God damn I'm an artist. Anyways, State of the Game is packing up and going to Boston for PAX East zomG!
We have quite the panel of competitive gaming badasses coming with us:
JP McDaniel -- MLG Caster / Producer, Host of State of the Game
Sean 'Day[9]' Plott -- Caster, CEO DAY[9] TV
Dan 'Artosis' Stemkoski -- GSL Caster and one-half of Tastosis
Geoff 'iNcontroL' Robninson -- Pro SC2 Player for Team Evil Geniuses
Mark 'MarkMan' Julio -- MadCatz Sponsorship Manager (he ESPORTS now)
Kevin Lin -- COO, Twitch.TV
Marcus 'DjWHEAT' Graham -- Caster, Twitch.TV Rep, OMG.tv CEO
Brad Shoemaker -- Editor, GiantBomb.com
And of course the time, day, and location!
------->Wyvern Theatre, Sunday 10:30am - 11:30am on April 8th, 2012<-------
As of 3/1/2012 there are still Sunday passes available and you can go to HEREregister and purchase ($35)
While I won't make the actual show notes until the weekend of (just so everything is fresh) we do have some general themes (AKA something PAX requested for their brochure)
Competitive gaming has always been a community shunned by mainstream press but it's still continued to grow. In 2011 we saw the biggest growth for the industry from all angles. We're looking to get even more mainstream gaming eyes on the industry by featuring journalists, casters, players, and other industry professionals for a morning of laughs and learning as we talk all things competitive gaming.
What I really want to know is what do people want to see us talk about at a panel like this? The sky is really the limit and we only have one hour, but it should be a good time. We plan to record audio of this and I would like to record a video version as well, even if it is just a static camera because not sure if we'll have a camera man.
Thanks guys and see you there!
Edit: Last year we had people line up an hour prior to the show and they weren't let in because of how fast it filled up. Get there early if you want a seat. The theater (as far as I know) isn't that large.
shiiiiit. no nony. just isn't going to be the same without his symmetrical face.
also, sotg isn't really sotg with all of those other people. the environment will be quite different i imagine and the show will only be an hour. hope it goes well, but i'm skeptical
I have my 3 day pass but no hotel and the ride up there is crazy expensive so I might have to sell my pass this year.
Last years show was incredible, its too bad they gave you guys the Wyvern again and not a bigger venue since the line was filled up earlier than any other panel all of last year.
I know Gunrun Fishstix and I tried to stream it last year, and with all the technology advances in streaming since 13 months ago I hope something can be worked out, if not, well, the audio feed would be great. Even if you guys just flow free, Q&A whatever it takes, the show is massively entertaining.
On March 02 2012 12:23 Jeremyy wrote: Nice, but plz get rid of markman, kevin lin, and brian shoemaker. That would make it much better.
This. I'm sure they're fantastic people but let's be honest we don't want to hear them talk.
Unless they're giving you buckets of money I don't understand why they should be on the panel. The end product would be better otherwise.
it makes sense if it's going to be a giant e-sports interview the entire show, but...if it's trying to be a normal show it's going to turn into another "why the fuck is mlgadam still sitting there randomly talking" episode.
hopefully like lo3 where they bring someone on to talk for a while and have the sense to thank them and wish them a goodnight at some point.
On March 02 2012 12:26 Dingobloo wrote: So no Artosis at IPL4 for GSTL Grand Finals? Well.. that's confusing.
? I don't remember Tastosis being at IPL3 what gave you the idea they are guaranteed to be at 4
GSTL finals
HERPDEEDERP I'm awesome. Haha thanks for pointing that out
Yeah now I wonder, but something gives me a big idea that Artosis isn't going to prioritize a trade show with no real competitive side to it, over GSTL/IPL4
Fwiw, last year the panel started at 10:00 or 10:30 pm. I got there a little before 8pm and the line was already long enough to fill about half of the theatre. Just a heads up that the "hour early" suggested may actually leave you high and dry, based off of last year.
Also, you guys suck for announcing this now. I literally bought a Saturday pass an hour ago.
