Is the Pokemon TCG dying?

[Water Pokemon Master]

Well when Biggie posted on HeyTrainer he looked up someone's name through TPCi's systems (or some other manner) and posted it. So they can find out.

 

[Yoshi-]

Is he even allowed to do this?
I'm glad I didnt take the prof test 2 weeks ago since the site was down, and I guess I'll also have to stop posting anything concerning my area...

 

[Pokemon No Baka]

Outside of competive groups and a few professors and some champions the gym is relatively anonymous as far as I know.

I wouldn't count on that.

 

[EricDent]

Well if the game dies, then it dies. There is not much that we can do about that.

At least the company that makes the game did not purposely "kill" the game like the people at Comic Images did for the WWE Raw Deal game (they totally changed the rules of the game for the last 3 sets that came out).

At least we had a long time with the game, unlike some other games that are based on other properties (such as Lord of the Rings).

Personally it has never really been about "being the best" in any card game I have played. It was just to have fun, meet people with similar interests, and get out of the house once in a while (besides for work).

If this game dies, then I will try to sell my cards, and maybe try to pick up a new game (or maybe even an old game like Legend of the Five Rings). Or maybe I will just save my $ to buy other hobbies of mine.

 

[Water Pokemon Master]

I wouldn't count on that.

Yeah, back in the old days when I would post prerelease scans super early, Mike Liesik asked Bulbasnore to e-mail my scan source for the purpose of getting his IP I assume. I had given Mike the guy's email so he could talk to him personally, but instead he sent Bulbasnore, a PokeGym admin, to do it instead rather than someone not associated with any website. We all know TPCi is in bed with PokeGym - that's nothing new at all. That's why I don't post here anymore.

 

[Victory Bell]

I wouldn't count on that.

How so? I dont know 9/10 of the active people on here. I dont see how they could be less involved in the community and know who everyone is.

Unless they have an alternate method. And at this point, im to afraid to say what I would think of that.
I agree with dogma. :/

 

[dogma]

Well when Biggie posted on HeyTrainer he looked up someone's name through TPCi's systems (or some other manner) and posted it. So they can find out.

Is that a Prof or a player? And is this true? If the person involved is underage then that is a seriously bad thing to do.

Even if an adult that is irresponsible...

Sceptical about whether a TPCi employee would do this though...

 

[SteveP]

I still have my Professor status, and I hope to keep it going as long as possible. Like WPM, I too once got into a back-n-forth email/PM exchange with biggie. But, I felt the need for a bit of "humble pie" in order to keep my status intact, so I apologized.

The "at-will" clause in the Professor agreement is no different than the employer "at-will" clause in many states. Once employees consider themselves "entitled" instead of privileged to work, we start to look more maxist than capitalist.

Sorry guys, but in my experience, the boss is always right. If you can't convince him otherwise, either you accept and move on, or you leave (or get fired). And, if you publically criticize your boss, you'll lose.

 

[Water Pokemon Master]

Edited: "viewer discretion advised" means that you don't post the link, period. - Pop

He didn't post his full name, it's just the fact that Biggie somehow got it. It's the last post on that page. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED since it's HT.

Edit: Or I'll just quote the person's reaction to Biggie's post:

So now because you went and looked up my name from my TPCi you have gone against everything that IOP clauses are against when you sign the TOA on the TPCi website. So basicly you just posted my personal info on a public forum without my consent. Call it a pot shot but there is no way in hell you know any other way.

Back to back posts merged. The following information has been added:

I still have my Professor status, and I hope to keep it going as long as possible. Like WPM, I too once got into a back-n-forth email/PM exchange with biggie. But, I felt the need for a bit of "humble pie" in order to keep my status intact, so I apologized.

Did you ever think during your exchange with Biggie that he was overreacting to things or being unreasonable? Because in my case, even though I did in fact react too strongly to his e-mails, I felt he did as well.

And sorry, sometimes the boss is not right. Especially when we've been here for years and they're brand new. But I don't know your situation so I'm not saying that applies to you necessarily.

 

[Victory Bell]

Did you ever think during your exchange with Biggie that he was overreacting to things or being unreasonable? Because in my case, even though I did in fact react too strongly to his e-mails, I felt he did as well.

And sorry, sometimes the boss is not right. Especially when we've been here for years and they're brand new. But I don't know your situation so I'm not saying that applies to you necessarily.

And when your not beaing payed to be a prof. With profs there would be no OP at all. I find that funny.
But I try to think these people would not ban us with out reason but the IP thing seems like a bit extreame on a forum that is not in the least affiliated with POP.

