Red Bull Wololo: Legacy - Official Announcement

Announcement​

Are you ready for the most outstanding and prodigious event in the history of Age of Empires? We have teased you enough and are now ready to reveal what we have been brewing behind the scenes. Red Bull Wololo started back in early 2020 and pioneered the use of Empire Wars in major tournaments. The fast-paced, action-packed game mode quickly took off, and we had so many incredible moments spanning through the initial Red Bull Wololo all the way to Red Bull Wololo V in late 2021. As time went on, the events only got bigger and better, and here we are, in 2022, and we are about to blow you away.
To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Age of Empires, we are announcing not one, not two, but three tournaments. You will get to experience the original game that started the entire franchise back in 1997 - the original Age of Empires. You will also get to experience the arguably most influential game in the franchise's history, Age of Empires II - originally released back in 1999. Finally, the newest edition in the franchise, the incredible Age of Empires IV.

Once again, we will go back to Castle Heidelberg in Germany for the offline event spanning from the 21st to the 30th of October. During these days, you will experience the main event of both Age of Empires II and IV as well as the finals of all three events during the last two days - the 29th and 30th of October.

But what exactly is at stake here? Well, we have a total prize of a whopping $550,000.00 distributed among the three games, as shown below.

• Age of Empires I: $50,000.00
• Age of Empires II: $200,000.00
• Age of Empires IV: $300,000.00

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Invitations & Qualification​

Age of Empires II​

For Age of Empires II, you will see the return of all the previous conquerors. Mr_Yo, the champion of the original Red Bull Wololo. Liereyy, the only champion with two victories under his belt, Red Bull Wololo II and IV. DauT, the champion of Red Bull Wololo III. And finally, TheViper, the champion of Red Bull Wololo V. These players have proven themselves to be fierce warriors and have earned a direct invitation to the main event.

Other players must prove themselves worthy in different events leading up to the main event, as well as the two open qualifiers taking place from the 20th to the 21st of August and the 27th to the 28th of August.
You can already sign up for the open qualifiers here and here.

Age of Empires IV​

For Age of Empires IV, we're looking back to N4C to find our champions, and with that, Beastyqt, the winner of N4C, and Leenock, the runner-up, will already be waiting to meet everyone else that qualifies in Castle Heidelberg.

Other players must prove themselves worthy in tournaments leading up to the main event, as well as an extensive qualification event, Road to Red Bull held by EGC.
Registration and more information regarding this can be found here.

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I sincerely hope we can make this one of the greatest events ever. I'm aware of the commotion there has been following the release of Age of Empires IV, but remember that we are celebrating the franchise as a whole and the incredible history our beloved games have. We can't wait to share even more details with you soon.

For streamers, broadcasters, content creators and so on - I'm not able to share much information regarding streaming policies as of right now. I'll be sure to provide more information as soon as it becomes available. Feel free to reach out to me on Discord, and I'll take note of your interest for later. I know some people have already reached out regarding this, but please do so again now that the event has been properly announced. You can reach me at Chrazini#5687, thank you.

For additional information, go to redbull.com/wololo.

 

I agree with those saying the production is good but let's be honest it's not the most amazing event ever produced. From missing post-game player handshakes, to showing almost zero behind the scenes footage (thank goodness for the other thread with that stuff), to only having basic player interviews where we learn almost nothing about the player's personalities, to not even putting Mbl and Hera on webcams yesterday, there is plenty to improve. Also it's time to think of a better game mode if RB comes back in the future. I'm not sure what exactly, but there has to be something better than EW that can still shorten the length of games.

Dont want to complain but this can be improved. One of the most common questions to ask someone you meet is "what do you work with?". I can remember that Laaaaan said he was in law school and i thought thats cool maybe it explains why he cant practice all the time. The players are, sort of, idols to many of us and we know so little about them and getting to know them more could really improve engagement. How was Lierreys military expericene? What kind of soldier was he? Does Jordan hang out with Viper a lot in Germany? Where does Tatoh live? Can Villese speak swedish? Imo far more interesting questions than these standardized drinking game questions that we usually get (eg pinapple on pizza?").

 

B-stream idea was looking, to use an euphemism, questionable at the very best but since I learned more about it, I can only call it a total disaster.
Starting from how it was initially proposed to the casters (expectation of full coverage but with zero monetary compensation AND using channel of person X by people Y and Z, both of which are simply ridiculous demands that nobody should accept, unless the extra coverage gained this way is a good enough compensation for their personal situation).
Then the choice of casters, neither of them too experienced at such high stage. Admittedly Survivalist was performing quite well as a person with truly amazing understanding of how AoE works but it was painfully obvious Ellie, despite supposedly being a great streamer and entertainer, simply has insufficient knowledge of the game that isn't up to par with other casters.
What's more, B-stream didn't even have proper schedule, it was just fired up on demand with decisions made seemingly last minute, like in the quarter finals where we got suddenly smashed in the face with info that we have to miss out on one match and we only get a choice which one we'll give up on.
Finally, it's outright disrespectful to everyone involved, both competitors and the fans, to not deliver same level of quality service to main stream and B-stream. No special stage, no flair with the draft, much deserved spotlight being denied from potentially incredible matches with fascinating storylines... and why? Unpreparedness by organizers. How come you aren't ready for quarterfinals to go to decider games and take longer than group stage matches?! Lack of foresight, foolish optimism that would be bordering on outright incompetence, if not for the fact that I know a lot of people in the team are incredibly experienced individuals - which means the problems must have lied elsewhere, likely higher up - or at least, that would be my assumption.

