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I have posted a quick and dirty translation of Sonic's message below. There's been a lot interest in what happened...
It seems that sponsors wanted Sonic to force something unreasonable on the viewers. It also seems that a contract had been signed and was voided by mutual agreement when Sonic refused to accept the changes proposed by Monkey3.
Also, Sonic seems massively depressed about this and some of the Internet trolls are not helping. Kim Carrier half-jokingly said on the earlier pro league broadcast that Sonic had a mental breakdown. I really feel sorry for our Brood War hero. I have put some of the more interesting parts in bold face and added some translation notes (T/N) as well.
Hello everyone, this is Sonic. There have been many personally distressing events lately.
I must be the deliverer of sad news.
Due to the breakdown of the contract with Monkey3, which had been slated to be the sponsor of SSL9, the size and schedule of SSL9 may need to be partially modified.
After the contracting the sponsorship, I had been making arrangements for the group selection ceremony in preparation for SSL9. Yesterday evening, Monkey3 requested that we change the content of our contract. After failing to come to a mutual agreement on the requested changes, both parties agreed to annul the contract today. (T/N: We know that the contract was signed already because it needed to be annulled)
Although I did everything to continue with the league sponsorship, I determined that it was too unreasonable for me to impose the new conditions proposed by Monkey3 on you---the viewers. This was the biggest reason for the decision to void the contract.
I must apologize to the players and fans who had been anticipating and waiting. I will start over, beginning with the task of finding a new sponsor. I know that this must be a huge let down for the players and fans, but it is even worse for me, who had been putting in the work on all the details from A-Z; I feel as if the sky has fallen.
For the last few months, I had been spending time away from my business to run around all over the place preparing the information to present to the sponsors. Those of you with real world experience probably understand the difficulty and stress involved in business-to-business meetings, especially in the case when you are an "ul" trying to get business from a "gab" (T/N: "ul" and "gab" are Korean expressions for two parties in a negotiation, where "gab" has all the power and "ul" is at his mercy). You can imagine how much I wanted to proceed as planned with the league given that the sponsorship contract had been attained after having countless meetings over the phone and in person with tens of firms. However, the proposed changes were just too much.
Regardless of the reason, it is ultimately my fault that the plans for the league have been disrupted. I will not ask you to lend me your strength, but please, at least within the confines of my channel, avoid doing things that make me lose the will to go on.
I am saying this because of some things that keep on being written in the stream chat and on the channel bulletin board. I don't know if you will believe me, but there is more to the cost of running SSL than just the prize money. This was true in SSL7 and SSL8. I have been using the entirety of the sponsorship money, regardless of its source, on running the league. In fact, I had to spend an additional $37000 and $33000 on SSL7 and SSL8, respectively. I do not feel like I am sacrificing anything because I want to run and enjoy this league for the game I love. I have never said on my channel that I am sacrificing myself for others.
Some people on various online communities and Afreeca have been saying things that make me cringe, such as "Sonic sure talks a lot for someone who wants to make money on Afreeca" (T/N: As we many Korean sentences, there are many implicit parts here, but it seems that some vocal minority keeps saying that Sonic is too boastful of his contributions to BW for someone who just wants to make a quick buck). It might be an overreaction to the kind words of some fans who view my efforts positively. Some of the exaggerations may be resulting in blowback. :-(
I will take the responsibility and proceed with the league this time. No matter who our sponsor ultimately turns out to be, your passionate interest is needed. I wanted to show the world that Starcraft: Brood War is not yet dead and that it can still attract classy sponsors by attracting a sponsor other than my own company (Shinbalfarm).
I will put my full effort into this and definitely make it a fantastic success.
I will start over from the beginning. I am sorry for being the bearer of bad news.
PS: Monkey3 has agreed to refund those of you who made purchases using the coupon number on my previous announcement notice. If you have not received a refund and cancellation by the next month, please let me know. I will take the responsibility of making sure that you do not lose a single cent.
