VIDEO GAMES

Every Sunday at 2 AM Pacific, Nick “Tasteless” Plott and Superdanielman commentate professional Starcraft matches from the Intel-Averatec GOMTV tournament in Seoul, South Korea. Download the GOM player from http://www.gomtv.net/classics3/live/ and tune in by clicking the Live link at the appropriate time.

Here we are, on the doorstep of the Season 3 finals. In a few weeks’ time, we’ll witness a showdown between Flash or July and Berserker or Effort. In the round of 8, three of my four predictions came true, but Jaedong — of all the matches to whiff on — got shut out during his display of less-than-Jaedong level control. I don’t want to take anything away from Effort, who I will continue to root for, but he definitely did not face Jaedong’s final form, and I worry about whether the Dong’s hectic schedule is finally getting the best of him.
In any case, the semi-final bouts:

Flash(T) versus July(Z): This is a really hard match to call, as Flash is currently on a downward trend while July continues to enjoy an upward trend, and where they meet in the middle is anyone’s guess. Much like Jaedong’s versus Protoss and Bisu’s versus Terran, Flash’s versus Zerg is his “weak” spot, which is to say it’s only above 60% and not 65 or 70. July’s statistics contribute little substantial to the conversation, his versus Terran hovering around 50, and this is partly because he’s been around for so long, having survived a sizable slump.
Though if the statistics say anything, the caliber of players involved negate the assurances they sometimes provide.
The standard conversation in regards to Flash contains the statement that to beat him you have to take him out early and hard, which is something July’s aggression would be completely at home doing. On the other hand, July is formidable in all stages of the game, but if the game drags out too long Flash will let some of that Terminator Terran shine through and July’s chances will plummet.
Like I said before, there’s no obvious answer to this match, and no matter which way it goes it will definitely be entertaining. If I have to make a decision, I tip the scales ever so slightly in July’s favor, just from the position of his rising and Flash’s falling records and morale. Like Superdanielman said, it is July’s month.
PREDICTION: JULY?
I WOULD PREFER: JULY

Berserker(T) versus Effort(Z): Before last Saturday, I would have said this was close but ultimately in Berserker’s favor. After Effort’s match with Jaedong, I really can’t comfortably make that assertion anymore. Jaedong may have left himself open, but only a contender like Effort could have taken advantage of that opening in a Zerg versus Zerg match, of all matches.
Berserker (before as Iris) has always been around for some time, but has never really made it into the upper echelons of players, has never had a championship, and has only recently resurfaced with the skills to threaten people like Flash, July, or Effort. In fact, looking back over the past half year of play, he doesn’t have any victories against the best of the best aside from a win against Leta. In only the last two months, Effort has victories against Flash, Jaedong, Stork, and ForGG (Never).  Effort is knocking down the door to the S class of players, and it could be argued he’s already making himself at home.
Really, if you consider a finals match of Berserker against Flash or July, he wouldn’t be favored in either match-up. Effort would be, if not favored, at least on par with either competitor, and one can extrapolate those sentiments back to this match.
PREDICTION: EFFORT
I WOULD PREFER: BERSERRRRKERRRRRRR

Player records viewed at the Team Liquid Player Database: http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/players/