Stars War China, first group stage over

The first group stage of the Stars War Reborn Chinese qualifier has drawn to a close, while group stage two is primed and ready to go.

For the most part the initital group stage was uneventful, with a few exceptions. Well established players like Weiliang 'Fly100%' Lu, Xiang 'MacSed' Hu and Youchao 'Syc' Su were eliminated in favour of some lesser known players such as YuZong 'Blast' Wang, Uhen and Anonhe.

WhO teams up with ieS

Du Seop 'WhO' Chang, who's been without a team since parting ways with SK Gaming some two months ago, has signed on with ieS Virtual Gaming to replace Hyeong Ju 'Check' Lee.

Since releasing Check, ieS has been on the hunt for a suitable replacement for their former star player. After realising what the team lacked was the punching power of a strong orc player, they approached WhO, who was only too happy to join the team. WhO was inititally rumoured to follow Check to ieS after their break with SK-Gaming, but nothing ever came of it.

ESL's new Starcraft II invite tournament

The ESL announed today the launch of their new ESLTV Starcraft II BETA Cup, featuring 16 well-known players from a plethora of game titles, including Brood War, Warcraft 3 and World of Warcraft.

The cup kicks off this Friday with a single elimination 16 player bracket. Participants will be competing for a first place cash prize of €200, plus two ESLTV t-shirts.

DowaQ retires from professional gaming

The undead race took yet another hit this afternoon, with the announcement of Hjalmar 'DowaQ' Högberg's retirement from professional gaming.

DowaQ cites only one very blunt, disheartening reason for his decision to move on from professional gaming, "I've decided to step away from professional gaming because my love for the game is dead," said the Swede.

DeMusliM "I decided [to switch] a long time ago."

Ben 'DeMusliM' Baker, Britain's one and only professional Warcraft 3 player, sat down with fnatic's resident Warcraft writer Cameron 'fams' Carson, to discuss his thoughts on Starcraft II and how the new titles release relates to Warcraft 3.

The $64,000 question for any Warcraft 3 player currently in the BETA is, have you switched games? To which DeMusliM responded, "Yes, I decided this a long time ago."

Wemade FOX victorious in WC3L XVI

The 16th season of the ESL's WC3L concluded today with a Wemade FOX victory over MYM, for the second time in as many days.

After a prolonged and greuling five month season, what may well end up being the ESL's final season of WC3L competition drew to a close this afternoon. Despite a valiant effort by MYM, coming from the lower bracket and claiming one set over the Korean juggernaut, Wemade FOX emerged victorious.