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SL.Ange: "We wanted something different"
Laurent "Ange" Blum is the man behind the new Warcraft3 competition ShadowLeague, and the Frenchman takes the time to talk about the project and how it came about.
Can you explain how you managed to create this league and find sponsorship?
During the 5th year of our business school studies we participated, 4 friends and I, in a big event called “The French trophy of the enterprise creation”. We worked on the project over the course of 1 year and after qualifying for it we won the global final in Paris competing against 220 other projects. A lot of people follow this event every year and the Jury is composed of 15 managers from big enterprises. Following this we were contacted by companies interested in that project. Now the dream comes true.
What did the sponsors of the "grant" find so interesting about your project do you think?
A large part of the society doesn’t even know what electronic sports means and the purpose of the competition in video games. Our project pointed out how profitable this economic growth could be in terms of marketing and advertisement. They discovered a new world called “Esports” where thousands millions of players were involved.
"Our project pointed out how profitable this economic growth could be in terms of marketing and advertisement. " Can you be a bit more specific?
Do you remember this league made in 1946 called the NBA ? It is now one of the most profitable business in the world. Electronic sports adopts exactly the same format. It is based on horde of amateurs watching the matches and following their stars. The whole business linked to advertisment and products draws its sense from there. The brands are interested in this kind of advertisment and the huge possibility it offers to make events.
Well we are organising the unprecedented event "The Trophy of Legends" in the honor of great names that rose Electronic Sport one step higher, old time legends and active progamers. After which time we aim to open a grand Starcraft2 league.
We are not aiming to challenge anyone, our goal is to make our concept profitable and to help the electronic sport growth. We want everyone to find their interest in our project and our first consideration goes to the fans, and the active community.
Why did you decide to go with an old school theme, and not a typical invite format?
Well we wanted something different than the classic “team versus team” or “1 versus 1. We worked on something special that could excite the entire scene. Gathering old school pro-gamers and the active ones was the solution: every fan will enjoy watching. You know it’s like announcing a soccer event with Maradonna, Beckenbauer, Hong Myung-bo, Platini and Pele.. who could miss that ?
Is there not a possibility that the old school vs old school could get a bit boring if the players are out of shape?
The only thing I can promise here is: this tournament will be everything but boring ! Some of them will train hard to get back their great old shape, some others are here to enjoy and meet their fans while the remaining ones want to prepare their Starcraft 2 return but all in all they are all here for something. Do you really think names like Insomnia, Tak3r, Showtime or Susiria could make an event boring ?
The staff will be composed of some known names like Drunkin from fnatic or Jebiga from NoA. The coverage is the first thing we want to focus on. That’s why we will provide a full coverage for most of the matches (Garena TV, Waaaghtv and Livestream via octoshape on our website will be available) but few matches will be only Live on our website so don’t miss them ! We will also make as many shoutcasts as we can. I can already give you a name you can not ignore on the scene… Shagrath will be our shoutcaster.
For more information about the Trophy of Legends visit our news item.
By Lawrence Benedict 'Malystryx' Phillips
Aug 31, 2009 12:46
Laurent "Ange" Blum is the man behind the new Warcraft3 competition ShadowLeague, and the Frenchman takes the time to talk about the project and how it came about."After qualifying for it we won the global final in Paris competing against 220 other projects"
Laurent "Ange" Blum is the pioneer of the new league, and those who have been in the scene for a long time might remember him as an admin of the ClanBase MCL back in 2003-2004, or more recently for his work as head manager of the Beijing eSports Team before its demise. The Frenchman has been out of the scene for over two years, but returns bearing gifts, the chance to see well-known old school players return for one last go.Can you explain how you managed to create this league and find sponsorship?
During the 5th year of our business school studies we participated, 4 friends and I, in a big event called “The French trophy of the enterprise creation”. We worked on the project over the course of 1 year and after qualifying for it we won the global final in Paris competing against 220 other projects. A lot of people follow this event every year and the Jury is composed of 15 managers from big enterprises. Following this we were contacted by companies interested in that project. Now the dream comes true.
What did the sponsors of the "grant" find so interesting about your project do you think?
A large part of the society doesn’t even know what electronic sports means and the purpose of the competition in video games. Our project pointed out how profitable this economic growth could be in terms of marketing and advertisement. They discovered a new world called “Esports” where thousands millions of players were involved.
"Our project pointed out how profitable this economic growth could be in terms of marketing and advertisement. " Can you be a bit more specific?
Do you remember this league made in 1946 called the NBA ? It is now one of the most profitable business in the world. Electronic sports adopts exactly the same format. It is based on horde of amateurs watching the matches and following their stars. The whole business linked to advertisment and products draws its sense from there. The brands are interested in this kind of advertisment and the huge possibility it offers to make events.
"Do you really think names like Insomnia, Tak3r, Showtime or Susiria could make an event boring"
Is this a one-off event, or do you plan to organise more events in the future? Are you aiming to be a challenger to the NGL/WC3L or more of a GomTV invitational?Well we are organising the unprecedented event "The Trophy of Legends" in the honor of great names that rose Electronic Sport one step higher, old time legends and active progamers. After which time we aim to open a grand Starcraft2 league.
We are not aiming to challenge anyone, our goal is to make our concept profitable and to help the electronic sport growth. We want everyone to find their interest in our project and our first consideration goes to the fans, and the active community.
Why did you decide to go with an old school theme, and not a typical invite format?
Well we wanted something different than the classic “team versus team” or “1 versus 1. We worked on something special that could excite the entire scene. Gathering old school pro-gamers and the active ones was the solution: every fan will enjoy watching. You know it’s like announcing a soccer event with Maradonna, Beckenbauer, Hong Myung-bo, Platini and Pele.. who could miss that ?
Is there not a possibility that the old school vs old school could get a bit boring if the players are out of shape?
The only thing I can promise here is: this tournament will be everything but boring ! Some of them will train hard to get back their great old shape, some others are here to enjoy and meet their fans while the remaining ones want to prepare their Starcraft 2 return but all in all they are all here for something. Do you really think names like Insomnia, Tak3r, Showtime or Susiria could make an event boring ?
"I can already give you a name you can not ignore on the scene… Shagrath will be our shoutcaster"
You seem to have designed a good concept, but execution is critical. Who have you enlisted to help with the admin work, and what media coverage has been organised?The staff will be composed of some known names like Drunkin from fnatic or Jebiga from NoA. The coverage is the first thing we want to focus on. That’s why we will provide a full coverage for most of the matches (Garena TV, Waaaghtv and Livestream via octoshape on our website will be available) but few matches will be only Live on our website so don’t miss them ! We will also make as many shoutcasts as we can. I can already give you a name you can not ignore on the scene… Shagrath will be our shoutcaster.
For more information about the Trophy of Legends visit our news item.
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[quote]big names like Drunkin[/quote]
are you kidding me? :))) j/k
That sentence is wonderful, at last an event that knows that you have to focus on being profitable or you will end up like ESWC.
I do like that this is a league, so we have a chance of a kind of repeat of what Creo did at WCG - get horribly out of shape but regain it throughout the event. It would be terrible to lose any of these players early on.
Besides,how much practise does a player like Insomnia rly need? :)
I think there will be alot of nice games coming from the retirees, in fact, the games i look forward to the most is retirees vs retirees. Perfect micro, timing and the right units doesnt necessarily make it an entertaining game, at least not for me.