Last night it was announced on the World Cyber Games website that due to sponsorship and funding issues, there had to be some amendments made to the number of Team USA players being sent to the finals.

Originally there were to be four teams sent out to the grand finals in Korea, being held in December. However due to funding issues it has come to light that only the US teams for League of Legends and Crossfire will be receiving an all expenses paid trip to the finals in Busan.

Unfortunately, this means that the hopeful Counter-Strike 1.6 teams that were due to compete for a spot in an online qualifier will no longer have the opportunity to attend the finals of the event, unless they are willing to pay their own way. After the announcement was made, one of the tournament admins commented saying that the qualifying teams could participate at the finals, should they find their own way to fund their trips to South Korea. StarCraft II has also had it's travel expenses revoked.

On the "bright side" the qualifiers for the two games will still be held, and the qualifying teams will be sent to participate in the WCG Pan-Am games, to be held during November in Brazil. Though this may be a much smaller tournament than the grand finals, the teams will still be able to compete for a cash prize at the South American event.

The Official WCG Announcement:

World Cyber Games announced changes today to the WCG USA competition and qualification program. Unfortunately due to sponsorship funding issues, the WCG USA program and selection process of Team USA members has been altered. Only the winners of the League of Legends and Crossfire online national final will advance to the WCG 2011 Grand Finals in Busan, Korea which is set to take place December 8 – 11 with an expense paid trip as part of Team USA.

The StarCraft II and Counter-Strike 1.6 online qualifiers will play out and also feed into the online national final. The top two StarCraft II players and top Counter-Strike 1.6 team will receive a trip and advance to the World Cyber Games Pan-Am games in San Paulo, Brazil November 4 – 6, 2011 to compete for cash and prizes.