I just went through a personal moment and thought I should get it down here.
I was cleaning my house to make space for my wife and came across my WWI and Blizzcon bags. WWI was the "World Wide Invitational" held in Paris in 2008. I only attended Blizzcon 2008 and 2009.
Anyway, at these nerdy conventions, they always give you a loot bag. It's filled with a lot of advertisements, some figurines, etc. To be honest, I never really cared about that stuff so it has literally sat in my closet for 5 years. I was saving it thinking it might have some resale value in 2010. That came and went and it's just been sitting ever since.
I lined it up to be thrown out and thought I should go through it just to see what's in there just before I throw it out. As I said, there was a lot of ads and garbage, but there was so much nostalgia. There was a Team Liquid business card that Kennigit had printed for me. There was a cigarette lighter phone charger that I had accidentally taken from Haji. There was a card with the Korean players names that we had used to get everyone to chant "1 2 3 ___ Fighting!" before the matches. So I rounded up all the cool stuff and kept it in the WWI backpack and tosses the remainder.
That's when nostalgia hit me hard. I know I was never competitively good at Brood War, but I was much more a player than a fan. I know the majority of the staff here watched all the big events daily, but I rarely watched Starcraft. I just loved to play it. Playing Brood War really was a huge part of my life. I think I played Starcraft and loved playing Starcraft much more than anyone on this site realized. When that world began to cross with the real world, it was exciting times. It led to meeting tons of great people, travelling to France, US, Japan, and Korea. It gave many opportunities I never would have had otherwise. And it led to the TSL, which was the culmination of this journey for me.
Through it all, I still loved playing Brood War. I'm not sure Starcraft 2 could have ever lived up the expectations Brood War set for it in my eyes, so it quickly became evident that it felt flat to me. The life Starcraft 2 injected into this community was amazing, and it brought so many people into the RTS genre. But that day will always be a little bit sad for me when Brood War was definitely gone. It's clear to me nothing will ever fill that Brood War gaming hole.
So as I was cleaning out my house, I just felt like finally "Chill" is gone, and it left me sad. It was a good run and things change. It made me thankful for the mementos people have left me that will always remind me of those times. I've kept as much as I could and I hope one day I can show them to my children to explain those good ol' times to them.
I've still got the pony shirt we all signed in Paris. I've still got the signed Sea cheerful I was supposed to give to Fakesteve (sorry Steve) I've still got the note FireBlast! left on my fridge when he left Calgary. I've still got my CJ keyboard bag and my team shirts.
I'm starting to realize as I get older and my memory fades, it's important to surround yourself with things that remind you who you are.
PS I'm still upset I didn't get to meet Zileas at the TL dinner
My biggest regret is not going out-of-my-way to attend live events during BW's heyday, but it's very cool that you were able to do so much. I can only imagine how much harder you notalgia'ed though since you lived through everything, and hell, MADE BW history yourself with the TSL. I understand exactly what you mean about SC2, and in all fairness, it probably never had a chance for some of us.
Chill although you've moved on for the most part, it's still awesome that you've got some of those things to always remember the good times in Starcraft! So even if it's a small part of your life now you haven't completely lost it Plus, don't ever forget when you beat Salv in the TL vs SC2GG match on Andromeda! :D I hope Starcraft will always have a special place in your heart
This was really hard to read for me. I'm really young, but I always dread the day that I walk into my attic/storage room and find my old mouse and keyboard and just question where did the time go.
I really enjoyed your showmatch vs combat-ex, it was what prompted me to switch from watching progaming exclusively to playing BW myself. Its weird to think that its been 5 years since then, and so much has changed in everyone's lives.
I know you as the Starcraft strategy section lord and ruler. In that sense you were the most renowned back then. But "internet stardom" or fame in general has a short shelf life for happiness.
