Today GOMtv released the new map pool for their upcoming Global StarCraft II Team League tournament. Scheduled to start on March 21st, the GSTL will feature nine maps, seven of which gamers are already familiar with (Crevasse, Crossfire SE, Metalopolis, Tal’Darim Altar, Terminus RE, Xel’Naga Caverns and the recently added ladder map Typhon Peaks). There are also two new maps that are being introduced.

The first new map is Dual Sight. Featuring 10 bases (2 gold) and 2 Xel’naga Watch Towers, this map is relatively small considering the previous maps GOMtv has used. The rush distance isn’t ridiculously close though, taking 28 seconds to move from natural expansion to natural expansion.

The other new map is called Xel’naga Fortress. The first thing that stands out about this map is that it’s a 3 player map. It features 12 bases (0 golds) and one Xel’naga watch tower in the center. The rush distance is is 29 seconds from natural to natural, so it’s almost identical in size to Dual Sight.

Dual Sight by LSPrime (TL.net discussion thread)

Xel’Naga Fortress by JackyPrime (TL.net discussion thread)

Typhon Peaks by Blizzard

For a detailed look at the new maps, click here.

Anyone who follows eSports knows just how quickly StarCraft II is growing. It seems like every week there are tons of mini tournaments hosted by members of the community who put their own money on the line to attract players and viewers alike.

The great thing about these mini tournaments is that they are not too serious. For example, look at the Map of the Month series. This monthly tournament is unique because it doesn’t use standard ladder maps, but rather community made maps. This allows players to use unique strategies that may not be viable on the standard maps.

This month’s MotM tournament is scheduled for Saturday March 26 and will be broadcasted on iCCupTV. Be sure to tune in and keep an eye out for CompLexity’s own Stalife. He is sure to put on a good show, especially after coming off of such great wins in the scReddit Open and Frag for Cancer tournaments.

The bracket for the event will be provided as soon as it is released.

Without a doubt one of the most famous figures in the StarCraft II scene is Mike “Husky” Lamond. Known for his Youtube channel HuskyStarCraft where he provides commentary over high level competitive play, Husky has made a big splash in the scene by earning over 420,000 subscribers.

Just over this past weekend Husky was at the gaming convention PAX East where he met with fans, commentated over showmatches, and pitched in on the State of the Game Live panel where he discussed the growth of StarCraft II and eSports. At PAX, Husky was interviewed by G4tv, giving his take on “his love of the game, the growth of eSports and its community, as well as how he got started and what he’s looking forward to next.”

To check out the original interview, click here.

In a programming synopsis on the IMG Website, the schedule for MLG has been released. The stops appear to be similar to those of the past, with Dallas, Columbus, Raleigh, Orlando and Anaheim making their usual appearence and Rhode Island rounding out the field for the national championship.

MLG Pro Circuit 2011 Calendar

Dallas, Texas: April 1-3
Columbus, Ohio: June 3-5
Anaheim, California: July 28-31
Raleigh, North Carolina: August 26-28
Orlando, Florida: October 12-16
Providence, Rhode Island: November 18-20

Also mentioned is a 26 minute “weekly gaming magazine show” that will begin on May 6th and will be broadcast on television, as opposed to the typical live online feed.

Details

Duration: 52 x 26 minute weekly show starting 6th May 2011 and 6 x 52 minute event highlight show with 3 / 5 minute features available on request for local news and magazines.
Rights:All Media rights including Digital and Fixed Media
Territories:Worldwide ex-USA

The announcement states:

This weekly gaming magazine show will feature all the best action, news and gaming content from Major League Gaming. The MLG show will highlight the very latest from the world of competitive gaming, profiling the world’s leading gamers and gaming teams from every territory. Rumours from inside the gaming world will also be featured in the show alongside developments from leading games publishers and hardware companies. All the best plays and competitions from the past week from GameBattles will feature alongside tips and tricks from the world’s best gamers.

More information about the schedule as well as the weekly television show can be found by clicking here.

