Please Bear With me...

[n99]

Bear with me..

Coming year, with me starting a new course and moving to a different city (again), I will lack the time to regain my shape as an action quake player. Already, the last six months, I felt I was unable to keep up with the competition. Since I’ve been without a clan for over a year now, my skills have degraded to a point in which I can honestly admit that I’m in over my head. That, coupled with the lack of broadbandth internet, free time, and a rapidly degrading workstation has led me to a couple of decisions. I will quit (pretending) to be an active player, and focus instead on my new course (and the life that comes with it). Does this mean I no longer care for the game that has nurtured me over half a decade? Am I retreating from the scene, as is? The answer to both questions is no. I relish the chance to do something back, because, whatever happens, I still love to play, watch and be involved in this game.

At some time later this year, probably in november or december, I would like to create, host and organize a new action quake ‘event’, which will use an alternate format. The reason I’m telling you all this already, has a couple of reasons. First of all, without interest of clans this project will not work, and I will not invest time in something that will scarcely see the light of day. Secondly, assuming there is adequate enthousiasm from the community side, I can use all the feedback I can get. I have no prior experience in organizing such an undertaking, so Juan, Morpher, Kurupt, feel free to pm me. Also, comments from the people on this forum will help decide the final ‘format’ of the event, so drop them below. Please, only constructive feedback – I don’t mind you saying it’s a stupid idea, but you’re obliged to give me rational reasons for not liking it. And finally, although I have hosting, and servers should not be a problem for this kind of event (see below), any help putting all the pieces together is more than welcome. So, anyone who is willing to show even a little commitment can pm or email me.

When I first started to play around with this idea, a couple of weeks ago, I quickly came to the conclusion that I wanted to create something that felt differently than the other tournaments and leagues. I felt that I wanted a tournament that was open for all clans (as opposed to something like COTT), something that wouldn’t take ages, like the EAQL (the final concept will take ages, but that’s actualy the whole idea) and used a differing match format. Matches would take longer, but would require more flexibility from the participating clans (not your run-of-the-mill 4vs4 teamplay). See below.

Here’s what I have so far. There’s only one match, that decides which clan can call itself the champion of this particular event, they will henceforth be called the Holders. As long as they keep wining from the clans that challenge their ‘supremacy’ they retain ownership of this virtual trophy and their Title. This idea has some interesting consequences. First of all, every match played will feel like a final for both of the clans involved. The Holders fight to retain their championship, while the challenger fights to become champion. There’s no rounds, no knock-out; just a final.

The alternate match-format I came up with is sort of mini-league between the clans involved. Both clans can pick from the standard, EAQL-sanctioned map list. A total of eight 10-minute matches are used to decide the winner: two 1vs1’s, two 2vs2’s, two 4vs4’s and two 5vs5’s (using highlander rules) – one of each type on the server and map of that clan’s choice. Every win is worth three points, every draw one, and losses score no points. So it’s at least 80 minutes of actual playing time, so the event probably takes about two solid hours to complete – with all the swapping of servers..

Maps must be decided at least 1 week before the event itself – this gives the opposing clan time to prepare for the event. I’m still in doubt if to allow subs in the 1vs1’s and 2vs2’s, as it makes the choices of who plays and who doesn’t alot more important. Some ‘purists’ might argue that 1vs1’s feature no teamplay, but I say the teamplay here lies in the metagame: which player does a clan pick to play in each event.

I would like to see a predetermined order in which the games are played: first the two 2vs2’s, as a ‘warmup’, then the highlander games, so alot of players get involved, followed by the classic 4vs4’s and finishing with the two duels. Putting the duels at the end makes sure the other players will actually watch this game. This ensures alot of extra pressure – how often are you on your own in games in which a whole event is at stake with 8 other players scrutinizing every move you make?! Sure, sometimes you’re the only one alive in a deciding round, but that’s rare indeed, and I’m pretty sure everyone here relishes the tension that so much responsibility can bring.

Matches would not be played often, something like once every two weeks. This way, with only two (be it longer) matches, full match reports, demo uploading, and out-of-match coverage of the clans involved would not become to time-consuming. Going by the feedback on the various COTT threads, people do seem to appreciate this kind of thing, even if they don’t say so unless asked about it. But this is all cosmetics, filling in the blanks, and I can do it later, after I’ve gotten some feedback.

See read this carefully, maybe read it again. Think about it, ask me questions, give me advice, and I’ll check back and read what you guys have written, further clarify, etc. etc.

[Den]

nice idea

[Jazzie]

Much like pro-boxing amirite?

