BlizzCon2007 The Truth

Hi guys I'm yubee. I went to Blizzcon 2007 this year, and man, let me tell you, it was a blast!

A lot of TL.netters who went to Blizzcon this year made it their #1 priority to bring home a piece of the pros. For others, the main incentive was to get a chance to try out SC2. Me? I went for all these things. But my absolute, hands down, 100% top reason for going to Blizzcon this year?

Meeting the TL.net crew. Had I been that excited to play SC2 or get a chance to see progamers, I might have bought my ticket before they sold out. It was only because of some behind-the-scenes string-pulling by our beloved staff that I managed to get ahold of a ticket.

So, first and foremost, a sincere thank you to Hot_Bid, Manifesto7, and Meat. It is because of these guys that I actually got to go in the first place. Hooray!

Day 1, August 2nd, 2007

When I first landed in Orange County, it was very sunny. Lots of palm trees. It looked a lot like California should. And that's how it stayed the entirety of the time. 10 minutes later, I saw a green Toyota pull up with YUBEE written in big, purple block letters on a whiteboard in the passenger side window. My ride.

Neo and Hot_Bid stepped out of the car, introduced themselves, and helped me put my bags in the car. Special thanks to both of them for driving out to pick me up.

We got back to the hotel, where we saw Dknight passed out on the bed. I figured at first he was tired from his flight, but then I realized later he must have some health condition, since probably 75% of the trip he was passed out or vomiting. Hope everything's okay, buddy.

My roommates (left to right) -- Hot_Bid, Dknight, and Neo.

We went over to the convention center for a bit to get our tickets, and when we returned, Manifesto7 was waiting for us. We actually felt his booming voice before we heard it: the ground rumbled and the pavement cracked under our very feet. He described SC2 and told us his rendition of how he and Meat dominated the first ever SC2 tournament. Go TeamLiquid!

These SC2 champions can handle the original without breaking a sweat.

Later that night, we met up with CharlieMurphy, PTC-Hurricane, PanoRaMa, DJEtterStyle, and omgbnetsux. omgbnetsux was pretty tired from his previous night, for some reason. I'm not sure why he was tired. Does anyone know what happened with Joe? If anyone knows just leave a comment. I'd really like to know why he was so tired.

We lanned all night until maybe 3 or 4 in the morning. Hot series were CharlieMurphy vs Etter, and none other than me vs Mani. I took that series easily, by the way, through the use of some unorthodox tactics. Anyone who questions the validity of these tactics should definitely check out Sirlin's Playing to Win.

Check out the rest of the lan pictures.
+ Show Spoiler [View Pictures] +

Day 2, August 3rd, 2007

I woke up the next day at 8:30 am. I did not wake up easily, however. Hot_Bid shook me, calling my name, finally dripping water on my face for around 30 seconds before I finally awoke from my slumber.

We grabbed breakfast on the way to the convention, getting inside shortly after Blizzcon opened its doors.

The main attraction for us SC fans: the rows and rows of SC2 demos.

We did everything that day. We played SC2. We saw the pros. We took pictures, recorded video, got signatures, watched live matches, cheered at live matches, and most importantly, met the other TL.netters. Too much happened that whole day for me to even describe in words, so I'll leave some more pictures.

Oh, one other thing. Yes, one time Meat got us through the line with his Press pass, and yes, I BBS'd while Neo rushed mothership. While many may look at this as mean or despicable, I wanted to remind these players that if they were going to play 2v2 instead of single player, they were going to get owned by TeamLiquid. It marked the beginning of an era. It foreshadowed the beatdown that everyone was to receive on Day 3 from the true Starcraft fans. Plus, I very well may be the first person to BBS in SC2, and that's something. Who knows, maybe once SC2 hits stores, the first people to log onto Battle.net may feel the power of the yu-BBS.

