Tournament Standards

[reaVer]

For starters: don't run multiple tournaments at the same time, you'll just get planning issues and a very big chance someone will not be present at your tournament while he should be. That said, I like the random pools round robin + top-8/16/32/64/... single elimination format. All matches decided by one game. The reason I like it is because it allows people to be more creative rather then relying purely on endurance. With those kind of rules tournament progression goes really fast and if people are on time when the tournament starts they're generally there during the whole tournament(less likely required to skip out to get drinks or food). If you got a lot of people you could have a break, or set times when certain pools will start and when the brackets will start so entrants can plan accordingly. Also, don't mix more pools than TVs, so say you have 4 TVs and 8 pools, launch only 4 pools at the same time, and not 8. Doing otherwise tends to just create confusion. Next to that don't go beyond 8 player pools. Rules for DQ imo would be: -anyone cheating, -anyone leaving during brackets or his own pool phase, -anyone interrupting the contestant that's playing by fiddling with his chair or screaming into his ear for example, -anyone not on time for his own pool phase or for the bracket phase unless he has a valid reason not too. Generally valid reasons are the bathroom(unless you want him to puke, piss and/or shit all over your tournament set), or getting delayed by a 3rd party(such as slow shop assistance). If a player gets himself disqualified, his opponents get a BYE in their favor instead, including in brackets. Anyone DQed should not be allowed to compete in the next tournament. Presence of hardware other than TVs, PS2s/PS3s, controllers, chairs and tables is not required imo. Recordings and such are nice features, but they don't define a tournament. Also, I'd consider a tournament major if it has at least a 16-man bracket filled with high-level players.

[Digital Watches]

If a player gets himself disqualified, his opponents get a BYE in their favor instead, including in brackets. Anyone DQed should not be allowed to compete in the next tournament.

Aside from the fact that some of your DQ criteria are subjective and difficult to enforce, I think banning from future tournaments is just plain a bad idea to have as standard procedure, especially for people DQ'd for being no-shows. Sure, if someone's hindering the tournament or making an ass of themselves, then make the decision on an individual basis, but DQ = Ban is just dumb.

[doragonkoroshi]

Yeah I have to say that I can't think of any reason why it would be ok to ban someone from Guilty Gear. If they're a good player, we WANT their competition, and if they're bad, we WANT their money. Also our community is small enough as is, and if you ban the right person with the right friends, that causes a rift in the community, which ultimately destroys it. Of course we may not want to trust certain people with certain responsibilities, but I think that's more of a case-by-case majority decision situation than an official ban forever situation. Oh yeah, and I just thought of another reason why it's best to have a local person from the tournament's location to run the tournament. Everybody knows most of the players that travel regularly, but if you have a local player who doesn't travel, but plays with some of the local players, then a local tournament organizer would be more likely to recognize that person's face. In other words, a local would recognize a higher percentage of the players at the tournament, which would help when looking for people when it's their turn. Also on the topic of locating people when it's their turn, maybe have like sort of a phone chain, but more like an IRL-finding-people-chain. The organizer would have like 5-10 (specific) people reporting to him. These people would be responsible for meeting 10 or so other people (specified by some list) before the tournament starts and knowing who they are and what they look like, so that they can grab them when their match is coming up. This way, the tournament organizer would know who to go to in order to get each person. Example: j1n is in charge of the whole tournament. Reporting to j1n are: Kenji SH_ ... ... etc. Now Kenji is in charge of finding: Brentquest Mamation Destin ... ... etc. Sean is in charge of: Doragonkoroshi Blacksnake Jais ... ... etc. and it goes on like this until everyone is accounted for. I wouldn't advise having an extra level of branching off, because it could get too confusing. In this example, I've used people I know and people I know they know, but it's a given that there will be some people that nobody knows, so the responsibilities can be delegated at random as long as these people meet who they have to account for before the tournament starts. People with this responsibility would ideally only be playing GG during the tournament, so that they can be available at all times to find people. Also, when they find out who they are supposed to look for, they should probably get a list of games they entered, or ask them and write it down so they will know where to find these people. Maybe I'm making things more complicated than they need to be, but this way, the tournament organizer will know who to go to when looking for someone.

[reaVer]

Aside from the fact that some of your DQ criteria are subjective and difficult to enforce, I think banning from future tournaments is just plain a bad idea to have as standard procedure, especially for people DQ'd for being no-shows. Sure, if someone's hindering the tournament or making an ass of themselves, then make the decision on an individual basis, but DQ = Ban is just dumb.