It must've been cool to travel around. I didn't do that stuff. Am I safe in that I can't lose that part of myself? Nah, gotta take risks bro
You know I was just sitting here reminiscing about BW with a friend, going over how competitive me and another friend became in 2v2 during the PGTour/early ICCup days and I miss the hell out of what that was to me as a kid/teenager. So much great memories,. Then I hop on TL and this is what I see. But I must thank you Chill. Some of the last great memories I have of BW were listening to you and Day9 cast the TSL2. You guys were awesome and I was really happy that you actually casted the grand final. In retrospect, it felt like such an exciting and fulfilling ending to the BW era for me. It is just sad though knowing that I will never be able to truly relive those glory days so to speak. My good friends I used to BW with now have other things which occupy their time, so the odds of us ever all playing together is a bit slim. But at least I made some really good friends and I will never forget the impact this game and community had on my development as a person, from some little twerp named Monkeyspanker who tried to get you to webcam with his mom, to whatever the hell I am now.
I really wish I was able to go to some of the big BW events in person a number of years ago when the scene the still huge and I was streaming and posting 125+ posts a week. It feels wrong to say that I would have enjoyed it so much more back then than I would now, but it's true and I know it. I feel like if I were to go now, even to an SC2 event, that it would just remind me of BW nostalgia and make me a little depressed.
I can't imagine how that feeling is for those who registered on TL before me and started getting into it all before I ever even knew it existed. I can't imagine the sorrows of the nostalgia being intensified more than I already feel after barely experiencing the adventure that was BW.
Absolutely can relate. I don't think I've ever been as emotional (about anything not women related at least) as I was at the final OSL. Those games were so epic + Show Spoiler +
Dat jangbang ><
and I knew nothing would ever even come close to that. I guess the loss I felt illustrated the magnitude of the awesomeness that I was able to witness for so many years.
One of the 1st youtube BW "tutorial" video that I watched when I got into BW in the Summer of 2008. I laughed so hard when you went "yaya...ya" and someone types "shut up" Good times.
On March 08 2014 17:29 RebirthOfLeGenD wrote: You know I was just sitting here reminiscing about BW with a friend, going over how competitive me and another friend became in 2v2 during the PGTour/early ICCup days and I miss the hell out of what that was to me as a kid/teenager. So much great memories,. Then I hop on TL and this is what I see. But I must thank you Chill. Some of the last great memories I have of BW were listening to you and Day9 cast the TSL2. You guys were awesome and I was really happy that you actually casted the grand final. In retrospect, it felt like such an exciting and fulfilling ending to the BW era for me. It is just sad though knowing that I will never be able to truly relive those glory days so to speak. My good friends I used to BW with now have other things which occupy their time, so the odds of us ever all playing together is a bit slim. But at least I made some really good friends and I will never forget the impact this game and community had on my development as a person, from some little twerp named Monkeyspanker who tried to get you to webcam with his mom, to whatever the hell I am now.
A touching story Chill, and sort of a sad reminder of the reality around us, things change and people move on. But don't be so sad, as long as your love for BW is still burns in you then Chill will never truly die, for he is as much a part of you now as all those incredible memories that you now have firmly etched in your mind, timeless like hieroglyphs on the walls of ancient tombs and temples.
And maybe, one day when you have more time for yourself again you'll rediscover this side of you that you used to love so much. Until then good luck in whatever you are doing!
I think if I wasn't such a dick back then, so high on myself, we could have been pretty good friends.
Being married is the greatest thing in the world. My daughter turned 1 not too long ago and I truely understand what you're going through. SC/SC2 and all that is slowly fading into the background and heck, I hardly play video games at all anymore. I get some time but it's just 1 or 2 matches of CSGO usually. I'm hoping the new BW server will inspire me to come back and play again whenever Birdie finishes it but it's sad to think I haven't touched BW in almost 3 years.
Can relate, for me BW "died" or faded out ALOT in my consciousness when I had to not play cus my wrist simply hurt.
That was as late as october last year though and dota2 has filled some of the void, though knowing BW I'll be back like the other times it faded away from me.