With the GSL March season finals close at hand, eSports fans are eagerly awaiting the next big Korean StarCraft II event. Much like the previous season of the GSL, GOMtv will be holding a special GSL Team League event starting on March 21st.

Today GOMtv released the bracket for this upcoming season of the GSTL. It should come as no surprise that last season’s champions, team Incredible Miracle, have earned the #1 seed and that runner-up team StarTale will be in the #2 slot.

Obviously almost everyone is putting their money on team Incredible Miracle to win it all. They have two GSL champions in their ranks, NesTea and Mvp. It should be noted, however, that both NesTea and Mvp didn’t preform particularly well during the current GSL season. Both were sent to the Code A up & down matches.

Omega Sector Professional League Spring 2011 has been announced and will take place April 2-3 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. This tournament will have a prize pool worth around $29,000 and will feature games such as Counter-Strike 1.6, DoTA, Tekken 6, and FIFA 11. The major difference about this tournament is that Counter-Strike 1.6 has a prize pool of $4,100 and DoTA has a prize pool of around $10,300. The event has already seen signups by IEM5 champions, Natus Vincere, and so it should have a fairly good turnout.

Today StarCraft II and eSports got a little love from the “mainstream media” in the form of a front page article on PCGamer.com. Titled “New to e-sports? The 10 best Starcraft 2 matches to watch now,” the article provides gamers with ten of the most entertaining games. The real crux of these games is that you don’t really need to have an in-depth understanding of the game to appreciate what’s going on.

The top ten games include:

1. IMMVP VS EGIdrA
2. WhiteRa VS Lalush
3. LiquidHuK VS mouzMaNa
4. ROOTKIWIKaKI VS EGMachine
5. oGsNaDa VS Hitler
6. SlayerSBoxeR VS FruitDealer
7. LiquidTLO VS fnaticSEn
8. IMNestea VS LiquidHuK
9. HasHe VS NamhciR
10. SCV Rush

To read the article, as well as check out these games, click here.

In a press release via their website, a Dutch company has announced the European Game Series, an organization that focuses on creating live events, online media and a developed workspace for the eSports community as a whole.

According to the EGS website, the organization will also provide live TV broadcasts from their 300 square meter broadcast facility, with Full-HD streams to over 40 countries, 60 platforms and networks.

The press release reads:

“EGS operates game content and competition on television and the Internet, paid online game competitions with live gaming events on national and international TV channels. In this way, “hidden” online game talents will grow to become international TV stars and anybody can enter the competitive gaming scene.”

EGS, adds:

“Games are not just for playing for fun, there is now a mature eSports Market. We want to develop this market even further, and expand to a type of World Wide Olympic level. The games market is the world’s fastest growing market and offers space for creative ideas and spin-off. […]

The new Internet platform from EGS will allow the game audience to connect and play competitively on all major games. Soon to be found on http://egsonline.eu and http://gameseries.tv .” [Neither of the websites are currently operable.] stay tuned for release of both the TV and online series platform.

As well as organizing gaming events, EGS holds a “Knowledge lab” which is dedicated to help people who are interested to set up business in the gaming-industry through various methods such as training and entrepreneurship, offering office and workspace, providing funds for an interesting business plan, etc…

EGS will announce both the competitive games and prizes for the series in the near future. We see the need for a fully funded, budgeted and complete format. Making sure gamers are paid their prize-money is a first positive step in eSports events.

We want to make sure our events are a full show with mainstream entertainment, an experience for both gamers and visitors. Everybody has to leave home with warm feelings and chills of what has been an exhilarating couple of days, visiting our events.

With the funding of the local government, KMM group and Technofund Flevoland, we are sure we can bring gamers a long-lasting and welcome new initiative. EGS has sold a minority share of 30%.

Technofund Flevoland

René Krijger, fund manager of the Techno Fund: “with help of EGS, many IT students can get to work, this assures a nice connection at the Flevoland established ICT training colleges. The Fund focuses on Techno and companies involved in innovative processes, products or techniques. EGS provides an overall concept of fun, (e)sports, health, knowledge and an innovative game concept which is worth funding and growing”.

