After we put a different spin on our series last year, we've run into similar issues—this will be the second BlizzCon for a lot of players, even the third for some. Our series was first and foremost centered around the storylines of players competing. This becomes an issue once players attend the tournament more than once. Their story has often not really changed all that much. For example: Polt is still 'Captain America', the exact same way he was last year. The risk of repetition grew even more compared to last year, and no theme (such as the Major Arcana we did last year) would help circumvent it. We wanted to stay as creative and fun as possible, while at the same time bringing you something fresh and interesting, yet also giving you all the information you need about everyone attending the Global Finals.
And so we came up with this. What we're going to release over the coming days is a fictional story consisting of 16 'chapters', all based on and referencing events that happened in WCS 2015. This novelization of the entire WCS year will take some creative liberties but will hopefully still give readers a evocative picture of the last year of Heart of the Swarm. Each chapter will also feature a short introduction for each player and a list of the best or most representative games they've played throughout the year.
The final chapter, the ending if you will, will be written after BlizzCon. That only makes sense—we don't know how the story ends yet!
It's a massive project, the biggest we've ever taken on as a team. As we said last year, writing can—and should!—be fun, and fiction is something most of us have never tried before. We're very excited about the collective result and hope that you will enjoy reading this story as much as we will enjoy watching it unfold.
Edit: In case you must know, we will be releasing 2 articles per day until Opening Weekend begins. Each chapter will be released chronologically, and characters and events will reappear in other chapters, too. While chapters focus on single players, everyone will fit into the big picture.
PS. Juuuust in case you're worried about having only a crazy story to read, don't fret! We will still include a short player introduction (basically a mini player preview), a list of their 4-5 best games of the year, and a strat analysis article. Think of it as a bonus, because BlizzCon!
Your TL Writing Team
Intro
We are in the fictional land of Metzennala, the main continent of this world. However, there are also numerous far away islands and foreign lands. Glostalea is the continent's capital, but the second largest city, Spostalea, is experiencing rapid growth. Castles dot the continent, where the most powerful clans reside. These clans rival each other for power and influence; generals and leaders align themselves with these houses. As such, war is the only constant.
The people in this world choose one of three races or affinities: Protoss, Zerg or Terran. While everyone is technically human, their race dictates the armies they control and the powers that they posses. Essentially, a physical interpretation of "players-as-generals". For example: Protoss have psionic powers including psi blades and psi storms; Zergs can control creatures through mind control; and Terrans command more traditional armies and units. All three of these races have a high Council and one leader. While the Councils do not have political power, they do influence the balance of power by directing the evolution of their race.
While there can only be one King that rules the continent, the throne is always contested. The position is not hereditary or democratic. Instead, the title is won by conquest. The golden Scepter is not only the King's symbol of power, it legitimizes his rule. Without it, the throne is essentially abdicated. He is the highest authority in Metzennala, but it is not absolute.
There are also several outlying islands, such as Vacation Island and Exile Island. The main foreign island is Oegugin. Small tribes run rampant, but some castaways from Metzennala have decided to tame the natives and build their own kingdoms.
Death does not exist in this world (because, video games); when something dies it can be reanimated and revived with little consequence. When someone is killed, they go through excruciating pain and respawn either in a reanimation chamber (if the body is recovered quickly), or at a point designated by fate. Because death is a non-factor for the powerful, exile is the most common form of punishment. However, some people choose the life of banishment on their own.
The Backstory
Once upon a time, sOs ruled Metzennala after triumphing over the tyrant Jaedong. Sadly, his reign did not last long as he lacked the authority to unify the clans. Civil war broke out and a rebellion ensued. All the continent's greatest generals tried to sieze the throne, but it was KT Rolster that prevailed. Their mighty champion Zest paved the way for the prodigy Life, but the chiseled Protoss fell in battle and entered an eternal state of rest. When all was said and done, Life had dethroned the incumbent king and ruled over the land.
