No Kespa Players in Upcoming GSL

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For our previous GSL Season 3 Code A qualifiers, we had inquired to KeSPA if their players would be allowed to participate and at the time, as scheduling was very difficult, KeSPA was not able to accommodate us. We also felt that many teams and players were still unprepared and concluded that we would request participation for the upcoming GSL Season 4.

Today, we have received an official response from KeSPA, stating that their players will, once again, not participate in the GSL Season 4 Code A qualifiers.

We are deeply sorry to all fans who have looked forward to seeing the Korean eSports scene work together in harmony.
Also, GOMTV would like to express their regret towards KeSPA’s reluctance to participate.

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On August 23 2012 19:20 Ribbon wrote:
http://www.thisisgame.com/en/2012/08/23/kespa-rejected-to-join-gsl-starcraft2-league

--A staff from Blizzard Korea also said “We are disconcerted by KeSPA’s sudden announcement. We will look over it and make an announcement by tomorrow”.--

Oh, that's interesting. Blizzard's getting involved. They've normally stayed out of this kind of drama.

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On August 23 2012 22:36 Dustin_Beaver wrote:
http://esports.gamechosun.co.kr/

현재 협회에서 준비중인 거대 프로젝트로 인해 쉽사리 선수들의 출전을 결정지을 수 없었다는 것이다.

협회 조만수 팀장은 "전략 위원회에서도 여러 의견들이 나왔다. GSL에 출전하자는 의견도 있었지만 선수들을 출전시킨 뒤 나중에 해당 선수들을 빼는 것은 더 큰 일이기 때문에 어쩔 수 없는 선택"이라고 밝혔다

KeSPA planning a "Giant Project"

They don't want to forfeit players due to this "Giant Project"

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On August 23 2012 22:48 Weirdkid wrote:
Translation from http://s.163.com/12/0823/20/89KD48V600314D0E.html

Kespa announced on the 23rd that they would not be taking part in GSL 2012 Season 4, but Kespa players and teams have expressed that they want to take part.

Ever since Kespa started going into Starcraft 2, their players have had pretty good performances, especially in WCS. This had led the Kespa coaches and players to say that "WCS Korean Qualifiers is a big turning point."

The performances of the Kespa players have been amazing in WCS Korea. There have been 64 games played between Kespa players and GSL players (as of 22nd), and out of the 64 games, the Kespa players have 36 wins and 28 losses, with a winning percentage of 56.25%, leading the GSL players.

"Being able to play against them in the tournament helped us to accelerate the pace at which we are catching up with them. It also gave us confidence. Winning in the tournament gives us confidence, and even if we lost, it gave us more experience, and that is helpful for us to catch up with them." Many players have expressed this, "Hoping to be able to play in the Code A tournament soon. We should be able to go ahead and play against the GSL players unconditionally, so we can gain more experience."

The coaching team shares the same thoughts. One of the coaches of a certain team which produced outstanding performances in WCS said, "Even though the performance at the lans isn't that good, but from the performance of the seeded players, the catching up of Kespa players is much faster than expected. If we are able to take part in the games in September, I think there should be at least 1-2 players from each team who can make Code A."

GSL related personnel felt the same way too. A certain commentator from GSL predicted, "In the WCS Korean Qualifiers, there should be at least 2 of them who will go on to be the representatives for Korea." But the fact is, out of the 10 representative spots, 3 of them have been taken by Kespa players.

This commentator noted, "The Kespa players won't be inferior if they were to go on GSL immediately. There is also a good chance there'd be some who'd make it to Code S. They have the basics of what it takes to be a pro-gamer. The only thing they lack is the in-game experience against other players."

Nonetheless, the hopes of the Kespa players and teams have been dissipated by the association's obstruction.

Addendum: There have been sources claiming that Gomtv had proposed really good deals for the Kespa players: 2 seeds straight to Code S, 2 seeds to Up and Downs, and 4 seeds to Code A.

*End of translation*


Edit: Either way, we'll see what happens tomorrow when Blizzard releases their statement

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On August 23 2012 23:26 nokz88 wrote:

As of now:

PlayXP(pro-Gom forums): First 15 posts about the issue - 14 negative / 1 neutral
Fomos(pro-KeSPA forums): First 10 posts - 8 negative / 2 neutral
Pgr: 7 posts - 6 negative / 1 positive

Seems like in Korea even KeSPA fanboys recognize an asshole move when they see it. Please do the same will ya?

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On August 23 2012 23:31 supernovamaniac wrote:
http://www.gamechosun.co.kr/article/view.php?no=92017

협회 측에서 그래텍에 통보한 이유는 "선수들의 일정 조정이 어려운 상황"이었다. 비시즌이라고는 하지만 포스트시즌 일정도 있고, 현재 협회에서 준비중인 거대 프로젝트로 인해 쉽사리 선수들의 출전을 결정지을 수 없었다는 것이다.

