Yumiko takes on Fly100% in Replayers Epic Cup - a word from the organizer

A word from the organizer
An interview with Elven_Star
First off, how has the cup been welcomed by the WarCraft 3 scene? You're one of the few organizations bringing top-class games to a foreigner audience.
- Well, it's been received better than we expected actually. Changing the tournament system from the 1-day ZOTAC style to this groupstage to double-elimination playoffs has definitely been a move in the right direction. It lifts off the pressure from players and keeps the community entertained for a much longer period of time. So, players are happy, fans are happy and we're happy. Warcraft 3 is still quite popular in Europe and even in USA. It's a shame more organizations don't pay enough attention to it. I mean even RoC still has ~$500 tournaments with sponsors, etc. Why is TFT being forgotten? Forgotten by organizations not the community, mind you.

Organizations of course cater to the sponsors, and obviously StarCraft 2 generates more interest - but do you see a possibility for WarCraft 3 gaining more ground in Europe?
- When RoC can attract sponsors, why shouldn't TFT? And yes, I definitely see some people coming back lately because SC2 is not as fun as they thought. It's great as an eSports title but you can't have the kind of fun you get in WC3 with it, like RTs, 3v3s, etc. Also, I still don't see why the two games can't coexist. Look at DotA, LoL and HoN which are pretty much identical games, gameplay wise. WC3 and SC2 are worlds apart and they can attract different groups of people so there's no sense in killing one of them for the other.

Do you have any grander plans for a third season of the Epic Cup?
- That remains to be seen. We'll definitely try to get some sponsors but even if we don't, the cups will go on. Our community supports them through the ads we have on the site.

And finally, who do you see coming out victorious in today's game between Yumiko and Fly100%?
- It's gonna depend on the maps but Fly100% can be unstoppable if he puts his mind to it. So, if I had to bet, I'd bet on Fly100%.

We'll see at 14:00! Thank you for your time, Pouyan, any last words?
- No problem. I do have a little something to say to the community: as long as you like the game, nothing can stop you from enjoying it. If you want more tournaments for Warcraft 3, try to convince sponsors by showing your support. Whining is not gonna help!