Messages

61

Community Events / Re: Suggestion regarding larger tourneys

« on: September 09, 2013, 07:50:29 pm »

I haven't watched much of the Sunday Rumble but my understanding is that massive chunks of time are lost in late starts and slow transitions between matches, is that accurate?

The late starts aren't common. As I recall, we really only had one rumble start that was significantly delayed (I've participated in all five rumbles). As for match transitions, those are getting faster by the week, and generally only occur when two new teams are joining lobbies. This week we had a couple delays, but generally they only take around 5 minutes tops.

The main time sink is the matches themselves. Because you have teams playing up to 3 matches at each tier, and variety in tactics, sometimes matches can take a while.

62

Community Events / Re: Suggestion regarding larger tourneys

« on: September 09, 2013, 04:01:02 pm »

I don't care what the casters want, I care about what the teams want.

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here. While you make some valid points, I frankly don't agree with your mindset. The casters aren't doing this out of any obligation, nor are they receiving any form of backing from anyone. They are doing this on their own and are basically "gifting" us with the opportunity to play in a competition each week. They aren't required to do that, and given the sort of guerrilla-style they employ, it's not going to be perfect.

It's also worth noting that the casters have to make the same time investment we do, if not more. Brick was saying at one point in the stream that he was starving, and bear in mind it's already pretty late for him by the time we get started, but he's willing to soldier on. Again, these aren't paid professionals where these sorts of situations are expected. These are a few guys putting together a tourney for our benefit. I think it's fair to say that they should be taken into consideration as well.

63

Community Events / Re: Suggestion regarding larger tourneys

« on: September 09, 2013, 03:34:48 pm »

A solution that might work is to have whoever is refereeing the other matches report to the casters and have them tell it on the stream during lulls through good ol' fashioned talking. Kinda like they do on the radio.

That was actually kinda what I was thinking. They could have the referee in the non-streamed match on the Skype call with a muted mic, and he could just chime in when there's a match or series won so we can keep up on the action.

64

Community Events / Re: Suggestion regarding larger tourneys

« on: September 09, 2013, 03:32:52 pm »

On a side note, I do like how my point about players taking 15 or so minutes to get games started hasn't been addressed like, at all. G'job, selective posters.

It is a valid point. I believe for us in Wolfpack, we were guilty of one of those delays because a couple of our members had to suddenly AFK. We can certainly do our due diligence in making sure we're prepared when the matches are ongoing.

That said, I just wanted to speak up a bit in defense of the "best of 3" format the TSR currently has. I already mentioned my basic feelings on that vs a "one-and-done" in my original post, however there was one point I didn't make.

This week, we saw some creative builds and strategies. Overwatch and Corvus Marauders come to mind, with Overwatch employing some unconventional builds and Corvus taking a gamble on a dual-spire setup. I feel if the tourney was a "one-and-done" format, we would see less of this sort of experimentation if teams only had one chance. I feel like the Rumble is a great proving ground for teams who want to try new builds and strategies in a competitive atmosphere, and I would hate for that to be lost to time-crunching.

I also feel the "one-and-done" format might make TSR feel less "fun" and more intimidating to new clans or clans who are just getting their feet wet in competitive play. Best of 3 means that you can shake off those 'first match jitters' and really give your best efforts. A "one-and-done" format just doesn't facilitate that.

Granted, we still have to wait and see if the interest level for TSR stays as high as it was this week, but frankly I don't see it lessening too greatly. There are new clans popping up every day and they all want a chance to compete. I don't think it's so unheard of that 5, 6, 7, or more clans each week may become the norm, especially as more people become aware of TSR, and even if it doesn't these contingencies are worth exploring in a constructive discussion.

And again, thank you to everyone who takes the time and effort to make TSR possible. I think, though our opinions on this matter may differ, that everyone is grateful for being given a stage to compete in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. At the risk of repeating myself, you guys are awesome.

65

General Discussion / Re: WARP DRIVE

« on: September 09, 2013, 03:09:04 pm »

Well, actually I was trying to keep that on the down low, but our crew is now equipped with hover boards. Our engies get around -much- faster now.

Don't worry, you guys will have them around 2015. Just make sure to visit Hill Valley, CA.

66

Community Events / "Meet the clan"?

« on: September 09, 2013, 05:36:01 am »

As long as I'm making suggestions, this is another one I've been kicking around...

I was just thinking that it would be kinda cool if once a week, there could be a recorded Skype conversation with the captains and crews of one of the rumble clans. One clan a week, and the interviewer would ask the same basic series of questions to each clan, so we can get a better feel for who they are and what they do.

It would just be a neat way to learn more about who is actually competing and get people more invested from a spectator's standpoint.

67

Community Events / Suggestion regarding larger tourneys

« on: September 09, 2013, 05:21:36 am »

Hello everyone. I'd like to start by thanking everyone involved for taking the time out to schedule, run, and cast TSR every week. It's an awesome experience and I know for us in Wolfpack, it's become something we look forward to each week. Urz, Papa, Brick, Imagine, you guys are awesome.

That said, I wanted to post a thought I had regarding tourney length. This week we saw a great turnout for the tourney, with 7 clans vying for the win. It's great to see, but at the same time I saw a number of comments regarding how long the tourney ran.

I was thinking that instead of streaming every match, perhaps matches could be run simultaneously. In the case of two matches running at the same time, one could be live streamed while the other could have a referee watching the action and breaking into the live broadcast with score reports, when a team wins a match or series. This referee could perhaps also be recording the match, and afterward a highlight reel or the match in full could be posted on the twitch site.

This would allow everyone to view their performances while also having less wait time, without having to change the format to a "one-and-done" like the COGs etc. I personally feel the "best of 3" approach is a great one, especially for clans new to competitive play, as it gives them an opportunity for a comeback. I also feel the victories are more decisive with a "best of 3" format.

Anyhow, just a thought, and thanks again for all the work you guys put in. Can't wait for next week!

68

General Discussion / WARP DRIVE

« on: September 09, 2013, 03:37:53 am »

So, we had an amusing little velcro glitch this week in the Sunday Rumble, and I felt it was worth sharing, because it was hilarious:

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9514/zytipepvxrsgcksfxyseew.mp4

All credit goes to Urz for making the video, doing the broadcast, organizing the rumble, and just being an overall cool guy 

69

Community Events / Re: The Sunday Rumble #5 Signups (9/8/13 @ 4pm EST)

« on: September 09, 2013, 03:35:22 am »

Urz.. that is AMAZING xD