Now that i think about it, ****ing hell, the time limit was introduced specifically to control the length of the games and to avoid the delays, was it not? It was supposed to be a lesson learned from other tournaments, a countermeasure vs well known issue. So, how did it fare in practice? What happened in Red Bull Wololo Legacy quarterfinals?
Not a single quarterfinal game reached time limit. Only a single quarterfinal match reached decider game. There were no technical difficulties. And yet, the delay was apparently insurmountable and the only way to deal with it was pushing aside the arguably second most interesting match up which had fascinating background from previous edition. Were the time constraints really so tight? Who's at fault for this? Castle staff? Red Bull? Someone else?
Not being able to watch all quarterfinals is simply a failure on production side.

 

as you say in hindsight easy to say, I think he were expecting better seeding in AoE4 since he qualified first (like they did in AoE2 I think) and normally Lierey would go straight to top8 so abit unfortunate two of the favorites met this early and thats its only single elimation bracket. Also guessing that vil delete game1 tilted him abit, not much to do then when Lieery play like he did yesterday

If you're gonna win the tournament you have to face the best at some point anyway.

TheViper just didn't play well enough. I don't think he would've beaten Villese, TatoH or Hera either.

 

Yea, I don't say anything about that, you gotta beat everyone to win, was more response to MongolTC thinking it was wrong of Viper to focus on AoE2 when he "only" gets top 8, it's not like Liereey is a random player and normally they would not meet this early.

Yea they all look to be in great shape, specialy Villese and Hera, but I do think Viper still could beat all of them on another day, but it does not matter, all semifinalist are deserved

 

I've heard prominent figures like Memb (or Mbl in the case of this thread) say multiple times that this kind of behavior is hurting the scene big time. Because sponsors come here, see all this crap and they think twice before investing.

I don't buy this. Sure, unconstructive criticism never helps, but thinking that sposors come to AoEZone to check 'what people think' is rather naive. They surely use more reliable data to pick their investments.

 

I don't buy this. Sure, unconstructive criticism never helps, but thinking that sposors come to AoEZone to check 'what people think' is rather naive. They surely use more reliable data to pick their investments.

Yup, it's complete bollocks. It's just something EGCTV once whined about, after he made a fool of himself, backpedaled a lot and to hide his embarrassment (attempt at damage control), started attacking people posting here - even though he didn't realize he confused the timeline and tried to justify his past actions with reactions that happened later LOL. Thankfully T90 talked some sense into EGCTV later on and he kinda apologized for it...
But as you can see, the usual thought police instantly latched onto that deceitful narrative and you can be sure they will keep repeating it endlessly.

 

I don't buy this. Sure, unconstructive criticism never helps, but thinking that sposors come to AoEZone to check 'what people think' is rather naive. They surely use more reliable data to pick their investments.

no one believes it, not even the people saying it. It's just something they repeat again and again cuz they are incapable of engaging with anything being said so they clutch their pearls and shout "how could you!" instead

 

People often forget that they are the product, not the streamers, players, -- not aoe2.

Without the viewers -- all of your favorite streamers and players disappear.

Doesn't really matter what player x or streamer y thinks is the magic formula. They have different personal preferences and unlike casual viewers, actual vested interests. These interests will guide their decision(s), and action(s).

As a viewer, you're free to provide feedback on the product designed to entertain you. Same as those who do like something.

If captive viewership is what drives the scene (including sponsorship and/or prize pools), without feedback to judge whether changes can/should be made, growth is inhibited.

A lot to say it is against all members of the community interest to stifle feedback.

 

People often forget that they are the product, not the streamers, players, -- not aoe2.

Without the viewers -- all of your favorite streamers and players disappear.

Doesn't really matter what player x or streamer y thinks is the magic formula. They have different personal preferences and unlike casual viewers, actual vested interests. These interests will guide their decision(s), and action(s).

As a viewer, you're free to provide feedback on the product designed to entertain you. Same as those who do like something.

If captive viewership is what drives the scene (including sponsorship and/or prize pools), without feedback to judge whether changes can/should be made, growth is inhibited.

A lot to say it is against all members of the community interest to stifle feedback.

so if viewers are the product....who is the consumer?