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This is sad news. But I know that Sonic has the fortitude to keep the dreadnaught plowing on.
Sonic hwaiting!
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Horrible news...what did Monkey3 want? Sonic fighting! You have the support of everyone <3
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Thanks for the translation. Let's all... Idk. What do we even do. Should we make like worldwide colaboration cheerful vid? Does anyone do art around here?
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Croatia9359 Posts
We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/
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Too bad, I was really looking forward to it.
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TLADT24917 Posts
I was really looking forward to SSL9 God damnit Monkey3, why now when it's getting so close? Does anyone know what changes they wanted? It must be something big if Sonic cancelled so that the viewers aren't involved. Either way, I was also really surprised at how much more he was spending for each one. All those internet trolls aren't helping his case.
On December 25 2013 07:19 2Pacalypse- wrote: We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/ this 10000%. What can we do? Anyone have any ideas? It has to be big to keep his motivation up considering that message was depressing as hell.
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wow that sucks big time. I hope he can find another sponsor, I think there's enough interest to attract it so hopefully it's just a matter of time.
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Croatia9359 Posts
On December 25 2013 07:31 BigFan wrote:Show nested quote +On December 25 2013 07:19 2Pacalypse- wrote: We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/ this 10000%. What can we do? Anyone have any ideas? It has to be big to keep his motivation up considering that message was depressing as hell. I disagree that it has to be "big" to show our appreciation for what he does. Even just sending him some flowers with a thoughtful note would mean a lot to him I'm sure.
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TLADT24917 Posts
On December 25 2013 07:44 2Pacalypse- wrote:Show nested quote +On December 25 2013 07:31 BigFan wrote:On December 25 2013 07:19 2Pacalypse- wrote: We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/ this 10000%. What can we do? Anyone have any ideas? It has to be big to keep his motivation up considering that message was depressing as hell. I disagree that it has to be "big" to show our appreciation for what he does. Even just sending him some flowers with a thoughtful note would mean a lot to him I'm sure. well, not "big" but at least show him that he still got the support from the foreign BW scene. It was TL that helped him last time he was thinking of quitting due to the whole match fixing stuff that was going around. At least that's what I recall reading.
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Ugh, terrible news Sonic/SSL fighting!
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Noo... I don't know how to react to this...
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TLADT24917 Posts
Maybe we should do an e-book for him or something. What I mean is that, something like was done for DRG in SCII where fans wrote encouraging messages and such then they were printed, made into a book and given to them. It doesn't have to just be words, you can draw a picture in paint or on paper and scan it etc... After that, someone can send them to him through email or the better way is to have someone who's currently living in Korea print, bind and give it to him in person. It would be something that he can always look back on if there are further issues in the future. What do you guys think?
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I had no idea that he was ploughing so much $$$ into the production. He deserves some gesture.
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TLADT24917 Posts
ya, that's what I was thinking as well(above post)
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Some people might be uncomfortable with this but just throwing it out there; we could get people to take a picture of themselves with a little sign that says something along the lines of "go sonic" or "bw forever" etc and maybe put what country we are from as well. Putting a face to the gratitude being expressed as well as letting sonic know his contributions are felt so far and wide around the world would be a massive boost imo.
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On December 25 2013 09:48 shizzz wrote: Some people might be uncomfortable with this but just throwing it out there; we could get people to take a picture of themselves with a little sign that says something along the lines of "go sonic" or "bw forever" etc and maybe put what country we are from as well. Putting a face to the gratitude being expressed as well as letting sonic know his contributions are felt so far and wide around the world would be a massive boost imo.
Sweet, an actual reason to take selfies w/o looking pretentious!