A topic to pick from could be the upcoming expansion, and what the progamers will have to do to keep up with tournaments. Also, how tournmanents will change: if tournaments will implement Wings of Liberty and Heart of Swarm in seperate brackets, or to pretty quickly change to Heart of Swarm exclusively, with new units and potentially big gameplay/UI/other changes. Also, what the panel thinks about BW progamers joining in SC2, specific players playstyles and what they will add to SC2 (popularity, skill level raised, new metagame...etc.)
Wow this looks like a giant step back from last year. 10:30am on a SUNDAY, only one hour and EIGHT panelists?!?!?!? (not including Sundance) Sounds like basically a chance for you guys to interview Mark, Kevin, and Brad and give out autographs. T_T
On March 02 2012 14:41 Disengaged wrote: Gonna be casted?
Sounds like JP doesn't know anyone who could stream it live or doesn't have the $ to do so. Let alone record quality video. I wonder if Day 9 and/or Twitch will have their own booth at PAX? It would make a lot of sense.
On March 02 2012 14:41 Disengaged wrote: Gonna be casted?
Sounds like JP doesn't know anyone who could stream it live or doesn't have the $ to do so. Let alone record quality video. I wonder if Day 9 and/or Twitch will have their own booth at PAX? It would make a lot of sense.
Twitch is the official stream sponsor for PAX. I'm sure they could hook JP up.
On March 03 2012 01:25 GhandiEAGLE wrote: God DAMN it guys, can't you do this at PAX West?? The best PAX? PAX Prime? God we always get the short end of the stick T_T
You know PAX Prime isn't much bigger than PAX East right?
Also, last year MLG was the same weekend as PAX Prime and that books JP (the primary host) as well as day9 and djwheat, as well as partially books incontrol. This one is during IPL4, which is no obligation as a caster for Day9 djWheat or JP. That is why, otherwise I'm sure they would go so yeah...relax lol
1. Journalism in esports, how to best grow it 2. Women in esports, how to best grow it 3. What is the best way to make esports financially stable in the long term?
I'd also like to hear discussion about the recent trend of foreign teams releasing Westerners in favor of hiring Koreans. For example, in the past 6 months:
EG: +1 Net Koreans, -1 Net Westerners TL: +2 Net Koreans, -1 Net Westerners Complexity: +5 Net Koreans, +0 Net Westerners Fnatic: +5 Net Koreans, -5 Net Westerners FXO: -2 Net Koreans, -3 Net Westerners imba.FXO: +0 Net Koreans, -6 Net Westerners Mouz: +0 Net Koreans, +1 Net Westerners Reign collapsing: -2 Net Koreans, -5 Net Westerners
Average Team: +0.5 Koreans, -2.5 Westerners
Is this a good thing or a bad thing for Western esport fans? What happens to this trend when current BW pros switchover?
On March 02 2012 12:23 Jeremyy wrote: Nice, but plz get rid of markman, kevin lin, and brian shoemaker. That would make it much better.
You're crazy man! Brad Shoemaker is fucking awesome. Hes part of one of the biggest mainstream gaming podcasts and is a huge sc2 fan. You wont be disappointed unless you want to live in a bubble 24/7.
Maybe a bit off topic but anyone willing to say what PAX stands for? I mean, I don't think i've ever heard anyone say the full thing. It's always an acronym. And it's used a lot.
And oh yeah, State of the ffing Game is always awesome, no matter where it is. You rock JP.
On March 03 2012 03:29 Kilby wrote: Maybe a bit off topic but anyone willing to say what PAX stands for? I mean, I don't think i've ever heard anyone say the full thing. It's always an acronym. And it's used a lot.
And oh yeah, State of the ffing Game is always awesome, no matter where it is. You rock JP.
On March 03 2012 03:29 Kilby wrote: Maybe a bit off topic but anyone willing to say what PAX stands for? I mean, I don't think i've ever heard anyone say the full thing. It's always an acronym. And it's used a lot.
And oh yeah, State of the ffing Game is always awesome, no matter where it is. You rock JP.
When matched against each other, which country would you say is the nerdiest when it comes to e-sports/SCII out of USA and Sweden? Korea is already in first place, haha! :D
Please have them say if any of them are going to Dreamhack Summer in June! Would be great.
