hcs-chat

[somber swift]

actual money from what though?

From eventbrite for Worlds?

[craggy burrow]

Yes

A refund for my ticket even though I went to the event

[somber swift]

... perhaps just accept it?

https://twitter.com/Creeper_HCS/status/1593258377412759558

Apparently, Spartan blocked this person, and everyone who liked the original tweet.
Not going to lie, pretty disappointed.
I've always enjoyed my discussions and interactions with him on Twitter, and for him to block me (and others) because they liked a joke tweet?

HCS Creeper 🇺🇦 (@Creeper_HCS)

Welp

Likes

119

Twitter · Nov 17, 2022, 3:02 PM

[tall mural]

Spartan is getting out of hand fr

Idk why he still tries to argue his crap on Twitter just for trolls to move in and stuff

[somber swift]

I'm surprised, but I'm not surprised.

I'm just disappointed now.

However, perhaps this means my TL will be cleaner and more pleasant?

[arctic quiver]

Definitely

[craggy burrow]

Rather not get in trouble honestly

[somber swift]

I doubt you'd get in trouble for someone else's mistake.
I admire your honesty though.

[idle pivot]

so i have been looking to get a new controller, specifically the elites series 2.
do you guys have any advice or something, mainly if the paddles work on pc, if the controller works on pc and if its worth getting the black or the white one. thank you

[torpid beacon]

How’d a bird get Halo? Let alone a Phoenix…

[idle pivot]

well yknow… im a godly being n that, be nice and i will protec u

[tame sandal]

The white one is cheaper and you have to buy the back paddles separately. Yes, the controller and the back paddles work on PC, you just have to set them up through the specialized application.

[somber swift]

We still know nothing about this Optic invitational, huh?

[cedar finch]

Nothing lmao. Don’t know whose invited, do not if an open qualifier, don’t know nothing except a date and that it’s optic running it

[somber swift]

crazy!

Does anyone have an image of all the items you get from the HWC Exclusive Rewards card?

[astral linden]

https://twitter.com/EuropaHalo/status/1593302952134967299

Europa Halo 🇪🇺 (@EuropaHalo)

🚨Fall Series Finals🚨
📥DROPS📥

Tune in on Saturday to get the weapon skins Primal Glory and Gladiator's Edge!

https://t.co/2Eplgp1Doq
from 1pm GMT / 8am ET / 5am PT

Twitter · Nov 17, 2022, 6:00 PM

[astral linden]

hes an idiot to put it flatly lol

[somber swift]

both repeats, yes?

[astral linden]

yea

[craggy burrow]

I'll go looking, but it was everything they offered on Twitch plus an exclusive HCS emblem weapon charm

[torn horizon]

I got the best weapon charm in the game the only one I will ever need which also has a sticker in counter strike global offensive mister chief

[warped void]

where everyone at

[thorny crescent]

general chat is #general-chat if that's what you mean

this channel is for discussing the halo championship series

[inner ember]

[somber swift]

Still crickets on the Optic tournament, huh?

[cedar finch]

Sounds like it LMAO

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1596204278678683649

Roster announcement coming?

Halo Esports #HaloWC (@HCS)

Hmmmm 👀🧐

▶ Play video

Twitter · Nov 25, 2022, 6:08 PM

[craggy burrow]

Spacestation on point with the advertising again. Why can the rest of the teams be this good?

[quiet prairie]

https://twitter.com/Cloud9/status/1596957120162803712

[arctic quiver]

Uh, wow

That's.... hm

[tall mural]

pain

[elder echo]

They likely going to SSG tomorrow

[opaque cove]

Wonder if C9 buy someone else's roster or if they just bail on HCS

If they bail it's going to start to feel like H4 all over again.

[noble field]

Rumor is the partnered teams have a two year deal. So likely stays in the scene with a cheaper roster. Apparently C9 guys wanted bigger contracts. Definitely rumors but that is what is being spectacled.

[quiet prairie]

We'll see with the next competition the 9th. See who's going to be there.
I'm still looking forward for informations about the preseason too because there is nothing for now

[somber swift]

Well, they're either leaving their HCS partnership - or they are going to sign a cheaper team for salaries.

[somber swift]

this makes lots of sense

[somber swift]

it's entirely possible teams won't have rosters in time for this.

[tall mural]

we don't even know who's invited lmao

[somber swift]

exactly

Spacestation announcement was supposed to be 5 mins ago

oh wait, mountain time. So in 55 minutes.

[fossil socket]

Re: Cloud9

Wow, that's crazy

[tall mural]

Cloud9 roster is now ssg yeah

idk who to root for now 😭

[somber swift]

worst kept secret:
https://twitter.com/Spacestation/status/1597304592848785408

C9 on SSG - with a new coach

Spacestation Gaming (@Spacestation)

CONTINUING THE LEGACY
@Bound2K
@KevinEcoSmith
@Pznguin
@StelluR
@Elamite
WELCOME HOME

▶ Play video

Twitter · Nov 28, 2022, 7:01 PM

Ok, so we have that officially out of the way - EU, C9, Fnatic still need rosters....

I wonder who Mikwen is gonna play for?

Oh, his twitter says Native

The wikis don't have him listed as a player though, still just a content creator

[fossil socket]

I'm just sad there won't be a Season 3 Cloud9 coating now. Their look was very clean.

[somber swift]

They'll probably pick up a different roster

[fossil socket]

Interesting.

[tall mural]

I've been wondering this too

I'm more interested to see where Tylenul, Kuhlect and Svspector end up

[somber swift]

definitely.
I also wonder what Ace is gonna do

if he's even gonna play

[somber swift]

not even seeing the tournament in their schedule is concerning:
https://opticgaming.com/schedule

https://www.tixr.com/groups/esa/events/optic-halo-invitational-54245
Tickets are no longer being sold

There was supposed to be an open qualifier this last weekend - that didn't occur:
https://www.start.gg/tournament/optic-halo-invitational/details

[tall mural]

chalked?

[somber swift]

Either that - or the entire thing is being reworked last minute.

It's still listed as an event here:
https://www.esportsstadium.gg/upcoming-events

But at this point, it's not looking good.

[tall mural]

if it somehow falls through the comp scene will riot

it's the only event until the january ssg event

[somber swift]

There are smaller tournaments, but yeah

I'm honestly surprised more noise isn't being made.

It's less than 2 weeks away and no news.
Can't run an in person event like this.

[quiet prairie]

There are smaller tournaments" -> no, not from HCS

[somber swift]

That's what smaller tournaments implied.

And this wasn't even an HCS event, just had HCS money behind it.

[quiet prairie]

so, it was HCS sponsored. It's official

It's even part of the HCS calendar

[somber swift]

I know.

My point was that there are other tournaments occurring before January, so that's not a reason for pros to get mad (lack of tournaments)

They should get mad because of bad planning, communication, advertising, and image of a sponsored tournament going under.

[somber swift]

Probably not for long

Looks like at least 3 days ago ticket sales were stopped
https://twitter.com/unknowndronee/status/1596069744075051010?t=lHSJ-H651o3B_Bsol9VvbA&s=19

unknowndronee (@unknowndronee)

@OpTic @aPureGangster @H3CZ It says that the Sale is over. Is that legit or just an error?

Twitter · Nov 25, 2022, 9:14 AM

[somber swift]

People have bought tickets for this, and presumably some have paid for travel and accommodations too.

I'm sure their event tickets will get refunded if cancelled - but what about those other costs?

Who's going to be accountable?

[somber swift]

Everyone still refusing to speak about it.

I know they took tickets sales offline, but those people that already bought have a right to know what's going on.

[cedar finch]

They better speak up before people start to fly out there for it

[somber swift]

I've already spoken to one person who has a flight booked that is non-refundable.

[cedar finch]

Dang that’s terrible I feel bad for him

[somber swift]

In this case a her, but yes

[somber swift]

all good

https://twitter.com/LouisVTitan/status/1597681777447141376

LouisVTitan (@LouisVTitan)

@AshamanND @LVTProductions @OpTic @H3CZ This open did not happen on it's originally scheduled date.

Unfortunately, I don't have information on the LAN but I have forwarded these concerns. It's totally understandable.

Twitter · Nov 29, 2022, 7:59 PM

[tall mural]

at least someone will say something

[somber swift]

Brandon is one of the real ones.

[somber swift]

They sure look like they're hard at work on the upcoming tournament:
https://twitter.com/OpTic/status/1598029426369130496

OpTic Gaming™ (@OpTic)

vibes 🔥🛁

Twitter · Nov 30, 2022, 7:01 PM

Two more eunited staff contracts are over this week.
Wondering if they really are gonna pick up another roster or not...?
https://twitter.com/mrgruntington/status/1598014716773007360?t=MCCvhm41GClcwNopmwsWhg&s=19

eU MrGruntington |  | (@mrgruntington)

Well... Today is my last day @eUnited...

Though I was only with the team for a short amount of time I am honored that I had a chance to work with this group. The EU Staff are such a passionate and creative team and being able to join in on their projects and events was awesome!

Twitter · Nov 30, 2022, 6:02 PM

https://twitter.com/connywinn/status/1597980613855715328?t=B5d63Tehi6r5pCTFTLSk0g&s=19

eU conny (@connywinn)

Today is my last day @eUnited. Too much to say about my time here in a tweet, but I’m SO proud of the work my team and I put out to the world. My head is held high and my drive to learn and create has never been stronger.

Twitter · Nov 30, 2022, 3:47 PM

[somber swift]

and another
https://twitter.com/shonenLewis/status/1598338833132957698

Lewis | 📸🎥 (@shonenLewis)

My first year of working in esports under @eUnited has officially come to a close.

I experienced so much this last year and I won't take anything I learned for granted.

I'll be actively seeking any content/media/video/photography/friendship opportunities in the space😌

Twitter · Dec 1, 2022, 3:30 PM

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Incubad_/status/1598435252246138905
Optic event is cancelled

Daniel (@Incubad_)

@AshamanND @NickBestman @HCS @OpTic

Twitter · Dec 1, 2022, 9:53 PM

[cedar finch]

https://twitter.com/optic/status/1598464232286101504?s=46&t=xev0WXeA-OVarp5zePS0Fw

@somber swift

[somber swift]

interesting Hecz said 'C9 backing out' and not 'dropping roster'

[thorny crescent]

@novel flower • this channel is for discussing the HCS, you'll need to post your own tournaments in #471727324895641651

[quiet prairie]

Do not really know what Optic is saying from "the state of the game". The roster mania, i understand but the rest i don't

[hollow crag]

hi

[somber swift]

I think it might just be the general uncertainty of it's future.

[somber swift]

eunited cleaning house:
https://twitter.com/Potthoff/status/1598710114676051968

eU Burns (@Potthoff)

Thank you, @eUnited

I'll be looking for new opportunities in 2023.

Likes

398

▶ Play video

Twitter · Dec 2, 2022, 4:06 PM

[tall mural]

Seems concerning

[somber swift]

It's like the whole org is restructuring, and not just from a Halo perspective.
I really hope they do put a team together.

[cedar finch]

Same I would hate to see orgs like c9 and eunited leave the scene just after one season

[somber swift]

there's been some rumors that they might be obligated to be in for 2 years minimum

[cedar finch]

Ahhh interesting

[somber swift]

If that's true, they'll either need to field a team, or break their contract with some kind of consequences

[gray sonnet]

I dont know how Esports partnerships work but if i pay to be a partner and decide later its not in my best financial interests, how would there be consequences other than the original buy in amount being lost? That wouldnt make sense. Without reading the contract i cant imagine a one sided deal like that would make sense.

[noble field]

I would have to imagine they have something in the contract that happens if the contract is broken. Possibly not getting money from skins sold or returning of money. Definitely something to make breaking the contract have a negative effect, otherwise the contract is worthless for HCS.

…if there is a two year commitment.

I would imagine that these teams will come in with cheap contracts for B tier players to fulfill their obligation if they want to leave the scene but can’t yet.

[gray sonnet]

Yeah these I feel would be obvious but I can’t imagine that they would be able to force you to field a roster. If they aren’t making money in the rev splits anyway then they would just be cutting their loses

[still socket]

Is it me or I always use what I learn from watching HCS into online

[somber swift]

Fnatic didn't have one for Raleigh, iirc

[somber swift]

Watching pros is a great way to improve your game.

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1599816361601269760

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

@Pale041 Hey Dustyn, appreciate the support. Look for the full roadmap in January just before the season kicks off.

Twitter · Dec 5, 2022, 5:21 PM

https://twitter.com/g1official/status/1599810859051540486

G1 (@g1official)

All good things must come to an end.

Thank you, @Squallaye & @Swish_KA, for your hard work and dedication throughout season 1. We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.

Likes

256

Twitter · Dec 5, 2022, 5:00 PM

[tall mural]

hmmm

[somber swift]

sword melee trades now possible.
I wonder if the sword will be un-GA'd now?

[tall mural]

they will probably need to fix spawn timers

I think shotgun, shock rifle and heatwave should be power weapons. (spawn in the same spot, but on a longer timer) and almost all other weapons like commando are made to tier 2 weapons but remain in the same location

[neon hornet]

I'd still be in favor of keeping the bulldog as a Tier 2 weapon with a couple of fewer shots, maybe

power weapons to me are OHKs on their own

[tall mural]

fair

heatwave is objectively better, I just don't like how they put 2 bulldogs on Arygle.

[neon hornet]

agreed, I'm actually a bit perplexed about including Argyle as a comp map

for one thing, it's huge, and the overabundance of weapons does not help at all either

[tall mural]

and equipment

[neon hornet]

given how often kills occur at the pro level, they're gonna be spending either a lot of time in the death screen or sprinting halfway across the map to get back to the action

but that's just my two cents, I've yet to see any scrim footage of it, so we'll just have to wait and see I suppose

[glad swallow]

Mouse And Keyboard feels SO F AMAZING. Cant wait for mnk players to compete in HCS.
ITS SO F GOOD

[tall mural]

I agree, Getting from base to base is so annoying, especially when trying to go through elbow.

