Go9dan.com

[gogameguru]

Someone sent me a media release about this earlier today. I have my hands full at the moment, but thought some people here might be interested.
(It has nothing to do with Go Game Guru, by the way)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Go Server Opens

San Francisco, December 11, 2012 — go9dan.com is a new browser-based online Go platform that aims to bring global Go enthusiasts of all skill levels together. Set to launch its beta on December 16, 2012, it will provide great new features and services including the ability to observe and play multiple games, a teaching game auction, rated and unrated tournaments, and the opportunity to play against professional world Go champions. There will be no limit to the number of players allowed on the server and there will be no need to download a client in order to play.

There will be many top tournament games to watch. During go9dan’s first three months, ten of the world’s super pros will play off in the World Go League Invitational for prizes totaling $100,000. The league will run from the end of January to April. Each player will play nine games. Players will be Lee Sedol, Lee Changho, Kong Jie, Xie He, Chen Yaoye, Park Junghwan, Kim Jisuk, Park Younghoon, Shi Yue and Fan Tingyu.

Also, in order to encourage the American Go Association’s new pro system, Lee Sedol will play a ten-game series against the two new U.S. professionals, Andy Liu and Gangsheng Shi. The series will run one game per week beginning January 2013. The handicap will change depending on the players’ performance. If the U.S. team is at black or better at the end of the series, they will win $1,000 apiece.

Beta launch will be in English and Korean on December 16, 2012. Full launch with Chinese and Japanese added will be on January 20, 2013. Members who sign up early will participate in many exciting events and promotions, including free memberships and virtual currency.

go9dan.com is operated by 82 Limited, an online game company based in Hong Kong and San Francisco.

[p2501]

On the one hand, yet another go server. But on the other, oh my god oh my god oh my god. They know how to promote their stuff.

[gogameguru]

On the one hand, yet another go server. But on the other, oh my god oh my god oh my god. They know how to promote their stuff.

That basically sums up what Jing and I thought . Let's see what happens.

[quantumf]

Also, in order to encourage the American Go Association’s new pro system, Lee Sedol will play a ten-game series against the two new U.S. professionals, Andy Liu and Gangsheng Shi. The series will run one game per week beginning January 2013. The handicap will change depending on the players’ performance. If the U.S. team is at black or better at the end of the series, they will win $1,000 apiece.

Intriguing. What does Lee Sedol win if they aren't - i.e. how incentivized is he to win.

And what does "black or better" mean? I presume after a defeat in an even game, they will then play black with no komi? If they can retain this, then they win the challenge?

[logan]

[cdybeijing]

How can something this big just come out of nowhere?!

I am aroused by skeptical. Multiple forms of currency. Free accounts don't seem to be have much functionality.

[Marcus]

It's interesting to note that the site itself has had a Facebook page since November 2011, and it looks like, while they've kept things fairly tightly wrapped, it doesn't look like an overnight decision of "let's put up a new go server!".

That being said, I'm curious what things will look like on the official public beta launch. Right now there are a whole number of little items all across the site that scream "THIS IS A TEST!"

We shall see ...

[DeFlow]

Mmm,

After looking over the website, I am turned off by the different payments needed to increase the functionality. Not that I use it often, but even using score estimator costs 'gold'. On the other hand, I see you can earn and pay gold for teaching games, you can host your own tournaments and there is other nice functionality. All-in-all it seems like a big project, so I'll just have to check it out anyway. =] Too much potential fun to miss out on.

[Javaness2]

It looks interesting. It seems to allow gambling, which surprises me if it is US based. The payment for different membership classes doesn't surprise me. What does blow my mind is that this is only in Beta, and they have sponsorship already for broadcasting games - I hope beta phase works out well for them. Given that you have to pay to play, I'm not sure that it's for me.

[snorri]

Someone sent me a media release about this earlier today. I have my hands full at the moment, but thought some people here might be interested.
(It has nothing to do with Go Game Guru, by the way)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Also, in order to encourage the American Go Association’s new pro system, Lee Sedol will play a ten-game series against the two new U.S. professionals, Andy Liu and Gangsheng Shi. The series will run one game per week beginning January 2013. The handicap will change depending on the players’ performance. If the U.S. team is at black or better at the end of the series, they will win $1,000 apiece.

1. Thanks for sharing!

2. I've seen the spelling Gansheng more often than Gangsheng. Are both correct?

3. Do know if they they mean that there well be two ten-game series, one Lee vs. Andy and the other Lee vs. Gansheng, or is this some kind of collaboration game?

[Uberdude]

Is this real-time Go in a browser or turn-based?

[oren]

Is this real-time Go in a browser or turn-based?

Fairly sure it's real time like goshrine and kaya.

[mw42]

It looks interesting. It seems to allow gambling, which surprises me if it is US based. The payment for different membership classes doesn't surprise me. What does blow my mind is that this is only in Beta, and they have sponsorship already for broadcasting games - I hope beta phase works out well for them. Given that you have to pay to play, I'm not sure that it's for me.

It seems based in Korea.

[hyperpape]

To say the obvious, holding black no komi against Lee Sedol is ambitious.

[cdybeijing]

To say the obvious, holding black no komi against Lee Sedol is ambitious.

I think if they manage to keep it on two stones it will be a success for the American pros, but that is probably unlikely.