Europe is growing strong, and now has a very impressive line-up when it comes to really good players. What do you think about players such as:
NaNiwa Stephano ThorZain SjoW SaSe Ret
And any other player you may think of.
Name the features that you would actually like the most to be implented in SC2, and why they are so important. I am mostly talking about LAN, after the huge disconnects at MLG, Assembly and other LANs. You, the pros, casters and other people important to the community, are the faces we need to show Blizzard. This would be a great chance to give them your opinion, with people watching, and important people talking. There's got to be 1 from the SC2-team watching State of The Game, and with lots of staff from the Battle.Net-team gone, someone with a brain is hopefully watching.
On March 02 2012 12:23 Jeremyy wrote: Nice, but plz get rid of markman, kevin lin, and brian shoemaker. That would make it much better.
You're crazy man! Brad Shoemaker is fucking awesome. Hes part of one of the biggest mainstream gaming podcasts and is a huge sc2 fan. You wont be disappointed unless you want to live in a bubble 24/7.
Exactly. The Bombcast is one of the best podcasts for video games out there and is funny shit. Brad is the man at Giant Bomb pushing SC2 and keeping up with what is going on. He has been reporting on video games longer than most people have known about SC or BW. Giant Bomb is an awesome, independant game site and the exact sort of coverage we want. Giant Bomb sent Brad to Korea for GSL 2 and it was the first main stream coverage of SC2 I had ever scene. Back when MKP was Fauxer(Boxer). He interviewed Jino and Idra before they ever faced off in GSL season 3. He toured the oGs house back when Huk was still a Liquid player and was known for the mothership rush. The Giant Bomb community still runs tournaments, on their own, independant of TL and I believe Brad still plays in them.
Unless you want to be like other game communities and only feature people who are directly involved in the scene. Personally, I want none of that. I want to hear what other people think of SC2. I will listen to ever other State of the Game for the rest of the year with only the 4 main pillers as a guest.
Always been a follower of PAX stuff, great to see SotG there. Would love if you discussed the effect gaming culture has in general on the competitive esports world and vice versa. Considering PAX is one of the largest venues of gaming culture I think this would be appropriate to the venue and your show both. Looking forward to watching/listening!
On March 02 2012 12:23 Jeremyy wrote: Nice, but plz get rid of markman, kevin lin, and brian shoemaker. That would make it much better.
You're crazy man! Brad Shoemaker is fucking awesome. Hes part of one of the biggest mainstream gaming podcasts and is a huge sc2 fan. You wont be disappointed unless you want to live in a bubble 24/7.
Exactly. The Bombcast is one of the best podcasts for video games out there and is funny shit. Brad is the man at Giant Bomb pushing SC2 and keeping up with what is going on. He has been reporting on video games longer than most people have known about SC or BW. Giant Bomb is an awesome, independant game site and the exact sort of coverage we want. Giant Bomb sent Brad to Korea for GSL 2 and it was the first main stream coverage of SC2 I had ever scene. Back when MKP was Fauxer(Boxer). He interviewed Jino and Idra before they ever faced off in GSL season 3. He toured the oGs house back when Huk was still a Liquid player and was known for the mothership rush. The Giant Bomb community still runs tournaments, on their own, independant of TL and I believe Brad still plays in them.
Unless you want to be like other game communities and only feature people who are directly involved in the scene. Personally, I want none of that. I want to hear what other people think of SC2. I will listen to ever other State of the Game for the rest of the year with only the 4 main pillers as a guest.
My sentiments exactly. Brad is the guy who got me back into StarCraft in the first place. I'm sure he's drawn in many others into the scene as well.
Anyone who thinks that having knowledgeable, popular, mainstream gaming press on the panel at a GAMING CONVENTION, is only showing how far their ignorance extends. There are no possible negatives.
On March 03 2012 05:56 templar rage wrote: Switched my Saturday pass for a Sunday one. Now I have to wake up at like 6:30am to get there on time T_T. Will totally be worth it though.
How hard is that? I just found out it needs to be done.
On March 02 2012 13:04 Dodgin wrote: Wolf and Khaldor said during the Code A broadcast last night that they were going to the GSTL finals, so I guess that explains the lack of Tasteosis.