[tall mural]

is it actually good now?

[glad swallow]

ITS FANTASTIC

i was shaking once i killed someone with br at close range

[neon hornet]

oh thank god. I play with M&K on my XSX (because i hate myself apparently) and I am so eager to get home and see how it feels

especially with that FRIGGIN SCROLL BUG FIX, THANK SGT JOHNSON

[glad swallow]

YOu have aim assist during a shot so its easier to follow the enemy with every weapon pretty much

[tall mural]

br and plasma pistol jam again

[glad swallow]

you have to have your aim on the enemy and click on someone to activate aim assist*

Its FANTASTIC way to implement it on mnk

[neon hornet]

I think the reticle needs to be red for it to kick in

[glad swallow]

yup yup

[neon hornet]

which means you're in the effective range of the gun

[glad swallow]

You have to also click while reticle is red

i think*

[neon hornet]

yarp

very excited to try it out

[glad swallow]

Its like 10000x better now. Its soo enjoyable to play halo again. ITS F WORKING

[tall mural]

hypeee

[neon hornet]

and there's a cursor in the menus now on console, niiiiiiice

[glad swallow]

aiming before patch was iritating AF

[tall mural]

It's too easy in Infinite to overaim and swing right past people

[glad swallow]

Yup because strafing is too fast for mnk user to keep up. With current aim assist you can keep up with much better. Im literally in honey moon with this update

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/RichieHeinz/status/1600209815598686208

Richie Heinz (@RichieHeinz)

@ToolezCasts @Tashi343i Detachment CTF is intended to be in the Ranked playlist. The other Detachment modes are not intended to be there, and work is being done currently to remove them.

Twitter · Dec 6, 2022, 7:25 PM

[somber swift]

New HCS maps offerings for Y2

No more Catalyst
https://twitter.com/RichieHeinz/status/1600561342293086208

Richie Heinz (@RichieHeinz)

The Ranked playlist has been updated with the appropriate map/mode combinations:

CTF Aquarius
CTF Argyle
CTF Detachment
CTF Empyrean
Oddball Live Fire
Oddball Recharge
Oddball Streets
SH Live Fire
SH Recharge
SH Streets
TS Aquarius
TS Empyrean
TS Live Fire
TS Recharge
TS Streets

Twitter · Dec 7, 2022, 6:42 PM

[craggy burrow]

Good

[noble field]

The fact that 9/15 of those are still Live Fire, Streets, and Recharge is an issue IMO.

[oak crow]

Hey im looking for a team for the upcming season of HCS/ trying to get onyx/Champ in ranked. would this be the chat to do that in?

[arctic quiver]

Check out #lfg-competitive or #lfg-hcs-scrims-or-teams

[oak crow]

oooop thanks, didnt see those! Sorry haha

[arctic quiver]

👍

[tall mural]

Detachment had better not make it into HCS.

[tall mural]

Also why is there no KOTH?

[celest crow]

Strongholds is replacing it I think

[tall mural]

Why wouldn't they both be in the rotation?

https://twitter.com/RichieHeinz/status/1600564162492780544

[celest crow]

Good to know they are readding it

[celest crow]

Probably will be in HCS

[tall mural]

No Heinz replied and said the only new maps will be argyle and the pit

[noble field]

That doesn’t make sense to add it to ranked but simultaneously rule it out for HCS. Thinking the tweet might’ve been misunderstood.

[tall mural]

Check Spartans reply

[noble field]

Saying it isn’t a competitive map?

[tall mural]

https://twitter.com/Spartan/status/1600578362812022800?s=20&t=ntHzRXhVKL-XbLs8hugf-w asking if it's not being put in the year 2 rotation

[noble field]

They are definitely testing the waters man. Heinz leaves the door open by saying the plan is currently. Definitely could change. A lot could change in the next five weeks before SSG event and then online HCS Opens.

[cinder urchin]

can a plat 3 play with a gold 3? forgot about rank range and separation

[noble field]

Should be close enough.

[somber swift]

Yeah those are real close

Diamond 3 probably couldn't play with gold 3

[warped flame]

Royal 2 playing some MNK - https://clips.twitch.tv/ShinyPricklyKiwiTwitchRaid-MFiaGDls27bxTViJ

[sweet nova]

holaa

[left storm]

Woew

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/g1official/status/1601306717954113536?t=4ysKSi9pgN22nbjYXzYnSg&s=19

G1 (@g1official)

We only bring the BEST

Please welcome G1’s new GM of Esports + Director of Esports Optimization, Marcus Lovejoy!

Likes

421

▶ Play video

Twitter · Dec 9, 2022, 8:04 PM

[noble field]

Good for Eluminte and good to see an organization putting more into Halo, not less.

[noble field]

G2 is out now too. 😞

[somber swift]

Just saw that, yeah.

That leaves, 4? Partnered orgs with no roster?
eu
Fanatic
G2
C9
iirc

[somber swift]

looks more like G2 is actually gone, based on Tashi's and HCS' comments

glad i went to worlds when the hype was still high

[noble field]

I’m still not sure how concerning it is that they are dropping out. I have yet to see any pros say they are leaving the scene. I believe that as long as HCS has that 3M+ prize pool like Season One, they will have a similar turnout.

[prisma falcon]

pit feels pretty casual. then again, most everything in infinite does

• why do we have spikes?
• why remove the ledge jump up to training? is this is just an egregious example of clamber dropping skill gap because they didn't want people to be able to clamber up to the ledge from anywhere so just removed entirely?
• absolutely no skill / crouch jump is required to jump up to bananas or from walshy to green now (because clamber)
• green box has no green in it anymore (nor any other notable colors) and is called "elevator" (or whatever it is)?
• why change the box placement inside flag?
  ...

[lethal coral]

How's everyone today

[noble field]

Spikes makes a map less competitive? I don’t think they are on Recharge off the top of my head. They are on every other map in competitive though. More Sandbox doesn’t equal less competitive automatically man.

Green isn’t green, who cares? Doesn’t make it more or less competitive.

I like how you get mad at the lack of a skill jump because of clamber but then get mad they changed the box placement because of clamber. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[somber swift]

A good read:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2022/12/02/halo-infinite-esports-c9-optic/

[prisma falcon]

Spikes makes a map less competitive? I don’t think they are on Recharge off the top of my head. They are on every other map in competitive though. More Sandbox doesn’t equal less competitive automatically man.

Hmm, that's a pretty simplistic opinion to argue against removing spikes. Trying not to get sidetracked here but I (along with many others) think spikes have no place in competitive. They have a random component with potential to cause large damage from farther away than any other grenade. There's a reason why you never saw them in H3 MLG. But all that aside, I don't understand why they felt the need to force them into a map that always worked well without them.

I like how you get mad at the lack of a skill jump because of clamber but then get mad they changed the box placement because of clamber.

I'm not sure you understood my point. the new box placement just doesn't make sense to me. it never required a skill jump anyway and doesn't need clamber so I'm still not sure why they changed it. as far as the ledge to training, to clarify, my point is that being able to jump up / have the potential for someone sitting there is a major component to the map that was removed when it shouldn't have needed to be.

Green isn’t green, who cares? Doesn’t make it more or less competitive.

No, but to me would've been nice if they kept it, had some other color or at least something easier that actually makes sense.

[somber swift]

glad to see some org owners are still bullish on the HCS

[prisma falcon]

also, I don't think flags should be returnable on pit. just lost to that. another thing I don't think was broken that they chose to "fix"?

[celest crow]

Um what?

[prisma falcon]

I mean flags should reset after a set time of not being touched like it's always been in H3 competitive, rather than a quick recovery. that way bad spawns have less of a chance of screwing you out of what might've otherwise been a hard fought cap.

[celest crow]

Flags do reset if they aren’t touched.

[prisma falcon]

Um, I know. They should not be recoverable.

[celest crow]

They’ve always been recoverable

[prisma falcon]

It's showing that I don't think you've been much of an H3 competitive fan.

They've never been recoverable. Or if they have it was very early on and I don't remember.

[celest crow]

lol ok. I played lots of competitive Halo 3. Flags were definitely recoverable.

[prisma falcon]

Not on pit

[celest crow]

They don’t make them not recoverable via map lmao

[prisma falcon]

they should and they (MLG) did

[somber swift]

He's saying that in og H3 MLG settings, on the Pitt, the flag had a static return timer of 15 seconds.
It did not return faster if you stood close to it or not.

CTF Pit v5

Sudden Death = 30 Seconds

Flag Return Time = Disabled

Flag Reset Time = 15 Seconds

Flag Carrier Traits, Damage Modifier = 50%

Time Limit = 15 Minutes

[celest crow]

Yeah I had to look back at some old clips of CTF on the Pit my bad. Its been a long time since I played Halo 3 so little bit rusty. (Haven’t played MLG since 2010 leave me alone) Anyway so what he wants is static returns to come back at 15 seconds flag resets? Seems like an odd thing to complain about making a flag not recoverable on the Pit. I don’t think Infinite’s style of gameplay works like that.

[somber swift]

🤷

[celest crow]

Oh well lol

[prisma falcon]

I don’t think Infinite’s style of gameplay works like that.
care to elaborate?

[noble field]

The argument then and why it was like that, was the Pit was a big map that was tough to cap a flag. That made it easier for the pulling team, in particular if you got it close. I wouldn’t be against it but I think it will enhance harder to cap maps, AKA, all of Infinite maps except Aquarius. Bazaar needed that badly.

[celest crow]

H3 no sprint , HI sprint, slide, abilities like repulser. Pros will find skill gap movement on the pit like they did with streets and others. Like I said I think but doesn’t mean there’s truth to that.

[celest crow]

Yeah I got it a lot of maps need rework. Some need to be taken out entirely. 👀 (detachment and argyle.)
So how would you enhance CTF Empyrean?

[noble field]

Making the map easier to cap is more fun to play and watch. Those Bazaar 2-1 12 minute games were tough.

[craggy burrow]

I cant wait to see if they put a Grappleshot on the Pit and people use that open side for sick flanks

[somber swift]

orgs dropping teams continues throughout other titles:
https://twitter.com/eUnited/status/1602422964921798656

eUnited (@eUnited)

2x ESL Major Champions 🏆 and 4th at #PGC2022

Thank you #eUPUBG for your incredible contributions this year.

We wish you the best in your next endeavor #StandUnited

Twitter · Dec 12, 2022, 9:59 PM

[tall mural]

All of esports chalked lmao

[torpid beacon]

Faze clan rocks

[somber swift]

It's a bad cycle right now for sure

[gloomy bridge]

ya is there a reason for that

[somber swift]

probably several reasons.

I think esports expanded too quickly in the last 5 years. Especially during COVID, when there was probably a lot of people playing and watching, more than usual. And now that the world is going back to normal, the revenues and viewers aren't there.

esports had a bit of a boom, and it probably had a bunch of money behind orgs without enough substance.
I'm sure there are some industry experts that have a better idea than I do for why things might be rough right now.

[surreal cosmos]

E sports is cringe af

[arctic quiver]

Ok

[somber swift]

https://tenor.com/view/philip-de-franco-package-attention-you-ordered-enjoy-gif-16593723

[tepid mason]

I hope hcs keeps going with the drops as well. It feels like I'm attending a event whenever I watch it.

[somber swift]

Oh, they definitely will have new drops for Year 2

[still socket]

Ok

Is it me or doing some HCS tricks in MP is nice

[surreal cosmos]

I got plenty of it

2 people actually, on a based opinion

[still socket]

Halo e sport is nice to see how pro players play

[tepid mason]

Nobody is forcing you to watch it.

[somber swift]

Community blog today reaffirmed the SSG event should still occur in January.

That's promising

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Spacestation/status/1603861450727923712
https://www.spacestationgaming.com/spartan-snowdown..

Spacestation Gaming (@Spacestation)

SSGx343 • SPARTAN SNOWDOWN

https://t.co/3Lk4oFP9Lt | JAN 13 - 14

▶ Play video

Twitter · Dec 16, 2022, 9:15 PM

https://www.faceit.com/en/championship/bb4275d0-15e5-4d2b-a1bf-c258010fa502/Spacestation Gaming - Spartan Snowdown Open Qualifier

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1603875093826146304

Halo Esports #HaloWC (@HCS)

We’re kicking off the new year with the @Spacestation Spartan Snowdown! ❄️

Registration is now live for the Open Qualifier on Jan 7-8! 👇👇

Twitter · Dec 16, 2022, 10:09 PM

12 Invited Teams, my guess:
SSG
FaZe
Sentinels
Optic
Complexity
G1
Native
OXG

Depends on if EU partners are allowed for the rest (Open is NA/Mexico only)
If yes, then also add:
Quadrant
Navi
Acend
+1 more?
(will c9, eUnited, Fnatic put up a roster?)

[somber swift]

Tashi response to balance update timing:
https://twitter.com/Wonderboyo/status/1603887345069080576

NAVI Wonderboy (@Wonderboyo)

@Halo While the idea of regular balance updates is amazing and should definitely be applauded, please reconsider the timing of this release until AFTER the first major of the season. Let players compete on the version of the game we’ve been practicing on cc @Tashi343i

Twitter · Dec 16, 2022, 10:58 PM

[somber swift]

128 Team Capacity for the Open - if you want to sign up, don't wait too long

Sam if you're hear reading - maybe add an Event to the server for this tournament?

[prisma falcon]

My personal belief is that it's been in decline since TrueSkill 2 / TrueMatch came on the scene. Not familiar with other popular shooters' experience at high rank with it but for Halo, it's been absolutely unbearable to play ranked solo/without full party using TrueMatch like 343 has since H5. I can 100% attribute my lack of interest in H5 competitive to the terrible ranked solo experience in H5 and it's already causing diminished interest in Infinite competitive.

H3 nor Reach ever had that problem. Yeah, the ranked matchmaking wasn't perfect but it wasn't unbearable like it is now.

Praying that CSR based matchmaking will save it. If they would only tell us when that's landing.

