The final line-up for the GSL November pools seems, surprisingly, very equally distributed, concidering the 19 terrans, 8 zergs and 5 protosses in Code S. There is no terran-only group (though there are four with three terrans in it, but that is to be expected) and some of the pools are going to spur quite the fuzz.
| GSL November Groups | |||
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
 MMA |  NesTea | Clide | Ganzi |
| YuGiOh | SC |  HuK | Ensnare |
| MC | Losira | July | Leenock |
| Ryung | Asd | Puzzle | Polt |
| Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
| Happy | Coca | Supernova | Mvp |
| DongRaeGu | Oz | Virus | Alive |
| Gumiho | Taeja | Killer | Curious |
| Bomber | Nada | Jjakji | MarineKing |
Right off the bat, it seems that Group A will be one of the hardest in the new season. MMA comes as reigning champion, MC seems to be out of his slump now and Ryung is still considered among the top Korean terrans (and he is SlayerS!). Groups B and C are no jolly strolls either. "B" will possibly bring back a GSL final rematch between NesTea and Losira, and asd and sC have a bit of history between themselves as well. In "C" HuK was picked by Clide and the Canadian (represented by Doa at the time of the ceremony) in his turn elected July to join the party in one of the most balanced groups race-wise.
IEM New York champion DongRaeGu got a very desirable line-up. The ZvT match-up is much to the taste of the MVP zerg but although Gumiho (and to some extent Happy) is still trying to make a name for himself, Bomber will be one of the toughest opponents DRG has faced recently.
As per usual, the group ceremony was enlivened by memorable quotes as it is every season. Mvp was the first to make a stunning confession, saying that he lost to MMA in the October finals due to being "the lesser skilled player". If one of the worldwide recognized experts on TvT drops such a curtsy to MMA, one can only wonder how much potential does the SlayerS terran possess.
MC was another player to stir viewers' emotions. Being placed in Group A just next to the two best IM zergs, it was only natural for the hosts to learn his thoughts.
- "I am not scared of NesTea", said MC in a surprising confession. "I am more scared of Losira. But YuGiOh made a mistake picking me".
No arguing there, MC.
Sad news came off of July's tongue who announced that he will be retiring from professional gaming before 2012 is past. The iconic Brood War legend and former GSL finalist will say goodbye to the eSports stage due to the obligatory military service.
True to his extraordinary amount of gaming experience, NaDa used his few minutes of voice time to say that everyone in the room "should be proud of being the first generation of SC2 progamers". Shortly after these words of wisdom, the ceremony ended, giving the viewers two more weeks before the next season would start.
As previously mentioned, GSL November would feature a brand new format which will allow a greater degree of interpolation between Code A and Code S. One can write a lot of words but a simple picture would explain it best:
Finally, a TL.net translation of GomTV.com post reveals, that GSL November will feature a renovated map pool with alteration to old maps and new ones as well.
GSL November map pool changes:
Removed maps: Terminus, Metalopolis, Xel'Naga Caverns
Altered maps:
Dual sight: Changed the gold expansion to normal one (8mineral 2 gas), Natural's entrance is narrowed, 2nd expo's entrances have been split into two pathways.
Antiga Shipyard: Changed the gold expansion to normal one(8mineral 2gas) Starting position is limited to cross position only
Crossfire SE: Changed the gold expansion to normal one (8mineral 2 gas) Every base excluding the main has been changed to 7 mineral patches from 8. Added supply depos to prevent bunker rushes.
Belshir beach: Changed the gold expansion to normal one (8mineral 2 gas) Changed the map to fit the winter theme instead of the original summer theme.
Removed maps: Terminus, Metalopolis, Xel'Naga Caverns
Altered maps:
Dual sight: Changed the gold expansion to normal one (8mineral 2 gas), Natural's entrance is narrowed, 2nd expo's entrances have been split into two pathways.
Antiga Shipyard: Changed the gold expansion to normal one(8mineral 2gas) Starting position is limited to cross position only
Crossfire SE: Changed the gold expansion to normal one (8mineral 2 gas) Every base excluding the main has been changed to 7 mineral patches from 8. Added supply depos to prevent bunker rushes.
Belshir beach: Changed the gold expansion to normal one (8mineral 2 gas) Changed the map to fit the winter theme instead of the original summer theme.
In addition, Belshir Beach's tileset will be changed to a winter one and a brand new map will hit the map pool: Calm before the storm.
The revamped GSL and its November season will begin on November 10th with the first matches of Code S. How will the new format work for the progamers out there? Only time will tell.
Links
TeamLiquid.net - Source