Seriously? That fucking sucks... Now GSTL at IPL seems like less of a big deal.
Excellent, I've been waiting for a SotG/Giant Bomb crossover for a while. This should be great. Giant Bomb is probably my favorite gaming site and Brad is definitely quite knowledgeable about SC2.
On March 03 2012 05:56 templar rage wrote: Switched my Saturday pass for a Sunday one. Now I have to wake up at like 6:30am to get there on time T_T. Will totally be worth it though.
How hard is that? I just found out it needs to be done.
I just emailed them and asked if I could switch my pass and they said yes. They refunded my Sat pass, then I had to go on and buy a Sun pass separately.
Is Markman in the panel to prove that not everyone in the fighting game community ISN'T a stupid fuck like Aris or is he just there to talk about MadCatz peripherals?
just posting to say how jealous I am of the people who are going to this. I've been at the last 2 pax east and have lots of friends in the penny-arcade community but with it being on east this year I just can't go.
On March 03 2012 02:04 RoboBob wrote: 1. Journalism in esports, how to best grow it 2. Women in esports, how to best grow it 3. What is the best way to make esports financially stable in the long term?
I'd also like to hear discussion about the recent trend of foreign teams releasing Westerners in favor of hiring Koreans. For example, in the past 6 months:
EG: +1 Net Koreans, -1 Net Westerners TL: +2 Net Koreans, -1 Net Westerners Complexity: +5 Net Koreans, +0 Net Westerners Fnatic: +5 Net Koreans, -5 Net Westerners FXO: -2 Net Koreans, -3 Net Westerners imba.FXO: +0 Net Koreans, -6 Net Westerners Mouz: +0 Net Koreans, +1 Net Westerners Reign collapsing: -2 Net Koreans, -5 Net Westerners
Average Team: +0.5 Koreans, -2.5 Westerners
Is this a good thing or a bad thing for Western esport fans? What happens to this trend when current BW pros switchover?
imba.FXO turned into just FXO yo. All of their pro players are now just part of "FXO" and no longer associated with the imba guild.
Hey JP! I love you and I love SotG. However, as a european it's really frustrating not knowing what time it is in CET. I don't even know what timezone you're referring to. Please always add CET and KST to the time. Would be great! Thank you for a great show! <3
I'd love for you guys to talk about the whole FRB idea and how fans could/should be able to affect game design via maps etc. and whether or not you think Blizzard should encourage this.
On March 03 2012 02:04 RoboBob wrote: 1. Journalism in esports, how to best grow it 2. Women in esports, how to best grow it 3. What is the best way to make esports financially stable in the long term?
I'd also like to hear discussion about the recent trend of foreign teams releasing Westerners in favor of hiring Koreans. For example, in the past 6 months:
EG: +1 Net Koreans, -1 Net Westerners TL: +2 Net Koreans, -1 Net Westerners Complexity: +5 Net Koreans, +0 Net Westerners Fnatic: +5 Net Koreans, -5 Net Westerners FXO: -2 Net Koreans, -3 Net Westerners imba.FXO: +0 Net Koreans, -6 Net Westerners Mouz: +0 Net Koreans, +1 Net Westerners Reign collapsing: -2 Net Koreans, -5 Net Westerners
Average Team: +0.5 Koreans, -2.5 Westerners
Is this a good thing or a bad thing for Western esport fans? What happens to this trend when current BW pros switchover?
I would hope it would show the "Westerners" that they need even more practice and motivation than their current regiment to compete in the scene.
As far as the fans go, I feel that the majority of Western fans still really enjoy seeing the top level of play available at the time. The small amount of foreigners in the major competitions will still have a HUGE amount of fan support, likely more focused on themselves.
On April 08 2012 23:28 Torpedo.Vegas wrote: State of the Game will not be streamed from the venue this week. They will try to record the audio for a podcast.
On April 08 2012 23:28 Torpedo.Vegas wrote: State of the Game will not be streamed from the venue this week. They will try to record the audio for a podcast.
You kidding me? You think this is a motherfucking GAME?!
Man.. I bet tomorrow I'm gonna wake up to a nice steamy pile of shit in my cereal too.