Now, on with the pictures.
+ Show Spoiler [View Pictures] +

Day 3, August 4th, 2007

Day 3 was a lot of the same as Day 2, since we had already seen everything the first day. However, highlights were how beastly the Iris vs Nal_rA series was, holding up the white boards, and the massive, massive beatdown that TL gave to everyone in SC2.

Like Etter wrote, between Hot_Bid/me, PanoRaMa/Neo, CharlieMurphy/x_woof_x, and Etter/omgbnetsux, not a single TL.net team lost to anyone NOT from TL.net. Hot_Bid and I chalked up an 11-win, undefeated streak before finally losing to CharlieMurphy and woof. PTC-Hurricane, sometimes playing as the odd man out, even won a bunch of 1v2 games in the name of TL, often slaying his partner afterwards.

Despite the fact that I knew the trip would be a blast through and through, every moment I spent with TL made it more and more worth it. I would fly across the country to do it again in an instant, and I suggest everyone else do the same.

Like everyone else has done, I'd like to give some special shout-outs to those I hung out with the most.

Hot_Bid - This guy is not only funny as hell, but generous to boot. He put good word in for me so I could get a ticket, paid the down payment for our hotel, and after everything was over, invited me and a bunch of other TL.netters to his house in NJ to lan. Thanks a lot. Sorry I had to rape you in Starcraft and Smash. Keep practicing though!

Neo - Thanks for driving us everywhere, I heard you and Hot_Bid paid maybe $150 in gas alone. You were a cool guy, albeit a little quiet. That all changed when you were drunk though LOL

Manifesto7 - You are awesome. In every way. I wish you stayed for the second day of Blizzcon. Sorry I had to own you in Starcraft. Keep practicing though, I know you might be able to win against somebody someday. Maybe.

dknight - I really hope you get whatever it is that's wrong fixed. I can't imagine what it would be like to be vomiting/passed out almost the entire day, every day. Good luck man. It sucks that your sick.

PanoRaMa aka Mr. Cool - This guy woke up and drove me around all day on the 5th just because I asked, and then took me to the airport. Really, really chill guy.

Etter - Very funny and cool. Was obsessed with finding a counter to phoenix, but then later broke down and massed phoenixes of his own.

x_woof_x - Thanks for translating where that shitty BlizzCon translator fell short, and props for repping TL with the white board

semioldguy - I am eternally grateful for the picture of Iris you gave me. Now I've got a signed picture of Iris =D

omgbnetsux - You were also funny and cool, but I have a little bit of concern. What happened wednesday night? Why were you so tired???? Does anyone know why Joe was so tired?

Meat - Very enjoyable person to be around. Like everyone says, always smiling. Good job carrying Manifesto in the 2v2 tournament.

CharlieMurphy - You are actually cheesier than me at SC. It's wonderful

PTC-Hurricane - His devotion for Starcraft had him sitting indian style with his legs pulled up to his chest amidst the hundreds of other people on the floor. Cool guy

OKay that's it whew

Last edit: 2007-08-08 15:31:22

intrigue

Washington, D.C. August 08 2007 15:38. Posts 9272

Profile Blog #

woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

TL Premium Gold User! http://castlesmusic.net

Hot_Bid Administrator August 08 2007 15:47.

Profile Blog #

pic of us massing before the inevitable 15th minute double max out attack

which is usually followed by stunned silence and then awkwardness as the newbies realize how badly they were owned

Last edit: 2007-08-08 15:48:02

@Hot_Bid on Twitter - ESPORTS life since 2010 - http://i.imgur.com/U2psw.png

Last Romantic United States. August 08 2007 16:14. Posts 20146

Profile Blog #

wow hot_bid

that picture is pretty badass :O

ㅋㄲㅈㅁ It's not four straight wins, it's 2^2 wins in a row for ACE - DCinside

omgbnetsux United States. August 08 2007 16:40. Posts 3748

Profile Blog #

Not even I know why I was so tired from Wednesday night. It is a mystery that will surely confound scientists for years to come.

micronesia United States. August 08 2007 16:40. Posts 19302

Profile Blog #

Gotta love the mostly disguised can of beer.