"KeSPA told GOMTV: "It was difficult to adjust the player's schedules." Though the season will be over after this weekend, KeSPA needs to schedule Proleague post-season matches, along with the huge project that they are working on. Thus, they decided to not allow their players in participating this upcoming GSL"

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Today it was revealed that KeSPA players would not be participating in the GSL qualifiers. What are your thoughts on this?

The players don't really know the underlying reasons so we just followed orders. Personally, I think it's a real shame.

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KeSPA players will be presented at SC2 Proleague, OSL, WCG Korean representative qualifiers, WCS and MLG online matches, MLG final invitational. Their regular week schedule will be 4 days for Proleague, 2 days for OSL, 2days for MLG cross matches.

Therefore, KeSPA decided not to join GSL Season 4 because of their busy schedule.

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On August 24 2012 18:39 wwowz wrote:
Here is the translation. Hope I'm not too late It was pretty hard to translate as the response from ESF was really formal and serious.

From ESF//

First of all, on behalf of E-sports federation, we are truly sad about what happened to KT's Woo Jeong Ho. We are truly sad to deliver this news around this time.

Yesterday, we received a statement from Kespa that the players will not participate in GSL season. This was a shocking and disappointing news to us.

We want to express our apology on the breach in partnership between Kespa and Esports Federation and on Kespa's decisions.

GOMTV devoted great amount of effort to succesfully globalize Korean E-sports ever since the release of Starcraft II 2 years ago.

Thanks to this, "E-sports Federation" was assembled to work side-by-side with GOMTV in the hope to carry Korean E-sports a step forward.

Considering the days of "GOMTV Classic", the decision by Kespa to not participate in GSL is not a simple issue and we are afraid that it might recur in the future considering the situation.

GOMTV provided Kespa players with various accommodations regarding the schedule and application process and yet the decision by Kespa seems to spoil the partnership between E-sports Federation and Kespa.

One of the reasons that Kespa will not participate in GSL was that there is a conflict in scheduling of the players. This is pretty hard to accept as GOMTV was able to accommodate many schedule conflicts without any problem for the past 2 years and this was also the case for Kespa players who participated in WCS and WCG.

E-Sports Federation does not want GSL to be removed from Korean E-sports and if it does, the effect of E-sports Federation players to the global E-sports will decrease for certain.

We think that it is mandatory for Kespa to work with us and show great games to our viewers. As such, we have contacted teams of E-sports Federation (Startale, LG-IM, Prime, MVP, NSH, TSL, FXO) regarding the players who are participating in OSL (Nestea, MVP, DRG, MKP, Parting, San) to make the following decision:

For the better future of Korean E-sports, we politely ask Kespa players to participate in GSL and until Kespa decides to allow their players to join GSL without any problem, we have decided to pull our players from OSL.

It is also difficult for us to make such harsh decisions but we think it is necessary to appeal the dignity of GOMTV and E-sports Federation.

Once again, we are truly apologetic regarding such news and we hope that Kespa would cooperate so that we can show amazing games to all of you.

Thanks

E-sports Federation Player representative Jae Deok "Nestea" IM
E-sports Federation President Won Jong Wook

source
http://www.thisisgame.com/board/view.php?category=13438&id=1273735

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The end result if this is allowed to happen? Well, GOM all but dies. It will become identical to brood war. GOM will be the in the dark shadows of OGN once again. There is nothing the foreign community can do to make GOM gain as much money as KESPA. They have TV money, and they only require 1 demographic to get it. Only KOREAN fans or KESPA players can boycott them, and well… I don’t see that happening.
Alternatively, Blizzard could take the crazy action and ban KESPA from its games. Oh I would spend a week laughing if that happened.

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On August 23 2012 16:45 Xapti wrote:
Was it previously planned that they would be participating, or what?

Personally from the bits I've seen it didn't seem like the KeSPA players were sufficiently prepared.

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On August 23 2012 16:48 FataLe wrote:
wow seems to me kespa really wants for them to catch up so their debut in the gsl goes exactly the way they want it to.
I'm torn as I love high level play no matter where it comes from but im also dissapointed i won't get to see them this coming gsl.

sigh

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We are deeply sorry to all fans who have looked forward to seeing the Korean eSports scene work together in harmony.

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On August 23 2012 16:55 Kleinmuuhg wrote:

Gomtv is really disappointed by this decision.
This just really feels like an agressive move. Without KespA players there will be much less interest in the GSL and they now it.
They better have a good reason for doing this.

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