[prisma falcon]

Imagine if you could pickup two OP power drains in Halo 3 MLG as often as nades respawn.
When Ithink about it like that it makes the thought of dynamos being in competitive seem border line insane.

[tall mural]

I never thought of it that way jeez

[tall mural]

That's a really good thread, I'm interested to what changes they are looking at, and if any of it addresses GAs.

[tall mural]

That would make sense, I'm interested to see what big roster announcements (if any) we'll end up getting

[somber swift]

I think as an esport, HCS is doing ok, but esports in general are in a tough cycle right now.

[craggy burrow]

Its not as world-wide accepted a sport as many would like to think

Its big, sure, but it aint soccer/football

[tall mural]

Thats for sure

Doesn't help when the games are broken, that's like playin with a deflated ball

[prisma falcon]

Define ok. I don't have the numbers but anecdotal judging by population of event streams I'd guess it decreased by roughly 75% over the first year. My guess is that the ranked population has seen a similar decline.

[prisma falcon]

we could probably look at view count on the halo twitch channel over time to measure this, but only god knows how many of those are bots.

[somber swift]

World's viewers were very high.
They smashed all their internal targets, that's how I define 'ok'

[torpid beacon]

🫡

[prisma falcon]

Just looking at the videos sorted by views on the channel worlds has but a small fraction compared to Raleigh. Not sure I'd call that ok.

[craggy burrow]

The HCS finals halls were filled pretty much to the brim all three days I was there

Honestly there were fewer chairs by the Community stage than at the actual front

[tame sandal]

I just saw someone downtown wearing an OpTic Gaming hoodie

Ik teams have more than one game, but it's still nice to see

[tame sandal]

Have other orgs done it with other games?

[somber swift]

Done what?

[tame sandal]

Dropped their roster

[noble field]

I don’t follow other scenes but I know eU also dropped their PUBG team and I believe C9 also dropped another roster.

[hearty lion]

Hi

[copper thunder]

After watching the CoD League this weekend i must say that for me Halo and the HCS are better on pretty much every level.

So yeah, i just wanted to say to all the people involved with the HCS, you have done a great job this year and i'm really looking forward for 2023

[noble field]

💯

[somber swift]

Yeah, I've seen orgs dropping rosters in rocket League, apex, a few other shooters.

[somber swift]

neat!
https://twitter.com/boomtv/status/1604861501876994048

BoomTV (@boomtv)

❄️The Halo Winter Invitational, presented by @verizon and @Xbox❄️

📅 December 20th @ 1:00 PM EST
👥 Challenge Cards + Warthog Sumo
🤑 $35,000 Prize Pool

Complete challenges and win prizes at https://t.co/BjBhnWjmDJ

▶ Play video

Twitter · Dec 19, 2022, 3:29 PM

https://boom.tv/verizon-all-access/49722/events/rules

[noble field]

That’s the oddest tournament I have ever seen.

[somber swift]

yeah, it's basically an invite-only, paid sponsorship for Halo Infinite - it looks like.

[somber swift]

Sam - great work on making an event for the SSG tournament!

[craggy burrow]

Verison? What

[tall mural]

Cloud9 just dropped their female valorant team

[noble field]

Really curious how much they were paying them outside of flight/hotel accommodations.

[tepid mason]

Cloud9 seems to be falling apart.

[somber swift]

What teams do they even still have?
Them and eunited dropping everything, it seems

NA only
Open Bracket
Jan 7-8
https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1605318288321687552

Halo Esports #HaloWC (@HCS)

The @Spacestation crew is ready to put on a show for the Spartan Snowdown, kicking off Jan 13-14!

Grab your squad and register for the Open Qualifier on Jan 7-8!

👉 https://t.co/lm2E5ujVp4

▶ Play video

Twitter · Dec 20, 2022, 9:44 PM

[tall mural]

Valorant superteam, csgo, not sure about apex

And LoL of course

[acoustic river]

how do u join giveaways?

or is it automatic

[arctic quiver]

See the channel pins in #giveaways

Or read the info listed on previous giveaways

[elder echo]

Oxygen team has been dropped. Another team with no roster.

[tall mural]

Damn

HCS crumbling fr, that's 5 of the top12 teams from worlds without a roster, C9, eU, FNC, OXG, G2, and G1's is incomplete

[quiet prairie]

let's not jump to hasty conclusion

[noble field]

What conclusion was jumped to?

[quiet prairie]

"HCS crumbling"

[noble field]

The teams are. It’ll be fine but I don’t think he isn’t jumping to conclusions. Will be a lot more good teams getting picked up last second by random orgs this year though. Lot less guys on salary for sure.

[somber swift]

Do you have the tweet or announcement link?

[elder echo]

https://twitter.com/oxg_esports/status/1605654338721832960?s=46&t=N-QK8xT6RLXgMbikk1aBHQ

[noble field]

I’m disappointed @somber swift as you usually are all over that. Lol

[paper hemlock]

Where’s the best place to find a 4th player for ranked?

[noble field]

#lfg-competitive

[celest crow]

lol

[somber swift]

Lol, Christmas week, been busy!

[noble field]

#noexcuses #HCS4life

[torpid beacon]

WHO PLAYS HALO HERE I CAN GIFT THEM SOMETHING

JUST TEXT ME

[somber swift]

ARE YOU OK?

[noble field]

WHY ARE WE YELLING?

[tepid mason]

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON????

[prisma falcon]

unlikely to find b/c no one searches solo b/c this game is the worst possible experience ranked solo and nobody sits around in lobby as a solo waiting for a party of 3 to invite them

...them killing the solo/duo playlist was a tacit admission of this

there needs to be a good solo/duo experience for parties to have a chance b/c everyone doesn't get on at the same time

[floral terrace]

Huge facts @prisma falcon! I feel like the comp playlists are literally a blender for all potential talent and solid player growth. Either you get stuck with knuckleheads or you have one teamate drop out or something... Players that would normally be able to increase their ranking in the playlists aren't being able to do so because the lobbies are a trap! I feel like 90% of halo's "competitive" players, (not social gamers) are all stuck between plat 4 and diamond 6 because there isn't a solid enough structure to sup[port the players enough for a good team experience that allows them to win the way they would if they had more players that were skilled enough to grow in the ranks.... So unless you run 4s, you're not gonna get out of diamond ranks most likely, which means you'll never really be noticed, or allowed to play with high competition players and teams to better yourself. (constant 1 or 2 solid players and 2 knuckleheads on a team.... Its literally almost like its the intention of the devs lol But, who am i though really? i am not a dev, or esports player or anything so maybe that's just how myself and most people i speak with are feeling...

Sorry, just needed to rant somewhere, and i feel ya bro.

[noble field]

@prisma falcon @floral terrace I solo quo a lot and have fun. I see tons of people soloing too when I duo with my brother. To think people don’t and if they did they don’t have fun is completely false.

[noble field]

https://twitter.com/alphaintel/status/1606447060709806080?s=46&t=3YvBFFRqktbyKYolMNm3jA

Posted that as the health of esports in general keeps getting talked about. It isn’t just Halo.

[somber swift]

Yep!

[torpid beacon]

this the halo combat strike chat?

[arctic quiver]

Halo Championship Series - esports

[digital shoal]

Need a halo fan gamer girl 😆🫶

[somber swift]

Is that even a thing...?

[craggy burrow]

Spartan Strike, maybe

[deep pilot]

you're*

[unkempt mauve]

Anyone needing or looking for a player? NotStuffie is my Xbox name, look up my stats and if so message me. Trying to get in some teams or start one.

[arctic quiver]

#lfg-hcs-scrims-or-teams

#lfg-competitive

[unkempt mauve]

Thank you good them*

[torpid beacon]

No lol😂

[noble field]

Wait are you Stuffie or NotStuffie?

[unkempt mauve]

NotStuffie same looking pfp

I just make my name complicated

[noble field]

Just messing with you man. 😉

[elder lark]

Hey y’all

[woeful fulcrum]

Master Chief. You mind telling me what your doing on that ship?

[torpid beacon]

pc game pass 9WMMH-P99WH-3H9F7-3J2VM-WWJXZ

[noble field]

Ok.

[rigid mountain]

is EUnited out of the HCS?

[scarlet willow]

I was told eUnited and G2 are the only partnered teams leaving, c9 still wants a roster

[somber swift]

Happy new year, Halo fam!

[somber swift]

Told by whom?

[cold orchid]

are there any servers that doing custom 8s for halo 3? The hardcore playlist is kind of dead.

[rigid mountain]

wow sucks to hear that, atleast they got more partnered teams this upcoming year

[tall mural]

CoL and Quadrant

I wonder if we're gonna get a 3rd?

[tepid grove]

ummmmm

[digital shoal]

Anytime halo 3 I’m down. HMU

[supple kettle]

If you're looking for other Spartans to join you in battle, check out our LFGs:

#lfg-competitive – For ranked/competitive matchmaking
#lfg-social – For social/casual matchmaking
#lfg-campaign - For campaign co-op
#lfg-forge - For map/mode building and testing
#lfg-customs - For custom games
#lfg-other – For firefight, spartan ops, etc
#lfg-español – Para jugadores hispanohablantes en cualquier categoría de juego
#lfg-hcs-scrims-or-teams – To help you find a team or secure some scrims

Don't forget to check out #old-lfg-and-voice-chat-info to learn about the !lfg bot, how to use it, and how to create your own voice channels.

[prisma falcon]

You must be an anomaly because every person I know mid diamond and above cannot stand solo/duo queueing in open or what was previously solo/duo playlist.

The solo/duo queue lost so much population by the end of last season (seems like pretty steady decline since release) that if you were onyx you could almost never find a match. Even in diamond you'd routinely get messages that not enough players were searching after waiting for a while. The rank curve shifted down significantly as well. So we know that the active population dwindled, and if you're not having fun, you don't search. I think it's fair to generally state more and more players were not having fun.

Now that there is no solo/duo at all, it appears to be accelerating the demise of the open playlist as well. In the winter update blog post we got a buried, vague claim that they will make matchmaking CSR based (and hopefully smartly scale to more reasonable groups), but the post sounds like gaslighting lip service to me so am fully expecting for them to continue to disappoint after either making some cosmetic change or just getting it completely wrong, but we'll see.

[prisma falcon]

The lobbies are indeed a trap. The quitting and crashing is more of a doom indicator than halos before H5 because of how matchmaking works using MMR. E.g. if you lose multiple games in a row as the MVP/top 50% it's now even harder to win because your MMR doesn't change and might even go up, but you get matched with even worse teammates than you had before because your rank is lower and TrueMatch tries to make every game have a 50/50 chance> This quickly accelerates into a hell bound snowball crushing your soul. Ironically, the folks at Microsoft Research thought that was a good way to increase engagement.

[scarlet willow]

Rumors going crazy lol

I’ll be sad if SEN actually breaks up

[somber swift]

Where you hearing this?

[scarlet willow]

YNOT

[somber swift]

Only 13 of possible 128 teams have signed up - if you want a crack at the SSG tournament, register soon!

[somber swift]

He got a video out on it?

[scarlet willow]

probably tomorrow, usually it's a day after his live

[somber swift]

Coles notes on it?

[scarlet willow]

but you can always go to his twitch to watch it now lol

[scarlet willow]

coles notes?

[somber swift]

Summary

[scarlet willow]

ah

[somber swift]

But nm, I found this:
https://twitter.com/YNOT_B_RECKLESS/status/1609927575459053568?t=E-rbXI7Zph0evnzfsad5Sw&s=19

ESA | YNOT B CASTING 🎙 (@YNOT_B_RECKLESS)

Live and recording a very important HCS Weekly Report: NEW FAZE Renegade, Frosty, Snakebite and Royal 2. We have a lot to talk about!

Twitter · Jan 2, 2023, 3:00 PM

[scarlet willow]

basically the rumor is ... that 😄

FaZe will be Renegade frosty R2 and snake

and Sen will build around Lethul I guess

[tall mural]

imagine Lethul, Ola, Mikwen, Naded

one can only dream

[somber swift]

naded is faded, and Ola isn't coming back.

[tall mural]

Yeah and Mikwen is signed to N8V

[astral linden]

seeing naded get annoyed by everything on stream is funny

[somber swift]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plu7FCIUQ_s
https://twitter.com/AshamanND/status/1603231928362373120

I'll take my royalty cheque now, thanks!

😛

AshamanND (@AshamanND)

@Brav Oh my god, we need to see that!
If someone could sync that up to the play by play! 🤌👍

Twitter · Dec 15, 2022, 3:34 AM

[arctic quiver]

That's awesome

[somber swift]

it's an amazing video!

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1610679182945832961

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

The #HCS team is back in full force this week, here's what we are focused on right now:
📄Releasing info around Charlotte (format/qualifiers), as well as full map rotation.
⚖️Working with dev team on upcoming balance tweaks and sharing plan publicly.
🎥Charlotte Major itself.

Likes

337

Twitter · Jan 4, 2023, 4:46 PM

[somber swift]

Confirmation, no more partners being added for now:
https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1610712288088190978

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

@AshamanND Quadrant and Complexity are the only new teams added for the start of the season. I do want to get some info out regarding what fans can expect from partnered teams in Year 2, and how we're expecting the program to evolve over time. Another blog to write! 🤓

Twitter · Jan 4, 2023, 6:58 PM

So that leaves partnered teams at:

(Assumed to be confirmed)
Optic
Faze
Sentinels
SSG
Navi

(New)
Quadrant
Complexity

(Questionable)
C9
Fnatic
Eunited

(Departed)
G2

[tall mural]

Agreed

[drowsy comet]

Yo our conversation just got scrubbed

Censorship. Wow.

[somber swift]

It was obviously removed for a reason, so don't re-hash it, but I'm curious of the topic if you don't mind?

[vivid cape]

what were y'all talking about? A lot will get wiped here if you're not careful.

[arctic quiver]

Not sure what you're on about here, but nothing has been removed from this channel today

[somber swift]

what are you agreed to, my listing?

[tall mural]

Yeah

[drowsy comet]

I asked if anyone watch 8s the other night. I posted the picture of the 8s lobby. Two of the players had beef, allegedly, and I debunked it.

