-26 10:37:51 #14 On August 26 2013 18:14 grs wrote:

Show nested quote +

On August 26 2013 18:05 Scarecrow wrote:

Easily the most of a weekend tourament I`ve watched. The only negative was the map vetoing. I got the sense it was meant to be like dota2 picks and bans phase but it`s just really dull. A guy with a clipboard crossing off maps brings 0 hype and wastes time.

How does it waste time to broadcast it, since it has to be done anyways and takes around a minute or two? How does it waste time to broadcast it, since it has to be done anyways and takes around a minute or two?

They could easily do it backstage before the intros. It just adds to the already significant downtime between when the match is listed to start and when it actually does. They could easily do it backstage before the intros. It just adds to the already significant downtime between when the match is listed to start and when it actually does. Yhamm is the god of predictions

roskii Profile Joined August 2011 South Africa 22 Posts #15 Must say, you really bring a sense of professionalism to eSports, while at the same time keeping it 'fun & friendly', tux / bowtie was just brilliant!



While the final was quite disappointing (as well as the crowd), the entire production exceeded my expectations.. The casters, the player introductions, the stage setup, from analysis to commentary to who's your favourite superhero, you guys did a brilliant job.



All I can ask, keep it up! ~ crafted from the souls of gods.

Emzeeshady Profile Blog Joined January 2012 Canada 4202 Posts #16 On August 26 2013 18:05 Scarecrow wrote:

Easily the most of a weekend tourament I`ve watched. The only negative was the map vetoing. I got the sense it was meant to be like dota2 picks and bans phase but it`s just really dull. A guy with a clipboard crossing off maps brings 0 hype and wastes time.

Imo it would be better if the players could pick the maps they want instead of the ones they don't. It might be a little more imbalanced but it would be far more interesting as strategy is concerned.



Also I read this whole thing in Redeye's voice Imo it would be better if the players could pick the maps they want instead of the ones they don't. It might be a little more imbalanced but it would be far more interesting as strategy is concerned.Also I read this whole thing in Redeye's voice The Roaches came, the marines all died. Marauders were made but none survived.

Laszx Profile Joined May 2013 Belgium 24 Posts #17 There were WAY too few seats and one of the screens did not work properly (saturday / sunday). Seems to me like ESL really only cared about the broadcast and not the live venue..

tar Profile Joined October 2010 Germany 990 Posts #18 loved the broadcast. The games, the production, the live audience, it all came together. wp whoever I pick for my anti team turns gosu

Olli Profile Blog Joined February 2012 Austria 24289 Posts #19 You did good my man. You did good. Loved every minute I watched. Administrator "Declaring anything a disaster because aLive popped up out of nowhere is just downright silly."

E.L.V.I.S Profile Joined April 2011 Belgium 458 Posts #20 i love the free vods :D http://twitch.tv/maggrig | @SC2ELVIS | http://www.facebook.com/sc2ELVIS

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