 

[Water Pokemon Master]

Of course they're not going to ban anyone without reason. But they can stretch their reasons. As I said earlier, I wasn't even a professor and was told that I was banned from ever becoming one as a punishment for having some not-too-nice words with Biggie regarding Bangiras' translations of Japanese rulings. So they can basically do whatever the heck they want, which is clearly stated in an earlier post in one of the prof. documents, and as you can see they are enforcing it. So as I've said, I would be wary what I say anymore with Biggie around. It seems like I'm not the only one that has had a bad experience with him too if some of these other posts are any indication, so watch yo back!

 

[SteveP]

Did you ever think during your exchange with Biggie that he was overreacting to things or being unreasonable? Because in my case, even though I did in fact react too strongly to his e-mails, I felt he did as well.

It was more like we were both convinced we were right. In the end, I kind of realized it was more important to keep my Professor status than to be right about a disagreement that wasn't that important for me to win.

And sorry, sometimes the boss is not right. Especially when we've been here for years and they're brand new. But I don't know your situation so I'm not saying that applies to you necessarily.

"The boss is always right" is more of a cliche than a truth. Don't take it literally. Longevity is often overcome by seniority. My dad found that out the hard way after many years of faithful employment with IBM. When he had a run-in with his new boss, an impass meant someone had to move or leave. It was my dad.

 

[Water Pokemon Master]

It sounds like you're subtly hinting that you are dissapointed with your correspondence with the head of POP. It's okay, I was too - you chose the "I'll agree with him just so I don't lose my position path" and I chose the more argumentative path, resulting in my ban.

But unlike your dad's situation, this is a hobby game and we can actively voice our opinions about our "boss" (that is, if we're not banned in the process). But I think if more people show some "tisk tiskness" toward his behavior, we can see some changes. Because right now he definitely has not set a good impression in my eyes for only being here a few months. Even though Mike Liesik disliked me and my site, I still had great respect for him (as I do Dave). But this guy is sort of mean, which is not good for a children's TCG game IMHO.

 

[PokePop]

Dan, I wasn't thrilled with how you addressed Psychoflood either, but you seem to realize that another emoticon or two could've changed your tone to be more how you meant it.

That was a big issue that I had when I first started posting on the PokeGym, way back in 1999.
I'd be joking, but it would come across as harsh. Smileys are very important! :thumb:

Someone earlier in this tread mentioned that there are many more Pokemon video gamers than card players. This year, TPCi tried to provide incentives to bring these players out of their bedrooms and online meeting places, and bring them to leagues. Is it working? Due to the differing mindsets of these two types of gamers, the gap might be a tough one to bridge.

Well, I can offer some anecdotal evidence from my League.
We have a handful of kids that came in this year mostly to play their DS games, but they also bring cards and play some TCG. And they have brought friends that mostly play the TCG.
So I'm good with it.

 

[Victory Bell]

Two things that hopelessly can not be combined are the VGC the general fan pokemon base. It is just not easily accessable for anyone but those in the very small competive minority. Unlike the TCG, it isent pickup and play. (not directed at anyone in particular just sayin')

 

[Biggie]

Yeah but as WPM points out, The General in the HG:SS thread made a completely valid point about the card layouts (you'd do well to see my post in that thread too), and yet you come across as combative.

I'm pretty sure I mentioned what a fine explanation he provided after his first post earlier. He handled himself very well and while he was not thrilled with the cards, I thanked him for elaborating. At the end of the day he stated his opinion well and with tact which is all I am asking.

If you can't use direct criticism, you won't get anything done. Anyone can politely disagree with something, provide great examples of why, and have people agree, but that doesn't get anything done, especially with big-wigs in a company.

I disagree with this wholeheartedly. Well made arguments delivered in the proper place, with tact, examples and solutions will get a lot done if we are convinced that they are changes that will be good for the game/program. Creating a ruckus might get things done sometimes but it is less likely, significantly less appreciated, and certainly not the first course of action for a Professor.

When professors are limited to squeaking out a small opinion (only if grammatically and socially acceptable) is it even noticed, and still nothing is done.

Until Profs are limited to only posting in public, this is a non issue. Professors can reach us directly or via the Professor forums anytime they would like to be more candid.

Policing the Professors on public boards seems like something used to flex power and really intimidate Professors into just posting in a brown-nosing fashion to avoid the wrath of Mr. Brandt.