Otherwise it was kinda tl;dr. (too long; didn't read.)

[hage]

How will you cue other clans, since they will only be played once every 1 or 2 weeks. There must be some kind of order in wich clans play. Must say it doesnt allow "one day clans" as it will take 20 weeks before you can actually play if there are 10 clans participating with one match every two weeks.

[grover]

- I'd like to help you, n99. But you already knew that, I hope.

- Cool concept, but I think there must be alot of animo from other people if it could go on.
Let's see how the Summercup goes..

[Jazzie]

Wouldn't it be easier if you just made it boxingstyle. Beat the one who has 'the belt' and get it for your own. Write it up in your topic and then basically anyone else can challenge you for it.

i.e, Anybody who wins a regular cw against a clan wearing 'the belt' wins it. Needs no website, admins, not anything. Just some standard rules like one server each and rounds count.

[n99]

I just realized this thread is probably in the wrong place, my bad, my bad, can of the admins please move it to aq2:general?

Anyway, Jazzie, yeah - the whole belt idea, but read it all though. Please, do. It's exactly's hage's point about the whole one-day-clans not being able to participate - because if they fold, the belt will be lost.

Considering the order (of challenging), I will, one month before launch, allow clans to sign up. Only clans that have been around for six months and are not likely to break up any time soon (arbitrary, yes) will be allowed entry. The first two teams battle it out for the very first time - winner gets it all. The loser is placed at the end of the current 'queue' if you will, and the clans who signed up after get to challenge the holders for the belt, in order. If a new clan signs up (meeting the

I would like to run this with website and adminning for several reason, Jazzie. First of all, the alternate format, with at least 8 10-minute matches (probably on two separate servers) gives room for alot of 'error', whether undeliberate or not. Don't ask any further about what I mean with that. Second of all, I would like to have stats and coverage to make it into a public event in which people actually follow-up (read, watch, talk about) on that single match every two weeks. Further more, since, eventually a very good clan will get this so-called 'belt' (yet to be properly named trophy) it will be inspiring other best-of-the-best clans to try and break their dominance. The rules about announcing the maps beforehand will help shape the event, after all, everyone will know what the current 'Holders' are going to do, and act accordingly. At the end of the year, the clan which held the 'belt' for the longest period in a row get's awarded the Trophyholder of the Year award, or some other, purely fictional reward. In turn, this good provide entry in things like COTT (for more info, see the COTT season #2 thread, I won't go into the whole entry-shizzle again, fearing Morpher's Rightious Retribution).

Anyway got some other stuff to do right now so I've probably missed something important, but I will address it later.

[n99]

Oh, and a name for both the event itself AND the reward/trophy.

[Sovnig]

Ok, im in a hurry so I didnt bother reading the posts below the first... I'm sorry if I'm mentioning something that's been brought up already.

Well, the challengesystem would be made how? Each clan can only challenge the Holder every 2/3 weeks?
Would be nice with a homepage on which clans would be able to challenge the Holders. Just like www.sumpen.org, although theirs is never used. But then each clan should have a GSBOT-alike delay on three weeks, and if they're VIP's (ie. they've played a lot of matches, and won a big percentage of 'em) they should be able to challenge every two weeks? Would be nice at least...

And, what if a challenge is denied? I mean, if the entire Holder-team is on vacation?

PS. I dont know if you've written this, I dont recall - How often can the Holders be challenged per week?

[emu]

[n99]

You cannot deny a challenge, since a challenge is determined in advance. The holders are obliged to take this challenge every two weeks, that's the rotation system used... I mean, there can be exceptions, but otherwise: there's a regular war at a pre-arranged time.

And emu, please, constructive. I know we had some 'differences' in the past, but I know you can actually constribute to this thread (I never, ever said you were dumb), so please do instead of showing this symbol: . I mean, I know I suck at aq2 compared to 'the rest', but I have some shit to say, some good ideas, some energy left in this brain of mine - PLEASE DO NOT PUT IT DOWN JUST IN SPITE. OKAY?!

[n99]

The 'enter' shown after the word 'this' is a bug in the scripting; whatevr I tried to do, nothing changed.

[n99]

Oh and emu, read that pm before you answer.
PLEASE. Really, don't fuck up this project. because I love it and I love this game.

[Zonic]

There is loads of clans that has been around for more than 6 months and that would make the list of clans huge. This would mean, if a 2 week system is being used, that clans has to wait a very long time have a shot for the trophy.

I like the idea, but it needs some tweaking imo.

Keep brainstorming!

[n99]

I can probably make it once-every-week system if I get some help with adminning the games, two or three people would be enough.