Potential for a bigger, more legitimate game? (Part 2 finally done!)

[ogremarauder]

Of course I like being rewarded, but it isn't my primary motivation, and I don't think it's as big of a problem as some people make it out to be. Furthermore people aren't bothering to think about 'why?' the scholarships have been cut to begin with, which is why I think it's misguided. Complaining is fine, but at least try to understand the reason why it's happening to begin with.

Also is it too much to ask that people simply enjoy the game?

The 'WHY' isn't addressed because tcpi and p!p haven't given any outright reason as to the "why". If the company was a little less secretive and such, maybe there would be more of an understanding nature developing. Not just growing resentment.

 

[Pooka]

I'm glad you decided to post these videos, Josh. I feel like the biggest problem is that people have been too content with the way things are and expect that things are going to change for some reason. Without a doubt, I want to see this game grow into something bigger, and I will do whatever I can to make it happen. One of the goals we have for The Top Cut down the line is to run our own tournaments, but I will be just as happy if someone else ends up doing it. I love Pokémon and want to see it grow, and I'm sure anyone who takes the time to visit the PokeGym and read this thread does, too.

 

[badganondorf]

What I've heard from Japan, they have a nice trick they do for Juniors players in tournaments. I didn't include this to my Eye on Japan -articles yet but I thought it would be just a nice-to-know fact for this topic. In Japan, if the tournament has an entry fee, they're nevertheless always free for Juniors players. I don't know if it really matters to the size of the age groups but still - Japan's Juniors age division is almost as big as Masters age group. It might be a small nice incentive to get add some more Junior players attending tournaments and starting the game.

Btw, JWittz, I think these 2 videos are by far the best, you've made.

 

[Raen]

Yeah, I actually have always felt like, if we had entry fees (which I want), it would only be for the Masters age division, and not for Juniors or Seniors.

 

[vanderbilt_grad]

I think that keeping Junior's free is a solid idea. Seniors I could see going either way. Free is good or a small fee is fine. I would have no objection to charging a fee for masters.

 

[Team CREAM]

I like free stuff. I like the way tournaments are. Good prizes or not.

 

[Otaku]

Finally got caught up on this topic.

Okay, the four problems addressed in the first video are real. The solution in the second video is appealing mostly because it is independent of the actual people in control of the game. Why is that appealing? The language/cultural barrier between Japan and everyone else, pretty much. Do I think it is the best solution? Only if you define it by "practicality". As unwieldy as having secondary, competitive tournament structure sounds, it is something that seems attainable.

Otherwise I'd say the biggest problem is R&D. I find it hard to believe that in Japan there is a pristine, perfectly balanced metagame where at least the majority of cards are tournament worthy (not guaranteed winners, but have a realistic shot). No one, of course has made that claim... yet if we synch up with Japan and that is not the case, are we that far ahead?

I've heard multiple complaints about the game's actual balance and how hard it is for newer players to build a competitive deck, even if they understand the game. I blame a lot of this on the current power level of the top cards coupled with the number of cards that seem to be pure filler. My time is short so I can't do a direct quote, but I recall someone pointing out how often Basic and Stage 1 Pokemon that are meant to Evolve into something exist only for that purpose.

It is incredibly hard to design set after set of balanced cards where everything is on even footing, but it is possible. Not very probable, but possible, and as such should be the goal. What is within reason is that when all is said and done, the bulk of the card pool should be widely available and viable. Basics and Stage 1 Pokemon that are meant to Evolve should rarely be so good you'd run them on their own, but they certainly can be some of the time. To preserve balance, just take care to avoid giving them fantastic Stage 2 forms.

Here's an example of this at work:

http://pokegym.net/forums/view.php?pg=towercard&imageid=31321

http://pokegym.net/forums/view.php?pg=towercard&imageid=31342

This Croconaw was useful enough to see play even though this was before Rare Candy received its infamous errata. When I ran the deck that used these two, I tried to only use Rare Candy when I absolutely had to (like getting out my first Feraligatr). I still ran three or four Rare Candy, but when I didn't need a fast, "from nowhere" 'Gatr, I just used them to speed up a different Evolution line (even though it was only a Stage 1) that was in the deck.

