US Nationals Moved...

[Shadow Zangoose]

Tell me about it! I don't see why people are so mad about this. Mo. is closer to the Center of the US. It's a lot closer for me and a lot of people to get there now, but everyone in Ohio and NorthEastern States are mad. Eh, it's not like you can do anything about it, go there, play the game, and have fun.:thumb:

I've never been to Nats before, this may be my first year!

I'm in neither the Northeast or Ohio, and I'm upset about this. Origins was one of the things that made the nationals experience so special. There was more than just Pokemon, even though Pokemon was the main reason you (general you) went, there was still more to do, more to see.

Not to mention it was a great location that they had. Sure, the 60$ admission was sort of a bummer, but you got more than just Pokemon, as I already said.

 

[Prof Clay]

I am sorry the east coast folks will have to make the trip that those of us West of Ohio have had to make every year.

BUT, now maybe all the kids in the center of the country who have NEVER had the opportunity to participate at the National championships will be able to experience the tournament.

You guys claim that the numbers for the event will go down....this is bad in what way? I can promise that there will be significant numbers of players back again and hundreds of new ones who have been wondering if they would ever get the chance.

I have a ton of juniors and seniors who might be able to make this event now. I know there are some kids in Mississippi and Louisiana who will probably get the opportunity to go this year. Iowa, Kansas, Texaas, Oklahoma?...all within driving distance.

East coasters...you are NOT the game alone...there are kids and adults all over the country who also put in the same time you do.

Origins was great, but if you haven't noticed guys....Its a con that has been dying. And as of this week, one of the game companies who DID have a presence at the con is now Defunct..bye bye Wizkids. Now Pokemon is leaving...how much time does this event really have left.

Moving it to the West Coast next year would Suck for us all, but it would be fair.

 

[bulbasnore]

Trust me. Or not.

POP doesn't do random stuff.

Why make a radical change? They either calculate this is better for the players and hence better for the game, or they are backed into a corner by circumstances beyond their control.

I'll go with the former.

For those reacting on the basis of the personal impact I empathize, but realize its not about you and me as individuals, but about the player base as a whole.

Lemme give you a ferinstance. Airfares are up. Economy is down. Columbus does not seem to be on a major travel route (bus, air or rail -- I've checked) & I don't think POP has more budget for travel awards. $300 to get to Nationals, doesn't go as far as it used to. Moving to a major hub like StL is probably going to mean more people who earned an award will show up.

I'm not saying that was sufficient reason, THE reason or even A reason it was moved to StL. We'll probably never know the full reasoning. But I'm betting on careful analysis and experienced judgment being involved.

The folks making these decisions have been in the gaming biz a LONG time, and are fearless and very very smart. Those of us that love the game and competition are lucky to have people like this calling these shots -- who have committed so wholeheartedly to Pokemon and to us, the players.

I'm not saying don't be shocked, don't express dismay, sadness, loss. I am saying think a little, have a little faith & don't make silly statements about stupidity and carelessness.

 

[ryanvergel]

I think this could be a very good change for the game. This means that recognition is being thrown to pokemon for having such success. This is GOOD!

 

[ARMondak]

As someone who currently lives in Columbus, I'm a bit sour. At the same time, it was a necessary move and it'll be interesting to see Nationals as a stand-alone event.

 

[chriscobi634]

When i read the news i thought that most would be happy with the move, guess not.

I'm just stating my position on the map so everyone know before I go any further, Milwaukee, WI. So it's an hour/60 miles closer.

Regardless of where they moved it to besides Cali or FL, I would be fine with it. As between them, they get Worlds almost every other year.

I believe that this a great move, and no one can say I'm one who has agreed with everything OP does. As I didn't like the format change last year when they didn't leave LM in the format, and hence the reason G/G was the Metagame. But that's a discussion for another thread, I was just making a point.

St. Louis is a bit closer to the Chicago area which has a big player base, and only keeps getting bigger with all the effort Jimmy and Ness put into expanding the game there. Vince does a great job in his area, and Texas has a big player base as well. So to say that the attendance will be lower has almost no true reasoning behind it. Sure the New England

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

... REGION has a huge player as well. But it's an entire REGION. Midwest is whole lot bigger PART OF THE COUNTRY, but it's right in the middle of everywhere.

People are already complaining and we haven't even heard anymore info about this. How knows maybe they make Nats like Worlds, a different location each year to be "fair" to everyone. NY does have a Pokemon Center store so that too would be a great place to have in the future...