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TLADT24917 Posts
On December 25 2013 09:49 Xiphos wrote:Show nested quote +On December 25 2013 09:48 shizzz wrote: Some people might be uncomfortable with this but just throwing it out there; we could get people to take a picture of themselves with a little sign that says something along the lines of "go sonic" or "bw forever" etc and maybe put what country we are from as well. Putting a face to the gratitude being expressed as well as letting sonic know his contributions are felt so far and wide around the world would be a massive boost imo. Sweet, an actual reason to take selfies w/o looking pretentious! agree, not a bad idea imo.
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ALLEYCAT BLUES48984 Posts
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Well, whichever company ends up sponsoring in place of Monkey3 will get some good PR, so I'm sure there are CFOs and CEOs lining up!
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Worst Christmas gift ever I'll send him a support message on Facebook.
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i feel like my last hope for bw has just fallen. It was too good to be true.. 14k #1 prize winning. Bisu came back and other castors were coming back to cast and now this.... man.. idk what to say. Maybe sonic should host small tourneys or something
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On December 25 2013 13:28 Shinokuki wrote: i feel like my last hope for bw has just fallen. It was too good to be true.. 14k #1 prize winning. Bisu came back and other castors were coming back to cast and now this.... man.. idk what to say. Maybe sonic should host small tourneys or something
I blame bad luck. Sponsor had some expectations that were not made clear when the contract was signed and Sonic didn't want to meet later on. It doesn't affect the game's popularity. BW fighting!
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Bad Christmas news... T_T
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On December 25 2013 12:00 endy wrote:Worst Christmas gift ever I'll send him a support message on Facebook. What is his ID on Facebook?
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On December 25 2013 16:57 Fuchsteufelswild wrote:Show nested quote +On December 25 2013 12:00 endy wrote:Worst Christmas gift ever I'll send him a support message on Facebook. What is his ID on Facebook? facebook.com/sogoodtt Everyone is encouraged to add him.
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On December 25 2013 07:53 BigFan wrote:Show nested quote +On December 25 2013 07:44 2Pacalypse- wrote:On December 25 2013 07:31 BigFan wrote:On December 25 2013 07:19 2Pacalypse- wrote: We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/ this 10000%. What can we do? Anyone have any ideas? It has to be big to keep his motivation up considering that message was depressing as hell. I disagree that it has to be "big" to show our appreciation for what he does. Even just sending him some flowers with a thoughtful note would mean a lot to him I'm sure. well, not "big" but at least show him that he still got the support from the foreign BW scene. It was TL that helped him last time he was thinking of quitting due to the whole match fixing stuff that was going around. At least that's what I recall reading.
yeah... right.
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ALLEYCAT BLUES48984 Posts
On December 25 2013 19:00 GeckoXp wrote:Show nested quote +On December 25 2013 07:53 BigFan wrote:On December 25 2013 07:44 2Pacalypse- wrote:On December 25 2013 07:31 BigFan wrote:On December 25 2013 07:19 2Pacalypse- wrote: We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/ this 10000%. What can we do? Anyone have any ideas? It has to be big to keep his motivation up considering that message was depressing as hell. I disagree that it has to be "big" to show our appreciation for what he does. Even just sending him some flowers with a thoughtful note would mean a lot to him I'm sure. well, not "big" but at least show him that he still got the support from the foreign BW scene. It was TL that helped him last time he was thinking of quitting due to the whole match fixing stuff that was going around. At least that's what I recall reading. yeah... right.
regardless we must show our support.
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On December 25 2013 09:48 shizzz wrote: Some people might be uncomfortable with this but just throwing it out there; we could get people to take a picture of themselves with a little sign that says something along the lines of "go sonic" or "bw forever" etc and maybe put what country we are from as well. Putting a face to the gratitude being expressed as well as letting sonic know his contributions are felt so far and wide around the world would be a massive boost imo.
Actually a very good idea!
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I'm so sad. Sonic is putting so much effort in this, so that we enjoy the game we love. And these news.. he deserves more than that. Sonic, you are our hero nevertheless.