Its not a big ban like, you won't show up ever. But if they go for the brackets and put a BYE in there, its not so nice. Kinda sportsmanship lacking; if you want that to happen the next tournament by all means, allow him.

[Spirit Juice]

DQing someone and then BANNING them from the next tournament is a horrible idea. What purpose does that serve? The DQ is punishment enough since you don't get to play and you don't get your money back.

[Henaki]

its reaver just permaban him from the forums already ffs

[Kyle]

I wanna hear Kuglers input for this thread. I like where Jason is going with RR Pools and two highest proceed. SER decided to run regular double-elim, but host for MEGA casuals all weekend. anything is better than regular double elim and waiting forever.

[Henaki]

rr pools seeded by skill is probably the best standard but it takes so much time that unless you have the resources of evo (or manage to somehow run ECC), it's really hard to make work at a major. how did ECC manage pooled brackets again? seriously. they ran like 3s, ggxx, marvel all in pools in ONE DAY with other tournies going on wtf.

[Heidern98]

I think a poll would be good for some of these questions. I know making a few new threads could turn out bad or divide our convo's up, but I think it could help organize a few of these ideas a bit better. Just some general rules that need to be decided upon in the opinion of the masses. Some examples: 1. Phone numbers; Each players number, one players number from each group(region) and also discussion on tourney directors numbers. 2. DQ times before starting the tourney; Hour before, day before unless preregged, only prereg etc. 3. Number of people running brackets; Three (Bracket Runner, Name caller, Recon man), Six (Backups of previous), One (one poor bastard), Two (Do it alls) 4. Floating when needed; Up until sixth round, always until top 8, only first few rounds (shouldnt happen if seeded with tournament organizer program), never fuck you bitch you play that bitch, or tourney organizer vote. 5. How long until disqualification of a player who is holding up the tournament; 30 minutes, 10 minutes, 2 hours, occording to the reputation of the player. These are very general but I think if we divided up each of these topics to their own threads/polls, it could help get a better ruleset then everyone just throwing out their own ideas. Also, equipment is something that we really can't vote on. I can tell you that every tournament I have seen, the organizers do their best to get as many tvs, mics, megaphones, chairs, tables, power strips, game stations, recorders, projectors, and many other expensive things as they can but it is only in their limits of what they can find and afford. It is also up to the community helping them out. So basically, we cannot make rules about number of stations because x amount might not be available. We all have to just do our best here and bring as much of our own shit as possible. Please suggest and explain what you guys think. I would really like to see a set way of running things from now on that we can all agree on so their is no trouble and more efficient tourneys out there. K peace.

[ElvenShadow]

Jeff, a poll wouldnt be a bad idea btw, what is the best tournament bracket software that anyone would recommend to use? I want to DL it

[reaVer]

I dunno if there is any atm, but I don't think it would be hard to write (if you know how to code).

[shtkn]

the one i use is a free one called ALJ tournament maker

http://www.download.com/ALJ-Tournament-Maker/3000-2121_4-10620462.html

it allows you to create brackets seperating players by location and skill.

[Heidern98]

The one I use I got from Digital Watches. Its called Tio Tournament Organizer and its very simalar to what Kevin posted. Basically, these programs make it so you really dont have to worry about seeding as it does it for you. Plus it places people in losers when you announce the winner etc. Very needed in any tourney above 64 imo. Even for small tournamanets its amazing.

[ElvenShadow]

I was just messing with that ALJ one using the list of players confirmed so far and made a sample bracket and tested out how to use it. The auto location seeding is nice in general as a start and then you can swap people from there. I think Ill use it unless you recommend I DL the Tio one instead. However, for the ALJ one, how do you designate someones tournament skill between expert novice and beginner? It just puts everyone in as a beginner by default and I didnt see a way to change their status in that regard

[shtkn]

just select hte names you want to move and drag and drop into the desired column the other option lets you rank them in a list. i.e: player a is #1, player b is #2, etc.

[ElvenShadow]

oh ok, i tried it before but it didnt work. you have to click and then wait a few seconds before it lets you drag

[Oiboi]

Haha, since when are you a part of the community again?

Oh SNAP.

Anyways, my 2 cents: What about organizing some system that allows you to text message players cell phones? This would essentially be the same idea as the pager idea, but much cheaper since you don't need to pay for the hardware, just some program or someone on a cell phone texting players. The only drawback is that text messages cost money for most/some people, and that not EVERYONE will necessarily have a phone, nor would everyone probably want to give their number to someone like that. However, I still think it'd be a good idea to let people know, alongside the basic megaphone/bracket chart announcements.

