Pokemon Organized Play plans

[mysterioustrainer]

I just obtained my Sandstorm Theme Decks and I am glad to say that there is actually some more information on what is to come for future events. I didn't notice anything that any of the boards haven't covered (but I could be wrong). Well here it goes:

Pokemon-e Trading Card Game League
The Pokemon League is a fun participation based league that awards players with cool promo cards and prizes as they earn participation points. League formats are determined by league leaders and players so that everyone is playing their favorite Pokemon formats!

My thoughts: Sounds fairly fun doesn't it.

Prerelease Tournaments
A chance to see new cards weeks before they're released! Winners receive prerelease products too! Everyone gets a promo card just for playing!

Well with Sandstorm now and the EX3 set soon enough we should be able to see more of these.

Gym Ladder
Players compete to hold the top 'rung' on the ladder! Each sesson the best three players get cool prize cards and everyone gets a promo card just for playing! The top four players from each Gym represent their Gym as a team at the City Championships!

Promo for playing? Cool. It is during league so you got to fight hard and be there each week.

City Championships
Local area players compete for the title of City Champion! Gym ladder teams also compete to be crowned City Team Champions!

But what if the city only has one league? Oh well, just fight for bragging rights.

State Championships
Local players compete for the title of Pokemon-e TCG State Champion! Winners earn tropies and other cool prizes!

I always wanted Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs to go head to head to head. I wonder how these get underway.

Gym Challenge
Players earn an invite to compete in the World Championships by winning a Gym Challenge! Earn ranking points and lots of other fantastic prizes!

There back. Note they are not the same as the Citys and States but just one region qualifiers. Ranking points? Must be like Pro Points(M:tg) or Kai points (DBZ:TCG) so they can pick wild cards for Worlds.

Stadium Challenge
Mutliple players across the select regions can earn invites to compete in the World Championships! Lots of great prizes awarded as well as ranking points!

Multiple players...that is a good thing. I hope I can go to one of these this time.

World Championships
The Final Test! An invite-only event where the best players in the world, in each of the three age brackets, compete for the ultimate title. Pokemon-e TCG World Champion!

Worlds will be back. What I like is the fact of all three age brackets is in it!

Well that is all I have to say, what about you?

[Orange Soda]

I have but one thing to say:

Sweet.

[meganium45]

This is going to rule....

OK, Myst wins Wyoming.... :lol:

I KNEW Nintendo would get it right!!!

See you at my pre-release!!!

Meganium45

[mysterioustrainer]

OK, Myst wins Wyoming.... :lol:

Very funny.

[Pablo]

World Championships
The Final Test! An invite-only event where the best players in the world, in each of the three age brackets, compete for the ultimate title. Pokemon-e TCG World Champion!

hmmm i wonder which countries does this World's Include :p It would be very nice to have a WORLD Champioship, with players from around the world, instead of only Europe and the US.... *starts dreaming*...... sigh....

[meganium45]

I wonder if they are going to restrict you to playing in your own state, so us Travellers will not get carried away (I can run the tourney in MO, then play in IL, KS, AK, heck, CO, AL, MS, and be the only player out of Maine!!! It's only a 27 hour drive for a tourney, you know we'll do it...(but we will have to play those insane travelling Florida Players!! and KY Dads group who will also be there!!!)

Oh, great days ahead.....

Meganium45 - I can ask to run the tourneys for Missouri, and Arkansas, and Kansas (If I can do it in Overland Park) and Iowa, and Arkansas!!! WOOT, this could be fun!!!!

:D :confused: :mad: :eek:

[mysterioustrainer]

hmmm i wonder which countries does this World's Include :p It would be very nice to have a WORLD Champioship, with players from around the world, instead of only Europe and the US.... *starts dreaming*...... sigh....
With the game even now closer to Japan's and with Pokemon USA in control, I would not be surprised if it is finally an all out World Championship including Japanesse players. Also note that Organized Play will only come for those who push for it (get Nintendo's attention, develop countrywide organized play (even if it is not offical yet), express interest, dont give up, eat Maple Bars).

