StarCraft II – IPL Team Arena Challenge 3 – Week 9 Preview

Welcome to another look at IGN Pro League Team Arena Challenge, the StarCraft II tournament featuring the very best teams in the world. In each match the teams play a Best of 9, elimination style match, where the winning player stays on while the losing player is replaced by another player on their team. First team to five wins is the victor.

In this weekly column we preview the upcoming matches with some analysis of their current performance and their performance in the tournament thus far.

This week marks the Western teams last stand against the top Korean organizations.

TSL v Acer

Rosters

Acer

Bly, DarkHydra, Mondragon, Nerchio, ParanOid, Scarlett

TSL

RevivaL, Polt, Symbol, Hyun, Cyrano, Inori, Punisher, Shine, Dream, RagnaroK, Ultimate

Road So Far

Acer

• Won 5 - 4 v Eclypsia


• Lost 4 - 5 v Prime


• Won 5 - 3 v Mouz


• Won 5 - 1 v aTnType

TSL

• Won 5 - 0 v Check 6


• Won 5 - 4 v FXO


• Lost 4 - 5 v StarTale

Analysis

Acer keeps finding themselves in an underdog role and they keep plowing through their opponents. In the most recent match, the polls still put aTnType as the favorite, but Nerchio made quick work of their European rivals, winning 4 matches to close out a slaughter started by his teammate ParanOid.

TSL had a close match again, this time losing out to StarTale in a great comeback by Squirtle after StarTale was down 4-2. The lack of closing power is something that is uncharacteristic for TSL, usually Polt is a sure finisher, but Squirtle had too much momentum in this match.

Acer looks to be very strong with Scarlett joining the team, but this is still a team without a lot of depth, and not a single Protoss player on the roster. Even their only Terran player DarkHydra is suspect and is relatively untested and unproven. However, with three very strong players in Bly, Scarlett and Nerchio, it is very possible on of these could carry their team to an upset. All the stars would have to align for this to happen though, and I would say TSL will win a relatively close match; the depth of the TSL roster is far greater than Acer's.

Prediction - TSL 5 - 3 Acer

MVP v Karont3

Rosters

MVP

DongRaeGu, Dream, Finale, Keen, KeePing, Lure, Monster, Noblesse, sC, Sniper, TAiLS, Vampire, Galaxy

Karont3

LoLvsxD, LucifroN, Ryo, VortiX, AlastOr, MikOeL

Road So Far

MVP

• Won 5 - 0 v Evil Geniuses


• Lost 1 - 5 v IM

Karont3

• Lost 2 - 5 v Quantic


• Won 5 - 2 v Check 6


• Won 5 - 1 v Empire

Analysis

MVP looked surprisingly bad in their last match against IM. In what looked like it could have been a league final, IM completely rolled over MVP without using any of their top players. Only DongRaeGu managed to take just a single map before being defeated by Happy. They will need a much better effort against Karont3.

Speaking of Karont3, VortiX looks to be the hottest player in Europe right now after qualifying for TSL4, defeating HasuObs, Socke, LoWLey, Select and Golden consecutively, and then all killing Empire's best possible lineup after Violet left the team earlier this week. This Spanish team is proving it's here to stay with two of Europe's fastest improving players, capable of catching lightning in a bottle and then dominating any high level team.

Karont3 will need both their stars to be in top form to take this match as MVP is the most talented team they have played thus far. And while Karont3 has proven they can beat any Western based team, they still haven't had to go against a Korean lineup. MVP won't be able to look ahead however, as if they don't take Karont3 seriously, its very possible for them to lose. Still it's MVPs match to lose, and assuming they play at top strength, should be able to take this.