Haste. Exalted. Flying. Deathtouch. Lifelink. Protection from Red.

PanoRaMa United States. August 08 2007 16:52. Posts 4946

Profile Blog #

HALLO YOOBI

"Mother fucker I live on the internet. Every day is a new adventure of the same old shit." - Testie

mahnini United States. August 08 2007 16:56. Posts 6768

Profile Blog #

Sounds like it was great fun, thanks for the pics!

the world's a playground. you know that when you're a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it.

omgbnetsux United States. August 08 2007 16:57. Posts 3748

Profile Blog #

On August 08 2007 15:47 Hot_Bid wrote:

pic of us massing before the inevitable 15th minute double max out attack

which is usually followed by stunned silence and then awkwardness as the newbies realize how badly they were owned

Is this the attack that made the game lag?

CharlieMurphy United States. August 08 2007 17:28. Posts 22893

Profile Blog #

On August 08 2007 15:47 Hot_Bid wrote:

pic of us massing before the inevitable 15th minute double max out attack

which is usually followed by stunned silence and then awkwardness as the newbies realize how badly they were owned

yea it is 3x8, 24 units per selection. But can you have like more tabs of 3x8 ?

..and then I would, ya know, check em'. (Aka SpoR)

LosingID8 Harlem. August 08 2007 17:45. Posts 10373

Profile Blog #

glad to see you're back from your temp ban lol

Resident K-POP Elitist

Hot_Bid Administrator August 08 2007 17:58.

Profile Blog #

On August 08 2007 16:57 omgbnetsux wrote:

Show nested quote +

Is this the attack that made the game lag?

no, that was 200/200 of stalkers

i was probably the only person in the history of SC2 to max out on stalkers without having their blink ability researched

Last edit: 2007-08-08 17:59:01

@Hot_Bid on Twitter - ESPORTS life since 2010 - http://i.imgur.com/U2psw.png

mnm United States. August 08 2007 18:02. Posts 4493

Profile Blog #

hey you forgot me

http://www.teamliquid.net/store http://www.teamliquid.net/gallery/

Hurricane United States. August 08 2007 18:08. Posts 3129

Profile Blog #

On August 08 2007 17:28 CharlieMurphy wrote:

Show nested quote +

yea it is 3x8, 24 units per selection. But can you have like more tabs of 3x8 ?

You can have more tabs. I dropped around 50 vikings in the back of a nubs base in one control group.

RIP CHARLIEMURPHY 11/25/10 NEVER FORGET

Gokey United States. August 08 2007 18:15. Posts 2722

Profile #

hahaha... awesome man... teamliquid is family =)

comabreaded United States. August 08 2007 18:45. Posts 2086

Profile Blog #

hey cool pic. i like the icons that show what the hotkeys are assigned to.

I put the fu in fun

TheFoReveRwaR United States. August 08 2007 19:07. Posts 10265

Profile Blog #

HOLY SHIT! Guy in the DC shirt and shorts, are you by any chance named Joe Sena? LMAO. If you are its Zach Millar from highschool lol. If anyone else knows, you can answer too.

Last edit: 2007-08-08 19:12:27

Being healthy, it has been said, really consists of having the same disease as everybody else.

PanoRaMa United States. August 08 2007 19:29. Posts 4946

Profile Blog #

Well, his name is Joe.

JOE MAMA LOL

but no seriously it is Joe.

"Mother fucker I live on the internet. Every day is a new adventure of the same old shit." - Testie

TheFoReveRwaR United States. August 08 2007 20:53. Posts 10265

Profile Blog #

lmao thats so hilarious...i was friends with that dude for years, he lived down the street, we went to middle school and highschool together. JOE SENA come say whats up