[mysterioustrainer]

I wonder if they are going to restrict you to playing in your own state, so us Travellers will not get carried away (I can run the tourney in MO, then play in IL, KS, AK, heck, CO, AL, MS, and be the only player out of Maine!!! It's only a 27 hour drive for a tourney, you know we'll do it...(but we will have to play those insane travelling Florida Players!! and KY Dads group who will also be there!!!)

Oh, great days ahead.....

Meganium45 - I can ask to run the tourneys for Missouri, and Arkansas, and Kansas (If I can do it in Overland Park) and Iowa, and Arkansas!!! WOOT, this could be fun!!!!

:D :confused: :mad: :eek:
I highly doubt it. We may be restricted to City Championships since they are based on Gym Ladder competition however even then some traveling will have to be done. I am the perfect example because I have to travel to Fort Collins, Colorado in order to play. No doubt State could as be referred to region in such cases.

[League Leader Terry]

I have but one thing to say:

Sweet.

Heh, beat me to it. :) It's nice to know I can use my own formats with my League. :)

[Tails]

Interesting structure, to say the least. Looks like they're trying to push it in the direction of Magic... Y'know, as a top-tier game?

Now... if only a league could get started up around here... then I could shoot for at LEAST States. ::looks around for a willing shop... for the third time::

[IndigoMaster]

Whoa...NEED to know a format

I like the structure...although i'd like to see what they are gonna have in the ways of prizes, i would be quite disappointed if they didn't provide trips for at least the 14-, and i would really like to see the 15+ at it...

[mysterioustrainer]

Whoa...NEED to know a format

I like the structure...although i'd like to see what they are gonna have in the ways of prizes, i would be quite disappointed if they didn't provide trips for at least the 14-, and i would really like to see the 15+ at it...
I am sure there will be news on that soon enough, I keep checking http://op.pokemon-tcg.com every day for something new. Also these new events aren't coming any time soon, it is just nice to see that they are planning all of these kinds of events for us.

I have a feeling that paid trips will be avalable to all three age divisions, since they are encouraging all three age brackets.

[Gym Leader Blaine]

that is cool that they put this information in the starter deck for the reason the players who pick one up will know what to look forward to. They way they can check out their local area for stuff and such. Not just the players here, Pokemon-tcg site, or other sites to get the information.

[Pidgeotto Trainer]

This......is..........GREAT!!!!!! :D :D :thumb:
Worlds, Gym Challenges, city rivalries, state rivalries. Now I just gotta train 2 more Northgate players to tournament status. :D
Now let's just hope Nintendo will stay true to this. But I am confident.
Afterall, do Theme Decks lie? ;)

[soslowpoke]

And how about Theme decklists?

[Baboon]

Ok, one question that the above doesn't exactly clarify...
Are the Gym and Stadium Challenges just walk-up events as WotC ran them, meaning, run separately from league and so on?
Or do you have to have some kind of ranking in your City, league, etc. to be allowed at the Gym/Stadium Challenges?

I hope they do it as WotC did, as there isn't a single league anywhere nearby me. Yes, there's one near Philly, but I reeeally am not going to drive 2 hours each way for a couple hours of gameplay.

Even though I doubt it, I want to be sure that you don't have to be connected with league to be able to compete in the various Challenges.

I'm pretty sure the Challenges are separate, as WotC ran it, but nothing's for certain...

[mysterioustrainer]

This......is..........GREAT!!!!!! :D :D :thumb:
Worlds, Gym Challenges, city rivalries, state rivalries. Now I just gotta train 2 more Northgate players to tournament status. :D
Now let's just hope Nintendo will stay true to this. But I am confident.
Afterall, do Theme Decks lie? ;)Yes the Expedition Theme decks lied in their rulebook. However I doubt that Nintendo isn't going to pull back since they haven't even started yet.

And how about Theme decklists?You can find the contents of each theme deck on my topic in the decks forum. Checklists? Well I am updating my excel file of all english cards to include sandstorm. I post the new version online soon enough.