 

[SD PokeMom]

i'd forgotten about wizkids being shut down by topps this week. ouch, for origins with two of their main sponsors not participating this year. i wonder if it will survive...

not to get hopes up...or imply that i have any 'inside' info...but when i heard nationals was going to be a stand-alone event, i immediately visualized a combination of the WCSTS and pokemon rocks america/the 10th anniversary tour: a real pokemon-only event lasting all weekend, with something for everyone...player and non-player fan alike.

how many non-players went to the PRA and 10th anniversary events? a LOT. if this is publicized the right way, this could be even larger than the turnout at origins. and as it gets harder to qualify for worlds, it makes sense to make us nationals the 'big party', no?

jmho.
'mom

 

[Quatra]

I went to the Portland, OR 10th Anniversary Tour. Sadly i wasn't able to spend much time at it, but still fun.

 

[TheDarkTwins]

You can get most of the stuff from Origins on the internet.

(And often for cheaper or the same. )

Except the experiance of going to Origins, woops.

I am sorry the east coast folks will have to make the trip that those of us West of Ohio have had to make every year.

BUT, now maybe all the kids in the center of the country who have NEVER had the opportunity to participate at the National championships will be able to experience the tournament.

You guys claim that the numbers for the event will go down....this is bad in what way? I can promise that there will be significant numbers of players back again and hundreds of new ones who have been wondering if they would ever get the chance.

I have a ton of juniors and seniors who might be able to make this event now. I know there are some kids in Mississippi and Louisiana who will probably get the opportunity to go this year. Iowa, Kansas, Texaas, Oklahoma?...all within driving distance.

East coasters...you are NOT the game alone...there are kids and adults all over the country who also put in the same time you do.

Origins was great, but if you haven't noticed guys....Its a con that has been dying. And as of this week, one of the game companies who DID have a presence at the con is now Defunct..bye bye Wizkids. Now Pokemon is leaving...how much time does this event really have left.

Moving it to the West Coast next year would Suck for us all, but it would be fair.

I think that travel wasn't the issue. I have no problem as I am sure most of the Northeastern do traveling a extra 200/300 via plane. It does make it a bit harder to drive, which would raise the price since now we would have to take a plane. But for those who take a plane Columbus and St. Louis is most likely only about a 30 minute or so longer flight I would think. I might be wrong. The time change is a bit annoying, but it isn't the worst thing and the cost of flight will be small, if any. I think the part I am most disappointed in is that there were other things if I so choosed to do instead of going to do just Pokemon. I understand that isn't POP problem as they are only worried about how their game does, but you should still want your player base to be an overally happy group. I have other thoughts but for now I will keep them to myself. :biggrin:

Drew

 

[chriscobi634]

It cost $80 more for someone flying from NYC area to St. Louis, Mo then if they were to fly to Columbus, OH.

We don't know if Nats is going to be free this year, so for benefit of the doubt let's say they charge half, $25.

80-25=55

Another thing to take into consideration is how much cheaper Hotels will be since we will no longer have the "high" rates we got from having Origins being there. So again let's just say u save $20 a day for Hotels, which seems reasonable. For 4 days, Thursday night, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that's $80 dollars on it's own.

This of course is all speculation but with very good reasoning. It could be more it could be less. But regardless of much it is it's not much more or much less.

 

[JandPDS]

It cost $80 more for someone flying from NYC area to St. Louis, Mo then if they were to fly to Columbus, OH.

We don't know if Nats is going to be free this year, so for benefit of the doubt let's say they charge half, $25.

80-25=55

Another thing to take into consideration is how much cheaper Hotels will be since we will no longer have the "high" rates we got from having Origins being there. So again let's just say u save $20 a day for Hotels, which seems reasonable. For 4 days, Thursday night, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that's $80 dollars on it's own.

This of course is all speculation but with very good reasoning. It could be more it could be less. But regardless of much it is it's not much more or much less.

I seriously doubt that there will be a charge for participation at Nats this year, It will be free like States or Regionals or the Grinder at Worlds

 

[chriscobi634]

I'm really interested in finding out more News about this. The biggest thing I want to know is if there will still be a time limit on Sunday. Because if there isn't doesn't it mean we could have a bigger top cut. If so what would be the limit? Thoughts on this, please.

