Big thanks to my readers!
This is my last column in MYM. Firstly, I would like to thank all my beloved readers who followed my blogs and articles on myMYM.com the past year. It has been a very lovely experience and journey for me. I have enjoyed sharing stories of Grubby, friends, and personal experiences at events, be it funny or memorable. It has been a great pleasure writing for such great fans and enthusiastic audience. I have been truly happy interacting with my readers in my column and articles.. and also reading all the lovely and funny comments that brought warmth to my heart. At first, I thought I am lucky enough having someone so special to share my life with, and then I found I am even luckier than I thought, because we both could share our life with so many wonderful fans and readers. We will never forget this phase in our life. With so many fans and friends behind us, we never once felt like we were alone.

The Hit Of The News
When we first heard the news yesterday afternoon, we were both very disappointed. We were quite surprised because it was quite sudden. The news got brought to us by phone, straight after the MYM board meeting. "MYM Warcraft got laid off?" It sounds like a nightmare. And as soon as the news was told, that was also our last of work.. the last day that Grubby will wear the MYM tag. It's true.. Warcraft III was voted off by the MYM board.

Since one month ago or so, there were talks of keeping only 1-3 players in the team.. but closing the whole Warcraft III team altogether was unheard of. "Is this a mistake?", we thought. After getting over the surprise, we tried to understand the decision. E-Sports is becoming more like a profit making business. Warcraft III team has high expenses compared to other games like DOTA and so on. Thus, overall, Warcraft III does not generate enough or expected profits for the company, despite having two world class star players. Keeping lower cost teams/games will ensure the profit margin to be higher. Every investor wants to see figures.. and according to the figures, Warcraft III only generate 20% of the traffic in myMYM.com. It is understandable why the investors came to this conclusion. It is their money that they are investing after all, and they have the right to invest in whichever games that generate them the most profit.

On another note, I find it hard to believe that Warcraft III is unpopular or dying. Just look at the amount of fans! It's still the game with the most tournaments each year! It was also the most popular game at WCG 2008. Just because Starcraft II might be coming out soon, doesn't mean Warcraft III will die off. In my opinion, they are two very different games and they can definitely co-exist.

Big Thanks to MYM
Nevertheless, MYM had been a nice home for us the past year. It had been so nice hanging out with the team and getting to know them - Losemann and Nordahl, Susiria, Lucifer, Moon and Soccer. It was also really special meeting MYM CEO - Henrik Stampe - who came to the WCG Grand Finals in Cologne. Big thanks to Mercy who made the Warcraft III Team possible in the first place. It must be very sad for him as well, to lose his beloved team. We wish everyone all the best in whatever they do in the future. Thanks for all the wonderful memories. :)

Will Grubby continue his progaming career?
Today is his first day out in the market as a free agent. Perhaps if he gets an offer that makes it possible to continue doing what he loves, he might go for it. If not, retiring from progaming is the next option. All biases aside, I sincerely think that his retirement will not only be a great loss to the Warcraft scene, but also to e-Sports in general. He is not just a star player, not just the most accomplished Warcraft III progamer, most importantly, he is a role model. He's good in everything from gaming, to writing, to talking, to entertaining.. (except singing :p). He is what promotes e-Sports and put e-Sports in a good light.

Even if Grubby retires from progaming, it's not the end of the world. I'm sure he will find something else. With a trophy collection like this from his 5 year progaming career, such great accomplishments, and a huge loyal fan base, Grubby would walk away with his head high, and many worthy stories to tell his grandchildren. It has all been worth it.

Goodbye my friends!