On March 08 2014 22:57 don_kyuhote wrote: One of the 1st youtube BW "tutorial" video that I watched when I got into BW in the Summer of 2008. I laughed so hard when you went "yaya...ya" and someone types "shut up" Good times. + Show Spoiler +
Those tutorials really helped me out when I first started playing too, specifically the ones with Artosis. To this day I still only use that one TvZ build on Troy. And TSL was the biggest reason I even started playing SC. So anyways, thanks for everything Chill.
Man I was just thinking about you today and your "Neutral Strategy.com, Team Neutral.net Moon League Rebroadcast" brought to you by the host, "Moderate Temperature"
"Both of these players from planet Earth, both players making units."
I lost a lot of what I enjoyed in life when SCBW fell into obsolescence. To this day I've found no equivalent. Strangely, even the nostalgia is fading away so I feel like I'm even losing that.
I've really enjoyed the strange journey TL has set me on but I'm always sad there are aspects of the site and people that have gone their separate ways for one reason or another. It's too bad our paths never crossed in person I'm glad to have known you along the way. Except that time I really fucked your TSL cast on accident.
The Chill moment that stands out most for me isn't the stuff people have mentioned here, but an IdrA vs F91 showmatch (Broodsport, which has one of my favorite posters ever made on TL). There's a game on Andromeda where Chill calls exactly whats going to happen a long time beforehand (something like IdrA moving out and being crushed mid map, I forget exact scenarios) and then when it plays out exactly that way he responds with a line about how he's willing to lend his services to the CJ coaches. The way it all played out was hilarious and super entertaining to me.
Then I watched this one and all your other fpvods like 1,000,000 times. My first ZvP win actually happened on Longinus with me trying to copy what I saw in the video above. I was really happy. This was like in 2009, where I played only on battle.net and got terrible advice from other players, so I would always lose. I actually wanted to quit playing BroodWar, but then I saw this video and was like "I think I can do that."
Also, this took place before you played Combat-EX. I actually watched a bunch of his videos and learned some good and bad stuff from them. So when you played him, I already had watched your VODs and his. So you're probably like "So what? A lot of people saw both." but you have to understand, I was from US East. To people on US East, there is nothing outside of East, and even though you go "I'm Chill from teamliquid.net", I only visited TL once to get chaoslauncher. In the isolated and dark world of East, it is a miracle that I just started playing and also heard of you AND Combat-EX. I didn't even know who Day[9] was, but I was instantly a fan.
Also, I am in deep deep denial that BroodWar will ever die.
The other day I came on TL, looked over at all the snipealot streams, and felt zero urge to watch any of them, even for a minute. I don't know how I feel about that. In college, heading home to watch BW streams was the norm. The days off that Proleague had felt empty, as though I was supposed to be doing something that evening but was suddenly cancelled. Funny how things that used to anchor you just get cast away so easily.
Thank you for your quote that I keep in my signature as a reminder to stay motivated, BW related and otherwise. Every time I think of doing something awesome and keep envisioning how cool it would be if it was magically done right now, I picture you telling me "go to work". It's surprisingly effective.
On March 09 2014 22:08 Kyuukyuu wrote: The other day I came on TL, looked over at all the snipealot streams, and felt zero urge to watch any of them, even for a minute. I don't know how I feel about that. In college, heading home to watch BW streams was the norm. The days off that Proleague had felt empty, as though I was supposed to be doing something that evening but was suddenly cancelled. Funny how things that used to anchor you just get cast away so easily.
So true! Like, this is on, and it's got the best BW players there currently are: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/brood-war/445539-2nd-lovetv-starleague You won't get higher quality BW anywhere than on Afreeca streams, and the game's arguably even more deep than ~2010, but still, without the community, without translators, without basic fanboyism and hype for your favourite players, it just isn't the same. Drop everything and watch pro/star league. It used to be worth it, I don't know what's come out of the equation, but it doesn't feel worth it anymore.
Thanks Chill for sharing, gotta appreciate it for what it was. How's the card game coming?
