I'm not that anxious Freddy, even if not a single word about POP has been put on the Belgian distributor's website.
We all want to do our best for the game, and we can do it in a non-official way. But if the 'officials' don't care, if they don't move or don't want our help like in Holland, they take their own responsibilities.
We have proven what we can do in the past, now it's their turn to show that THEY are the professionals.
I was not talking about that in my previous post, I was simply saying that the best part of the game is the opportunity that we had to play with and meet people and friends from a lot of countries at big events.
If Pokemon becomes a 'market protected' product, if people are more concerned by their own market than by the international aspect of it and the community of Pokemon, a lot of players will quit and play other games (remember the 15+
).
Honestly, even if it's funny to play close to your home (always against the same players), it's nothing compared to big tournaments like we've played/judged.
Distributors may choose to run invitational main events, but IMO it's narrow minded and it's a vision for a very short term.
In the past, many qualifiers were won by players from other countries, and except in France I've never heard any objection. France has tried to protect the market and have French players qualified ... look where's Pokemon in that country now.
Will guys from California play qualifiers in other states ? Will players from Florida play in other states ? ... I hope they will, like they've always done.
If they may not play in other states, I'd like to know their opinion about it.
If it's ok in the USA, why wouldn't it be the same in Europe ? Money ? Sure ! Is it good for the game and PUI ? Not sure !
When you run a tournament in the UK, you know the top 8 long before the beginning of the event because it's always the same players who are on top. It's the same in every country or US state.
Isn't it more funny, and better for the game and the players, to have the opportunity to play with players from other countries/states ?
Will it be the next mistake made by the responsibles of OP in Europe ?
Freddy, don't believe that I try to defend Laetitia's interests. There are a lot of players in Europe who are as good as she is, and open qualifiers do absolutely not mean a ticket to Worlds for her
But open qualifiers mean opportunities to meet friends, play with them, share our passion for the game ... like we've done before.