ESL replaced Warcraft 3 with WoW
by Michael Gray 
Jun 23rd 2008 at 7:00PM
In its previous two seasons , the Intel Extreme Masters (from the Electronic Sports League) focused on two main eSports disciplines --- Counter-Strike 1.6 and Warcraft 3. Now, however, that's changing. They've announced that World of Warcraft will take over the spot from Warcraft 3, based in part on the success of previous WoW tournaments. While ESL doesn't explicitly say it's an Arena tournament, I think we can safely assume that to be the case.
This is just part of the ongoing eSport effort, and I think we'll hear about a lot more tournaments in the coming months. I don't know if Blizzard meant to bump its own game from some rosters, but I suppose there's only so much room at each tournament. There's also $750,000 (US) in prize money for the victors. They've not announced how much will specifically go to World of Warcraft, but it'll definitely make it worth winning.
[Via Arena Junkies]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events, News items, Arena
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Vladius Jun 23rd 2008 7:37PM
A big win for "e-sport." Ask anyone who plays WoW if they give a damn. This is just a cheap ploy to woo FPSers.
I can see it now. After playing in the championship as a 70 in elite gear deciding to play WoW. I can see them logging in, seeing their level 1 n00b toon in Valley of Trials and then logging back out.
Blizzard needs to concentrate on the game. This e-sport and arena crap needs to go.
12345 Jun 23rd 2008 7:46PM
Couldnt say it better,arena is just hurting WoW.
SC2 will completly replace WoW on E sport thingy,it cant be taken seriously.
Virusz Jun 23rd 2008 8:08PM
www.stuipidity.com
When being stuipid isn't enough.
PimpyMicPimp Jun 23rd 2008 9:45PM
For the love of God don't encourage them!
I wonder how much Blizzard paid for this change.
Mikel Jun 23rd 2008 10:39PM
I want to know why it has to go seriusly why?
I really like arenas but i also like to raid, will kill Gurtogg tomorrow and i don't see how arenas are hurting WoW.
Been playing this game for over 2 years and a few months.
Theres far more PvE content than PvP content.
Den Jun 23rd 2008 11:20PM
People get upset about "causal" noobs like my self getting gear with in equal item level to their life draining BT/Sunwell loot. With out the massive time investment.The thing they don't get is that we invest almost as much time as they do. (in the cases of the people going to these comps likely more -I saw a MGL vid where they mentioned playing around 50 hours a week)
Cool thing is I can fit PVP/BGs/Arena around my life. I've done the extreme raiding thing - it doesn't fit in the an active life style and full time employment (talking about AQ40/Naxx clearing guilds when it first came out)
The other part they get upset about is the small class balances that get introduced for PVP that might effect PVE. Though I can't think of one serious one that made it past the test servers.
Oh and the last reason is that they aren't good at arenas.
But mostly it is the gear. People deny it but a big reason they raid is for epics as those epics make them "better" then others in game. IMO just remove the loot system - make everything purple or grey, would stop these losers getting so hung up on it.
Nick S Jun 24th 2008 4:18AM
many of us angry raiders just want the pvp gear to be a separate line of progression.
i think arena has potential to be fun, but it upsets me when i get ganked by people with merciless shoulders and weapons, full vengeful otherwise.
and don't give me this "arenas take skill" argument. i've been there, i've done it, and i know you can get full s3 minus shoulders and weapons with an extreme minimum of skill. the genuine effort of the top players does not justify the gear that literally any level 70 can get.
it used to be that epics were epic. they required genuine accomplishment by a large group of people. now, success is no longer a requirement, even for gear equivalent to what the angry raiders have to drive themselves to the point of burnout for.
Trustee of Lothar Jul 3rd 2008 7:47AM
Any idiot who gets 'burnt out' playing a computer game needs to have a serious look at why they 'play' the 'game'.
Games are meant to be enjoyed. If I wanted to get stressed out and work an additional 30 hours a week I'd get a second job. At least then I'd have something to show for it outside of my computer monitor.
If it helps people enjoy the game more, let it be. If you can't stand to see other people happy, you're scum.
Syme Jun 24th 2008 1:03PM
Well, this is really bad news.