KeSPA Launches English Site

[Gifted]

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[Gifted]

For those who might not know the "KeSPA vs Blizzard" history, here is some relevant information from another website:

Source: Gosugamers

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As you know Starcraft, as a game, evolves. It happened over the course of the game's 11 year life. The evolution has taken a bit of an unexpected turn, as StarCraft battles evolved into the real world.

Blizzard Entertainment, the creator of all this magnificence is currently in a wedge fight with Korean Kespa. Cause? You guessed it, Starcraft II and all the copyright to it, including possible leagues, broadcasts and even player unions. We present to you a recap of all what has been going so far.

As you know, Kespa is running all of the Korean e-sports, hence the name: Korean e-Sports Players Association. The word Players is no stranger here, as it basically controls the activities of Kespa licensed players on television Networks. Kespa is functioning within the two broadcasting networks: OGN and MBC. Both are represented within Kespa ruling body and are in fact a broadcasting platform for all the events. Since Blizzard lost all control over StarCraft, they are now trying to take control and collect royalties from every possible future application of StarCraft II, which includes promotion, players, tournaments, leagues and broadcasts.

Kespa wants to keep things as they are, so Blizzard went to GOM as a sponsor and licensing agent of sorts, pretty much paving the way for future StarCraft II tournaments on GOM network, completely avoiding any possible collaboration with its competitor. Kespa called for help and got it. Much like China, Korea is threatening to rate StarCraft II Adult 18+, meaning very tough times for any broadcaster, a huge decrease in the viewing audience and a slump in sales in Korea, China and all of the Asian region.

The first stone was thrown by Blizzard, by denying the broadcast of their games on ESWC Cheonan, Kespa answered with e-Stars Seoul StarCraft II show-matches broadcast ban, then came China and basically swiped the game altogether, labeling it too violent.

In order to get things moving again, Blizzard is attempting to deal with MBC and OGN directly, avoiding Kespa; that is yet to resolute. Korean government's response on a copyright infringement claim in Blizzard vs. Kespa case was plain simple: as Kespa is the official Korean e-sports coordinator, a ruling body similar to European auto sport FIA, all the decisions must go through them, and just like that we are at a stalemate.

Now, before taking any side, you must know, that Kespa is the one who is responsible for the immense growth of e-sports in Korea in the past couple of years, not only within Blizzard games, but every single other one. Kespa is also taking part in creating similar organizations in Japan and United Kingdom. After all don't forget, both parties are fighting for money and for money only.

Source: GosuGamers

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No GomTV Classic Season 4! That's right, contrary to the rumors and hints promising the return of the event - it's not going to. Fomos, a Korean news agency, reported that GOM will not be hosting season four of it's GomTV StarCraft Intel Classic tournament.

Reasons behind this decision are as transparent and 'unquestionable' as ever:

1. Seven teams: Air Force, Estro, MBC, KT, OGN, STX, SKT1 decided not to participate in the event.

2. Workload and general preparation or practice for players is just too much, with more than enough tournaments currently under KeSPA's wing and even more coming up in the nearest future.

3. GOM is not interested in hosting a tour for just five remaining teams, among them: Oz, Samsung Khan, Stars, CJ, Wemade FOX.

It's yet unknown whether GOM will be announcing a new tournament or a series featuring foreigners or a mix of Korean and foreign StarCraft professionals, but one thing is clear: KeSPA won this round. Perhaps Blizzard needs to rethink their position on dealing with Korean authorities, otherwise the long awaited StarCraft II may end up with the community the size of kinder-garden sandpit.

If you don't know the whole story, here's a round-up of what's been going on:

1. KeSPA, Korea e-Sports regulator got in a fight with Blizzard over control of the future StarCraft II scene in South Korea.

2. Korean authorities sent Blizzard to deal with KeSPA or "die", basically.

3. Blizzard tried to negotiate with OGN and MBC, the two broadcasters of StarCraft in Korea, - negotiations went nowhere.

4. Blizzard replied by sponsoring GOM, a popular independent StarCraft broadcaster.

5. Over the course of three years GOM was becoming more and more popular, due it it's greater amounts of matches per broadcast, English commentary (by Tasteless), bigger prize pool and an overall more relaxing atmosphere for players.

6. Blizzard injected a considerable sum of cash into GOM, basically doubling it's prize pool and an overall budget, with a general idea of GOM becoming a main broadcaster of StarCraft and more importantly StarCraft II in Korea, whilst GOM was already televising StarCraft, WarCraft III and WoW tournaments.

7. KeSPA replied by denying certain teams they have influence over to participate in GOM events.

What's next? We've no idea. It's been reported that some sort of negotiations between Blizzard and KeSPA will be taking place in December. No matter what comes out of that we'll of course "red flag" report it.

[Wankey]

Interesting dispute. It guess it all comes down to money. If kespa shoots down SC2, they’re shoot themselves in the head.. not the foot. Isn’t SC1 already losing alot of popularity in Korea due to the economy?

[Gifted]

SC1 is still doing well over there. But there is the same level of "We'd rather see how SC2 is" there as there is here, creating a certain undertone for sure.

[Crota]

It will be interesting to see how everything plays out. eSports as a whole will always be plagued with having a more polished looking game released every few years making it diffucult for the players, hence the introduction of KeSPA. The players who start training at the age of 6 for physical supports (football, baseball, tennis) don't have to worry about a Football II being released.

Here's hoping a healthly compromise can be reached and eSports as a whole grows.

[Norfindel]

Great, if we allow everything to become an monopoly, all is going to be great
Earth Corp.
aka
MNU

[Zabimaru]

If kespa shoots down SC2, they’re shoot themselves in the head.. not the foot

They’ve shot themselves in several other body parts before...

But yes, it will be interesting to see how this all develops.

[sandwich_bird]

Launching an english site won't be enough. Why not renaming themselve eSPA. Until they do this, I'd rather have Blizzard handle everything.

[Nicol Bolas]

Why not renaming themselve eSPA.

I don't see how that would help. Changing their name won't change their policies to their players.