Please Bear With me...
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 11:53 am
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.
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.