On March 09 2014 22:08 Kyuukyuu wrote: The other day I came on TL, looked over at all the snipealot streams, and felt zero urge to watch any of them, even for a minute. I don't know how I feel about that. In college, heading home to watch BW streams was the norm. The days off that Proleague had felt empty, as though I was supposed to be doing something that evening but was suddenly cancelled. Funny how things that used to anchor you just get cast away so easily.
So true! Like, this is on, and it's got the best BW players there currently are: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/brood-war/445539-2nd-lovetv-starleague You won't get higher quality BW anywhere than on Afreeca streams, and the game's arguably even more deep than ~2010, but still, without the community, without translators, without basic fanboyism and hype for your favourite players, it just isn't the same. Drop everything and watch pro/star league. It used to be worth it, I don't know what's come out of the equation, but it doesn't feel worth it anymore.
Thanks Chill for sharing, gotta appreciate it for what it was. How's the card game coming?
That is actually pretty insulting to the people who put a lot of effort to bring news from the current Korean scene, translate articles and interviews, and genuinely still enjoy watching and being part of the BW community.
Just because you don't enjoy it anymore, don't say that those who still do are basically wasting their time. That's pretty rude.
I'll regret forever to not having been able to come to the blizzcon in 2008 I know the feels Chill, BW has been a huge part of our lives for many of us.
I know we didn't keep in touch much over the last couple of years but I would just like to take a moment to reply to your post. I was never an exceptionally good Brood War player, or maybe not even a decent player but I had a lot of fun playing together. You have some amazing accomplishments and have done some amazing things through StarCraft and although I don't have anything that comes close to those feats, let me tell you what I miss and what your nostalgia made me think of. It made me think of sitting in Op GiT'eM and chatting with Apathy, Ace, Mora, Blatant, Probe, You and Stealth (I'm sure I've missed some, I am sorry). GiTM was probably the highlight of my gaming experience, we had some great players and we did great when we ventured into some of the WGT clan wars, etc.
I remember trying to improve my game and you telling me I had no timing, which I don't believe I ever did get. I remember you crushing me over and over but being determined to squeak out a win, like hiding a bunch of barracks in your base (ET Terran ). I remember talking about going to WCG Canada after I won my qualifiers out east here and talking about hanging out, but I couldn't make it happen unfortunately.
I felt like the time spent as GiTM was one of the favorite in my gaming history, we all seemed so interested in the same thing and so driven to try and be better. I remember trying over and over to convince you to exclusively play for GiTM (I think thats what it was) when we all started talking about trying to be a little more competitive. I remember the arguments with Probe, Apathy sending me a tie in the mail from his parents tie factory for doing the website and all the good times we've had.
I hope that your card game has taken off and you are doing well.
Congrats on the wife, I would like to talk to you some time to know the details and to fill you in on the changes in my life. I'm sure if you browse my blogs you can see the general direction that life has taken. I have met someone, someone amazing and that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I didn't blog about that one. Anyway my friend, maybe I will get a chance to talk to you soon, and if not then you venture onward safely.
Well hell, it really feels just like yesterday when I teased you for being old and 24, while we all played some UMS or silly grudgematch.
Those memories really do stay with you. I sometimes wonder if I was more involved in the community or dedicated myself more to the game in general, but BW did bring a learning experience or two as well. It's amazing to hear that you're getting married and moving along, I wish the best for you, my friend.
At least once a month something even more ridiculous happens in the esports industry and i think ''oh man i wish chill was here to laugh about this with''
Though Brood War has been part of my life for such a long time, I personally haven't had much opportunity to get in touch with this community offline or online-wise... and reading recollection like this makes me wonder what I have missed (though I do have other fond memories unrelated to TL).
it was disconcerting to hear you on woc with wheat, .. you seemed all at once what you described in this post not ambivalent but both happy to see sc2 exist and at the same time grieving politely inside
it showed then and there and yet you still did show after show
i also feel sad for sc, but life goes on
thank you, i used to never miss it (woc), now i do <3 fare thee well and see you when you get your kid on lotv
At least you were around in the older times of TL. I sorta came around when all the happy BW feelings went sour. Gratitude is an important aspect to have in your life.
