New TPCi VGC Tournament Planner - Chris Brown!

[AlphaZealot]

Hello Professors and Pokémon Fans!

My name is Chris Brown and recently I started work with The Pokémon Company International in the position of Video Game Tournament Planner. I know I have some big shoes to fill with Mike Liesik turning his attention to new things—his passion and work with this fantastic community has thus far been indispensable. With the help of the great people at TPCi and within the Pokémon community I look forward to pushing competitive Pokémon to new heights, as well as aggressively working to grow the Pokémon VGC events and community.

I have been a fan of Pokémon since the US Red/Blue release in 1998. Like many, catching the original 151 was a thrill and highlight of childhood. Over the years I managed to work through at least one game in each generation and often played through the games on family road trips. Pokémon played a pivotal role developing my love and passion for video games.

While attending The Ohio State University I was fortunate enough to work part time with Major League Gaming. There, I worked with several different communities to implement the largest competitive video game tournaments in North America. In addition to my professional gaming work, I also worked closely with the grassroots Super Smash Brothers community as a website administrator, ladder director, writer, and live tournament organizer.

I look forward to working with the Pokémon community online and at live events. The Pokémon community is one of the strongest in gaming and that is in large part due to the hard work and dedication of the many grassroots tournament organizers, players, and enthusiasts. In the coming days and weeks I will make myself available for input and discussion about the future of the Pokémon Video Game Championships and the Play! Pokémon program.

Thanks,
Chris
_________

[pokemonrocks777]

First off Congratz on the Job Sir and thanks for posting on here. I just wanted to say here if you need anything send me a pm or something. Um can't wait to see what you do for this Company. Good Luck :)

[bullados]

Welcome, Welcome, WELCOME!!! Glad to have an old hand at this! Those are some mighty credentials you've got there! Looks like the Baconator's left a good guy in charge! You've got some big shoes to fill, Mike's been nothing but spectacular for the game. For the sake of the game, I really wanna see what you've got cooked up for this and future seasons!

[ultimatedra]

Chris Brown, welcome to the family.

I would like to say that it is awesome that someone has been made Mike Liesik's successor - Mike brought the VGC from a side event to a major event in a very short time, so I hope that you can continue the trend. I am sure you will do fine with such a background as yours.

I have been running local VG tournaments for several years now and would be happy to help in any way you need. The VGC has a very strong and passionate community, just needs some help growing to a larger audience in my opinion.

Again - welcome.

~Rob

[Regis_Neo]

Bleh, wish I could have your job...at the same time though, welcome! Hopefully you'll do a nice crack down on some of the more questionable aspects while promoting the positives.

[Nugget_]

Are you the Melee AlphaZealot? That'd be boss, anyway congrats!

[jogon]

I fully expect the VGC to grow and I hope that you'll hear the fans out on some things. Best of luck to you in your new position.

[Jaeger]

I really appreciate you coming on here and introducing yourself...it really lessens that disconnect between OP and the player base.

[Sapphire Birch]

Originally Posted by Nugget_

Are you the Melee AlphaZealot? That'd be boss, anyway congrats!

Yes he is!


Characters.

[pikkdogs]

Go Blue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AlphaZealot]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. If you happen to be at the upcoming VGC Philadelphia Regional do not hesitate to introduce yourself and I would love to exchange ideas about the future of Pokémon!

[Prodigiosus]

Originally Posted by AlphaZealot

Thank you all for the warm welcome. If you happen to be at the upcoming VGC Philadelphia Regional do not hesitate to introduce yourself and I would love to exchange ideas about the future of Pokémon!

Eek, you're coming out to Philly! Super excited about that

[CrystalEyeMonster]

I just noticed your name is Chris Brown.
OT: It is great to know the VGC is getting more respect, because there is only 5 tournaments irl for the season, and that isn't much. Nice to know.

[ultimatedra]

Originally Posted by AlphaZealot

Thank you all for the warm welcome. If you happen to be at the upcoming VGC Philadelphia Regional do not hesitate to introduce yourself and I would love to exchange ideas about the future of Pokémon!

