Tis’ be the season of giving, and Blizzard are laying it on thick this year. With last month’s release of Legacy of The Void, Starcraft II fans were offered a glimpse of hope as the game they know and love resurged from the ashes. I know I always say Starcraft II is dead, but the truth is it just went into hibernation.
Blizzard, on the other hand, has big plans for 2016, and these include bigger and better tournaments ending in the World Championship Series and a $1.6 -$2 million prize pool.
Fortunately for Starcraft II fans, this is only the beginning. The 2016 leg of the famous Korean tournament GSL kicked off this week, and it’s only going to grow from here. 2016 promised to be the year of Starcraft II. A new expansion means new beginnings for Blizzard, and that’s what they hope to bring in 2016.
Significant Changes
According to Blizzard, these are the highlighted changes coming in 2016.
Bigger total prize pool
This year, the Blizzard-sponsored prize pool is being increased from $1.6 million in 2015 to over $2 million in 2016—with the prize pool for the WCS Global Finals now totaling $500,000.
Two tournament standings
The WCS point system will now be split into two standings. The WCS Korea Standings, representing the highest level of competition, will include players participating in the GSL and SSL tournaments in Korea. They’ll be open to any player willing to take up the challenge of league play.
The WCS Circuit Standings, an evolution of the previous year’s WCS Premier League, will provide a proving ground for stars in other regions through a variety of tournaments around the world. These tournaments will be residency-locked to help focus on providing more opportunities to expose, develop, and celebrate the top talent from regions outside of Korea.
At the end of the year, eight players will move on from each system to participate in the WCS Global Playoffs. We’re hoping this split provides true global representation in the WCS Global Playoffs, where the best players from the various regions will be represented. The WCS Global Finals will still feature the best players, regardless of region, as only the top eight from the WCS Global Playoffs will move on to battle it out on the main stage of the WCS Global Finals.
With the above points in mind, this is how the format will work in 2016.
There will also be significant global events incorporate in the WCS Circuit. Each tournament will feature bigger prize pools, and better events. The two events are split into the Korean Circuit, and International Global Circuit.
WCS CIRCUIT EVENTS
WCS Circuit Events will represent a wide range of tournament sizes from traditional $25,000 tournaments to the $150,000 Championships. Players will travel all over the world to shape their skills and hone their strategies. These events are split into two tiers: 5000-point events and 2500-point events. The level of the event is directly tied to the size of the prize pool and the regional requirements.
Each WCS Circuit Event will be an international affair that also highlights the passion of local StarCraft II players. Organizers will be free to allocate the regional spots not supported via paid travel and accommodations by Blizzard. For more information on the WCS Circuit Event requirements, check out the Requirements blog.
This is exactly what Starcraft II needs to rise to former glory, and with Blizzard’s new eSports department focusing primarily on competitive tournaments under their own titles, we can be sure that this is only the beginning.
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Last Updated: December 18, 2015
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:06
These SC players are crazy good, I don’t play any RTS anymore (because I suck at it). But watching these competitions is a blast. They input over 200 commands per minute.
The only skill I have is making 2 minute noodles on 1 min 49 seconds
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:31
Don’t play any RTS anymore?
RIP
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:32
It’s just to much math xD
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:33
There can never be too much maths! I’m getting that new Homeworld Deserts of Kharak for sure. RTS is love RTS is life.
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:37
I like story games…and grinding, lots and lots and lots of grinding
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 18, 2015 at 10:37
And building things that take ages
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:40
Yea, that is the best kind of reward. Getting something the same day just takes the fun out of it
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:40
RTS games are dying because people are too damn lazy to use their brains these days in gaming.
I like it, it’s relaxing. Banished though…damn, now that is one slow and relaxing game. I sit and watch series/movies on the one screen while I play Banished on the other.
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:40
Get RoboCraft if you like grinding. That is one big grind fest.
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:41
Nope, Warframe has me grinding my buttock from point A to point B multiple times per day
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:42
I’m grinding away (still) on The Crew, so RoboCraft isn’t getting much love from me anyway.
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:43
Are you gonna get VR for racing games next year?
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:43
If the budget allows it….you bet your tuner butt I will! 😀
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:44
Elite Dangerous is what I have lined up for VR, but my racing game addiction will probably also make a comeback then 😛
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 18, 2015 at 10:37
http://i.imgur.com/Q53QZHX.gifv
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:38
This is not strategy, or maths. These are magnets.
But thanks for the support! 😀
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:40
Magnets are always the answer!
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 18, 2015 at 10:47
THE COLOURS MASON!
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:50
Stare at the picture
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/elmndcy9xm7tyad5lcz0.jpg
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 11:09
Wow. That IS blurry.
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 11:23
Stare at the middle and it disappears 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 18, 2015 at 10:49
I thought they were wine gums. :/
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 18, 2015 at 10:45
It’s a Gearbox game… wait for reviews, and to see what that snake oil salesman comes up with to milk your wallet this time around. After paid level cap increases, I’m guessing paid unit cap increases for an RTS.
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:47
Oh my glob no. Thanks for the warning. I didn’t even see that Gearbox was involved.
Like how they messed up Planetary Annihilation (which was already a skeleton to begin with) by asking you to pay $5 for a different looking commander….which is literally just six square boxes arranged in a different way than the others.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 18, 2015 at 10:49
Yeah, the game was an indie title, but after Gearbox got their grubby paws on the Homeworld IP stuff happened and it became a Homeworld game with them involved. So while it looks cool, I’ll keep my salt shaker handy.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 18, 2015 at 10:31
[mssc]
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:31
boo
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 18, 2015 at 10:32
Where did I saw that pic again?…..
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:33
Where did you saw?
Why would you cut a pic with a saw?
Photobook chainsaw massacre!
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 18, 2015 at 10:36
I sawed it in half, did not want to see your face anymore
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:34
http://img.ifcdn.com/images/633a21f0f14e28235143c914f59a2cc41ef73a617355a0cfcb91f4cef12907a1_1.gif
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2015 at 10:35
Hehe the one where Bender dies
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:35
I have to re watch Futurama ASAP
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 18, 2015 at 10:36
Agreed
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:36
I’ve done it quite a few times now….time for another!
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2015 at 10:37
I still do, it’s my bedtime story
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:37
I’m juggling, Bob’s Burgers, Adventure time and Axe Cop now. :/
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2015 at 10:39
Regular Show is another one I like
Captain JJ 4x
December 18, 2015 at 10:41
I still need to try that.
AxeCop is the shizz though 😀
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:42
Regular Show sometimes have some pretty fresh jokes
Ottokie
December 18, 2015 at 10:38
I watch Adventure Time, Gravity falls or Star vs the forces of evil for my bedtime stories 😛
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2015 at 10:37
The label on the margarine, It sure ain’t Butter