I understand that not every card can be "interesting", but right now so many are bland and weak. Again, I understand that not every card can be great, but every card should feel competently designed.

 

[Cyrus]

Thanks for swinging the conversation back in that direction, Otaku. Printing more well-rounded, interesting cards also has a strong casual appeal. After all, what would you rather open out of your pack: a blatantly bad Maractus card, or something that at least has a cool effect, such as Blaine's Quiz, Card-Flip Game, etc?

Again, everyone in here understands why "bad" cards exist, and that not everything can be interesting...But the more interesting they are, the better! Noble Victories is a huge leap forward, and I hope we get cooler, more intriguing expansions like it.

 

[eriknance]

Noble Victories is a huge leap forward, and I hope we get cooler, more intriguing expansions like it.

definitely agree with this. I love it when I see sets come out that effectively offer new strategies or mechanics to the game. looking forward, I think we're headed in that direction. EXs, dark rush, new dragon type... looks very intriguing!
Posted with Mobile style...

 

[Otaku]

Actually Cyrus, everything can be interesting, but it would require so much more time and effort that unless it basically was so good everyone on the planet started playing... I don't think it'd be cost effective for TPC.

Minor nitpick, but the last time I brought something like this up that became the rallying cry against expecting a little more of TPC. I neither expect (nor want) every card to be as complicated as Fossil Ditto. I am rather tired of Basic Pokemon, especially ones that don't evolve, with two clearly overpriced attacks like (X) for 10 and (XC) for 20, where "X" is the same colored Energy requirement.

Made a version of an Evolving Basic that has better stats than any others? Okay, it can be vanilla. Slap some good artwork on it and both players and collectors are (generally) happy. Just make sure the smaller versions aren't basically the same thing with less HP, more of a Retreat Cost, or an even worse attack. X_X Magikarp are usually pretty great examples of how much mileage you can get out of what is a one-note Pokemon in the video games. Even now I can think of ideas for new Magikarp that are different from anything in the past that wouldn't overpower it but would add a fun twist. Well, in theory (just thought of it, not like I've done a thousand games of deck testing, or likely ever will, on a fake card).

Like I said, the more cards that are designed to be more than vanilla, or with stats that make being vanilla okay, the better the game can be. Got a dodgy Stage 2? Well if the Basic and/or Stage 1 are good, the Stage 2 can be played like an emergency Pokemon Tool!

 

[bullados]

Like I said, the more cards that are designed to be more than vanilla, or with stats that make being vanilla okay, the better the game can be. Got a dodgy Stage 2? Well if the Basic and/or Stage 1 are good, the Stage 2 can be played like an emergency Pokemon Tool!

You mean like Eelektrik, right?

 

[Otaku]

Thanks Bullados, yes that is a great example. Currently, no Tynamo (we just have the two) that makes me want to play it for its own sake. Eelektrik on the other hand is a Stage 1 that may have a poor attack and minimal stats, but even if testing and tournaments end up proving Eelektrik to ultimately be a dud (and not saying it is or isn't), at least it is obvious they tried to give it a great Ability (Energy acceleration seldom goes completely to waste). Then we come to Eelektross: a Stage 2 with average HP (given it's stage) and two attacks with no synergy with each other, or the rest of the card.

Still if I build a deck with three of four Eelektrik, I should really make room for at least one Eelektross. If you can set-up a Bench full, even with one a turn being picked off by your opponent, you can probably afford to set-up two main attackers... and Evolve the last one or two just to make your opponent work for the Prize. Now if we end up getting some amazing Tynamo or Eelektross, yes this point will be weakened (at least if it is before this Eelektrik rotates out).