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On December 25 2013 07:19 2Pacalypse- wrote: We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/ Yep, for sure. He is such a great guy and doesn't deserve that =(
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GRAND OLD AMERICA16375 Posts
damn, so that wasn't a troll by that guy in the other thread....
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On December 28 2013 01:12 amazingxkcd wrote: damn, so that wasn't a troll by that guy in the other thread.... Maybe not a troll but it was still inaccurate. SSL9 is happening. Sonic will announce the sponsor on the new year, be it SBENU or some other company. He wants to make it happen the way he planned it out.
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we need to do something to support him, sonic is a boss.
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I'd like to know what changes Monkey3 wanted as well. ;/
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perhaps TL could try to contribute in finding sponsorship? A couple of foreign events nowadays find (small) sponsors. Perhaps one of them might be interested to "chip in"?
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TLADT24917 Posts
On December 25 2013 19:00 GeckoXp wrote:Show nested quote +On December 25 2013 07:53 BigFan wrote:On December 25 2013 07:44 2Pacalypse- wrote:On December 25 2013 07:31 BigFan wrote:On December 25 2013 07:19 2Pacalypse- wrote: We should definitely do something to cheer up Sonic :/ this 10000%. What can we do? Anyone have any ideas? It has to be big to keep his motivation up considering that message was depressing as hell. I disagree that it has to be "big" to show our appreciation for what he does. Even just sending him some flowers with a thoughtful note would mean a lot to him I'm sure. well, not "big" but at least show him that he still got the support from the foreign BW scene. It was TL that helped him last time he was thinking of quitting due to the whole match fixing stuff that was going around. At least that's what I recall reading. yeah... right. I wasn't as in the known about SSL at the time but I remember reading a thread on TL where Sonic supposedly planned to quit but then an update, that support(I believe it was foreigner) helped him change his mind(Korean likely as well). Point is, he needs support atm.
On December 28 2013 02:34 StarStruck wrote: I'd like to know what changes Monkey3 wanted as well. ;/ doubt that info will be released although I don't see why not.
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nice "hope spot" the begining of december was...
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GRAND OLD AMERICA16375 Posts
On December 28 2013 02:34 StarStruck wrote: I'd like to know what changes Monkey3 wanted as well. ;/
probably some stipulations to buy products on their platforms or the vods are viewable only if you use monkey3. Riot-esque control at its finest
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i mean, we could donate... but that defies sonic's purpose: to show BW is still alive and able to attract good sponsors. Furthermore im not THAT rich :D
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On December 28 2013 02:48 Cele wrote: i mean, we could donate... but that defies sonic's purpose: to show BW is still alive and able to attract good sponsors. Furthermore im not THAT rich :D
Donate as much as you can afford man.
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On December 28 2013 02:36 BigFan wrote:Show nested quote +On December 28 2013 02:34 StarStruck wrote: I'd like to know what changes Monkey3 wanted as well. ;/ doubt that info will be released although I don't see why not. Lawsuits, man. The big firms will sue you and make the trial drag on until the legal fees bankrupt you. Not worth the trouble. Sonic is wise for not being specific. Also, a lot of Korean companies are owned by the same people. He might want their sponsorship later.
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sonic really is the hero that SC1 needs, because no one else seems to be willing to go through as much hardship for the passion we all share for the game.
i hope every time he reads a shitty comment from shitty people he can read 100 comments of support for continuing to keep the game burning red hot.
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How can we help him? Can we sponsor SSL? SOSPA-TSL?
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Seed the winner of TSL into SOSPA :D
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On January 23 2014 14:22 Antisocialmunky wrote: Seed the winner of TSL into SOSPA :D Sziky would probably fight on the level of Like Starcue and Zergman,
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On January 23 2014 15:42 Phyanketto wrote:Show nested quote +On January 23 2014 14:22 Antisocialmunky wrote: Seed the winner of TSL into SOSPA :D Sziky would probably fight on the level of Like Starcue and Zergman,
the next grrrrr???