Ok, one question that the above doesn't exactly clarify...
Are the Gym and Stadium Challenges just walk-up events as WotC ran them, meaning, run separately from league and so on?
Or do you have to have some kind of ranking in your City, league, etc. to be allowed at the Gym/Stadium Challenges?I do believe the Gym and Stadiums will be any player allowed. City and States are just to be city and states. You have to go to a Gym Challenge to be apart of the World Championship.

[meganium45]

Chaw, just cannot wait!!!!

[GymLeaderPhil]

This is great and all. But its going to end up a mess up at the local level in my opinion. Hopefully, the OP team will do some sort of seminar training at future big events for all Professors to attend to teach judging/organizing skills. That OR send a representative from PKMNUSA that lives locally in the area to train Leagues and underranked Professors how to run tournaments. We really need this in some locations.

Either one should really present the information, roleplay a bit, and then give the Professor actually work time as a judge/organizer. Following that, tests could be given out. This is really truly following the procedures that Magic Primere Judges have and it works. All to often I've seen and actually ran into one kid who took the test for their parental guardian online where that sort of stuff cannot be traced. Why? Well mostly due to gaining entry into events, I suppose, and freebies. But that is not the kind of people we need in the program with all this future organized play to support.

Perhaps this could be the way to gain Master Professor and beyond, by actually seeing the judge/tournament organizer following procedures? This process, instead of just TOing/HJing five tournaments, would really set a standard for and increase the outcome of future events country and worldwide.

The way the event is handled, regardless of prizes, really makes or breaks the tournament. I've seen happier kids walk out of Renee Martinez's tournaments at Colesium of Comics in Orlando with just a winner's promo and a reprint promo of the season! Why? They (including Doug and Arnaldo) know their stuff and have so much tournament playing experience that it makes the Hasbro executives, that banned the 15+ from the spotlight, cry like unhappy babies. Hasbro sacrificed a good amount of players for prize support that could have smoothly taken responsability for local organized play, it was happening slowly then without the support of the Professor Program (god bless MTM). But with that 15+ announcement, it stopped all local activities in my area and most likely your's too. There is a clear sharp drop of DCI sanctioned tournaments following that announcement (I only know since I downloaded all the major events and Florida tournaments from the DCI site before they go off :p).

By opening up a training program of sorts, it would encourage older players to take responsability of events to run them properly for the sake of the community. Strengthening the community results in more primere OPportunities (get is OrganizedPlay... OPportunities... hahahaha). That and it allows tournament organizers and judges to stop, switch out, and play in a tournament while a fellow Professors takes responsability over the tournament. Phil reeeeaaaally wants to play Sandstorm prerelease :D
-Phil

[mysterioustrainer]

I am kinda confused. Yeah your right about the tragdy of the 15+. But this division is back in the league. My league is really showing interest for the new programs coming and is also looking forward to new 15+ OP. It doesn't hurt for professors to learn more about what they do but other professors is the ones to help them the most. Pokemon-e TCG is not Magic (as in player base and tournament play). So the need for an extensive training program for professors by Nintendo/POP in my opinion is not worth while. Nintendo/POP is already planinng requirements and standards for the Professor Program far more extensive than WotC had in mind. The professors will even more show the their place in the Pokemon-e TCG as professional players, judges and teachers to other players, parents, and others.

[ShadowCard]

love the ideas :clap:!

Although, I do have some worries. The league I manage has a random amount of players. It is close to impossible to predict the amount that will arrive, sometimes 3, sometimes 8. In a case like that, it seems like it would be difficult to have a competitive league using the ladder format rather than the casual format of simply giving prizes for certain acts (impressive use of a card, assisting the gym leader) or when points are earned. The top four players could be the entire league for that month. Does anyone else have a league like this?
Also, would the gym leader be allowed to participate in the events?

[mysterioustrainer]

love the ideas :clap:!