 

so if viewers are the product....who is the consumer?

I'd tell you, but before I do -- just wait thirty seconds while I show you this shiny new service/widget....

 

Yea, I don't say anything about that, you gotta beat everyone to win, was more response to MongolTC thinking it was wrong of Viper to focus on AoE2 when he "only" gets top 8, it's not like Liereey is a random player and normally they would not meet this early.

Yea they all look to be in great shape, specialy Villese and Hera, but I do think Viper still could beat all of them on another day, but it does not matter, all semifinalist are deserved

MongolTC is an Aoe4 troll, never listen to that shi.te

Telling Viper should not focus on aoe2 is like telling Messi to not focus on football but basketball instead (because there is more money there)

 

Red Bull Wololoo: Legacy has been high level tournament and it's good for the game that Red Bull and Microsoft invest these kind big LAN tournaments.

When high quality productions and the castle rents are probably quite expensive, it's understandable that every group stage sets isn't live on the main stream due to time constraints. I think B-stream is viable way to show other sets to people who are interested to follow their favorite players. Ellie and the Survivalist were okay casting duo, but I think Ellie should have been a bit more professional. And regular viewers in AoE 2 are quite knowledgeable with the game, so it shows when casters doesn't know so much herself.

But I must say playoff-stage like quarterfinals should be casted in the main stream in any case and it was disappointing that it happened this time. Still we had three good quarterfinals in live, so it wasn't a disaster. I understand that scheduling with AoE 2 games are hard, when one Empire War game's length could be anything between three minutes to 1 H 15 minutes in game time.

 

I wish they would announce where to watch the b stream. After three days I still don't know where it is

 

Regarding B stream, Ellie's game knowledge is not up to par period
But credits where credits due, Survivalist made it atleast bearable, such a chill dude, with a nice voice and pro level game knowledge. The best thing about him is that when Ellie makes a mistake, he either ignores it or corrects it and move on. Some casters, such as Nili and T90 would linger / troll on the mistakes for minutes, which is super duper annoying.

 

I wish they would announce where to watch the b stream. After three days I still don't know where it is

Nili's twitch channel

 

Nili's twitch channel

Mbl Hera was on redbullen

 

Amazing tournament so far, I don't mind the b-stream at all, obviously it would've been better to have BO5s and all on just one stream, but let's appreciate how amazing this is and looking forward to the weekend ahead.

 

So what are your predictions for Saturday? I feel like this is completely open.

Villese has been playing like an absolute beast, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he beat Liereyy. I'd say that matchup is 50/50.

As for the second semi-final (TatoH vs Hera), I'd give the edge to Hera. But TatoH has been playing really well lately, not only in this tournament but also in several other S-tier tournaments leading up to this one. I'd say 60% Hera, 40% TatoH.

Hoping for some long, good and even games no matter what.

 

Liereyy's performance has been a bit shaky this tournament. If he doesn't have a great day, I can see Villese taking him down. Liereyy still outspeeds him and this can result in magic happening but Villese is simply flawless in this tournament.
TaToH is in amazing form. Perhaps the best he has been of all Red Bulls... however Hera is something else this edition. For the first time I truly see him as the favorite to win the whole thing. He's out for blood and he fixed all aspects that could be considered flaws. He didn't give a chance to opponents he faced so far.

 

It says something that we're down to four and somehow Liereyy feels like the weakest of them.

 

Tuned to watch The Viper's AoE 4 games and seems that they have also schedule issues with AoE 4, when one group stage Decider match is in B-stream. In AoE 2 all Deciders were in the main stream.

 

I haven't followed the AoE4 stuff since I never bought the game myself, but now I'm looking and notice that not only did Viper defy the ubiquitous prediction that he wouldn't win a single AoE4 game at Heidelburg, but the 16th seed took down MarineLord and then won the winner's round 2-0.

They really haven't figured out how to measure everyone's strength over there, have they?

 

I haven't followed the AoE4 stuff since I never bought the game myself, but now I'm looking and notice that not only did Viper defy the ubiquitous prediction that he wouldn't win a single AoE4 game at Heidelburg, but the 16th seed took down MarineLord and then won the winner's round 2-0.

They really haven't figured out how to measure everyone's strength over there, have they?

Hmm, keep in mind seed 1 is French.
Losing as the favorite is a specialty of ours (losing as the underdog, we can do as well of course).

 

Hmm, keep in mind seed 1 is French.
Losing as the favorite is a specialty of ours (losing as the underdog, we can do as well of course).

Agreed. Looking forward to getting kicked home by Tunisia in Qatar (I'm French btw)

 

Probably not, I agree! But I was really hoping to see him go home with a bit more in the end! Sad to see him knocked out in only the quarter finals!

What? Why? The guy is probably nearing millionaire status, if not there already. What about players like Daut, Villesse, Tatoh etc who commit full time but are probably rubbing pennies together? Crazy take...