Life's power was uncontested, as his kingdom's seat was the capital, Glostalea. In addition, he oversaw the Council of Zerg. However, there was still turmoil in Metzennala. While herO headed the Protoss Council, his position was heavily contested. INnoVation's collapse against Taeja had ushered in the era of Maru. Soon, PartinG became the first man to challenge Life's regime, but he was defeated and sent into exile for treason—where he met his fellow exile Rain, who had grown tired of life in his clan. The exiled Protoss had proven that the sovereign was not invincible, and the warring clans grew anxious waiting for their opportunity.
Metzennala was at peace, but as history suggested, the world would once again spiral into chaos.
Some of the best writing TL has ever produced has been from the 2 years in which this series has gone on. So It's nice to know it's back, thats for sure
There was also an associated strategy article with each of those players found at the bottom of the writers' articles! They didn't have many views though
I appreciate the effort of coming up with something fresh, but this just doesn't interest me one bit. I was really excited to see the run of the mill player previews as I haven't been following the scene that closely in the past year.
On October 24 2015 09:26 herMan wrote: I appreciate the effort of coming up with something fresh, but this just doesn't interest me one bit. I was really excited to see the run of the mill player previews as I haven't been following the scene that closely in the past year.
all the articles also include a player introduction (short standard preview), a list of their 4-5 best games of the year, and 1 in-depth strat analysis of a game
- how negative some users at at the free quality content that they kept being given - how chill the TL staff/writers are at all the mud thrown at them
Anyways, can't wait to read your articles. I enjoyed the 2014 ones (I won't lie, I read better articles on TL. They were not bad, they were... enjoyable)
I think this is fun. Good luck with the rest of the story. Also i kinda have a feeling that many people here don't appreciate what tl writers are doing. Just saying that if someone dont like it shouldn't bother reading
On October 24 2015 16:41 Stolker wrote: I think this is fun. Good luck with the rest of the story. Also i kinda have a feeling that many people here don't appreciate what tl writers are doing. Just saying that if someone dont like it shouldn't bother reading
or they could read and then change their minds WHO KNOWS
there is standard stuff anyway, coz we gotta please everyone
There was also an associated strategy article with each of those players found at the bottom of the writers' articles! They didn't have many views though
:-( to be honest, I never noticed the icon and the article behind it. so I guess it was not that people weren't interested, but rather just didn't know about it because of the awkward hidden placing at the bottom of the article...
You guys are killing me. Team Liquid article team is really a step ahead of the rest of the e-sport news site. Thank you and looking for the next fiction article for Blizzcon
Cute way to do it. Kinda corny/silly, but that seems like the point. Looking forward to the articles ^_^ One each day, right? (EDIT: Ahh I see now, my b)
On October 24 2015 17:59 theunabletable wrote: Cute way to do it. Kinda corny/silly, but that seems like the point. Looking forward to the articles ^_^ One each day, right? (EDIT: Ahh I see now, my b)
On October 24 2015 19:07 Diabolique wrote: I am clicking all the time on "1" and nothing happens :-( It just always moves me back to the beginning of page. Stupid game :-(
Might be an idea to wait for the first chapter before trying to read it
On October 24 2015 19:07 Diabolique wrote: I am clicking all the time on "1" and nothing happens :-( It just always moves me back to the beginning of page. Stupid game :-(
Might be an idea to wait for the first chapter before trying to read it
No no no no no no no!!! It is a broken machine! :-)
On October 24 2015 20:22 TheOneAboveU wrote: Call me exciteeeeeeeeed! :D
How can you be excited about a broken game? I give up for today. But try to repair it at least before BlizzCon! People would be upset if it is still broken ...
On October 24 2015 20:22 TheOneAboveU wrote: Call me exciteeeeeeeeed! :D
How can you be excited about a broken game? I give up for today. But try to repair it at least before BlizzCon! People would be upset if it is still broken ...
Give it a couple more hours. No point in killing anticipation by posting it too soon
On October 24 2015 20:22 TheOneAboveU wrote: Call me exciteeeeeeeeed! :D
How can you be excited about a broken game? I give up for today. But try to repair it at least before BlizzCon! People would be upset if it is still broken ...
Give it a couple more hours. No point in killing anticipation by posting it too soon
Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! Post it soon! :-)
At the risk of this being a really obvious troll attempt...
The cards are meant to be gray and lead back to the top of the page. No articles are released yet, that's why the links currently don't work. It's intended. They will be added one by one as the articles come out.
