http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sqlbuq
HCT APAC Debacle
Well I just got home after an eventful day, I have finally made it
back to champs after years of work for the chance to make it to
worlds (every hearthstone player's dream and aspiration). I should
be elated, but it is extremely bittersweet and due to the
circumstances I how I have made it, I feel doubt in if I truly
deserve it despite my plays or lineup decisions or preparation.
This post is aim to shed some light regarding the events that
actually unfolded from my perspective and hopefully clarify
peoples understanding of the situation. Even though I am the
person who benefited from the whole situation therefore people
might question my credibility, I want to make a statement about
what went on from my perspective in what I think is an unfair
ruling.
In the first game, my opponent’s worst deck managed to get a win,
and I was in a roller coaster of emotions after this bad start to
the series. I was left waiting an extremely long time with my own
thoughts until suddenly the Blizzard admin informed that there
will be a regame due to technical difficulty.
At this point, I feel genuine emotions of disbelief but also
excitement of a second life before it hits me that what it must
feel like for Sequinox. I started asking my local venue admin as
to what might have happened as we kept playing and he's informing
that the live commentary might have leaked through the Skype call
which is used to broadcast players' live reaction to the stream.
As I was playing through the series and learning more and more of
the details regarding the situation, it was in my head the
possibility of controversy in response to the ruling. When I won,
I was told by the blizzard admin that there was no interview. It
was not until much later they informed me that a statement will be
made.
There have been questions about why I didn’t concede the re-game
for game 1. I am a person who values integrity very highly, and I
felt that if Blizzard felt that there was a chance that an unfair
advantage was gained due to this error, then I should trust
Blizzard’s judgement and play out the re-game. Although I am
friends with Sequinox and have hung out with him at multiple
events, ultimately I trusted Blizzard’s judgement that there
could have been an unfair advantage gained and ultimately I was
far more focused on correcting my mindset and playing my games
during the series to do honour to myself as a competitor.
Having said all this, no amount of statement from myself can make
Samuel feel better, nor can words describe the melancholic
bitterness that has come after this win, as it almost feels like a
pyrrhic victory.
If there is some form of poetic justice or universal karma that
exist, I really hope Sequinox can make it through in the future
and I hope ruling and situations in future are dealt with more
care, so nothing like this can ever happen again and tarnish the
reputation of Hearthstone eSports. All that said, I understand the
negative backlash I received and hope that this statement can help
understand and bring more clarity into the events that occurred
today.
Wishing Sequinox the best and kind regards,
Jowen