If you are going to be upset at me for making it clear that I expect Professors to follow the rules, be prepared to be upset a lot.

Just fair warning to Professors who actually have player opinions that TPCi doesn't agree with: you may want to keep them to yourselves. : /

Or, you know: post them with tact or at least in the proper place. Either way.

I was permanently banned from being a professor for getting into a fight with Biggie over e-mail...

Believe it or not the behavior that you call "not being an angel" was more than enough for us to make that decision. It's not a decision we take lightly and it was not a decision I can make on my own. We have a Disciplinary Committee for a reason.

 

[ShadowCard]

What SteveP said about "the boss being always right," it is true. You never question a superior, atleast not in the open, or say anything in public that will make the superior or the organization look bad. If you're told you're doing something wrong, then you thank the superior for pointing out your error and say that you'll correct yourself without being argumentative about it. A lot of people are very vocal here. Sometimes it is best to stay quiet and admit that you are wrong even when you think you are correct.

On the idea of whether or not POP can identify you based on what you say here under a made-up username, Biggie's post in a different thread should enlighten you:

Don't kid yourself. Pokémon knows who you are. We know where you live and who you play with. We know who your league leaders are.
:thumb:

I imagine it is super easy to identify you if you're a professor--there are only so many afterall. If you're not a professor, it may take a little more work but I imagine it can't be too hard if the person wants to dedicate a half hour to find out. People post here on Pokegym, some opf the same people post on HeyTrainer, and clearly biggie, if not Liesik and Schwimmer, is on both. Can't be too hard to put all the pieces together.

 

[MonsterOfTheLake]

These are the professor core values. This is what Biggie refers two when he reminds people about professor core values. According to the professionalism clause, if you are speaking as a professor in an official capacity, you may not make negative comments about pretty much anything Pokemon related. Since re-reading this document, I've dropped the professor logo from under my pokegym name, as I do not want my statements here to be misconstrued as statements being made in an official capacity as a professor. If you do not see your pokegym posts as comments being made in an official capacity as a professor, I suggest you do the same. If not, you remain bound to what is said in the above document, as it seems that 'gym posts with a professor logo under your name counts as acting as a professor in an official capacity. Posting with the professor logo under your name is a commitment to not making any negative statements about Pokemon.

You would have a good point there if Mr. Brandt respected the privacy of our data. As mentioned before, a certain someone got their name exposed, due to Mr. Brandt digging through personal information based on screen names. I have never had the Professor Logo, simply because I'm not comfortable putting my name in public, and I still got a warning on "Professor core values." The only way he would know that I'm a professor would be the same way he knew AB's real name: digging through personal information.

I also enjoy how you seem to start doing research on anyone looking at your user page. AT can verify that.

Am I going to get another angry PM and a threat to get banned from the Professor program, Biggie? Say what you will about Wizards, they didn't treat VOLUNTEERS this way. How they treated actual players is another story ;x

 

[Victory Bell]

I wonder if there is an other way they find info they have.
But for someone like me no matter how much I take from my profile or sig you can still find out who I am through posts. I dont know what anyone else thinks but this makes me a little uncomfortable. :/

But what about 2nd accounts created the spot? The only people who I would think would be able to connect 2 accounts would be the admins and they shouldent share this especialy if minors are involved even if it is to pop. Wasent the gym suppost to be "not affiliated with Pokemon USA inc.?" imo.

 

[ShadowCard]

I'm pretty sure I mentioned what a fine explanation he provided after his first post earlier. He handled himself very well and while he was not thrilled with the cards, I thanked him for elaborating. At the end of the day he stated his opinion well and with tact which is all I am asking.

Just being informative, not argumentitive: The thread records that you only made one post in that thread, which is the one where you asked him to elaborate. Did you thank him in a different thread or a PM, perhaps?

I think your way of reminding us that we should be holding ourselves to a higher standard comes off as threatening. Even if the comment was not meant to be threatening and was intended as a way of training us to use better tact and explanation, there is a perceived threat in there. We see it as our Professor title being dangled above us with a scissors ready to cut the string.

The goal is to make your lesson about your expectations for elaboration, professionalism, and the professor program sound like one of positive choice instead of a restriction. :thumb:

We have a Disciplinary Committee for a reason.

There's a disciplinary committee?!

I have never had the Professor Logo, simply because I'm not comfortable putting my name in public, and I still got a warning on "Professor core values." The only way he would know that I'm a professor would be the same way he knew AB's real name: digging through personal information.

If you or someone else made a post about you being a professor, he could have read that post.