@arctic quiver do y'all have some sort of deleted message history where you could view if something was removed?

[arctic quiver]

Yes, I already checked

Must have been on some other server

[drowsy comet]

That's a good point, actually. I wouldn't put it past me to forget where I posted something.

Low and behold. I was talking to the same user is a different server entirely.

That's my bad, y'all.

[astral linden]

i dotn think c9 is

[somber swift]

same, I also don't think eunited is either, given how they gutted their other rosters and staff overall.

[astral linden]

c9 im almost a 100% sure isnt coming back this season, i dont think eunited will either but i think fnatic is still there

[cold kayak]

Thanks for stopping by

[somber swift]

fnatic has been so quiet all season about their team.
I think the missed the firs major in 2021, too.
They don't have a current roster, and who knows if they'll get another. I kinda feel like they might not.

[tall mural]

That was me on the HRL server. I deleted it on accident trying to edit it 🤷‍♂️

[noble field]

“Legendary” signed up for this weekends open. Triton, Nemassist, Squalleye, and Str8Sick.

[somber swift]

30 teams now

[somber swift]

THE FORMAT HAS CHANGED!
8 invited teams, 8 teams will qualify: https://twitter.com/Spacestation/status/1611075159544467457

Spacestation Gaming (@Spacestation)

Who’s ready for a lil off season shenanigans?

here’s the SPARTAN SNOWDOWN BREAKDOWN 👇

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 5, 2023, 7:00 PM

SSG
Optic
Sentinels
Faze
Native Red
Complexity
OXG
Shopify

Looks like the EU Partners aren't allowed in, and OXG is putting a team back together?
I thought they dropped their roster???

They did: https://twitter.com/oxg_esports/status/1605654338721832960?s=46&t=N-QK8xT6RLXgMbikk1aBHQ

Oxygen Esports (@OXG_Esports)

Today we release our Halo team with @Nemassist, @BoammX, and @TritoN_JB.

They brought nothing but joy and W's to the Oxygen name. We wish them nothing but success moving foward.

Hit 'em hard boss. 💚

Likes

108

Twitter · Dec 21, 2022, 8:00 PM

[tame sandal]

I genuinely didn't know Shopify had an Esports team

[somber swift]

My last guess for teams was:
SSG
FaZe
Sentinels
Optic
Complexity
G1
Native

Depends on if EU partners are allowed for the rest (Open is NA/Mexico only)
If yes, then also add:
Quadrant
Navi
Acend
+2 more?
(will c9, eUnited, Fnatic put up a roster?)

I previously had OXG listed as a guess, but then they dropped the roster.

I'm genuinely surprised G1 wasn't invited!? Shakeup on their roster perhaps?

I got 7/8 right for the top 8 invited, just swap shopify for G1

[tall mural]

Shopify- Mikwen's team maybe?

[somber swift]

Isn't he with Native?

[tall mural]

*Sorry, meant Ryanoob's (Rayne, Karmea, Mental), which would make more sense because Mental has competed with Shopify before. Although I am interested to see if Mikwen and Kuhlect will compete under N8V Black or something, or maybe not at all.

[somber swift]

I think we'll be waiting until the first major before we hear from Mikwen, not in this open qualifier.

On liquidpedia, only MentaL is still listed, so yeah, those others could be joining.

[somber swift]

according to ynotbcasting, tony, this is the roster

I'm guessing this is why G1 isn't playing in the SSG tournament?
https://twitter.com/Spartan/status/1611107719045578752

Tyler Ganza | FaZe Spartan (@Spartan)

Some of these teams being formed and Swish isn't on any of them...ya'll trolling hard

Twitter · Jan 5, 2023, 9:09 PM

This is still what holds, I guess:
https://twitter.com/Swish_KA/status/1599872480482840577

Swish (@Swish_KA)

As of today, I am officially an unrestricted F/A and am seeking opportunities ahead of this next season ... thank you to everyone at @g1official i cant thank them enough for there support throughout our time... I'm ready for chapter 2 and what it may bring ... (part 1)

Likes

124

Twitter · Dec 5, 2022, 9:04 PM

Imagine if G1 puts 2 more on their team and signs up for the open in time.

[tall mural]

I could see Suppressed and Artic on that roster

[somber swift]

If people are thinking of competing in Charlotte - be prepared to buy your pass RIGHT AWAY:
https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1610847904612384769

96 teams will probably sell out.

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

@NoiTciLFnoK @HyPNoTiK_x Cap will be 96. If there's more demand we will look to open it further.

Twitter · Jan 5, 2023, 3:57 AM

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/ShopifyRebels/status/1611146632279785472

Shopify Rebellion (@ShopifyRebels)

We accepted the invite from @Spacestation for some cheeky off season fun at the Spartan Snowdown ❄️ The action starts on January 13th 🔥

But who is in our Halo roster now, you ask? Stay tuned 👀

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 5, 2023, 11:44 PM

[tall mural]

Spice incoming 🔥

[noble field]

French Toast
Gilkey, Supressed, Rammy, Monster
@somber swift

[somber swift]

nice catch

who are these players?

[somber swift]

Also this:

[noble field]

Possible that Magic Buttons is Tapping Buttoms with an old account or something. Who knows. Noble and Atzo are too LATAM players. Don’t know Sepsters.

[somber swift]

Do you know if you can change your name on Faceit?

If not, then Magic Buttons will have had to play a bunch to earn that 'rank' on there

[noble field]

This is interesting. Assuming Sentinels is Lethul plus three and Faze is Renegade, Frosty, Snakebite, and Royal, and assuming Noob/Rayne are Shopify, the question is who is left for those three squads. G1 is solid with Bubu Dubu and PreDevonator. As for who is left, knowing who is on random teams signing up for the Open, is Spartan, Nick, Barcode, Falcated, Suspector, Mikwen, Kuhlect, Boam, Jurizo, Swish, Sceptify, Artic, Cratos, Sabinator, Envore, Hysteria, Tonisun, Ace, SuperCC, Cykul, Neuronical, Vetra, and more guys unlikely to make one of the top teams but who knows. So question is what two would join G1 to give that “we are taking it this year” shootout? My guess is Spartan and Barcode. But who knows.

[noble field]

I don’t think you can. Lots of guys have older names on there. MLG_Ace and stuff.

[somber swift]

so unless tapping had his name as such all along, this magic is a different person

[somber swift]

it's possible the sen/faze switchup doesn't happen until after SSG

[noble field]

Would be odd. Also heard the Sentinel contracts expired about a week or so ago.

[somber swift]

ah, well that's interesting!

so you mean, December 31 perhaps?

[noble field]

That would make sense. Lol

[tall mural]

Sepstars is a somewhat-well established LATAM player. At Mexico City he played on TImbers Esports who came in 3rd that LAN.

[tall mural]

Atzo is another former piece of Knights/SSG MX. Noble/Noblc also played for Timbers at Mexico City but is now signed to Cruelty.

It would make sense if Magic Buttons was Magico. He played on that Cintanegra roster that placed 2nd in HCS MX.

[tall mural]

^ Looks like a team of LATAM leftovers.

[somber swift]

Gotcha, cool!

[somber swift]

On another note, I imagine this upcoming blog will detail the teams that are currently partnered and that are exciting/being released?
They likely won't say anything too official without 343 being part of the announcement:
https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1610712288088190978

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

@AshamanND Quadrant and Complexity are the only new teams added for the start of the season. I do want to get some info out regarding what fans can expect from partnered teams in Year 2, and how we're expecting the program to evolve over time. Another blog to write! 🤓

Twitter · Jan 4, 2023, 6:58 PM

That said, G2's roster drop was commented on by Tashi, with a semi confirmation they are totally out.
He hasn't done that on the others though.

[somber swift]

Tony's fun speculation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlLQrS8F8Gc

I'm betting G1 is going to take OXG's invitational spot in the tournament.

[tall mural]

Love Tony.

[tall mural]

Abature, Haines, Precision, and Posey playing under Proton Gaming 👀

[tall mural]

https://twitter.com/BarcodeAK/status/1611558895725727744

His bio now also reads "Professional Halo Player for SOON" 👀

[noble field]

92 teams now for the open signed up. Awesome to see some life in Halo again. Lots of people on random teams that look more like something thrown together. Swish and SuperCC together. Cratos on a team. A few more solid LATAM teams. Should be a decent Open to watch now, at least on Sunday.

[somber swift]

Over 100 made it in, I think 104

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/BarcodeAK/status/1611584031594020864?t=8_4ThRWrnrk4fDQShsMwGA&s=19
???

Aleks Barcode (@BarcodeAK)

@NickBestman

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 7, 2023, 4:42 AM

[tall mural]

That's gotta be a joke right? No way he goes to OpTic lmao

I think it's a green wall joke

[somber swift]

Probably a joke, unless formal decides to go back to cod

[keen slate]

Do y'all think I can start on the competitive scene if I'm on Xbox? I play at 120fps

[brisk jasper]

Anyone can

[keen slate]

Thanx

[noble field]

Another green team your forgetting about. Could be Oxygen stepping it up with a better squad.

[somber swift]

I doubt that one

[noble field]

Why is that? Sounds like Optic, SSG, N8V Red, and new Faze are set. Leaves half of G1, 3/4 of Sentinels, Complexity, Oxygen, and Shopify. Sounds like Shopify we know too. So either Sen, Conplexity, G1, or Oxygen IMO. Otherwise he would be playing this weekend probably. If he was playing green, it could definitely be Oxygen.

[tall mural]

That's fair

He could just be baiting 🤷‍♂️

[noble field]

And it could be just that too. 😂

[somber swift]

Most likely this

[somber swift]

we know 8 rosters for sure!

[noble field]

Squalleye, Str8Sick, Nemassist, and Triton was a team that signed up. Then they pulled out. Same team was scrimming last night against Optic. Gotta imagine that is the “ex-Oxy” team.

[somber swift]

that would make sense.

[noble field]

Also definitely a lot of pros not playing yet. I know a decent amount about guys that are more semi pro than pro, and I would say I only know half of those people that qualified.

[somber swift]

totally.
Surprised G1 didn't do anything for this

Torched, Derfgang and Six karma rosters are names I mostly don't know
The other 5 rosters I've heard of pretty much everyone

[tall mural]

Torched is a bunch of guys from open teams, GoldStar and JKVII were on EMGG at KC and have played together since, placed t20 at the Super with a different other 2. Never heard of Derfgang or Six Karma.

[somber swift]

This is actually pretty funny, when you understand the context:
https://twitter.com/Spacestation/status/1612225384753557505

Spacestation Gaming (@Spacestation)

EVERYONES HERE 👏

Congrats to the 8 teams who qualified through opens…. personally I’m glad we shouldn’t have to do that again this year. But congrats to you guys. We love that for you.

Likes

427

Twitter · Jan 8, 2023, 11:11 PM

[somber swift]

people in formal's stream seem to think c9 will pick up oxg former team

[tall mural]

https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/hcs-year-2-maps-modes-and-settings

TL;DR

• Every weapon will become a red bar
• Sword, mangler, pulse carbine, removed from ranked
• Ammo in heatwave, shotgun, stalker, and shock reduced
• Commando and Noob Combo are getting rebalanced
• No scoping and footstep audio is getting fixed
• Frags and spikes are getting nerfed and to be made more consistent (frag damage radius reduced)
• Fusion coils and turrets are gone from ranked, and the shotguns on Argyle are becoming Sidekicks.

This might actually be good

[torpid beacon]

Eh I think of anything with most weapons being removed population is probably going to tank without a slayer playlist. Problem is outside of the core US most of these weapons suffer from desync. So everyone complains now about br randomness just wait until it becomes one of the three weapons allowed to be used. Nades getting nerfed is going to turn into season 1 rockets all over again and commando doesn't get picked up again.

[craggy burrow]

You know the more I look at it the more I feel like I might have to change my Gamertag if I ever get into comp Halo.
Everyones got these almost Latin sounding titles.

[craggy burrow]

Is this for everything or just comp?
I really hope its just comp.

[indigo roost]

can I get someone to help me get better with aiming and stuff? Im so bad compared to my friends and I dont want to hold them back...

[arctic quiver]

https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/hcs-year-2-maps-modes-and-settings

[idle pivot]

any new drops?

[arctic quiver]

Nope

[somber swift]

no, your GT is perfect for competitive!

[somber swift]

I suggest you download some of the octagon maps, and put some bots in, and just practice

[somber swift]

Charlotte will have new drops

[craggy burrow]

Upon further inspection, orca is actually Latin, as the full scientific name for the killer whale is...Orcanius Orca.
Which apparently translates to, and Im not kiiding on this, demon of hell.
Coming from the same root word as the Tolkinian "orc"

[somber swift]

That's pretty bad-arse

Has anyone seen if this 'Shady" person has made any comment about the accusations against them for cheating?

Seems like the community has basically decided he is, but I've yet to see any reaction from them.

I'm guessing this is why the first event is in Charlotte - tax credits:
https://twitter.com/diamondbackGG/status/1612812715877359626

hunter cooke (@diamondbackGG)

Wanted to know how North Carolina's Esports Incentive Program was going, so I asked.

Of the $5 mil earmarked for the fiscal year, $3,291,500 remained as of early Dec, according to a state rep. That's approx $1.7 mil in tax credits used on the industry. https://t.co/ILFdosB47G

Twitter · Jan 10, 2023, 2:04 PM

[quiet prairie]

what's the context ?

[quiet prairie]

why whould he comments on some vicious rumor by a nobody ?

[somber swift]

because it's the entire HCS community that says he's cheating, not a rumor by a nobody

[somber swift]

SSG now has the old C9 roster.

In previous tournaments, SSG's roster at the time was bad enough, they didn't pre-qualify for them, and had to fight their way through the open.

The org is now making a joke about themselves, possibly at the expense of their old roster, but most likely just at themselves.

[tame sandal]

Do not change it ever, it's one of those things you can never get back.