Although, I do have some worries. The league I manage has a random amount of players. It is close to impossible to predict the amount that will arrive, sometimes 3, sometimes 8. In a case like that, it seems like it would be difficult to have a competitive league using the ladder format rather than the casual format of simply giving prizes for certain acts (impressive use of a card, assisting the gym leader) or when points are earned. The top four players could be the entire league for that month. Does anyone else have a league like this?
Also, would the gym leader be allowed to participate in the events?
The Gym Ladder competition is a season week to week process. So player attendance (at your level) is not an important situation. Just try to boost the player base (advertise, tell players to tell their friends, etc). No the GL could not participate in his or her own Gym Ladder competition but can always attend other Gym Ladders elsewhere.

[ShadowCard]

No the GL could not participate in his or her own Gym Ladder competition but can always attend other Gym Ladders elsewhere.
I should have asked that better. I meant the city/state championships. Would the gym leader be allowed to participate in those?

[yoshi1001]

As long as they weren't running the event, I would assume as much. Otherwise, no.

[Pidgeotto Trainer]

I know how you feel Shadow card. My league has 2 players that have ever played a tournament or played modified. That's myself & ShadowofTyranitar. During the school year many times we are the only 2. We are both very competitive & only play in the current modified. Our league has been on a downtrail the last 2 years but we got some more hope over the summer getting often 10. Hopefully all these tournaments & the fact I got the manager to order the league kits will turn things around.

[Nick15]

State championships... just as long as a San Francisco stop is avaliable, then I'm game. :)

[Tego]

The World Championships are back! I knew it! If this isn't good news, I'll eat the hat I don't have. :D

Great, great, GREAT! Fantastic! These OP plans are better than Pokémon's OP has ever been. It's starting to get as good as Mtg's tournament system. I love it!

And World Championship means that there ARE plans for Gym/Stadiums Challenges in Europe after all. They won't possibly have players from even less countries than last time. Let's just hope they do have MORE countries involved, hopefully from Asia and Australia too!

I've always wished to see players from countries such as Singapore, Japan and Australia represented at STS or Worlds. There are some very good players there.

[Professor Renee]

Well, I gotta say I am very encouraged to hear the news of the upcoming events. My league at Coliseum of Comics has been on an upswing for 2years. Started with three players, now we are to the point we are averaging 28 players per week. I also notice we are getting many older players back.

I've been fortunate to have gone to several challenges, and the Worlds, and after coming back to my league to brag.. oh, I mean tell my players about it, they were just dying to go. Then when the plug was pulled, they seem to have been bummed. NOW, they are itching for tourneys, itching for traveling, and a new excitement has been breathed back into the league. Kudos to Nintendo for putting money and time back into this great game, and for realizing how much it means to sooo many people.

[Michel]

With such OP plans, and supposing that a lot of 15+ players will now come back to the game, if a good solution is found to bring new players to the game ... we could be talking about the future #1 TCG in the USA :thumb:

One suggestion, and I know Dave will support it ... Worlds, with players from Asia, run between Japan and USA mainland ... Hawaii :p

:clap: :thumb: :clap: :thumb:

And for my European friends :
if you look at http://op.pokemon-tcg.com/international_faq.html, you'll find :

"Q: Will there be organized play outside of North America and what sort of programs will there be?

A: We are committed to having a full slate of organized play programs internationally similar to that of North America. These programs will be implemented by local distributors but will be part of our integrated worldwide Organized Play system.


If that commitment is met, and I suppose Nintendo/TPC/... will not deceive their customers like that, the future of our game could be really bright in our countries too. Two words do really scare me : 'local distributors' ;)

[mysterioustrainer]

Where the World Championship will be is a good question. It all depends if Japan is in the act. If it is Hawaii, Seattle, or maybe Japan. If Japan is not in it there is a good chance it will be in Seattle again mainly because Pokemon Organized Play is located in Redmond (not New York).

I have no reason to believe that Europeans will be cut short however it is interesting to see what other countries can do. (It all depends on business of the cards there.)

