Curse

Kaon · Dec 17, 2007, 08:14 PM // 20:14

I'm pleasantly suprised, I didn't expect them to put any real world prizes up again.

ensoriki · Dec 17, 2007, 08:14 PM // 20:14

thats not so bad for rewards,
are they saying the trims are never before seen.

Or ,,, there going to tell us later?

Andrew Patrick · Dec 17, 2007, 08:17 PM // 20:17

More details for the post-April ATS will be released closer to April. In the mean time, how do you guys feel about Amazon Giftcards vs the old prizes?

BlackEagle · Dec 17, 2007, 08:22 PM // 20:22

Why have all the tournaments now been moved to start at 16GMT?

That is really inconvenient for a lot of people. I know any time is going to be, but I don't necessarily see what was wrong with the previous system of changing times each month.

Winstar · Dec 17, 2007, 08:23 PM // 20:23

I would have to go look at the amazon site and see what they have as I've only ever ordered books from them, but I assume its going to be pretty good. In principle the idea of choice is better as long as the options are good.

My main worry is there is that absolutely nothing has been said about the structure of the ATs. Are we stuck with the same bad times? Are we stuck with massive forfeits and poor participation? Are we going to have 2 tournaments running with 8 teams in each instead of somehow merging them into 1 larger tournament? If nothing else changes with the system I'll be a more than a bit disappointed.

Wasteland Squidget · Dec 17, 2007, 08:24 PM // 20:24

I prefer the gift cards to hardware prizes, though I don't understand why you chose Amazon gift cards over the Visa gift cards given out at the PAX tournament. There are a lot of things I'd love to buy that I can't get on Amazon, and it feels a lot more limiting than previous cash prizes.

I'm sure a lot of people will be disappointed at out-of-game prizes being discontinued, but at this stage of the game, it is an understandable decision.

By far the biggest issue with prizes over this last year was how long they took to arrive. Competitors would often be stuck waiting for months to get their winnings. I'd be interested in knowing whether using gift cards instead of hardware will alleviate that.

xhappy feetx · Dec 17, 2007, 08:39 PM // 20:39

I wonder how many guilds will play this april, I'll be there, don't know with who yet.....

Andrew Patrick · Dec 17, 2007, 08:42 PM // 20:42

The Visa cards were looked at, but they were a lot more limited in certain areas of the world, especially Europe. After some research, Amazon seemed to be the best option since it worked well in all regions.

And yes, you will be happy to know using the Amazon cards will make prize reception much quicker. I believe they can be sent via email, in fact, so there wouldn't even be shipping delay.

xhappy feetx · Dec 17, 2007, 08:43 PM // 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Patrick

More details for the post-April ATS will be released closer to April. In the mean time, how do you guys feel about Amazon Giftcards vs the old prizes?

Prizes were good, I'll give you that, I'd glady take it if you took out prizes from the MT's until april and used that money to host a real-life WC, but.....

ensoriki · Dec 17, 2007, 09:04 PM // 21:04

I bet all those never before seen weapons are given to you customized >.>
I want some kind of energy -30 sword (that be awesome)

Yanman.be · Dec 17, 2007, 09:09 PM // 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Natural

It's not like Izzy is hopping in his honda civic and heading out to his local comp hardware store with the company credit card to buy random junk every month.

WOW MENTAL IMAGE!

Winstar · Dec 17, 2007, 10:43 PM // 22:43

just curious, is there any word or will there be any word about tweaks to the system to deal with forfeits, or tournament times, or anything to make it easier or more attractive to get more teams involved rather than masses of teams farming +2s and 3s on the ladder?

seekjy · Dec 17, 2007, 11:08 PM // 23:08

If your guild is rated over 1100, you'll be lucky to get a ladder game within half an hour of searching. That, plus the fact that many guilds want to play daily but cannot make all of the ATs, means that ladder farming on a smurf is the best way to get games.

Winstar · Dec 17, 2007, 11:26 PM // 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by seekjy

If your guild is rated over 1100, you'll be lucky to get a ladder game within half an hour of searching. That, plus the fact that many guilds want to play daily but cannot make all of the ATs, means that ladder farming on a smurf is the best way to get games.

which really sucks

Increasing tournament participation and reducing forfeits isn't going happen as a result of prize support changes. The systems itself needs some alteration so its easier to participate.

wren e · Dec 17, 2007, 11:47 PM // 23:47

Actually if there were no smurfs, there would be more guilds actually playing at that rank or higher so the time to get a match would go down.

I'm glad to see that they are continuing to support the AT's, but hope that they do make some of the needed changes, such as the times, to make them better.

Wasteland Squidget · Dec 17, 2007, 11:49 PM // 23:49

If someone doesn't smurf or pug, it's not going to make them play in their actual guild more often. Almost universally, people smurf/pug when they can't play in their actual guild, and drop pug groups immediately when their guild is ready to play.

Thanks for the answers, Andrew.

Winstar · Dec 18, 2007, 12:07 AM // 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wasteland Squidget

If someone doesn't smurf or pug, it's not going to make them play in their actual guild more often. Almost universally, people smurf/pug when they can't play in their actual guild, and drop pug groups immediately when their guild is ready to play.

Thanks for the answers, Andrew.

I don't think anyone is ungrateful for the information received, but it would also be nice to know if the ATs are staying as they have been or if anything is planned for fixing the problems that have existed for some time now. Forfeits are a big problem, and finding ways to increase participation in general would be nice.

Ensign · Dec 18, 2007, 01:25 AM // 01:25

That Amazon gift certificates can simply be emailed to the winners should increase the odds of a tournament winner receiving their prize by an order of magnitude, which is unquestionably a good thing.

Are there any plans to fix the daily AT schedule?

Andrew Patrick · Dec 18, 2007, 02:35 AM // 02:35

I will ask about the scheduling issues, as well as the issue with forfeits. Keep in mind, though, that when hosting a global event, one has to find the one time that works for the most people. It will not be ideal for everyone, it may not even be ideal for anyone, but it needs to be a time that is reasonable for the bulk of those it is targeted at. Basing it on the ideal time for Americans can make it unworkable for Europeans and vice versa so a sort of "neutral time" needs to be found.

I blame whoever decided the world was round personally.

pah01 · Dec 18, 2007, 02:45 AM // 02:45

you blaming God? Thats kind of rude Andrew.

:P