Prediction - MVP 5 - 3 Karont3

NsHoSeo v Evil Geniuses

Rosters

NsHoSeo

Sage, BanBans, San, Tassadar, Jjakji, Seal, Sculp, Sting, Freaky, Fairy

Evil Geniuses

DeMusliM, IdrA, iNcontroL, JYP, HuK, LzGaMeR, Machine, PuMa, ThorZaIN

Road So Far

NsHoSeo

• Won 5 - 3 v FXO.CIS


• Lost 2 - 5 v SlayerS

Evil Geniuses

• Won 5 - 3 v Infinity Seven


• Lost 0 - 5 v MVP


• Won 5 - 3 v DtG


• Won 5 - 2 v Dignitas

Analysis

EG recovered nicely after the thrashing they took from MVP Monster two rounds ago. They cruised past Dignitas behind a strong performance from HuK, who continues to make appearances and now finally has made his mark on an EG team league match. It seems as though EG may have fallen into a rhythm, however, as we stated last time, Dignitas was a team without a direction, and NsHoSeo will be much harder for them.

NsHoSeo could have beaten SlayerS, if they had used their best player and GSL Champion Jjakji. Why Jjakji was absent remains a mystery, but if he plays in this match, it will be much easier than SlayerS was for them. All of HsHoSeo's supporting cast are comparable to every player on EG, but with more consistency across the board.

Make no mistake, NsHoSeo will need Jjakji to win this match. All of EGs players have proven themselves at this point with HuK, IdrA, JYP and PuMa racking up wins in the tournament thus far. NsHoSeo remains slightly less proven though as none of their roleplayers have stepped up as a primary #2 player to Jjakji. EG has a really good chance at taking this match and I think it will be close regardless. However, at their best NsHoSeo is a better team, and I expect them to barely hold on to win this match.

Prediction - NsHoSeo 5 - 4 Evil Geniuses

Prime v FXO

Rosters

Prime

AnNyeong, BboongBboong, Byun, Creator, MarineKing, Maru, AriA, Classic, Dayfly, Salmosa

FXO

asd, Choya, Crane, Gumiho, jks, Leenock, Lucky, Sirius, Supreme, TheBest, Tear, Tree, Weekend, Whale

Road So Far

Prime

• Won 5 - 4 v Acer


• Lost 3 - 5 v Team Liquid

FXO

• Lost 4 - 5 v TSL


• Won FF v Quantic


• Won 5 - 3 v compLexity

Analysis

Prime had a stunning defeat at the hands of Team Liquid, or more specifically, Liquid`TaeJa who all killed Prime, the defending GSTL, KSL and Team Arena Challenge champions. Prime has now looked vulnerable in a few matches, with their near loss against Acer coupled with their loss to Team Liquid. While they haven't had one particular weakness in their game, they will need a stronger effort all around to defeat FXO.

Meanwhile, FXO has looked like they have taken a step back. While Tear has proven to be a top player now with big team league wins for several weeks in a row, losing Oz and the fall of Gumiho and Leenock is starting to show. Neither player are as good as they once were in late 2011, and while Lucky has been a bright spot for them, they will need more than just two players to carry the load. Unless FXO gets help from their former superstars, they will be in a lot of trouble against Prime.

Prime still has one of the top 5 players in the world in MarineKing, and Creator has proven himself to be the ace that Prime needs, winning in the clutch in a few matches. At only 15 years old, it's astonishing what Creator has been able to do in carrying his team through wins. FXO's only chance is a strong performance from Tear, and then Leenock, Lucky and Gumiho returning to their former glory. Prime will be just too good for them.

Prediction - Prime 5 - 3 FXO

What do you think about this week's matches? Can FXO reclaim their past riches, or will Prime continue it's team league dominance?

Let us know in the comments below and make sure you watch all of these great games on the IPL site and tune in next week for a wrap-up of these matches and our breakdown of Losers Round 4.

Source : ign[dot]com

Game Against Kate Upton… For a Good Cause

As gamers, we live for that moment of triumph: edging an opponent in a close online match, scoring the winning goal, passing the competition seconds from the finish line. But how much better would that feel if your win also helped to save lives? Gamers will get a chance to find out June 1st, when the first-ever (RED)RUSH Games tournament kicks off, and they can join in the fight against AIDS by doing what comes naturally: competing to win.

“Gaming is a passion for millions of people around the world, and (RED) is going to tap into that passion to get people focused and engaged in our efforts to help deliver an AIDS Free Generation by 2015,” said Deborah Dugan, (RED) CEO.  “We’re giving gamers an incredibly fun way to compete in a world-class tournament while doing good at the same time."

