Apparently not. I have a DS, a 3DS, a PSP, and various computers. No other systems. I actually have no interest in getting any other systems until Pokémon decides to get another handheld. So, no, I didn't put it together until you just posted.
However, although your post (in retrospect), and your point, seems a bit obscure, I'd like to compliment you on it anyway. I do realize SOME Canadians will continue to go to Nats even with no prizes - just for bragging rights. That doesn't mean the prospect will be good for growth. It just means that some people absolutely love to play pokemon even without prize support, that's all.
How about in your opinion zeta? How long does this trend have to go on before disaster? And how much would you be willing to give up before saying enough is enough?
All I can say is, in Winnipeg, the game stores are all about Magic, and Yugioh. That's it. I guess TPCi doesn't want the TCG, in terms of the game itself, to grow and compete with the other TCG's out there. To me, if you don't live close to a large Canadian city, say goodbye to prereleases. I am unsure if there are any prereleases in Saskatchewan, but I highly doubt there are any Prereleases in Manitoba. In Winnipeg, people there are buying cards, but probably not playing them, because TPCi puts little effort to grow the game, unlike the Japanese people who created the TCG.
It only becomes disaster for TPCi when people realize they are being had. I mean, look at how xbox live pay to play online when competitors are free is doing. Still going strong, with the false belief that they have a better security and connection, when it is no different when you play on the competitor's system, at least from my experience anyway.
I hear arguments that it is OK for TPCi to put little effort in the TCG, because they have the video games, T-shirts, TV show, blah blah blah. Could you imagine the Sony Playstation, if that argument was true?
In 1996 to 2000, it was Sony Playstation vs Nintendo 64. Back then, Nintendo focused only on gaming, and was all about gaming. Sony focused on gaming, TV, music, so many things, and yet, the PS1 was the more popular system. Saying that Pokemon encompasses the video game, movie, TV show, and so many other merchandise, and MTG focuses on the TCG is no excuse for the Pokemon TCG to have little support and grow the game. That's why they should have a separate group of people handling different aspects of the Pokemon franchise.
I am pretty sure there are people who care about the TCG but not the VG and vice versa.
The Pokemon TCG has the added benefit of having Pokemon in it's name. Because of that, it doesn't mean that TPCi should be cheap and lazy and stop giving prizes to certain groups of people. Just like the Sony Playstation, it is a game console made by sony, and so is the N64, Sega Saturn, and, uh, Atari Jaguar. Pokemon TCG is a TCG just like Magic, Yugioh, WoW, and CF Vanguard.