[silver trench]

Orca in latin translates to "large-bellied pot or jar." In Greek Orcinus is "of the kingdom of the dead" or "belonging to Orcus" . Orcus was a Roman God of the underworld and of broken oaths.

[craggy burrow]

Oh so THATS how it works.

To be fair, they do be thicc so thats fitting.
You look at an orca from above and it looks like a pot.

[idle pivot]

oh i have been there

[somber swift]

Online twitch drops

[craggy burrow]

Hope there's some new ones, I got all the previous

[somber swift]

Tashi said Charlotte will be new

[idle pivot]

ik, but i have been to charlotte in the usa

[tall mural]

Anyone else wondering if Hoaxer is gonna join ssg?

Think about it, Elamite is casting the SSG event so he can't coach SSG

And Hoaxer backed out of his coaching deal with N8V

[somber swift]

sounds possible

[gloomy bridge]

can’t believe C9 dropped such a gud team

Also will miss the black, light blue combo

[somber swift]

word is that C9 org is out of $$

[craggy burrow]

It’s Darwinist now; sink or swim

[tall mural]

Makes sense, they built LoL and Valorant god squads very recently

[somber swift]

some people are speculating they might pick up a lower tier roster and keep their partnership active.
I imagine we'll know by Charlotte

[indigo roost]

@somber swift rude

[somber swift]

Maybe, but also facts

[indigo roost]

True

How long would it take for me to see improvements on my aim??

[craggy burrow]

Depends

[indigo roost]

On ?

Also how do I setup the octagon thing ?

[somber swift]

You need to download the map from someone's fileshare.
You can probably search the custom get browser for octagon

[indigo roost]

Okay. I tried out octagon against 1 bot on spartan difficulty and i got crapped on

[somber swift]

Try asking for it in #lfg-competitive

Oh, nm

[somber swift]

Drop it to ODST difficulty until you get better

[indigo roost]

Ah. I hate that i keep flicking the right stick too much. I hope I can get better by the time my friends get back on for halo

[noble field]

To see consistent improvement, you need to practice your aim a lot and it will be gradual long term improvement. It isn’t like you practice twice can all of a sudden aim a lot better. Good luck. Hope you see results.

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1613238586849255425

Halo Esports (@HCS)

🥂 New Year
👥 New Rosters
⚔️ New Rivalries

Join us next month in Charlotte, NC as we kick off the first Major of the 2023 HCS Season!

Spectator tickets go on sale TOMORROW at 10am PT.
Team Passes will be available on January 19th!

🏆 https://t.co/h1BxzOkgwN

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 11, 2023, 6:17 PM

https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/charlotte2023

prize pool at 250k is decent

Look at which teams are NOT listed

Eunited
C9
Fnatic
G2 (We already knew)

[quiet prairie]

Doesn't mean they will not come back later notably C9

[somber swift]

partnerships are ALL about money.
And given that C9 won't be earning ANY money off Charlotte ticket sales, they're done.

If I were in C9 mgmt, and didn't get listed here as a partner, while I'm trying to sign a roster, I'd be PISSED.

They're done.

[quiet prairie]

Sure, sure. But that's too much teams leaving, Eunited is a complete reshuffle in the staff even not in Halo. C9 and Fnatic it's not the same. It's not a partnered list, it's only codes. They might signed a roster after the Kickoff

[somber swift]

"But's that too much teams leaving"

HCS has no control over that.
If those teams are suffering, and don't want to participate anymore, that's just what happens.

I doubt they're still partnered.

[tall mural]

Fnatic still has Perzecute signed as a content creator so they may still be interested in remaining in the scene

[tall mural]

That would make the most sense, although you could make an argument for them not being listed because they don't have a roster and maybe just having some things going on in the background

[somber swift]

Fnatic didn't have a roster for the first tournament in 2021, but they still got listed with a partner code.

None of these 4 orgs have rosters now, and none of them have partner codes.
I doubt any of them are still partners now.

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/KuhIect/status/1613286585285464081

Kuhlect (@KuhIect)

:)

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 11, 2023, 9:27 PM

[tall mural]

Wasn't he signed to N8V-

YNOT said he's gonna be on SEN with Sparty, Nick and Lethul

[somber swift]

That's what we're thinking

https://twitter.com/ShopifyRebels/status/1613302398617026571?t=O-pYTe7GCW4elqk5mbUQWg&s=19
Also this^

Shopify Rebellion (@ShopifyRebels)

@AshamanND SOON™️

(Tomorrow 😉)

Twitter · Jan 11, 2023, 10:30 PM

[tall mural]

Nice

[somber swift]

Team Dark has to forfeit

Seems that SSG didn't make it clear the tournament would be on Friday DURING THE DAY:
https://twitter.com/Despit3ful/status/1613335299089915905

Jayy (@Despit3ful)

Unfortunately my team has to pull out of the @Spacestation Spartan Showdown due to 3 of my teammates having work GL to the comp .

Twitter · Jan 12, 2023, 12:41 AM

Bottom corner of this image in the tweet mentions 9am - but that's it:
https://twitter.com/Spacestation/status/1611075177928101889

I feel like it could've been better mentioned.

Spacestation Gaming (@Spacestation)

and where it’s all happening

A stream https://t.co/JZ7aC2R8zd
B stream https://t.co/sjTiw1rWcd

Twitter · Jan 5, 2023, 7:00 PM

Also looks like Downward Dog is being labeled as Status Quo:
https://www.spacestationgaming.com/spartan-snowdown?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social

[somber swift]

where do we think Envore is gonna end up?

[noble field]

I’ve been wondering the same thing. He is solid and he didn’t play in the Open. I’m hoping he is on N8V White with Mikwen, Barcode, and Gilkey. (Assuming that is a team based on rumors.)

[somber swift]

Makes sense

[tall mural]

That team sounds nice ngl

[somber swift]

Spectator tickets on sale now:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hcs-kickoff-major-charlotte-2023-tickets-507898497077?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

[thin trench]

https://twitter.com/ShopifyRebels/status/1613628416452096000?t=7gBr_6MUv8rNk7y_HzZGmA&s=19

[somber swift]

nice

also, VIP for Charlotte sold out

less than 3 hours.
I'm sure they were very limited amounts, but still a good feeling for the HCS team

[somber swift]

Dark, Torched both backing out of SSG - and Proton gaming having roster issues

I don't think running a tournament on short notice during the day of a weekeday was the right choice - especially because that 9am start time wasn't blasted more strongly.

[noble field]

I thought this entire time it was Saturday and Sunday because I think it was initially announced and also because why the hell wouldn’t it be? Lol

[somber swift]

also because why the hell wouldn’t it be? my thoughts exactly...

but we're wrong, because it was announced back in October it would be friday saturday:

[noble field]

My bad. Still don’t know why though. Unless it is strictly pros, weekday stuff doesn’t really work. Not unless it is a Major.

[somber swift]

agreed - a strange choice for sure.

https://tenor.com/view/move-lets-see-if-it-pays-off-thats-a-bold-strategy-cotton-gif-16327152

[somber swift]

https://tenor.com/view/wel-gif-4387552
We're nearing the end of the time of day where orgs might normally make announcements - and we still don't know the Faze or Sen rosters that will be playing tomorrow officially.

[somber swift]

'secret scrim with no comms'

do we know the complexity roster?

because this might be it

[noble field]

I doubt Tusk is back on a team. Started off on a team Season 1 but then became a coach the rest of the way. Rumor is that is the team with Neuronical in that spot for Tusk.

[somber swift]

Ah

[valid mortar]

Argrayle or whatever the map name is needs to be taken out of the rotation

[craggy burrow]

New Storylines?

[quiet prairie]

https://twitter.com/teadvocated/status/1613594905275936769

Eunited is closed

[noble field]

I was wrong. Looks like you can go on FaceIt and look up players and scroll to the bottom and see their latest team. Faze and Sentinels both confirmed. Complexity confirmed with Tusk as the forth.

…at least for this weekend. Lol

[somber swift]

Knew it!

[somber swift]

It's SNOWtime!
https://www.twitch.tv/spacestation
https://www.faceit.com/en/championship/756f26b7-ac4e-4990-8feb-7cf6c904af5d/Spacestation Gaming - Spartan Snowdown Pool Play

Sam - something to add to the Snowdown event, Bracket link

[arctic quiver]

https://twitter.com/FaZeClan/status/1613943600009859072

FaZe Clan (@FaZeClan)

FAZE CLAN HALO 2023

@SnakeBiteFPS
@Royal2
@Renegade_JW
@FrostyBB
@Chris_Royal1

@HCS | #FaZeUp

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 13, 2023, 4:58 PM

Well then...

[frozen bobcat]

Welp guess I’m gonna have to pick a new HCS team to follow if the rumors of eU being shut down are true

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/AshamanND/status/1613946042210471936

AshamanND (@AshamanND)

@Spacestation @HCS @UberNick ROSTER UPDATES:
Sen and Faze confirmed.
"Rats" in for "Dark" in Pool A.
"Legendary" is Ex-OXG
"Leviathan" changed name to DG Esports
https://t.co/6wCIwoDeJN
https://t.co/vclvUF9tOL

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 13, 2023, 5:08 PM

https://twitter.com/AshamanND/status/1613946610580606976

AshamanND (@AshamanND)

@Spacestation @HCS @UberNick @Neuronical_ in for @RyaNoobHCS just this weekend for @ShopifyRebels https://t.co/F55rWKkeyA

Twitter · Jan 13, 2023, 5:10 PM

[somber swift]

Feels bad for lethul at the moment:

4-12

[craggy burrow]

Thats an L

[somber swift]

poor dude

[halcyon yoke]

there's no new twitch drops for this SSG event, right?

[somber swift]

correct

https://twitter.com/Dyna_Sean/status/1613952625439039488

So - the roster is set, but contracts aren't even final yet:
https://twitter.com/Wolfmayyne/status/1613958223337517062

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Spartan/status/1613965947714281474

[astral linden]

https://twitter.com/SnakeBiteFPS/status/1613944634836934662

nooo why is spartan part of sen

cant support that team anymore

[somber swift]

see above

[astral linden]

i mean

i liked sen but i dont like spartan in the slightest

[somber swift]

proper announcement https://twitter.com/Sentinels/status/1613988726442721280

we can hear the desk team breathing, hahaha
https://www.twitch.tv/spacestation

[tiny sparrow]

FaZe uP. Do they have a skin in Infinite? Can't remember

[somber swift]

Faze does, yes

[pliant latch]

Are the current drops just the HCS weapon coatings or are there multiple rn?

[arctic quiver]

HCS Launch Weapon Coating

[somber swift]

Sentinels knocked out, as they had a worse map win %

[somber swift]

Tomorrow:

[cedar sluice]

Are there any teams/orgs looking for a photographer for HCS Charlotte? All accommodations on my side are covered, let’s make something happen!

[smoky quiver]

all of them

[tall mural]

SEN got scammed with the way pools were set up, they should have at least gone to lower bracket

Also new Pit updates https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1614077373229699073?t=z5qBOORpBTHsN5T2Er8BJw&s=19

[arctic quiver]

's in response to that, you love to see it

[noble field]

Highly disagree. I understood the players point at Worlds. Oversea teams traveled far for it and everyone paid money to get there. It’s the best of the best too with a ton of money on the line. I get it. With that said an online tournament doesn’t need three to get out of pool play. Win your matches or you’re out. I would change one thing though to get rid of the tie breaker. I would go StarCraft 2 GSL style. Team A vs Team B and Team C vs Team D. Then winners play each other and losers play each other. The team that won twice is 1st and the team that lost twice is 4th. Then you have the two remaining teams play to see who moves on as 2nd.

[copper thunder]

I just watched the Faze-Optic series from Lucid pov and that oddball game on Recharge has to be one of the most impressive performances i've ever seen

[noble field]

He was going off pretty hard that game. Nutty. 29-15 or whatever it was.

[copper thunder]

This Faze roster is scary

[copper thunder]

This grand final is amazing

[noble field]

Yea they are stacked. Gotta say they have the most talent on the roster. Just need to make it all click and be consistent.

[valid mortar]

Not an HCS comment but rather competitive, gotta love the 1700 onyx 4 stacking with a diamond 1 player to pad their ranking…quite insane that this is possible

[plain cave]

Faze is looking scary after today. Will have to see how they do on LAN. Optic will need to definitely step it up this season for sure. What happened with SSG?

[copper thunder]

Yes obviously Frosty, Snakebite and Royal 2 already have chemistry and Renegade just fit in so well already. I watched pretty much the entire series from Lucid pov and the games that Optic was able to win, they did by playing almost perfect Halo and putting out some of the most insane plays. That is the level you need to be against this new Faze roster it seems. As Clutch i think said, Faze really sent a message to the whole league but if i was on Optic, or Spacestation, i'll be even more motivated now. I love the competition and can't wait for Charlotte tbh

[quiet prairie]

https://twitter.com/AcendClub/status/1614620725213790210
Ho boy

[noble field]

Can four people be friends and one just so happens to be worse?

[noble field]

That’s crazy as it kinda sounds like it was due to the Worlds drama. Sad day though as we lost another organization.

[quiet prairie]

It not "it sounds like" : it's part of it. Anti-european like always + lack of communication during the season, lack of info for Year 2 (very bad) too

[noble field]

I didn’t watch the video. I don’t think it’s anti EU what happened. Yes on the lack of communication and info on year two, but that is coming. I mean how many months ahead of time is appropriate? Honest question.

[quiet prairie]

For the Worlds : you clearly don't know what happened + how europe is treated...
For Year 2, infos can't be share like 1 month before it begins. For professionnal organisation its impossible. Tashi told before on Twitter that these info where to come before the end of the year 2022... but in the end it will only comes out later

It was needed to be said before the end of the year has said (3 month in advance is good). At least for the 1st split

[somber swift]

Tashi, and the whole 343 team, needs to wake up and listen.
When you have healthy and willing orgs dropping due to lack of communication it's terrible.
This one is actually worse than KCP getting denied.

