Hello TL community, iCCup Admins, as well as haters of all shapes and sizes. Let me enlighten you all with a good read without delving too much in the past.
I became an iCCup Clan League Admin over a year and a half ago, recruited by iCCup.ToH1o. Being a player, I have been competing in iCCupCL as well as WGTCL, NASCL, BWML, BWCL, and others. At the initial hype of SC2's release and during their beta stages, Brood War took a big hit and the best teams all resigned from prestigious leagues (ToT, mouz, RoX, etc). Some resigned before CL Seasons began, some resigned at the end, and some resigned mid-season after realizing the inactivity of their teams.
All in all, iCCupCL became a disaster. So much of a disaster that even ToH1o couldn't bare to deal with something that was bound to die. That is where I came in and invested over 30 hours a week modifying and stabilizing a league that I was passionate about. BWCL eventually fell off the richter scale once it pretty much became 2 Divisions with a format of two 1v1s and one 2v2. Baring witness to this, I vowed to never left iCCupCL drop to that status.
I put in grueling hours of work and made numerous adjustments so that the leaders and players would have a fair league to represent their team. When I was making some money, I was planning to throw in a Prize for the Champions at the end of every Season, but that notion was shot down really quickly (I'll explain why, later in this). During my days as an Admin, I went out of my way to solidify the foundation of iCCupCL by making sure there were no cracks nor flaws. It even got to a point whereas Trial Admins couldn't bare to deal with my strict duties and over-achieving tendencies. The only one that had valor was iCCup.Kerotan. Being an iCCupCL Admin was considered one of the toughest, if not the toughest, branch on the whole server. I forced my admins to be at every Clan War every Saturday (8am PST, 11am EST, 12pm KST) making sure everything was running smoothly. They also had Forum duties, Draw Fixing duties, as well as checking every single replay uploaded by the players.
I pour my heart and soul into everything that I do online and offline. Bottom line: iCCupCL was my pride and joy. I went inactive for a little bit because I was falling behind in college. Kerotan was appointed as my replacement, and I was glad because no one else was better suited for the job. However, Kerotan crumbled quickly under the bullshit Head Admining of iCCup.Messer (see spoiler). Without Kerotan, iCCupCL was becoming shaky and my foundation was losing it's value. Fearing this, I became a part-time admin by smurfing as Kerotan and helping him behind the scenes. Eventually, Kerotan was kicked out for his inactivity and there was nothing I could do to remedy that situation without getting my IP tracked.
Fortunately, Messer "resigned" and smurfed as ICCUP.09032010. Then iCCup.nOoNe got the job as Head Admin and I was fucking happy. I hopped back on the Admin Staff with Full Honors and picked off where Kerotan left for me. It was a strenuous mess, but after 40 hours, I got iCCupCL back where it always should have been. I introduced iCCupCL being casted, the CL Predicitions, the CL Replay of the Week. I saw promise, I saw revival. Everything was going pretty well until there was inner turmoil among the iCCup Staff.
Many Admins started to abuse their powers against players, as well as against other admins. Shit got sour really fast. iCCup.nOoNe had to be the middleman and try to keep order, but he alone can only bare so much. ISL almost got completely fucked over and Brood War would have taken another major blow to it's cancerful kidney. I will not go into much of those details since there were threads on it before. But, I will go into my resignation though. A combination of drama, bullshit, dumbass admins, as well as frenzy with no hope made me quit again.
Then the server fucked over 100,000 accounts by deleting them from their database. My 113-33 [A] rank 1v1 account was gone, as well as my Admin account with over 400 important CL Threads and PMs, and a few others that had importance to me. From that point on, I never wanted to be an Admin again especially since nOoNe quit shortly after, and Messer was reappointed.
However, my heart was still with iCCupCL. iCCup.Supreme was completely oblivious to the whole thing. He went from baby steps to a man under my guidance. I had to teach him from The Basics to How to handle playoffs. For those of the teams that were in the playoffs (LRM, Nb, FR, iFU) you guys probably didn't know that Supreme wasn't going to show up. Which was the reason why I was there moderating until I grabbed Supreme to come online. iCCupCL was pretty much going to be entirely handled through Forums. If you are an experienced CL player, you know that that would be fucking ridiculous. Therefore, I clenched my teeth and smurfed as Supreme just to help out again.