On October 24 2015 21:54 Minase wrote: Guys...sth is broken - all cards just bring you to the top of the page and card backs are all gray. Hard to say it but I expected better...
Exactly! This is what I was telling them! OK, if you press "1", you are back at the top of the page. I could understand it. But if you press "3" or "12", you are as well at the top of the page!!!!! That is weird!!!
On October 24 2015 21:54 Minase wrote: Guys...sth is broken - all cards just bring you to the top of the page and card backs are all gray. Hard to say it but I expected better...
Exactly! This is what I was telling them! OK, if you press "1", you are back at the top of the page. I could understand it. But if you press "3" or "12", you are as well at the top of the page!!!!! That is weird!!!
On October 24 2015 21:54 Minase wrote: Guys...sth is broken - all cards just bring you to the top of the page and card backs are all gray. Hard to say it but I expected better...
Exactly! This is what I was telling them! OK, if you press "1", you are back at the top of the page. I could understand it. But if you press "3" or "12", you are as well at the top of the page!!!!! That is weird!!!
You are a very strange guy
I am just not patient. And I am afraid, you will be writing several of the 16 pages after the first round next Sunday, when they might not be that relevant anymore.
On October 24 2015 21:54 Minase wrote: Guys...sth is broken - all cards just bring you to the top of the page and card backs are all gray. Hard to say it but I expected better...
Exactly! This is what I was telling them! OK, if you press "1", you are back at the top of the page. I could understand it. But if you press "3" or "12", you are as well at the top of the page!!!!! That is weird!!!
You are a very strange guy
I am just not patient. And I am afraid, you will be writing several of the 16 pages after the first round next Sunday, when they might not be that relevant anymore.
On October 24 2015 09:26 herMan wrote: I appreciate the effort of coming up with something fresh, but this just doesn't interest me one bit. I was really excited to see the run of the mill player previews as I haven't been following the scene that closely in the past year.
all the articles also include a player introduction (short standard preview), a list of their 4-5 best games of the year, and 1 in-depth strat analysis of a game
On October 25 2015 00:01 DarkLordOlli wrote: All 16 articles will be released before the Ro16 starts.
OK, THANK YOOOOU!!! In this case, I am silent as a mouse ... I was afraid, it will actually not be about the players ... but about tournaments ... and I would so much love to read it about players ... so in this case, I am happy and waiting!!!
Interesting idea. I certainly appreciate the difficulty of rehashing the same player background/story/strategy, so I am looking forward to seeing how something a little different plays out.
herO is considered 'Transparent' in Korea and we have to have an 'observer' to watch him. Understand if it is too late to do so, but it will be very cool if he has some Blink DT powers instead of the normal storm and psiblade!
On October 25 2015 00:01 DarkLordOlli wrote: All 16 articles will be released before the Ro16 starts.
Yeah, promises. Seeker promised videos with MMA and Bomber talking about LotV alpha during the last Blizzcon and so far it looks that Seeker will be beaten by LotV release date (I love your translations, Seeker, don't take me seriously )
On October 25 2015 00:01 DarkLordOlli wrote: All 16 articles will be released before the Ro16 starts.
Yeah, promises. Seeker promised videos with MMA and Bomber talking about LotV alpha during the last Blizzcon and so far it looks that Seeker will be beaten by LotV release date (I love your translations, Seeker, don't take me seriously )
lol, I can translate those videos if people want. I just don't think anyone will be interested anymore
On October 25 2015 00:01 DarkLordOlli wrote: All 16 articles will be released before the Ro16 starts.
Yeah, promises. Seeker promised videos with MMA and Bomber talking about LotV alpha during the last Blizzcon and so far it looks that Seeker will be beaten by LotV release date (I love your translations, Seeker, don't take me seriously )
lol, I can translate those videos if people want. I just don't think anyone will be interested anymore
It is really not needed, I just have a very good memory on these stupid little things but I keep forgetting to build pylons (or send a rent :D)
But now I have your reaction and this makes my mission accomplished! Yay
Edit> Therefore I may bump the original thread on the release day(doubt it, I am too lazy to search for it) but you won't see any other reminding from me again