[noble field]

As for Worlds I know what happened. I was there and I was all over all the social media reading all about it. I believe is it was a NA team playing that match and the same thing happened, no difference in outcome would’ve happened. Would love to hear your side though.

As for what Tashi said he is late, I know. However he did give a three month advance on Charlotte and probably a three month advance on the next Major plus more on the rest. Hosting events is hard. I do it for a living for youth basketball for higher end talented players. Lots goes into it and I can only imagine this is a whole different beast.

[quiet prairie]

It's too late. And I think he and his team jsut don't have the power to do something

[somber swift]

Road map is coming in a week or two, but yeah it's pretty bad it isn't already out.
Obviously, 343 wants to ensure the map is complete before releasing, but it speaks volumes that it isn't already done.

[somber swift]

The messaging about how poorly non partner team are treated is entirely in HCS power

[quiet prairie]

If you know what happened and said a NA team would be treated like this... you just don't know

[quiet prairie]

They could have made a proper preseason with online event like in 2022. Even if it's only open events on faceit with only points to gain. It's to practice. No money to invest, just to keep the train moving.
And I really hope in private 343 chastized Optic Gaming for the communication aroud their tournement

[somber swift]

100% about Optic, that was so bad on their part.

I don't think the preseason online is necessary though. But some more communication would be good.

[quiet prairie]

For the preseason it's just an idea. Not an obligation like communication.

[somber swift]

KCP leaving felt like immature children complaining about not getting partnered.
Acend leaving feels like a strongly worded statement about systemic issues within HCS

[somber swift]

Acend and G1 should have both been partners.
Maybe even KCP.

If g1 doesn't get a partnership mid year, they'll probably drop out too.

[noble field]

Even the statement from Ascend said they believe it would’ve been different, but you just don’t know, which is correct.

[quiet prairie]

They need to stay polite 🙂 And you still dont know how to write the name of the team

[noble field]

Agree to disagree on it. And my bad on the typo of their name. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[somber swift]

don't worry about typos

[noble field]

Thanks! You’re the bets.

[valid mortar]

I see it all the time in d6 lobbies

[noble field]

I stand by my question.

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/AcendClub/status/1614983924601479168

Very interesting - perhaps it's not ALL 343's fault.
Looks like Acend is 'cleaning house' a bit too, to save some $$.

ACEND CLUB (@AcendClub)

Today we are sad to announce our departure from the Rainbow 6 Esports scene.

We would like to thank the players that have represented Acend for the past year and a half and wish them nothing but the best moving forward in their careers!

#RiseUp

Likes

129

Twitter · Jan 16, 2023, 1:52 PM

What day of the week were the qualifiers (open and pro series) held on last year?

Tuesday for open, and thursday for pro?

[quiet prairie]

saturday ?

So qualifier for the kickoff (regional) was on a Wednesday and Thursday.

All the other were a saturday which was the most logical as most the people doesn't work on a saturday

[somber swift]

Why am I thinking there were thursday pro series?

@arctic quiver could probably unpin this one 😬

[somber swift]

OK, I'm not crazy - they did do pro series on thursdays:
#471727324895641651 message

Looks like for Split 2 they went to the Thursday Pro series scheduling

So, if the Online Qualifiers are still mean to occur end of January and beginning of February, my guess is they'll start sometime during the week of Jan 23-29 - which should mean we'll get the roadmap announced this week?

[noble field]

You beat me too it. Due to the Opens on Sunday taking too long, they moved the Top8 to Thursday afternoon/evening depending on where you were.

[somber swift]

I wish the HCS points standings were more easily accessible and easier to understand.
Like, I get that all players earn points individually in case they swap rosters - but it would be cool to see what the top 25 or so rosters have for points at any given time.

I hope LVT gets integrated into the roadmap in some kind of official capacity.
They recently changed their twitter handle from LVT Productions to LVT Halo - so perhaps something is in the works there.

[supple kettle]

Do not tag Admins or Moderators unless immediate action is needed. If you see anything that does not abide by these rules and guidelines, please tag a Moderator to bring it to their attention.

[quiet prairie]

and they lost half their player lol

[quiet prairie]

*only NA for this one

[somber swift]

K

But you can still unpin the Optic tournament info...

Since you know, it didn't happen

[somber swift]

Thanks🙂

[somber swift]

Anyway, I hope we get some kinda news this week.

[quiet prairie]

i hope too but Tashi told about "weekS" the 14th

[somber swift]

perhaps that's going to be for the full roadmap.
I imagine they would NEED to announce the online qualifiers sooner

[quiet prairie]

"would" 🙂

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1614078091223236609

Yeah, it's entirely possible they wait until like Jan 30th and release the full roadmap, saying "OPEN qualifiers start tomorrow!"

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

@LegendaryC4 Give us a couple more weeks.

Twitter · Jan 14, 2023, 1:52 AM

[quiet prairie]

nah it might be the week of the 23rd. That would give 2/3 weeks. It works.
Of course, for me, it's not tolerable, but I think I already said what I thought about that roadmap showing up that late...

[noble field]

Agreed. Split one should’ve been released in 2022. One month before online opens and a few months before the first Major, even if we already knew that date like we did.

[somber swift]

Yeah, you'd think that they at LEAST had split one dates and venues locked early.
I think the community would've accepted the road map coming out in two parts if it meant split 1 could be announced early.

https://twitter.com/AceTv/status/1615447008088580129

Ace 2 the Moon🧘🏻‍♂️🌕 (@AceTv)

Considering options for HCS season 2 and looks like I may stop competing. With that said, I believe with the utmost confidence I could be the most valuable coach in Halo if there are any good offers out there. Hit the dms

Twitter · Jan 17, 2023, 8:32 PM

[somber swift]

week of the 23rd doesn't quite line up with the 'give us a few weeks' comment from Tashi though.
Who knows, maybe they get it to us sooner

[prisma falcon]

Another game that appears to use TrueSkill 2 w/ TrueMatch similar to how Halo has since 5. A decline in popularity correlation here?

[somber swift]

I wouldn't say a direct correlation for TS2 and popularity - so many other things in play

[tall mural]

Scump retiring too. Legends 👑

[somber swift]

well, scump is a legend.
Ace is a solid Halo pro

[noble field]

It’s more of an expression probably. I don’t think he had an exact date in mind. It’ll come out once they feel like it is ready/it has to.

[torpid beacon]

hi

[tame sandal]

@torpid beacon please don't advertise that.

[valid mortar]

When’s the auto disband feature coming out for rank?

[somber swift]

Auto disband?

[valid mortar]

Yeah whoever a team dc or leaves a game the match should end, it’s annoying having to sit through a whole match when a teammate leaves or dc and still lose rank.

[somber swift]

You said "when's the auto disband feature coming?" as if it were already announced as a thing, which I don't think is the case.

[somber swift]

so it's not just the campaign side in trouble:
https://twitter.com/MattAKline/status/1615837458817482752

Matt Kline (@MattAKline)

Today was my last day working for 343 and Halo Esports. It was a great honor to work on the game that started it all for me. We produced a world-class esports program and I’m proud to have collaborated with so many talented people. Now on to the next chapter. 🚀

Twitter · Jan 18, 2023, 10:24 PM

[craggy burrow]

10k layoffs across the company

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1615871960084512769

Halo Esports (@HCS)

Heads up - Team Passes for the kickoff #HCSCharlotte23 Major go on sale TOMORROW @ 10am PT!

⚔️ https://t.co/WXmEk9f01r

💰 $250,000
📅 Feb 24-26
🗺️ Charlotte, NC
🏆 https://t.co/gHs1aqFeGi

Twitter · Jan 19, 2023, 12:41 AM

How are they selling passes tomorrow without the qualifiers being announced yet?

[somber swift]

other esports have their share of issues:
https://twitter.com/JacobWolf/status/1615771219202015233

Jacob Wolf (@JacobWolf)

BREAKING: The majority of @overwatchleague teams have hired a British law firm to collectively bargain against Activision Blizzard amid growing frustrations around operation costs, lackluster viewership and a distinct lack of a path to profitability.

https://t.co/fPE8U7RGv7

Likes

4253

Retweets

491

Twitter · Jan 18, 2023, 6:00 PM

[severe mantle]

brotha every other org doing that rn tbh
unless u're huuuuuge and no associated with crypto at all, u're probably shrinking

[quiet prairie]

what's the link with crypto ?

[noble field]

Speculation is the C9 in particular, but a lot of of these orgs had a good deal of money and/or sponsors tied to cryptocurrency. With bitcoin going from like 60k to 20k, that a lot of these orgs lost a lot of money.

[quiet prairie]

Ok, I misunderstood his message then.

[somber swift]

I know.
I just point these things out so the casual person here might not think it's just HCS with struggles

[somber swift]

team passes website not working today isn't the news we needed.
Adam jumped in to clarify it's on them though, so we should be able to rest easy that it's not related to yesterday.
but damn, we need a W

[noble field]

Clearly the demand was so high it broke the system.

[tall mural]

I'm waiting on G1 so bad rn dude

[shell wren]

Hello

[low iris]

Hola

[idle kernel]

how do I hit someone from the back

ayo wait nvm

[vital folio]

Bro what

[tame sandal]

Oh nice! Native took Tapping Buttons in as a member of the family

[void fable]

When's next tournament stuff happening? Only recently realized earlier this month that it had been a while since there's been one. I'm excited to start watching the tournaments again but I'm also looking forward to new twitch drops👀

[somber swift]

We've got another roster!
https://twitter.com/NativeGaming/status/1617222794592256000?t=UPbA-32PFgFUXd_7lNPR8w&s=19

Native Gaming (@NativeGaming)

Introducing Native White

@Mikwen
@BarcodeAK
@Gilk3y
@TappingButtons

Analyst @TiberiusAudley

Likes

440

Twitter · Jan 22, 2023, 6:08 PM

[somber swift]

End of Feb

[void fable]

Thanks

[somber swift]

looks like the team pass sales aren't working :/

[somber swift]

seems to be working now!

[deft palm]

They are working, see you guys in Charlotte!

[somber swift]

we still don't have G1's roster, do we?

[noble field]

Not official but it’s a pretty known rumored roster of bubu dubu, Falcated, Sabinator, and Suspector.

[somber swift]

they need to get those contracts signed already!

[candid badger]

Fr I love watching them

[plain cave]

Yo FR Faze went 14-2 on Sen in scrims?

[tall mural]

Given that assumed roster doesn't include Devon, could we maybe see another team of Devon, Tylenul, and Suppressed?

[noble field]

Spartan and Kuhlect are beasts but Nick and Lethul on the same team is not going to end well. I honestly am not sure they are Top 8. Optic, Faze, SSG, G1, N8V Red, and N8V White are all arguably better. Navi and Quadrant are also arguably better. Depending on the bracket and how they are playing, Sentinels might get Top12 at Charlotte.

[tall mural]

Don't forget about/sleep on Rebellion

[plain cave]

I’m excited to see how Native White does in this next major. Big Mikwen fan.

Did French Toast ever establish a team? I remember those guys tearing it up in the SSG tourney.

[somber swift]

The SSG tournament showed some real interesting outcomes

Sen getting knocked out might be a sign of what's to come from them

[plain cave]

I honestly think Sen should change up their roster.

But who am I to say?

Also, someone wake Ola up and get him on a team.

[somber swift]

I'm guessing they change it halfway through year 2.
Maybe even before the second LAN

unless they outperform expectations

I don't think Ola wants anything to do with the scene anymore

[tall mural]

Gilk3y got signed to Native White, not sure about the rest of them.

Still a lot of assumed F/A's out there without teams.

[quartz jasper]

Super excited for Tapping Buttons. Interested to see how that roster performs.

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1617968325027590148

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

Quick update on qualifiers - there will NOT be any qualifiers this weekend. Just confirming that as we're still finalizing paperwork to make the announcements.

We're getting info out as fast as we can, thanks for your patience.

Twitter · Jan 24, 2023, 7:31 PM

My guess:
8 teams pre-qualify based on points.
4 teams qualify from Feb 4/5
that's the 12 invited teams - then 4 more will qualify through on-site open bracket and make up the full 16 for pool play.

[arctic quiver]

"Februarty"

[somber swift]

😛

12 invited teams
https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/charlotte2023

[somber swift]

never mind
https://twitter.com/RichieHeinz/status/1617975278881607681

Richie Heinz (@RichieHeinz)

@AshamanND @JaggedCloud @CommonCD @FactyJV @Tashi343i @Unyshek @HCS @Halo Sorry - that information is inaccurate. We will provide the correct roster lock and qualifier date info when they are finalized.

Twitter · Jan 24, 2023, 7:59 PM

[plain cave]

I honestly want to know how the guy is doing though. There wasn’t much detail on what happened, only that they wanted to bring in FormaL.

[somber swift]

He's never been big on social media, and I figure he's just doing personal stuff now.
I'm sure a few pros that he was actually friends with have talked to him and are respecting whatever privacy he's asked for.

Hopefully he makes an appearance in the scene again in some form

[somber swift]

They updated it

[tall mural]

Interesting

[noble field]

Definitely not sleeping on sR. I think they have big upside and have a head start on others as they started playing in online events all the way back to November. Noob brings out the best in people it seems too. With that said I won’t go out and say they are arguably better than Sentinels just yet. But I do expect them to place the same or better than them.

[plain cave]

So only 12 invited teams? The rest have to pay for pool play?

[somber swift]

Seems like it

Or maybe 4 more qualify in the pre tournament

[craggy burrow]

I just realized that image is from HCS last year. So Im probably off-screen somewhere.

[somber swift]

oh yeah! Me too 🙂

[quiet prairie]

ha finnally some news
https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1618312007408836609

[somber swift]

Here we go, with Embed
https://twitter.com/HCS/status/1618312007408836609

Halo Esports (@HCS)

Official HCS tournaments are back! See the blog below for Qualifiers & #HCSCharlotte23 format!

📅 Feb 4-5: Online Open (Feb 5 for EU/MX/ANZ)
📅 Feb 7-8: Major Qualifier (Feb 8 for EU/MX/ANZ)
📅 Feb 9: Roster Lock (Pools)

Registration opens tomorrow!