Come to Salt lake city this April too! I would love to meet you and throw some ideas around.

[Pokeplayer101]

Thanks so much for coming on the forums Chris. I think it is great that we have another Official TPCI Worker on the Pokegym!

Other people that work for TPCI have a Picture under thier avatar showing that they work at TPCI. It is exclusive to only those people. You might want to get one.

[Spike]

Welcome! I wish you great success and joy in your new position. : D

A couple things:

As CrystalEyeMonster mentioned, there are only 5 tournaments across the country. I live in Michigan so the closest one was this weekend at just about 5 hours from me. I'm all for travelling and road trips but I'm unable to make those sort of trips more than a once or twice a year and it's usually for Nationals. Any chance at expanding the amount of VGC's to include say, State Championships as well?

I'm curious as to the choice to make all VGC's Double Battles. Is Single Battle not on the horizon at all? I know at least 5+ people (I know that's a drop in the bucket, but still), that would participate in a VGC if they were Single Battle format instead of double. I can't help but feel like there are more people out there which share these sentiments.

Anyway, I know this really isn't the best place to discuss these issues, but I felt I should mention them without making a new thread. Once again, welcome.

[ultimatedra]

Originally Posted by Spike

As CrystalEyeMonster mentioned, there are only 5 tournaments across the country. I live in Michigan so the closest one was this weekend at just about 5 hours from me. I'm all for travelling and road trips but I'm unable to make those sort of trips more than a once or twice a year and it's usually for Nationals. Any chance at expanding the amount of VGC's to include say, State Championships as well?

I am sure plenty of people have recommended this already. But seeing how TPCi sends a member of their own staff to take care of the DS tournament software & hack check software, I see this being unlikely anytime soon unless some way is found to distribute these to PTO's. (and right now there is an unofficial one in development by some awesome people)

I'm curious as to the choice to make all VGC's Double Battles. Is Single Battle not on the horizon at all? I know at least 5+ people (I know that's a drop in the bucket, but still), that would participate in a VGC if they were Single Battle format instead of double. I can't help but feel like there are more people out there which share these sentiments.

Anyway, I know this really isn't the best place to discuss these issues, but I felt I should mention them without making a new thread. Once again, welcome.

Single battles take FOREVER. Even more so when it comes to best-of-3. It is all too common in my own as well as many others experience where single matches can go well over an hour long.

Double battles are where they need to be for a tournament. Still involves lots of strategy, but requires less time. Singles you plan for several turns ahead whereas doubles you have to think about the current threats and maybe 1 turn ahead.

[Spike]

Originally Posted by ultimatedra

I am sure plenty of people have recommended this already. But seeing how TPCi sends a member of their own staff to take care of the DS tournament software & hack check software, I see this being unlikely anytime soon unless some way is found to distribute these to PTO's. (and right now there is an unofficial one in development by some awesome people)

Single battles take FOREVER. Even more so when it comes to best-of-3. It is all too common in my own as well as many others experience where single matches can go well over an hour long.

Double battles are where they need to be for a tournament. Still involves lots of strategy, but requires less time. Singles you plan for several turns ahead whereas doubles you have to think about the current threats and maybe 1 turn ahead.

Yeah, the top thing is understandable. Hopefully in the future they'll be able to expand.

About Single Battle, I still feel that they could find a way to bring the time down. Like you bring a team of 6, yet you only choose 3, similar to the Double Battle's 6/4. I agree it still involves lots a strategy, and I'm not against it, I just much prefer Single Battle.

[RB Golbat]

Pssssssh, forget Doubles or Singles.

Triples VGC, lets do it!

[bullados]

No, ROTATION!

[ultimatedra]

Originally Posted by RB Golbat

Pssssssh, forget Doubles or Singles.

Triples VGC, lets do it!

Only if it is Little Cup Triples.

Originally Posted by bullados

No, ROTATION!

You are mad sir.