 

[butlerforhire]

I find it sickening how people think they're somehow entitled to have Nationals located closer to them than to anyone else in the country. How in the world are people from the east complaining about a relatively minute little shift in locale when people from WASHINGTON or OREGON or any other western state are way over on the opposite end of the country whether this is in Ohio or Missouri, for crying out loud? Do not say anything about a player base difference ("New England deserves to have Nationals closer to it because we have more of the best players!") because that is absurd, elitist, biased, ignorant, etc. (the laundry list could continue). If anything, moving to Missouri is a move more towards the center of the United States (and yes I realize it is NOT the true epicenter so don't whip out longitude and latitude nonsense on me here) which is good since it makes the distance people have to travel a bit more equal across the board. Again, I said a bit more equal, so don't jump all over me.

 

[pat460]

A large portion of the pople who went to nationals in previous years went only because it was at origins, or in other words, that they werent just going for pokemon nationals. But with this move, what will people like that do now? They wont go to nationals.

 

[Prime]

And who says that the smaller, modified events will not be happening next year?

No one knows for sure, unless I missed that announcement.

Give it a chance guys.

Your totally right. Nobody has said those smaller events won't be held.

But given your history of Nationals and the amount of staff needed to work both days, do you think there will be any smaller events on Saturday? On Friday, I can possibly see smaller events, but a large amount of the staff will be in the Professor Cup. On Sunday, I can possibly see smaller events, but not as many as a regular non-nats day since many staff will still be needed for Nationals.

Nobody can say that there won't be smaller events, but I think anyone can see that a large chunk of them are going to be thrown out unless they bump up the staff.

On another topic, I find it funny people are trying to make a big point about the lack of a $70 entry fee. The Origins pass was usually the lowest expense every year for me. Gas was around $100, food around $150, motel (cheapest in area) was around $100 (after splitting it up). I know so many others that were paying $150 a night, traveling double the distance I was, and was going out eat each night and spending double what I spend on food. What is $70 when you are spending $600 already? Not much.

I can understand saving a penny here and there, but really, I was HAPPY to pay the $70 ($50 if you got it early) to experience all the other events.

 

[ColdCoates90]

Wow, excellent for the convenience!

 

[Prime]

not to get hopes up...or imply that i have any 'inside' info...but when i heard nationals was going to be a stand-alone event, i immediately visualized a combination of the WCSTS and pokemon rocks america/the 10th anniversary tour: a real pokemon-only event lasting all weekend, with something for everyone...player and non-player fan alike.

how many non-players went to the PRA and 10th anniversary events? a LOT. if this is publicized the right way, this could be even larger than the turnout at origins. and as it gets harder to qualify for worlds, it makes sense to make us nationals the 'big party', no?

jmho.
'mom

That is how I thought Worlds was going to be. Why wasn't Worlds like that?

 

[EeveeLover]

Your totally right. Nobody has said those smaller events won't be held.

But given your history of Nationals and the amount of staff needed to work both days, do you think there will be any smaller events on Saturday? On Friday, I can possibly see smaller events, but a large amount of the staff will be in the Professor Cup. On Sunday, I can possibly see smaller events, but not as many as a regular non-nats day since many staff will still be needed for Nationals.

Nobody can say that there won't be smaller events, but I think anyone can see that a large chunk of them are going to be thrown out unless they bump up the staff.

On another topic, I find it funny people are trying to make a big point about the lack of a $70 entry fee. The Origins pass was usually the lowest expense every year for me. Gas was around $100, food around $150, motel (cheapest in area) was around $100 (after splitting it up). I know so many others that were paying $150 a night, traveling double the distance I was, and was going out eat each night and spending double what I spend on food. What is $70 when you are spending $600 already? Not much.

I can understand saving a penny here and there, but really, I was HAPPY to pay the $70 ($50 if you got it early) to experience all the other events.

I know your were on Staff this year (2008) for Nats. I for one ran events both Thurs and Friday. I, along with several others, either skipped the Cup or player one round then dropped to go run the 300+ player Modified events.

Also, on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun there were 200+ 8 player pick up tourneys, League with who knows how many players that cycled through.

All that, plus the main event and the Cup, with the Staff that we had. The Volunteers really saved us and made it possible to all happen.

 

[Pikamaster]

This is stupid. Why take a drive that's already far for alot of players and make it longer? Thanks POP, another "brilliant" decision.

 

[NEMark]

Yesssss!!! Happy to see a new part of the country and look on the bright side, maybe VGS will be held there.