🏆 https://t.co/aUIeixjbbg

Twitter · Jan 25, 2023, 6:17 PM

https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/charlotte-format-and-qualifiers

Does this mean all the pro teams need to play in the qualifiers on Feb 4-5?

[tame sandal]

I hope this year the Mexico tournament is not at CDMX

I'm hoping either Guadalajara or Monterrey

[somber swift]

I'm confused about the Online open and Major Qualifier - like who is meant to play in each of these?

I've read the blog, but I still don't FULLY understand it.

Does this essentially mean EVERYONE needs to play in the Feb4-5 games, inlcuding Optic, SSG, etc. where they will play in that seeded according to year 1 points.
and THEN everyone plays AGAIN on Feb 7-8 which is seedwed based only on the feb4-5 results - and this will determine everyone who gets pool play and travel coverage?

[quiet prairie]

No it's for team that are not invited

[somber swift]

where does it go through who is pre-invited?

because I think I might be right?

As usual, it's convoluted

[quiet prairie]

Invited teams are the ones partenered

[noble field]

That is not how I read it at all. I believe the invited teams are the ones that qualified through the Open and Qualifier. I also believe everyone will be playing in the Open as they is how they are seeded into the Qualifier. Open uses year one points and then year one points are gone. Qualified uses year two points, which at that point is just the Open results.

[quiet prairie]

(still waiting on the blog on them too)

[noble field]

It says NA gets six teams from placements and two from points to fill out the 8 NA spots. Nothing to do with partner.

Partner never gives a competitive edge. Just a financial one.

[quiet prairie]

they totally did in Year 1

[noble field]

@somber swift You’re correct.

[noble field]

How so?

[quiet prairie]

They did got invited in the Kickoff

[somber swift]

that never happens except for special tourneys

[quiet prairie]

It did happened, that's why they were all qualified in the Kickoff of 2021

[noble field]

Ok you need to read the info blog again there man.

[somber swift]

pretty sure they all had to play in the open online tournaments in the weeks leading up to Raleigh

[somber swift]

Fnatic was a partnered org and didn't even have a ROSTER for the first tournament - the partners didn't get 'invited'

[noble field]

Do you’re homework man. You can go back and see who won the qualifiers. XSet was the first seed. C9 got in from points. It’s all there on HaloWiki.

[quiet prairie]

I did "my homework" they got invited

[noble field]

Dude you’re high.

https://halo-esports.fandom.com/wiki/Halo_Championship_Series/2022_Season/Kickoff_Major_Raleigh

[somber swift]

https://liquipedia.net/halo/Halo_Championship_Series/2021/Kickoff_Major/North_America

[somber swift]

they got invited because they played and qualified

[quiet prairie]

They got invited because they were partenered

[noble field]

I like how we both proved you wrong and you still are just spitting false info.

[somber swift]

You really aren't clicking the links, or reading the info, are you?

[noble field]

He just hates HCS because Acend didn’t know the rules and lost to EU.

[quiet prairie]

no

[somber swift]

I suggest you do before you continue to make incorrect assumptions

[quiet prairie]

They lied about the planning of this year too (still not there)

[noble field]

Things not going according to plan and lying are very different.

[somber swift]

was still a bad situation.

[quiet prairie]

Did they correct themselves ? No
Did they apologized for the inconvinience ? no

[somber swift]

eunited could've been more sportsmanlike.
HCS event staff could've been better trained.
Was no-bueno

anyway, @noble field who do you think makes it out of the qualifiers from each region?
8 NA
2 EU
1 MX
1ANZ

[quiet prairie]

Shows how they are moving even more toward NA-only

[somber swift]

if you paid attention to anything not EU, you'd realize all regions got cut, including NA

[quiet prairie]

that's exacly what's I'm saying

[somber swift]

https://tenor.com/view/krule-john-c-reilly-what-face-reaction-gif-16881707

[quiet prairie]

It was 8 NA before

What I'm saying is that there is less teams qualified for every region. And that's helping NA team in the end because they have less travel fees and other commodities

[noble field]

First correct thing you’ve said today.

[noble field]

NA didn’t get cut. Others did as they are moving to a four team pool instead of five.

[noble field]

They are going strictly off of performance of year one. Outside of three teams in the EU and Pittsburgh Knights, every non NA team got absolutely hammered in pool play and losers bracket. That’s the reality.

[noble field]

Can’t say on the ANZ ever. Waiting on more info on LATAM. Quadrant and Navi for sure from EU. Optic, Faze, SSG, N8V Red, G1 for sure from NA. I would guess N8V White and Shopify for the final two spots for NA. Sentinels is my bold prediction to NOT make Pool Play from qualifiers.

[somber swift]

NA
Optic
Faze
SSG
Sen
N8V red
N8V white?
Former Oxg
Shopify
(Open coverage: Complexity, Proton, French Toast, Six Karma)
EU
Quadrant
Navi
(Open Coverage: half of acend, plus who else?)
MX
Former SSG roster -1 player
(Open Coverage: One of Cintanegra teams?)
ANZ
Chiefs
(Open Coverage: Mindfreak and Divine Mind)

[somber swift]

my b, you're right on this one

[somber swift]

not sure if all these rosters are actually intact or not

[somber swift]

I'm glad they are still providing some travel coerage for top teams from each region to get to the Open play too

[somber swift]

yay, confirmed:
https://twitter.com/LVTHalo/status/1618326977731256320

LVT Halo (@LVTHalo)

#HCSCharlotte23 Open and Major Quals EXPLAINED!

⏺️All teams should play in BOTH the Open and Qual
⏺️The Open will use 2022 points for seeding
⏺️The Major Qual will be seeded by points from the Open

-@RichieHeinz, 📄https://t.co/DlLBJG9b4a

Twitter · Jan 25, 2023, 7:16 PM

I'm hoping they get the roadmap out soon, now that this is up.
But I'm really starting to think it's announced at this event.

[quiet prairie]

They said at the end of the blog "Next up", same as HCS Program

[somber swift]

Looking forward to that read

Maybe that wording implies pre-charlotte blog then.

[noble field]

1.OpTic- APG, Lucid, Formal, Trippy
2.FaZe- Renegade, Frosty, Snakebite, Royal 2
3.SSG-Bound, Pznguin, Eco, StelluR
4.Sentinels- Spartan, Kuhlect, King Nick, Lethul
5. Native Red- Manny, Druk, Soulsnipe, Taulek
6.G1- Sab, Suspector, Falcated, Bubudubu
7.Native Back-Mikwen, Tappingbuttons, Gilkey, Barcode
8.sR- Ryanoob, Karmea, Rayne, Mental
9.Complexity- Cykul, Juziro, Sceptify, Tusk
10.TSS-Supercc Evades, Swish, Mortally, Huss
11.Triplets- Suppressed, Diagram, Avenue, Boamx
12.Scrimmed with last- Rammy, MoNsTR, Neuronical, Articc

(Not my order but an order I saw online.)

[tall mural]

Fnatic didn't have a team there and they were partnered. They had open qualifiers for those too- don't you remember the whole Royal2 drama?

[tall mural]

Wondering where LATAM will end up because Tapping left.

[somber swift]

He does not remember

[tall mural]

Also pretty sure half of Acend is going to Quad and Snipedrone is going to NaVI. I'm thinking Navi + Quadrant qual for pools and another team of leftovers like Online Warriors makes it to open-- something like Respectful, Nurix, Shad and Fragxr?

Mexico pool play might be something Pelu, Atzo, Drift and Gambino/Nugget? Might see some things shaken up.

[tall mural]

Teams 9-12 aren't confirmed but I can probably see that if Sen goes lower. I'm wondering if French Toast (with a new 4th bc Gilk3y went to Native) shows up and if ex-OXG stick together? Also the team that competed under Status Quo at the SSG event was SuperCC, Huss, Nesity and Swish. Expecting a lot more open competing teams with names like Tylenul, Abature, Devon, and KingJay

[somber swift]

It's tough to follow all the changes

[tall mural]

Fair lmao

[somber swift]

I'm less connected to the EU scene, but even in NA it's really hard to follow anything that's not in the top 4-8

[tall mural]

It's easier for me because I have no life and am addicted to twitter 🤷‍♂️

[tame sandal]

You have my condolences

[noble field]

9-11 are more or less confirmed. Supressed tweeted out that he was with the Triplets and said the four members of the team. TSS squad played with Nesity during the SSG event as Mortally I think couldn’t do it and he teamed with them for Worlds. That one is more a “probably” than a confirmation. Complexity as well but that was the team for SSG event. Will likely be that or similar.

[tall mural]

Forgot about that (TSS -> Status Quo for SSG tourney) and I didn't see Suppressed's tweet somehow 💀 coL is basically confirmed too ig idk why I said that

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/sTwDrift/status/1614005227270639616

Drift (@sTwDrift)

The LATAM top 1 roster for the 2023 season is going to be:
-@sTwDrift
-@Mqgico
-@ANoblc
-@NastyBulIet
Coach: @NuggettSSJ
My squad is looking for an org to represent this year in LATAM and in all the international tournaments. Likes and RTs are appreciated. 🙏🏻

Likes

180

Twitter · Jan 13, 2023, 9:03 PM

[tall mural]

Wow I missed that too lol thank@

Where are atzo and pelu goin?

[somber swift]

no clue

[somber swift]

The backlash to the structure and execution of this first major and qualifiers is pretty strong online.
Once again, it feels like decisions are being made behind closed doors, and without any input from the community in advance.
Yeesh

[brisk jasper]

Does anyone from SSG stream?

[tall mural]

Eco, Pznguin and Bound occasionally

Idk how often tho

[brisk jasper]

Ok thanks

[noble field]

Not 100% sure what you mean.

[tall mural]

Pros are calling out a relative lack of teams compared to other tournaments- only 12 in the champ bracket and only 8 NA teams in pools.

https://mobile.twitter.com/PiggyHCS/status/1618318715774468096

[noble field]

I guess I’m not getting his “behind closed doors” comment as everything businesses do is behind closed doors. Also if you asked the pros if they liked the idea that was not good for the pros, how would they feel, you already know the answer. I don’t mind having better teams in pool and limiting it from a fan prospective if we get to see more open games and more pool play. Only issue I have is open being done on Friday. Not good for the AM players and makes going not worth it.

[quiet prairie]

so this player want a NA only pool play ?

[somber swift]

Smaller pools, open only on Friday, qualifiers mid week.

Behind closed doors, meaning they seemed to say in the past they wanted to be involved in community discussions to make things work.

Then these final decisions come down which seem contrary to fan/player wants/needs, and with such little time to allow for feedback/alteration.

If they announced these things earlier, perhaps they could make adjustments. Like world's, but that was almost a miracle they were able to change that

[coral arrow]

I’m interested in trying out for a team, does anyone know where I should go

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/Quadrant/status/1618640182999412737?t=rCB-gRJ9Di94VeCO5MBOng&s=19

Quadrant (@Quadrant)

Introducing our 2023 @HCS Roster.

It’s time to take EU to the top.

🇫🇷 @NorwenSLG
🇫🇷 @TchiKSD
🇫🇷 @RSicaa
🇫🇷 @Lqgend_

🇫🇷 @eu_tylerr (C)

@ScufGaming | @Elgato

Likes

141

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 26, 2023, 4:01 PM

[somber swift]

There's a place called the Sauna, I'm not in it but if you google around you might be able to get in

[coral arrow]

Anyone have an invite link to Sauna everything is expired on Reddit

[noble field]

I’m curious, how is this negative for fans?

[somber swift]

Probably less interesting in person

[noble field]

How? I think it’s the opposite so I’m really curious.

[somber swift]

Less matches on Saturday being played overall.
I suspect a decent amount of downtime

Also, fans from non NA will simply see less of their teams

[noble field]

Less matches off stream or off the A/B stream. Not less on the main stream though and more quality matches on the main stream on Saturday for sure.

In the end, 343 did not do something that was bad for everyone. It’s not a good thing for the fringe pro teams that are top16 material. But this saves them money, hopefully helping the overall live length of HCS, while having a likely better viewing experience for fans, which is the only thing that matters in the end. Better viewing experience and more viewers means more sponsors and longevity for HCS.

[somber swift]

Less off stream, where you could wander and watch

[somber swift]

That's just one aspect of the overall mess though
Qualifiers on weekdays are a big issue, imo

[somber swift]

Where were each of these players before?

[somber swift]

looks like 2 were from acend - so that roster is broken up now

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/g1official/status/1618662920585633792

G1 (@g1official)

Who's that Halo player? 👀

Twitter · Jan 26, 2023, 5:31 PM

[somber swift]

Washi
https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1618700392476581888?t=EO9kSbwdfkY2YFLvjzE9jg&s=19

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

@MLGQueen @RichieHeinz 1. We shouldn't have done that, that's on me. We are going to lower the price. Instead of $300 from Year 1, we are going even lower to $250. Everyone who bought one will get refunded the $100 difference starting today.

Twitter · Jan 26, 2023, 8:00 PM

[tall mural]

W

Now he just needs to finish that roadmap.

[somber swift]

Ex oxg is still scrimming together

[somber swift]

9am pacific start time for the qualifiers!

256 teams max for NA, 128 for MX and EU each, 64 for ANZ

[plain cave]

Sometimes I think Tashi is the only one legit working at 343i. Everyone else comes in and drinks coffee until they say “okay time to go home”.

[somber swift]

gotta get in there!

[tame sandal]

🧼

[somber swift]

We've been getting a couple different Halo news items per day this week, I feel like we'll get 1-2 more tomorrow.

Maybe one of them is an HCS blog of some kind - either partnership or roadmap, I'm hoping.

If not tomorrow, then surely next week?

[somber swift]

for anyone that wants to follow along on the sign ups to see what rosters look like and who decides to play in the first part:
https://www.faceit.com/en/championship/0ceba546-20f2-4292-aa1e-5cdfa035fd62/NA HCS Charlotte Online Open 2-4/teams

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/PoseyxR/status/1618806618166272001

Proton | Posey (@PoseyxR)

Announcing the roster for @ProtonGamingPRO HCS Season 2.