Not only will gamers get the opportunity to help (RED)RUSH TO ZERO (going on June 1-10) build on the staggering $190 million the organization has already raised, but participants will have the opportunity to win prizes, including tickets to the upcoming MTV Movie Awards  and the opportunity to game against celebrities like Kate Upton, Jorge Garcia, Michelle Rodriguez and Kris Allen.

IGN is the official media sponsor of the (RED)RUSH Games, and will be bringing you full coverage of the event from E3, where the tournament will have a huge presence. The (RED)RUSH Games are being powered by STiKS GAMING, a new platform that allows gamers to register their Gamer IDs, sign up for teams, and game for charity to "battle for a better world."

“(RED) is one of the most respected, and innovative causes in the world, and we are honored to launch the STiKSGAMING platform with The (RED)RUSH Games,” stated STiKS GAMING partner Brett Claywell.  “We are excited to unite gamers in support of a global cause, and look forward to building a strong community in an effort to better the world while having some fun.”

“

We’re giving gamers an incredibly fun way to compete in a world-class tournament while doing good at the same time. --Deborah Dugan. (RED) CEO

Gamers can get involved immediately in the (RED)RUSH Games effort by visiting STIKSGAMING.com. The tournament will pit two teams against one another: TEAM INSPI(RED) and TEAM POWE(RED). After signing up on STIKSGAMING.com, gamers will get to choose which team they'd like to represent, and after making a small donation (as little as $10 USD), they will get to select a platform (PS3 or Xbox 360), and choose from a variety of games to compete in. Games in the tournament include EA Sports FIFA Soccer 12, EA Sports NHL 12, 2K Sports' NBA 2K12, KINECT SPORTS Season 2, and Forza Motorsport 4.

STiKS GAMING partner Michael Wasserman explains. "Once you make the donation and enter the system, that $10 is turned into a certain amount of points… As you accumulate points, you can then use those points to have the opportunity to play against your favorite celebrity who is part of the campaign."

After playing in a match against another (RED)RUSH gamer, wins and losses will be recorded on the STiKS GAMING website, each player's accomplishments will count toward the team score, and their donations will count toward the team's efforts to raise money for the cause.

"We narrowed the issue from just AIDS in general to one Millennium Goal which is quantifiable," said Dugan. The virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the ultimate goal, and will be instrumental in halting the spread of HIV/AIDS by the target date of 2015.

During E3, the (RED)RUSH Games will be in full swing, and celebrities will be in attendance to play their games against each other and online against contest winners. Show goers will get the opportunity to visit the (RED)RUSH booth on the E3 floor and get a taste of the Games live. The booth will feature huge video screens to capture the celebrity gaming action, a live DJ and private gaming rooms.

“

We are excited to unite gamers in support of a global cause --Brett Claywell, STiKS GAMING partner

"The booth is designed for two main purposes. It's designed to give celebrities the opportunity to play from our booth against donors around the world, and for us to put on big exhibitions to create awareness at E3, with a huge jumbotron screen where people can watch celebrities battle each other," said Wasserman.

In addition to those already mentioned, celebrities involved include Wayne Brady,  Chingy , Samantha Ronson, Michael B. Jordan, Scott Porter, Ryan Cabrera, DJ Colleen Shannon, Aldis Hodge, Al Shearer, Kerli, Brian White, Cobi Jones, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, iLuminate, Chad "Madd Chadd" Smith and Fatal1ty. And the list keeps growing. "Every day, we're getting more and more people in," said Dugan.

Gamers can track who will be at E3 gaming at various times. Donors to (RED) who register through the STIKSGAMING.com site can have the opportunity to play celebrities two ways: by gaining points or by entering into a sweepstakes where they will enter a code to play a particular celebrity.

Players who participate will have a stake in a global effort to halt the spread of HIV. Once the goal is met, Dugan says, "There's culturally a victory lap at the end. You can actually check a box and say, 'We did this.' All these gamers came together for the first time in such a huge way, and we'd like to do it every year."

Stay tuned to IGN throughout E3 for updates on the (RED)RUSH Games, including celebrity gaming interviews and more.

Source : http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/30/game-against-kate-upton-for-a-good-cause