life & style // no. 12 theotherpress.ca

Twitter-tantrum: Toronto Esports Club

» Toronto Esports Club embarrasses itself over name debacle

Brittney MacDonald Life & Style Editor

Last summer, the Overwatch League (OWL) announced that they will be adding two Canadian teams to their

roster: Vancouver and Toronto.

The OWL is a professional videogame league centred around Blizzard’s massively popular first-person shooter Overwatch. The new teams are set to debut this coming April, but not everyone is happy

about it.

On October 24, it was announced that the Toronto team will be called the Toronto Defiant. However, upon their name reveal, Blizzard requested that the Toronto Esports Club, a semi-pro team, drop the “Toronto” from their name in OWL-based competition. Blizzard called for this change due to the fact that the Toronto Defiant, as the major league

team, has exclusive title rights.

To throw in some context, Toronto Esports Club is part of the Contenders League, which is a minor league similar to a semi-pro or college basketball team. In fact, Toronto Esports Club was in partnership with the Boston Uprising— another OWL team—as their academy

Roshni Riar Staff Writer

he holiday season is no longer just fast

approaching, it’s practically here! With the end of November blazing towards us, there’s only one thing we can do to prepare ourselves for the incoming holiday frenzy: Shop.

Admit it, there’s something incredibly satisfying about taking some time out of your busy schedule to peruse a cute little holiday market on the hunt for anything, everything, and yet nothing in particular.

or training team. However, Blizzard requested a name change in order to avoid confusion regarding association.

Earlier in the year, the OWL demonstrated its intent to differentiate itself from other professional videogame leagues by having specific, city-based teams instead of more generic region or country-based teams. Blizzard claims that when an OWL team slot is purchased, whatever host city claims it has also purchased exclusive naming rights. In the case of Toronto Esports Club and the Toronto Defiant, the use of the patron city was deemed too similar for two teams that are not even associated with one another.

Needless to say, Toronto Esports Club was not pleased. Owner Ryan Pallett went to Twitter, publicly challenging the Toronto Defiant to an exhibition match on October 29 over use of the city name. However, OverActive Media—owners of the Toronto Defiant—revealed that they had nothing to do with the request and that it is ultimately Blizzard’s decision.

What did Toronto Esports Club do? Essentially, they said that they were taking their ball and going home. Ina public tweet released on November 12, Toronto Esports Club said, “We have been

If youre looking for exactly that kind of activity, then you're in luck! Below, I’ve compiled a list of fun upcoming holiday markets to check out and get you into the spirit.

Krampusmarkt: Strange Kristmas Market Taking place from December 6 to 8 at Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver, Krampusmarkt promises to be an odd, alternative holiday market to find all sorts of interesting goodies.

The free event is presented by OH Studio and Strange Fellows Brewing. Local

informed by Blizzard that

we will be forced to remove ‘Toronto’ from our brand in

only 6 weeks. Mid Contenders season 3. The reason cited: @ TorontoDefiant have purchased ‘exclusive naming rights. We will be leaving Overwatch effective

immediately. Good riddance.” At this point in time, the Boston Uprising, the OWL team who partnered with Toronto Esports Club, reminded Pallett and his staff that it’s not actually their ball. The Boston Uprising is owned by Kraft Group, whose president of gaming, Chris “HuK” Loranger, took to Twitter to address the issue. Loranger reminded everyone that all player and staff contracts in regard to the Contenders League team, as well as the use of the Contender’s League slot, is actually owned by Kraft Group. Therefore, the team itself will continue on under new management and independent of Pallett and the Toronto Esports Club— and obviously, with a new name!

Toronto Defiant reveal graphic via Blizzard

Markets to meet all your needs

» Upcoming holiday market previews

vendors will have the chance to come together to offer their goods and mingle with attendees. On December 6, visitors can have their photo taken on Krampus’ knee; it’ll be a welcome change to the usual monotonous holiday card you normally send out, I’m sure.

Featured vendors include: Antler Ceramics, who will be offering handmade ceramics; handmade papercutting, laser cut designs, and artwork from Light & Paper; artisanal sourdough baked goods made by Ritchie's Bakery; visual art pieces by Frances Hahn; and more. Over 20 vendors will fill Strange Fellows Brewing over the weekend-long event. If what you're looking for isn’t at Krampusmarkt, you can just treat yourself to a refreshing beer flight before turning your sights to the next market.

Back Alley Art Collective: Holiday pARTy

Krampusmarkt not your thing? Check out Back Alley Art Collective's third annual Holiday pARTy on December 15 at 11.4 Donaghy Ave, North Vancouver. Look for a decked-out warehouse that’s pumping music.

Back Alley Art Collective, a group of collaborating creatives, is offering snacks, cold drinks, good music, and a mini-ramp to skateboard on as well as a number of artisan vendors to shop and mingle with.

You'll find Billy Would Designs, an artist who creates jewellery and accessories

out of reclaimed wood and broken skateboards; Jemma VO Artworks, a mixed media artist working primarily with glass and metal; String Creative, a visual branding company; and more.

Back Alley Art Collective asks you to “come for the art, stay for the party,” so if you don't find exactly what youre looking for, at least you can make a good time out of it.

Make It! A Handmade Revolution

If you want an all-out handmade craft market extravaganza, this is definitely for you. From December 12 to 16, Make it!

will be at the PNE Forum in Vancouver. Admission is $8 at the door or $4 if you buy your tickets early.

The range of goods that will be available at this market is impressive, with over 180 vendors scheduled to sell their handmade creations. You can find Abeego Designs Inc., who specializes in breathable, reusable beeswax wrap to replace single- use plastic wraps; Honest Dumplings, with a variety of fresh, delicious dumplings for sale; Scandinazn, offering colourful, geometric jewellery made primarily with discarded leather; and many more.

With the necessary details I’ve provided you, all there is left to do now is check out all of these interesting and individually unique holiday markets, buy a lot of cool stuff, and drink lots of apple cider. Doable, right?