@Hainesssss
@CommonCD
@JoeyCherished

Coach
@JaggedCloud

2 months went by trying to figure out shit, but lessons were learned. Now the fkn boys are back in town and here to say. "Everything happens for a reason."

Twitter · Jan 27, 2023, 3:02 AM

[somber swift]

no EU teams signed up yet.
No MX teams signed up yet.
In ANZ, grenade queen is on a team, but none of the usual pros are signed up yet

[noble field]

Honestly not a bad pro am team. Solid players.

[noble field]

It’s a week away and no one is worried about it hitting the cap. Will get a lot of sign ups in the final 48 hours.

[somber swift]

you never know, the cap could be hit for this.

[noble field]

I feel a $1 bet coming. lol

[somber swift]

If we ever meet at an event, I bet you $1 that ONE of these regions will have less than 5 empty slots left for this first open.

[tall mural]

Grenade queen- mint blitz's girlfriend?

[somber swift]

Yeah

[tall mural]

Interesting

[noble field]

Done!

[somber swift]

creates a bunch of fake accounts to fill sign-ups last minute

No predevonator
https://twitter.com/g1official/status/1619095403240034305?t=nIU55weZBBTQipVMV9PJvA&s=19

G1 (@g1official)

BREAKING NEWS: G1 signs Top 3 recruiting class by @eRatingsGG

Welcome new @HCS recruits.

Likes

139

▶ Play video

Twitter · Jan 27, 2023, 10:10 PM

[gloomy bridge]

thats a nasty af squad fr

[tall mural]

Hoaxer ok I see it

[hollow fulcrum]

I forgot I was still in this server 😬🤣

[noble field]

Cool story man.

Decent team signed up for the Open as Forbidden Fruit. Tonisun, Envore, Neuronical, Precision. Toni was on G1 and then Team War and Envore was on Fnatic and then Team War. Nueronical was on Complexity I believe. Precision on Shopify at the end of the season. Solid team.

[quiet prairie]

https://www.faceit.com/en/organizers/c96b93cb-c3cc-4956-8394-9ca9b4604e4b/HCS
It's sad

And the rules' part in faceit is not even updated...

[mellow gorge]

Does anyone know what font the HCS logo uses?

[somber swift]

Their page is down?

[quiet prairie]

No, the links works

[somber swift]

There's nothing listed.

[somber swift]

This link still works, but you can't go back to HCS and pick a different region

[quiet prairie]

It works fine to me

[somber swift]

I click your link and it shows this

[quiet prairie]

Don't go with a mobile....
It's only their posts too, it's not tournaments, try to scroll

[somber swift]

I think the app sucks
I'll try browser

[somber swift]

Dropped Kimbo, picked up snipedrone
https://twitter.com/natusvincere/status/1620075888544186376?t=j4Q4mXDG5tyCzNlHDsB2yQ&s=19

NAVI (@natusvincere)

We're ready for the new season.

@snipedrone
@JimboGPK
@zMightys
@SoSnakey_

@wonderboyo (C)

Twitter · Jan 30, 2023, 3:06 PM

[noble field]

Top2 in EU looking scary good. Going to make noise at Charlotte.

[somber swift]

I wonder if the dropped players will form a roster too

Navi Quadrant scrims right now:
https://www.twitch.tv/jimbo

[somber swift]

Sign ups for this weekend are looking poor.

People want the roadmap.
It needs to be released before this weekend if 343 really expects people to get excited.

[noble field]

I honestly don’t think a roadmap gets people to sign up. Most do it last minute is all. With that said, none of these will get to 50% registration. Maybe close but not the half way point.

[somber swift]

People are more likely to sign up if they end up seeing that no other majors would be close to their own region.

Roadmap helps, but I also agree lots of signups are last minute.

[quiet prairie]

Even if some were always at the last minute, this is worse then ever. There is not even 1 team in MX....

[somber swift]

That's kinda bad, true.

I think a lot of teams don't understand that these points will still count for something even after Charlotte.
But for what? We don't know because there's no roadmap yet.

[noble field]

I disagree. I think outside of maybe 32 AM teams, most play in these events strictly for fun. I don’t think a roadmap helps or hurts that.

[somber swift]

well, we don't even have 32 teams yet - so it might help for those ones!

[quiet prairie]

And they are only going to play to have points to be seeded for the real qualifier. Does not really matter for small teams.
And even with Charlotte, does they really want to go to there when most of them will only play for 1 day and 2 matches (in the open) not sure...

[somber swift]

Points earned from both online tournaments will be for Year 2 overall though.
https://twitter.com/RichieHeinz/status/1620153228825620480

Richie Heinz (@RichieHeinz)

@MatafiedGaming @HCS @Tashi343i @DIV360 Yes - Year 1 HCS points will seed the first tournament of the year (the Charlotte Online Open). Points earned in that tournament and every tournament going forward will be Year 2 HCS points.

Twitter · Jan 30, 2023, 8:13 PM

[quiet prairie]

yes of course.
But does it really matter in the end when you don't know what's at stake (ie roadmap)...

[somber swift]

yep, my point exactly

[quiet prairie]

I know, I'm just adding things

(and for know we still don't know the number of points given by the 2 qualifiers too, as the rules are not updated)

[somber swift]

Richie replied with an image from the rules for points, but I'm not convinced they are accurate - as you point out the overall rules aren't updated.

[quiet prairie]

(don't know if it is streamed too)

[somber swift]

My guess is that pretty much none of this weekend's game will be streamed.

I have a feeling that LVT is going to try to stream some of the actual qualifier tournament on mid week

[quiet prairie]

The first one has cash but no mode info on that too...

[quiet prairie]

NA only

[quiet prairie]

He didn't even acknowledge that rules are not updated. Again : communication...

[somber swift]

probably correct on that.

You never know though - they might branch out, especially if there's some Quadrant/Navi games.

Also, Europa Halo might be able to get into the broadcasting game for EU games.
I don't know if they have much broadcast experience, but they are an HCS grassroots partner still, and they've done tournaments before.

[somber swift]

it took him awhile to respond to my first question.
I'm totally understanding that he hasn't responded about the rules not being updated yet.

[quiet prairie]

they did made broadcast for some open (i think) for HCS and they do it for their own

[somber swift]

So there's a chance some EU games might get broadcast.

[quiet prairie]

2nd point. Why is it understandable ?

[quiet prairie]

but again... it's this weekend and no infos...

[somber swift]

Because I'm just a random dude, he's at his job, presumably doing work, and isn't obligated to respond to some random twitter person within like 5 minutes of being asked a question.

Also because he might be gathering info about the issues with what's all out of date prior to responding about it.

[quiet prairie]

Right, I understand that.
True too.

[final bronze]

Hello all , I’m looking for 2 more oce players to sign up with us dm me to join

[supple kettle]

If you're looking for other Spartans to join you in battle, check out our LFGs:

#lfg-competitive – For ranked/competitive matchmaking
#lfg-social – For social/casual matchmaking
#lfg-campaign - For campaign co-op
#lfg-forge - For map/mode building and testing
#lfg-customs - For custom games
#lfg-other – For firefight, spartan ops, etc
#lfg-español – Para jugadores hispanohablantes en cualquier categoría de juego
#lfg-hcs-scrims-or-teams – To help you find a team or secure some scrims

Don't forget to check out #old-lfg-and-voice-chat-info to learn about the !lfg bot, how to use it, and how to create your own voice channels.

[brittle pond]

If anyone was curious about the music used for HCS, I found most if not all of it. I know they introduced new songs later in the second half after Split 1, but most if not all the songs before then I found and compiles into a playlist on Spotify. I'm a big music nerd so when I heard the music i was hooked lol. been looking for it ever since. For those who want it, here it is:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ffMzjednDrOZlvz6BhVib?si=a0b00dcf1cce4ff6

[somber swift]

Nice!

[quiet prairie]

HCS added on faceit the main qualifiers

Prize pool have been added for the open qualifiers

$2000 - 1st place: $1,500 2nd place: $500 (NA)

[quiet prairie]

https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1620293824223510529
days away... maybe friday ? Hope so

[somber swift]

The major Qualifiers are now also up for registration:
https://www.faceit.com/en/organizers/c96b93cb-c3cc-4956-8394-9ca9b4604e4b/HCS

N8V red finally signed up for this weekend

[somber swift]

first team signed up for next week quals in NA

[plain cave]

At least it’s an image unlike Evolving7

Something to look at

[somber swift]

none of these players are known for their... noble intentions

[somber swift]

Where there's smoke, there's fire

[somber swift]

this weekend's tournament

Also, Optic has now signed up for this weekend on the weekday tournaments

[somber swift]

this team isn't signed up for next week anymore

Probably not the best candidate to have partnered with HCS
https://twitter.com/esportsinsider/status/1620841878655467534

Esports Insider (@esportsinsider)

🗞️ Women’s Rocket League circuit @WomensCarBall was forced to halt operations mid-season because its owner @PioneersGG has not paid any staff for their work since hiring them, sources told Esports Insider.

KCP is actively seeking a buyer for the league.

https://t.co/jbsjWGvDbq

Twitter · Feb 1, 2023, 5:49 PM

[somber swift]

https://twitter.com/TSS_HQ/status/1620771535417139200?s=20

ΤΣΣ Esports⚔️🛡️ (@TSS_HQ)

Aaron’s impact was always felt on and off the sticks. We’re forever grateful for his contributions to our organization and the history he created with us.

Thank you, Ace. We wish you all the best! #Strong⚔️

Twitter · Feb 1, 2023, 1:10 PM

[craggy burrow]

Is this their online rep?

[somber swift]

online rep?

https://www.faceit.com/en/championship/0ceba546-20f2-4292-aa1e-5cdfa035fd62/NA HCS Charlotte Online Open 2-4/teams
Found here

[craggy burrow]

Yeah, I mean is that what we're looking at here.
Is it just the names or are you drawing attention to the fact they've actually got warnings

[somber swift]

I think you are mixing up my posts

[somber swift]

This is the team with the players with bad personal reputations.
And it's not signed up anymore

[craggy burrow]

Ahhhh

I still cant believe that people actually get this, it feels like its really hard to get reported these days.

[somber swift]

people actually get what?

[somber swift]

"I still cant believe that people actually get this"
What are you referring to?

[craggy burrow]

Get warnings.
I feel like the systems a lot more leniant than it used to be in the 360 days.
Like you actively have to try and be a jerk to get reported and have your rep go down.

[somber swift]

Oh, when I mean bad reputations, I mean real life reputations - not necessarily 'xbox' reputation.

[craggy burrow]

Ohhhh
Yeah no I have no clue about them IRL haha

[somber swift]

I just see and hear things

[somber swift]

Might be cool to make an event for this weekend's Open series - even if it's just got links to the sign ups, and also to the "Halo Infinite" twitch catergory. I'm sure a few players/teams will be streaming, even if there isn't something official stream from HCS or LVT.

another decent squad signed up

[noble field]

French Toast is back. Monster, Rammy, Boam, Artic.

[tall mural]

Interesting

[noble field]

Definitely a worse version of it with Gilkey and Supressed gone, but I like Boam a lot. We will see.

[somber swift]

MASSIVE:
https://twitter.com/LVTHalo/status/1621228627772801024

LVT Halo (@LVTHalo)

Halo's off-season is OVER!

The LVT Halo Grassroots Community is stepping up to broadcast the @HCS Open & Major Qualifier

Talent: @MagickMoonshot @OlManMakowski @ToolezCasts @YNOT_B_RECKLESS @Activee
Stats: @SnowsStats
In-Game Director: @KnightysKnight
Producer: @LouisVTitan

Twitter · Feb 2, 2023, 7:26 PM

[somber swift]

Now that we have grassroots partner stream announced - an event is looking even more like a good idea!

[quiet prairie]

That's great
They didn't said it, but it's NA only.

[somber swift]

maybe Europa Halo will do something, never know

[quiet prairie]

For now, no infos

[somber swift]

But with only a handful of teams, might not be worth it?

[quiet prairie]

It's still a qualifier for a Major....

[somber swift]

yep

[somber swift]

Oh no.
https://twitter.com/Tashi343i/status/1621250753670291456

Tashi (@Tashi343i)

Heads-up: We need a bit more time to prepare the qualifiers to ensure a great experience so we're pushing the Charlotte Online Open back 1 week to Feb 11-12 (NA, Rest of World on 12), and the Main Qualifier to Feb 13-14 (NA, Rest of World on 14). More details in next tweet...

Twitter · Feb 2, 2023, 8:54 PM

We waited SO long to get the first dates for these even announced - but even with such a delay in announcing them, they STILL weren't ready to deliver.
I really hope things turn around soon, and the planning/delivery of things improves.

[noble field]

I was wondering for weeks if they would do it on Super Bowl and then they announced a mid week one. I thought it was odd but made sense with the big game. Nope. Now it’s on the day with the most watched event of the year. Lol

[somber swift]

It's not a big issue for viewership, as it's just the open - but it can certainly hurt participation in the actual tournament

not to mention everyone already requested mid-week days off and now that's chalked.

this is a bit of a mess, and they need to stop fumbling if they want to recover.

[somber swift]

I really think this was due to an issue on Faceit's side

[noble field]

Probably. Also I meant the most watched event of the year as in the AM players want to be out with friends on Super Bowl and enjoying it, not grinding a bracket.

[somber swift]

LIVE INTERVIEW with Tashi tomorrow. Don't miss this: https://twitter.com/LVTHalo/status/1621286936139730947

LVT Halo (@LVTHalo)

Live Interview with @Tashi343i

Friday, February 3, 2023
6:30pm PT | 8:30pm CT | 9:30pm ET
TTV/LVTHalo

▶ Play video

Twitter · Feb 2, 2023, 11:18 PM

[somber swift]

Faze and N8V white both signed up for the first tournament now

just leaves SSG not registered

[noble field]

It is honestly shocking there isn’t a single MX region sign up yet for this weekend.