This was very temporary because Supreme was not that active and I saw his demotion coming a mile away. Judging off the cluelessness of all the CL Admins, I was contemplating on coming back to help as iCCup.JoeKim. But I would never let myself be under the most abusive Admin, Messer. So I created a smurf account and gave it CL access to Troll the CL Admin Forums and see what was going on. Low and behold, Supreme gets demoted and Messer is the acting CL Super Admin. Everyone was fucking up left and right. They were destroying iCCupCL with new bullshit and lack of caring for Teams/Players.
I was hinting to them to realize their faults here: http://www.iccup.com/starcraft/community/thread/181424.html
That account got banned for me saying that Admins are scampering in ignorance. Apparently that was the same account I was placing my CL Predictions with here: http://www.iccup.com/starcraft/community/thread/175731.html
Whereas iCCup.GeckoXP wrote:
If you got your main account banned, do not post here with a smurf. If the admins can make the conncetion between Smurf and banned main account, we will remove both accounts from the scoring.
Thus, I replied...
wow, you're seriously refraining me from participating in this? you're really over your head, Michael. And to enlighten you a bit, Smurf is a term referring to concealing one's identity. In addition, you wouldn't be counting twice if you see "vTv.JoeKim" & "JoeKim"...that's not logical to count twice. this is truly haywire bias especially since the one month ban was over this:
+ Show Spoiler +
you of all people, know my contributions to iCCup. and clearly this system of predictions was derived from my exploit and experience. however, you have the audacity to make up a new rule just because of vendetta?
+ Show Spoiler +
#4 Posted: 22 May @ 22:32 PST
Thanks for the effort in explaining.
Clearly you do not grasp the subtle aggravation of Teams/Players that have been in this League for over a few years and no Admins had the decency to inform anyone of Rules being changed.
How difficult is it for the person who modified the Rules, to just copy/paste the new ones or the changed ones into a Sticky Post in the Clan League Forums? If the job is too much to handle, and the lackadaisical attitude continues, why not just get rid of iCCupCL? The only Admin who had the passion for this League was demoted and the remaining Admins are scampering in ignorance.
Bring this to the attention of Cheloman or someone with experience, the current staff remains clueless, even in regards to my PMs.
User was banned for this post till 23 Jun @ 17:49 PST by admin ICCUP.Messer.
Reason: keep your opinions about admins to yourself
Thanks for the effort in explaining.
Clearly you do not grasp the subtle aggravation of Teams/Players that have been in this League for over a few years and no Admins had the decency to inform anyone of Rules being changed.
How difficult is it for the person who modified the Rules, to just copy/paste the new ones or the changed ones into a Sticky Post in the Clan League Forums? If the job is too much to handle, and the lackadaisical attitude continues, why not just get rid of iCCupCL? The only Admin who had the passion for this League was demoted and the remaining Admins are scampering in ignorance.
Bring this to the attention of Cheloman or someone with experience, the current staff remains clueless, even in regards to my PMs.
User was banned for this post till 23 Jun @ 17:49 PST by admin ICCUP.Messer.
Reason: keep your opinions about admins to yourself
you of all people, know my contributions to iCCup. and clearly this system of predictions was derived from my exploit and experience. however, you have the audacity to make up a new rule just because of vendetta?
Then, he modified his post with:
Rule applies from now on.
€2: Since this ruling makes still confuses people:
A ban is a punishment. If you are banned, there is always a reason for the ban. If you got wrongfully banned, you can do a CAA. I do not want people to get in here with AKAs or Smurfs to post, simply dodging their punishment. I do not care that you can post elsewhere, in this topic you're a person non-grata if you got yourself a red user title.
Same applies for making predictions from two accounts of the same owner on the same play day. I will not tolerate any more posts that question this ruling. Anybody breaking this rule will get an additional timeout to his already existing ban.
€2: Since this ruling makes still confuses people:
A ban is a punishment. If you are banned, there is always a reason for the ban. If you got wrongfully banned, you can do a CAA. I do not want people to get in here with AKAs or Smurfs to post, simply dodging their punishment. I do not care that you can post elsewhere, in this topic you're a person non-grata if you got yourself a red user title.
Same applies for making predictions from two accounts of the same owner on the same play day. I will not tolerate any more posts that question this ruling. Anybody breaking this rule will get an additional timeout to his already existing ban.
Leading into the vTv Scandal.
