HomeStory Cup X 2014: Format, Live Stream, Prize Money for StarCraft II Event
The 10th edition of the increasingly popular HomeStory Cup is upon us. HomeStory X is the latest version of an eSports event centered around StarCraft II, and it will run from Nov. 13-16. The event is hosted by Dennis "TaKe" Gehlen, a renowned caster for StarCraft II and popular media personality.
Gehlen customarily hosts the event from his home and invites the best players in the world to compete and network. Because the 10th anniversary edition is part of the EnterTheGame Festival, the event will be moving to a grander stage in Konigsburg Krefeld, per TeamLiquid.net.ย
Here's a look at the venue coming together for the event per TaKe TV:
eSports has become one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Nick Wingfield of the New York Times says: "The signs of success already mirror the achievements of major sports."
People like Gehlen will help to drive the industry, and events as grand as HomeStory increase the impact and exposure for the athletes and organizations.
To watch the event unfold, check out Twitch.TV/TaKeTV.
Here's how the HomeStory Cup works.
The Format
There are two group stages to begin and each of the first two rounds are best-of-three series. The first is a round-of-32 session that features eight groups with four players apiece. The group winners, which are determined by the high score in matches and maps, advance to the round of 16.
In the event of a tie, drawing lots will determine the player who advances. The group winners with the lowest score have to draw their names out of a hat for placement.
The round of 16 consists of four groups of four players each. The advancement rules work the same as the previous round. However, only the top two players from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
The winner of each matchup is decided in a best-of-five, single-elimination series. This format continues until the grand finals when the series shifts to a best-of-seven structure.ย
Here's a look at the first-round matchups:
The Money
These elite StarCraft 2 gamers aren't playing for chump change. The total purse is $25,000 and it will be distributed amongst the top-eight players.
Here's how the payout breaks down:
- First - $10,000
- Second - $6,500
- Third - $3,000
- Fourth - $2,000
- Fifth - Eighth - $875
Players to Watch
Yoon "TaeJa" Young Suh
The 19-year-old South Korean has been a major presence on the eSports scene since 2011. Per esportsearnings.com, TaeJa has played StarCraft exclusively as a competitive gamer, and his time with the game has been lucrative. That experience could be helpful against opponents who have had to adapt to this version of the game from older ones.
He's played in 73 tournaments, racking up 20 wins and earningย $257,648.76 in the process. That's not a bad haul over four years, and we're yet to see if he can add to his total inย Konigsburg Krefeld. He's one to watch for sure.
Lee Jae Dong aka JaeDong
"Remember that a cheer for Life today is a cheer for Jaedong, Lurkers and flying Locusts. #WCS pic.twitter.com/AHriUTosHf
โ Oskar (@Stimdiet) November 8, 2014"
Also from South Korea an even more accomplished in the world of eSports is 24-year-oldย JaeDong. Some consider him the greatestย Zerg player in StarCraft: Brood War history, and he has the career accomplishments to back that up.
From 2008-2012, JaeDong won $363,010.58 as a competitive gamer largely on the strength of his skills in that version of the game. In 2012, he switched to StarCraft II and didn't experience as much success.
That year, JaeDong earned just $2,859.37. Since then, he has improved steadily as is now one of the best in the world. He punctuated his resurgence with a win in theย ASUS ROG: NorthCon 2013 tournament.
Now he has an opportunity to make a statement in Konigsburg Krefeld. Don't sleep on him.
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