Do you remember the ‘South Pole Bebop at Campus' series hosted by four university clubs in Korea? It all started as a way to connect with our target audience, and the students' incredible passion and intense strategic battles on-site were truly remarkable. This experience inspired us to expand the competition beyond a campus-level event into a global tournament.
South Pole Bebop: Reaching Out to More Students
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South Pole Bebop’ is a PvPvE strategy game developed by Sentience Game Studio, released in Early Access on Steam on August 16. It can be seen as a multiplayer version of ‘Into The Breach,’ with the added twist of zombies, offering a strategic experience where players not only compete against each other but also face external threats.
Along with the game’s launch, we kicked off this Closed Beta International Tournament to promote the game and connect with strategy game enthusiasts from various schools and countries. Notably, the winner will be awarded a scholarship to support their studies.
This tournament saw fierce competition, with participants not only from Korean universities but also from six different countries, including international students. A total of 10 students, selected from 8 Korean universities, showcased unpredictable twists and brilliant strategies in intense, edge-of-your-seat matches.
Now, let's dive into the heated action of the preliminary rounds and the semi-finals!
Preliminaries: The Exciting Start
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The group stage, held from August 7 to August 11, was the first challenge of the tournament and a crucial phase to decide who would advance to the semi-finals.
Conducted online via Discord, participants were divided into four groups and faced intense competition. With only one player from each group moving on to the semi-finals, every match was packed with tension. The players gave it their all, striving to showcase their best skills and strategies.
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Group A: Campus Rivals Go Head-to-Head
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In Group A, top-performing students from the "SPB at Campus" series, who had showcased their exceptional skills in their university gaming clubs, faced off. The matches were fiercely contested, with the battle extending to all five sets. Both sides continuously analyzed each other’s strategies and skills, refusing to give an inch. In the end, Hohyeon(University of Seoul, Korea) secured the final set, clinching a spot in the semi-finals.
Group B: A Global Stage
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Group B featured players from Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Pakistan, bringing together a truly global field of competition. The matches were marked by calm, calculated gameplay and strategic approaches. Among the participants, BananaUyu(KAIST, Philippines) stood out with exceptional situational awareness and tactical play, delivering an impressive performance and earning a spot in the semi-finals.
Group C: Strategic Showdowns
Group C, featuring players from the University of Seoul, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, and Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, was filled with dramatic twists and tense moments. Notably, the third match extended into an intense eight rounds. SilksongPlease(GIST, Korea) achieved a dramatic victory by using zombies to destroy the opponent’s base, even when their own character was left with just 1 health point.
Group D: Dominating Performances
In Group D, Nabug(KAIST, Korea) demonstrated outstanding skill. From the outset, Nabug dominated opponents with superior gameplay, allowing no room for error. Their flawless performance secured an easy path to the semi-finals.
Semi-Finals and Third Place: The Thrilling Continuation
From August 12 to August 23, the semi-finals and third place match saw the top four players from the group stages engaging in closely contested battles. Competitors from KAIST, UOS, and GIST each showcased their unique skill decks and diverse strategies, all striving to gain the upper hand in their matches.
Semi-Finals: Strategic Showdowns
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In Group A of the semi-finals, players competed under intense pressure, each deploying their specialized decks. SilksongPlease(GIST, Korea) took advantage of an opponent’s mistake to deliver a decisive blow, securing a spot in the finals.
In Group B, Nabug(KAIST, Korea) advanced to the finals with a swift and aggressive strategy, quickly targeting the opponent's base and achieving consecutive victories.
Third Place: The Final Push for Glory
The third place match featured a clash between BananaUyu(KAIST, Philippines) and Hohyeon(UOS, Korea). With a 300,000 KRW scholarship at stake, the match was highly competitive. In the first set, Hohyeon used an aggressive strategy to quickly dismantle the opponent’s base and take the lead. BananaUyu responded by adjusting tactics in the second set, leveling the game with a more aggressive approach. After a heated contest in the third set, Hohyeon emerged victorious, claiming third place.
Finals Preview: What’s Next in the Ultimate Showdown?
Did you enjoy the preliminary, where diverse strategies were on display, and the thrilling semi-finals? The match videos are now available on YouTube, so be sure to check them out!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the ten students who participated in this tournament. Your passion and outstanding strategies made the competition truly special and memorable.
Stay tuned for the upcoming post on the exciting finals! We can’t wait to see what amazing strategies and moments will unfold in the final showdown!