Hey I'd like to know what events are you looking forward to the most? I am looking forward to Worlds of course, but I am ready for a Colorado showdown of the top players in the game.

[Gym Leader Blaine]

I really like the idea of all these tournaments. The playesr in my area, including myself like to compete. I think that is why Yu-Gi-Oh does so well is for the reason that you are not just playing to play, but you are playing in a tournament format. With the City Champ/Challenge/Prerelase/and other tournaments Im sure that local TOs are going to be very busy setting this stuff up in their local area. I think Phil is right some training might be needed for some of the TO's to make sure everything is done how Nintendo wants it.

[Turbo Blastoise]

Hey, just as long as they have a stop or two for city/state championships in Texas, I'll be happy!

[dkates]

I bet they'll have at least one stop in our mutual hometown, Turbo Blastoise. If not, then definitely in Dallas.

[Tyranitar666]

This is extremely reassuring.

Personally, the different levels of competition are even MORE than I was hoping for. Unfortunately, the local level tournements will be lackluster I fear. Personally, in my city, Id almost want to intentionally divide up our league into 2-3-4 or so, just to try and have some competition. State wide would be fun too...Ohio at least has alot of great competition.

As for the gym challenges and all...great. Cant wait for more details. The inclusion of our age group is sweet as well. Rankings are always a great thing too. NOW, if only WotC had done this back in 2001....Id love to see where it would have taken the game. If Nintendo does this how they should, and they also make a strong effort to get new blood into the game, it WILL work itself out. This plan is simply awesome, now if people just decide to go with it all.

[dkates]

The trick, of course, will be to get new blood and keep from losing much more of the already deteriorating base of players who have been in the game for a while.

[Prof. Douglas Zuver]

...:clap::thumb::clap::thumb::clap::thumb::clap:.. .

[Gh0st11]

OK, Myst wins Wyoming....

Now, we'll just see about that!

[mysterioustrainer]

The trick, of course, will be to get new blood and keep from losing much more of the already deteriorating base of players who have been in the game for a while.
To overcome this, just do everything you can. Promote league, think of new ideas for league, work to start leagues where there is a player base, encourage players to visit here, host tournaments at least once a month, create new ways to play, teach new players, encourage friends to bring friend to learn the game, there is so many ideas. Just do it.

[Pokidad]

Just a quick response.

1. City, State, Regionals, Challenge and Stadium type events, you are on your own to pay costs to get to these events. If agree with this idea. Same as prior events. Travel prize might be offered at Regional or higher level of competition and possible for only selected age groups to compete at Nationals.

2. National Events (not Worlds): Each country has its own National OP event (e.g., USA/Canada, Europe, Japan, South America, etc.). Possible based on a large geographic area. Cost of travel and lodging may be sponsor by Company (similiar to USA Worlds 2002 event). Who knows, nothing has been said by company. Winners from Item 1 and top ranked players receive invites to compete. Winners also might receive a Travel prize for certain age groups.

3. Worlds (winners of National or top ranked players) are invited to compete. Again invites. Not sure if travel/lodging costs will be a prize.

Remember, this is a kids game and not like other TCGs aimed at an older audience (segment of the population that might be able to afford transportation costs, etc.) who may or may not be to afford travel/logding costs to these other events.

Yes, this is good news.

[Gym Leader Blaine]

The trick, of course, will be to get new blood and keep from losing much more of the already deteriorating base of players who have been in the game for a while.

I think just what Nintendo is doing now is putting a lot of blood back into the game. I know a lot of the major players in the area, not all of them, but most. At the R&S Challenge and Sandstorm Prerelease I have seen a lot of new faces. On top of that I think it is great that all this stuff is put in the Theme decks for two reasons. First I look at the card shops and places like Target and I always see Theme decks on the selfs and them a couple of days later they are sold out, so I know Pokemon is still selling, and by other players then the major ones. Second cause of these new players picking up theme decks they now know what kind of things to keep a eye out for in there area, which will make all these tournaments even better with the growing player base, and as you put it add new blood into it.