KMM Group

The KMM Group is a holding company with approximately 30 companies specializing in knowledge, marketing and media. The KMM Group stands for innovation in diversity.

Managing Director of KMM Meine Breemhaar: “EGS combines creativity with ambition. Establishment of the game company on the Creative Campus, owned by MAC ³ PARK Business Centers, is therefore a welcome addition for Almere.

EGS will be based in Almere at the Creative Campus in a newly created 700m2 office and TV-Studio building.

In one of the most appealing aspects of the announcement, the EGS refers to their Creative Campus, an office complex that will play host to the EGS office as well as the “Incubator and Knowledge Lab.”

EGS is all about supporting young and enthusiastic graduates and young entrepreneurs to set up their own game company and game-related business.

We are willing to help as subcontractor by:

• Training your entrepreneurship, competence and skills
• Offering flexible and affordable office and workspace
• Providing funds to create new ideas if presented through a business plan
• Our own network and government connections to support for doing international business
• Networking with coaches and consultants on every aspect of working in the games industry
• Access to a network with other game companies
• Help with technical, financial and legal challenges.

We want to see graduates succeed and create a stable and healthy market in Flevoland.

For more information about the EGS, click here.

Today, ESEA has announced that that will be partnering with Creative, more specifically the Sound Blaster line of products. As part of the partnership, ESEA will be running several contests and giveaways for Sound Blaster products such as the new Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Headset.

Craig “Torbull” Levine had this to say about the partnership:

I am excited to announce that ESEA has partnered with the Sound Blaster line of products from Creative. Founded over 30 years ago, Creative has been driving audio technology since it first introduced the Sound Blaster sound cards in 1989. Their long history of audio engineering is unparalleled, and we are excited to be featuring their Sound Blaster sound cards, complete line of Sound Blaster gaming headphones, and unique Sound Blaster audio solutions throughout ESEA.

As part of the partnership, we’ll be running some fun giveaways for a chance to win Sound Blaster products, award Sound Blaster products in our monthly wrap up winners, and of course have their Sound Blaster line of audio solutions available for purchase or points redemption in the ESEA Market.

Be sure to check them out and stay tuned for complete text and video reviews:

• Sound Blaster Tactic3D Alpha
• Sound Blaster Tactic3D Sigma
• Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro
• Sound Blaster X-Fi Go! Pro
• Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium PCIe

More information regarding the partnership can be found by clicking here.

Love her or hate her, anyone who watches GOMtv’s GSL Code A tournament is familiar with Singaporean commentator Kelly ‘KellyMILKIES’ Ong Xiao Wei. Last night Kelly announced, via Twitter, that she will be heading back to Singapore on March 15th, just one month after she came out to Korea to work for GOMtv.

Kelly was the first person specifically hired by GOMtv to commentate its Code A competition. Unfortunately for Kelly, she was met with harsh criticism from viewers who picked on her Singaporean accent and level of game knowledge.

It is important to note that Kelly did not specifically say that she was ending her professional relationship with GOMtv. In all reality this news shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise to followers of the GSL. On the GOMtv forums there is a post outlining the company’s strategy for selecting Code A casters. The post reads:

Q : Why does GOM keep changing casters for Code A?

A : Some people have claimed we are running a ‘beta’ test for casters in Code A. This in a sense is true. This is the final procedure for selecting casters for Code A. We need to test them out in actual matches and see the reaction. We plan to try out few more casters over next few seasons. So if one caster stops showing up after a season it does not mean he or she is fired. It just means it’s next candidate’s turn for the try out. I know from my experience that every time we make some changes people freak out but without changes there can be no improvement.

Earlier this week GOMtv brought in the new Code A caster DOA. Chances are that March 15th marks the end of Kelly’s try out period and that GOMtv will bring in another commentator give it a shot.