Thanks Pigsoup.
I think if this thread is to remain constructive, it would be helpful if we move off the Casters and onto other aspects of crowd funding and how to use it in the big tourneys, for after all, we based the tourney on it. Powered by You. I applaud all the contributors and site members who supported the events.
First, should we set a limit on the strech goals, or just let the goals run out steam, as we did at the end? If you think a limit should be set, what would that be?
There should be no limit to a stretch goal, but new goals should be added asap the previous goal was reached. Also they should be more useful to everyone, for example someone eating soap shouldn`t even be a stretch goal. Also stuff for casters shouldn`t be added to a stretch goal as it benefits a small amount of the community (20~) people is my guess. In game skins, decals, etc is a good thing, wallpapers as well. Most of the stretch goals during OCF have no meaning whatsoever, but this is understandable since it was the first time that something like this happened.
Second, the Qualifiers. Some suggest we should revert to the old qualification system under SNF, spread over several weekends. The problem with crowd funding here, however, may be that some donate because they hope their own favourite player will make it through. In other words, if a favourite or two got knocked out early on a longer tourney, this could adversely affect the crowd funding side of it. Further, if we spread a crowd funded tourney over several weeks, it could seem as if we trying to milk the system, which was not the intention. Thoughts on this, either way, please?
You should not base the event on the money if people want their favorite to get money they can always donate to him as someone did for Siberian yesterday, kuddos to that person
People should fund for the benefits it will give them, "shiny" and for great games. If you don`t mention it every 5 minutes it will not sound like you are milking for money, just show people what they will get for contributing to the event this should be enough, again useful stretch goal prizes...
Third, the sign-ups, closely followed by the Qualification bouts on Sunday have raised several issues. Should we limit the number of players to say, 256? If we did, what to do in the hypothetical situation where,say the first 256 posters were mostly new and one post only? Should we charge a registration fee, to deter those who really have no intention of turning up? (We had almost 600 who signed for this tourney - drop out rate approx 50%). Or should we have a two tier registration system, for the more experienced players? Bear in mind that the advertising from Relic considerably boosted numbers who registered to play.
Don`t limit the signups just open them like a month earlier and close them 1 week before the event so you can have time to sort everything out without fock ups.... I think people didn`t show up because of the date and time as well as the amount of games they were supposed to play in 1 day.
Some have suggested that we spread the Qualification bout over 2 days, to assimilate all the players and cut the number of games each day...I assume they mean we should play as many people who register to play - views please. We certainly need to do something.
This depends on the amount of sign-ups, imho no one should be forced to play more than 3 games a day and it should be at times that they are okay with, remember time zones.
When you discuss this aspect, however, please bear in mind that if we have a full qualifying weekend, and then a second full weekend for the Finals, we are asking Casters and Staff (including Referees) to make themselves available for 2 full weekends... and that may not be possible
Then find replacement casters? There is no need to cast every single game. Have some referees watch replays of the players in quali and find people who have a potential to show amazing games. Notify casters that this guy has what it takes you should cast him and this guy although he won was kinda meh... This way casters can cast favorites when they are playing against someone good without the need to cast 3-5 minute stomp games against non-experienced players and if there is a potential in some other player they can cast his game too. In any case each match must have at least 2 casters, solo casting is not for everyone.