As for actual tournament setups, I'm not very good at that sort of thing, specifically 'how to fit things within a certain time span'. However, I do believe that an extremely strict start time must be absolutely upheld. If the tournament is schedule to start at 2, it should never start later than 2, it should begin on the damn second it becomes 2 o'clock. I've never been late to a tournament, even when I KNEW they were going to delay it for people like always, I'd show up 2 hours earlier than when it's supposed to begin. Yeah, stuff happens, but unless losers has started, you can still put them in that bracket. There's no reason to delay a tournament for hours just waiting for one or two people.

So in terms of people being later, unless their bracket hasn't started or something, simply throw them into losers. They still get to play, but they don't get to play as much as other people who showed up ON TIME, and of course, if losers has already started than I think it's best just to tell them their DQ'd. At the point, everything is too far started and there's no way they can really get anything out of it.

I remember at FRXI, if you were going to get some food or something you had to write your name down on the piece of paper, sort of a "check out-Check in" list. If your name wasn't written on there and you didn't show up when called, you DQ'd after like, 10 minutes? I think it was. Point being, it worked, as most people were there for their matches when it was time, so I think that's an effective and easy method of keeping track of people who went to the bathroom or needed some food or something.

[Doomscyther]

I think if your area/state is coming to a tourney, you need to give someones number to a person associated with running the brackets. Atleast 1 or 2 people from ur group does that, that way you can be sure to give info if ur being late or dragging a tourney. Its not hard to look at ur phone at least every 20mins .

[LastKings]

I agree that there should be a set of predetermined rules for those who hold, and attend, tournaments. This thread has been up awhile and there's been alot of discussion, but this thread is meaningless unless we actually establish what the rules will be. I suggest that a complete list of rules be posted by the thread maker. Once it has been posted, the community can further critique the list with their suggestions and reasons, and the list can be updated as necessary.

[TGS]

How about using Twitter? :3

[Heidern98]

I don't have unlimited text but if someone does and wants to help out at FR this year, I am willing to try this out. Baiscally, I will take peoples numbers down during registration, as well as group phone numbers (Simon can you get Cue so he can come rape Marn etc.) I will prolly have to delegate the responisibility of this to someone fulltime (this would at least help alot) but I am willing to do it myself if I have to. Great idea I expect good results.

[qwerty]

since nobody's mentioned it yet, how about seeding players by area? like, have everyone write their area code/state/whatever when they register, so you don't have people from the same area playing each other.

[Oiboi]

since nobody's mentioned it yet, how about seeding players by area?

like, have everyone write their area code/state/whatever when they register, so you don't have people from the same area playing each other.

I believe most tournaments do this actually...

Here's what I remember us discussing from this post as rules (don't feel like reading it all over again):

-Tournaments start on time no matter what, save an act of god or the end of the world.

-Players are given 30 minutes to an hour to show up on time or the tourney starts without them. After the tournament starts, they may be alotted to the losers brackets if it has not been too long since the tournament started, i.e. the entire first round being completed.

-Brackets are done properly, with someone working on it the entire tournament. It should be the organizers responsibility to record the winners and losers.

-Using Cell phones to call people to their matches is advised, but not necessary due to specific restrictions.

-If you're match is called but you're not there within 10 minutes, your disqualified. Being placed in the losers bracket is the Organizers decision. If you need to get food or go to the bathroom, let the organizer know by telling them or signing a sign out sheet. This will prevent DQ's for necessities.

-Organizers need to evaluate their venues and how many people are expected to come to be sure that the venue fits the amount of people. Nothing worse then trying to fit 100 people in a 50 occupancy room and getting the fire chief pissed off.

-If a player has a complaint, it should be dealt with SERIOUSLY. It should not matter if the person is considered a veteran or a scrub, each one of us is important and if there is a valid complaint about the tournament, venue, brackets, etc. It should be considered seriously and dealt with accordingly. Organizer should use his judgement.

-Thieves will be owned. (I remember FRXI, Heidern)

That's about all I can think of. What should we do about people who are deemed to be a great nuisance to the community, or otherwise many people feel should be banned from the community? I know it's generally discouraged but I know there are times where assholes just fuck shit up for everyone. Not saying we need Bans, just curious what you guys think on it so it can be added to the rules.

[DEMON JIM]

Can anyone point me in the right direction for rules concerning Blazblue? I got a tournament I'm hosting coming up and could use some help with this. -DJ-

[.otter.]

I'm suprised at the seemingly unanimous support for top-player seeding. It's not really in the spirit of a tournament, and should be refered to as an invitational if you tell certain players they will get a shortcut. Giving players an advantage because they have an advantage?