Let's see how to fortify this situation without tickling too many fancies. I will have to dig through logs and screenshots for solidity but it would be unnecessary if the plaintiffs bore witness. Before this Clan League Season started, we were asked by Admins if we would enter. We declined since it was the lowest division and we did not want to start there. With that said, we were informed that if before mid-CL season higher teams (Div B) were to drop out, we would replace their slot and play the prior Clan Wars at a convenient time. This method has happened numerous seasons before, mainly in part of SC2's release and the notion that BW is "dying." When the qualification stage started for this season, I've realized that my team should get prepared (whether it be games or getting accustomed to the routine date/time) and thus I requested qualify and temporarily be in Division C. It was agreed upon that if no teams dropped out of their Division, vTv would have to start from the bottom. I was fine with that. Low and behold, 4 teams dropped out. I've been trying to contact CL Admins to rectify the foretold situation yet to no avail since there has been inactivity and confusion.
A couple of seasons ago, 17+ Teams dropped out. And before that, even more. iCCupCL went from Divisions A,B1,B2,C1,C2,C3,C4 to A,B1,B2,C1,C2 and finally A,B1,B2,C1 which is what we have now. During that process, many deserving as well as undeserving were given 2nd chances and opportunities. They replaced teams that dropped out and/or skipped Divisions. Some were based on stature, some were based on pure luck.
Ironically, teams such as sas, [AoV], Manner], fOsc, (OD), aFF, ash, and more than likely the teams of the gamers posting here, have all been given some sort of "special" treatment. I have logs with Pez, Bliss, Tony, and many other leaders who've all said "Thank You" not too long ago. Most of the gratitude was expressed from teams that were banned for the 2 walkover rule, they know who they are.
With this said, I am not aware of how everything was orchestrated but I am grateful for admins keeping their word and keeping this league alive. CL has been shaky since my departure yet it is starting to improve slowly but surely. Some of the gamers that have posted in this thread are posing threats of withdrawal in protest. By all means, do what you feel inclined to do. This was not the first time a team was seeded higher before mid-season. Those of you with experience would remember the clan wars played on a different time/date for substitutes. The main difference is that the majority of those teams weren't as decorated as this one.
Thank you for your time and comprehension.
EDIT: One of many logs...
Conversation with yello-ant@hotmail.com at 7/7/2010 2:05:56 PM on j0ekim@hotmail.com (msn)
(2:05:56 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: hey
(2:06:21 PM) Joe Kim: hey
(2:06:35 PM) Joe Kim: i figured out all the replacements
(2:06:40 PM) Joe Kim: so it will be the last time
(2:06:42 PM) Joe Kim: for this season
(2:06:52 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: thats nice, but we have major issue with the maps
(2:06:56 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: and we need your help
(2:07:08 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: did you check my PM?
(2:08:05 PM) Joe Kim: yeah
(2:08:10 PM) Joe Kim: but i dont understand it
(2:08:14 PM) Joe Kim: i never dealt with maps
(2:08:30 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: can you please check the mapdori site if they have there new protector or unprotector
(2:08:33 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: for the maps
(2:08:40 PM) Joe Kim: is it in korean?
(2:08:43 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: yes
(2:08:43 PM) Joe Kim: i'm not fluent
(2:08:53 PM) Joe Kim: you can't get a hold of Mai-K?
(2:10:14 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: ill PM Mai-K then
(2:10:16 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: thanks
(2:14:04 PM) Joe Kim: would you be able to help me out with the clan league replacements? or are you busy
(2:14:44 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: gimme the list ill make a not to the dev crew
(2:14:51 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: with the clan links please
(2:14:52 PM) Joe Kim: ok
(2:14:56 PM) Joe Kim: clan names better? links? IDs?
(2:15:06 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: full link to the clan page
(2:15:11 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: clan name and clan link
(2:15:23 PM) Joe Kim: ok, that'll take me 2 min
(2:21:10 PM) Joe Kim:
Division A:
7even -> aFF]
Division B1:
sO -> gNs.I
Division B2:
Ghost -> JST-
ZZZ -> sas.
imba. -> ash.
A couple of seasons ago, 17+ Teams dropped out. And before that, even more. iCCupCL went from Divisions A,B1,B2,C1,C2,C3,C4 to A,B1,B2,C1,C2 and finally A,B1,B2,C1 which is what we have now. During that process, many deserving as well as undeserving were given 2nd chances and opportunities. They replaced teams that dropped out and/or skipped Divisions. Some were based on stature, some were based on pure luck.