One thing I regret is that I never saved enough money to go see BW live in Korea. I would so much have loved to see Jaedong in his prime. But thats life. I was a student back then and would have had a really hard time getting enough money.
I still can't get over that pro BW is gone. I'm still sad about it from time to time.
you do realise bw pro gamers make more money now than when everything was up and running on tv right ? in my eyese sc2 in korea is far closer to death than bw is
On March 11 2014 20:31 Boonbag wrote: you do realise bw pro gamers make more money now than when everything was up and running on tv right ? in my eyese sc2 in korea is far closer to death than bw is
Oh no you just had to open your mouth and say those dreaded words... I forsee this thread going south any minute now
On topic: I've recently rewatched TSL 2 and I enjoyed your casts with Day[9] the most out of all them. Please come back and do some more!
On March 11 2014 20:31 Boonbag wrote: you do realise bw pro gamers make more money now than when everything was up and running on tv right ? in my eyese sc2 in korea is far closer to death than bw is
Oh no you just had to open your mouth and say those dreaded words... I forsee this thread going south any minute now
On topic: I've recently rewatched TSL 2 and I enjoyed your casts with Day[9] the most out of all them. Please come back and do some more!
I'm sure by now the debate is depassionated and we can talk about these things in a calm fashion.
Hey Chill, I'm sure you don't remember, but you came up to Edmonton for a WoL tournament in 2010 where we played a series in which you crushed me. I'd never met a real-live esports "celebrity" before, and so to have the privilege to be ravaged by you in a Bo3 is one of my fondest StarCraft moments. We chatted for a while after the games too, just about ZvP, SC2, and general StarCraft stuff. Thanks for the memories over the years.
On March 12 2014 00:42 lantz wrote: Sell me all the loot bag stuff
I pay a lot! I've been buying on ebay for a while now.
Pm me what u got :D
crazy fetishes will lead you to the dark side of life
Sadly, I have already spent over 1k on blizzard/blizzcon merchadise
My collection is pretty sick tho :D
and in 5 years I will regret my decision and liquidate everything probably haha
it's fine you'll transfer all these to your kid and when hell grow up he'll look at you with a deep and interrogative shame wondering what the fuck his dad was a fan of
Dunno if anyone said yet, probably, but the stuff from those goody bags is worth hundreds, probably thousands of dollars. I sold the wow crap from my bag for like 400 bucks that year. (in game loot and physical stuff combined) PS- Was there a Motorola C360 in there?
And I still have a murloc suit unscratched code if anyone wants to buy it.
I'm a little late to this party but I had to chime in to say hello.
I, too, miss those days. I think I played more games with you Chill than I have any other player. And if I recall correctly... I always thought "Heym Chill! We're awesome"; and then you all be like "nah, we suck".
And that trip you made to BC and handed me my ass at WCG. That was stellar.
I don't know if it's in the cards, but maybe we should have a 20 year reunion? I'd be more than willing to contribute planning, hosting, and raising funds to such an excursion (in europe? Canada?). I know I'm sort of apart from the TL family (as I've never been on the team or been on staff), but when I look back on my Starcraft days, it really is filled with all of you.
Thank you for all the memories friends, they are some of my fondest.
On January 17 2015 06:22 Mora wrote: I'm a little late to this party but I had to chime in to say hello.
I, too, miss those days. I think I played more games with you Chill than I have any other player. And if I recall correctly... I always thought "Heym Chill! We're awesome"; and then you all be like "nah, we suck".
And that trip you made to BC and handed me my ass at WCG. That was stellar.
I don't know if it's in the cards, but maybe we should have a 20 year reunion? I'd be more than willing to contribute planning, hosting, and raising funds to such an excursion (in europe? Canada?). I know I'm sort of apart from the TL family (as I've never been on the team or been on staff), but when I look back on my Starcraft days, it really is filled with all of you.
Thank you for all the memories friends, they are some of my fondest.
I'm in for reunion! I'm not joking, 100% in. Aren't you a huge corporate deal now?