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On January 23 2014 16:21 Gamegene wrote:Show nested quote +On January 23 2014 15:42 Phyanketto wrote:On January 23 2014 14:22 Antisocialmunky wrote: Seed the winner of TSL into SOSPA :D Sziky would probably fight on the level of Like Starcue and Zergman, the next grrrrr???
he need blue eyes and a quebec accent
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Magic Woods9326 Posts
On January 23 2014 23:26 Boonbag wrote:Show nested quote +On January 23 2014 16:21 Gamegene wrote:On January 23 2014 15:42 Phyanketto wrote:On January 23 2014 14:22 Antisocialmunky wrote: Seed the winner of TSL into SOSPA :D Sziky would probably fight on the level of Like Starcue and Zergman, the next grrrrr??? he need blue eyes and a quebec accent ...Blue?
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On January 24 2014 01:18 Epoxide wrote:Show nested quote +On January 23 2014 23:26 Boonbag wrote:On January 23 2014 16:21 Gamegene wrote:On January 23 2014 15:42 Phyanketto wrote:On January 23 2014 14:22 Antisocialmunky wrote: Seed the winner of TSL into SOSPA :D Sziky would probably fight on the level of Like Starcue and Zergman, the next grrrrr??? he need blue eyes and a quebec accent ...Blue?
Its suppose to be "Green Eyed Warrior" get it right!
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I just want to see Sziky lose in a major tourney.
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On January 24 2014 11:07 Antisocialmunky wrote: I just want to see Sziky lose in a major tourney.
at first i was like wow you're a bitch.
and then i was like o_o
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Northern Ireland20680 Posts
I liked the idea of doing an E-book or something like people did for DRG back when he was in something of a slump, would like to help out with such a thing
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I realise it's a late time to be asking, but I only saw this yesterday, and having had a bit of time to think this whole deal makes me suspect a calculated act of exploitation and bullying on the part of monkey3, who were relying on the vastly unequal bargaining power they held. They offered such a lucrative deal (really was too good to be true, they had no reason to invest like that altruistically unless it's charity) to get a signed contract in place, let Sonic plan his operation (and personal Dream) in reliance on these funds being available and building up sunk costs before demanding their pound of flesh at the last minute in the form of a new, unreasonable demand. On the one hand, I respect Sonics integrity in not caving to it, but he has had to martyr himself financially and mentally as a result of possibly unconscionable, duplicitous conduct for which he may have a just and reasonable legal remedy.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned lack of specific information to avoid aggressive, vexacious litigation against him, does anyone know more on the legal position in these matters? IANAL, though I did enough Contract Law to know that rescission (Annulment is for Marriage) has specific rules and should operate such that each party should be restored to the positions they would have occupied if no contract had ever been formed. Further, in serious, provable cases of Unconscionable conduct, remedies like promissory estoppel can be invoked as a shield to protect people like Sonic in positions of unequal bargaining power from being completely shafted. I don't know both sides or the whole picture at all, but it's not difficult for me to imagine people relying on Korean Culture, Face saving and Sonic's effusive passion and vision for his scene against him, and I don't want him to be a victim or shoulder this kind of thing. Could someone find out if he has seriously and in earnest considered every possible legal remedy available?
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On January 24 2014 02:56 Xiphos wrote:Show nested quote +On January 24 2014 01:18 Epoxide wrote:On January 23 2014 23:26 Boonbag wrote:On January 23 2014 16:21 Gamegene wrote:On January 23 2014 15:42 Phyanketto wrote:On January 23 2014 14:22 Antisocialmunky wrote: Seed the winner of TSL into SOSPA :D Sziky would probably fight on the level of Like Starcue and Zergman, the next grrrrr??? he need blue eyes and a quebec accent ...Blue? Its suppose to be "Green Eyed Warrior" get it right!
Casters use to call it blue eyed warrior. This isnt Dbz lawl.
But yeah they were green now that i think of it.
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