Ironically, teams such as sas, [AoV], Manner], fOsc, (OD), aFF, ash, and more than likely the teams of the gamers posting here, have all been given some sort of "special" treatment. I have logs with Pez, Bliss, Tony, and many other leaders who've all said "Thank You" not too long ago. Most of the gratitude was expressed from teams that were banned for the 2 walkover rule, they know who they are.
With this said, I am not aware of how everything was orchestrated but I am grateful for admins keeping their word and keeping this league alive. CL has been shaky since my departure yet it is starting to improve slowly but surely. Some of the gamers that have posted in this thread are posing threats of withdrawal in protest. By all means, do what you feel inclined to do. This was not the first time a team was seeded higher before mid-season. Those of you with experience would remember the clan wars played on a different time/date for substitutes. The main difference is that the majority of those teams weren't as decorated as this one.
Thank you for your time and comprehension.
EDIT: One of many logs...
Conversation with yello-ant@hotmail.com at 7/7/2010 2:05:56 PM on j0ekim@hotmail.com (msn)
(2:05:56 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: hey
(2:06:21 PM) Joe Kim: hey
(2:06:35 PM) Joe Kim: i figured out all the replacements
(2:06:40 PM) Joe Kim: so it will be the last time
(2:06:42 PM) Joe Kim: for this season
(2:06:52 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: thats nice, but we have major issue with the maps
(2:06:56 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: and we need your help
(2:07:08 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: did you check my PM?
(2:08:05 PM) Joe Kim: yeah
(2:08:10 PM) Joe Kim: but i dont understand it
(2:08:14 PM) Joe Kim: i never dealt with maps
(2:08:30 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: can you please check the mapdori site if they have there new protector or unprotector
(2:08:33 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: for the maps
(2:08:40 PM) Joe Kim: is it in korean?
(2:08:43 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: yes
(2:08:43 PM) Joe Kim: i'm not fluent
(2:08:53 PM) Joe Kim: you can't get a hold of Mai-K?
(2:10:14 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: ill PM Mai-K then
(2:10:16 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: thanks
(2:14:04 PM) Joe Kim: would you be able to help me out with the clan league replacements? or are you busy
(2:14:44 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: gimme the list ill make a not to the dev crew
(2:14:51 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: with the clan links please
(2:14:52 PM) Joe Kim: ok
(2:14:56 PM) Joe Kim: clan names better? links? IDs?
(2:15:06 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: full link to the clan page
(2:15:11 PM) iCCup.YelloAnt: clan name and clan link
(2:15:23 PM) Joe Kim: ok, that'll take me 2 min
(2:21:10 PM) Joe Kim:
Division A:
7even -> aFF]
Division B1:
sO -> gNs.I
Division B2:
Ghost -> JST-
ZZZ -> sas.
imba. -> ash.
As a last resort and being fed up with all of this shit, I took matters into my own hands and manually moved vTv into a disqualified team's slot. Since everything was being completely ignored even though there was more than enough proof to seed vTv in a higher division, as promised. Frankly, I was not bothered by vTv being in Division C. I was bothered by CL Admins, not doing a damn thing. There was no explanation or guidance: http://www.iccup.com/community/thread/185128.html
Everybody knows that we are only as strong as our weakest link. That weakest link happens to be Messer, therefore the detrimental fall will be inevitable.
iCCup.Messer
+ Show Spoiler +
Call it what you want to call it. Abuse? Cheating? Hacking? I don't care. Whatever insolent term it's labelled as, my actions barely scratch the surface. It is insignificant in comparison to Messer's actions. All I did was move a team in an empty slot that they were promised. When I've had the power to do so, it was praised and glorified by said-teams. When I don't have the power to do so, it's considered abuse/cheat/hack.
Which brings me to the Money Prize obligation. Simply put, the majority of the players in the league/server are undeserving scum. Two-faced individuals that are utterly ungrateful when you sacrifice your time and efforts just to help them. Then when you make a minor error, it's exploited and complete animosity arises.
Overall, what's done is done. I'm IP banned for taking actions into my own hands. If I wanted to, I could have easily destroyed everything. That's not my personality, especially since iCCup already has Admins pertaining to that role.
In addition, I am aware that not all of iCCup's Staff is corrupt. There are a few that I still respect and I have always respected for their countless efforts to help and their great hearts. Thank you all, for striving for balance. And thank you for reading this rant. I haven't gotten everything off my chest, yet I am at peace with the knowledge that I have bestowed upon the community.