Worlds? Worth it or not?

[Rainbowgym]

The grinder is destroyed for those who looked forward to play a FULL event, no matter if they got the "invite" or not.
Never ever compare the grinder with the "side tournaments" during Worlds (league/pick up).

Perhaps it's better to run the LCQ as Best of 3 single elemination, we will see.
But it's not worth to fly to "neverland" paying $1500 a ticket knowing you might only play one round.

Please bring Worlds to Europe, we also want a cheap shot at those remaining invites.

 

[NoPoke]

I no longer hold any hope for worlds in Europe: zero, none, no chance ever of Pokemon worlds in Europe. More, I'm not sure that worlds will ever migrate away from San Diego when on the USA mainland either. Just why haven't we had worlds in Seattle?

I am left wondering if the marketing men and women at the top of TPCi realise just how damaging a belief that worlds will never be held in Europe is to the EU tcg? Flights just get more and more expensive each year, salaries are not keeping up with inflation, interest rates are derisory, food prices have increased by more than 50% in the past couple of years and fuel is now over $8 a us gal.

 

[sebastianlugo]

The grinder is destroyed for those who looked forward to play a FULL event, no matter if they got the "invite" or not.
Never ever compare the grinder with the "side tournaments" during Worlds (league/pick up).

Perhaps it's better to run the LCQ as Best of 3 single elemination, we will see.
But it's not worth to fly to "neverland" paying $1500 a ticket knowing you might only play one round.

Please bring Worlds to Europe, we also want a cheap shot at those remaining invites.

I disagree. Instead of move the WC why dont create another big event like an euroworlds player could play 2 bigger event in the year

 

[Mystery Thing]

@ OP: If you can afford to go, absolutely do it. It's a crazy awesome experience. Even just seeing an entire hotel be taken over by Pokémon players is in itself a wonder. But when you add on all the trades to be had, games to be played with people from all over the place, and even the spectacle of dozens of translators running around all over the place, it's really an awesome experience.


Add me to the boat that thinks it's absurd to go and yet still not play in the grinder. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, and all that.

I am left wondering if the marketing men and women at the top of TPCi realise just how damaging a belief that worlds will never be held in Europe is to the EU tcg?

You assume it's up to TPCi.

 

[The Gorn]

If you're going because you think you might be able to grind in and play in Worlds, don't go. It is unlikely that you will grind in.

But if you want to go and enjoy a weekend playing Pokemon with friends, making a lot of new friends from all over, and just being part of a great and unique Pokemon event, by all means go to Worlds.

Just don't go with the attitude that if you get "ground out" your weekend is shot. You won't enjoy it.

 

[Thedrone1man]

You are completely wrong. The Grinder is destroyed. The Grinder was the people’s tournament. It was the one time a year when we could go a play against other people from all over the world who shared one thing in common with us. A love for the game of Pokémon. We don’t play for prizes or prestige or accolades. We play because we enjoy the game and the people we meet by playing. Now they have ripped that opportunity away from us for absolutely at all. Yes the LCQ still exists but it is just an empty husk of the wonderful event it has been in the past.

Players made cards of them selves and passed them out to the players they faced in the grinder and played a nice friendly game. Now it is going to be ugly and cut throat. This is the exact opposite of Spirit of the game, with lots of sadness and tears to be had after each elimination round. Frankly I would not want to win a game that would result in someone getting kicked out of an event. Pokémon should not be about that. This is just wrong.

Also who wants to stand in line for 2 1/2 hours to register for an event where you could get eliminated on under an hour? What a waste of time this is going to be for many people.

The Grinder was the best Pokémon tournament of the year, and now it is gone, and in its place is just an LCQ. What a sad waste.

No, the Grinder was never about being a tournament where a bunch of friends from around the world could get together to play some relaxing games. That's not what Grinders was EVER about. That's a Battle Roads for you. Grinders is not setting out to be a fun tournament. Basically, when you sit down at Grinders, this is what the stakes are like:

8 spots out of 400. Good luck everybody.

That doesn't sound fun, and I don't think they wanted to pass it off as a Nationals. It was never about having a relaxing time; it was about qualifying for the signature tournament of the season. This year, it's no different, they just want to make it easier for people who go X-2 and still think they have a shot at making it. Ya lose, your out. For those 8 people who do make it, it makes it all the more satisfying, because you literally see the difference, standing alone when the field had so many just hours prior. It really is an invigorating feeling, to know that you bested all those people.

Oh no! You lost 1st round! Good news! A billion sides events, and probably pre-releases, are still going on right now. Have a good time.

 

[NoPoke]

...That's not what Grinders was EVER about. That's a Battle Roads for you. ....

really? are you so certain. BRs generally don't have players spending $1000+ to get there or attract players form all over the world. To say that the grinder was never about the players at the middle and bottom tables is an error because that is exactly what a swiss pairs tournament has at its heart: everyone gets to play for as long as they want.

Oh no! You lost 1st round! Good news!

Good news for whom?

A billion sides events, and probably pre-releases, are still going on right now. Have a good time.

side events during the grinder. I think I missed those.

Each time a decision is made that increases the emphasis on the winners at the expense of the majority the spirit of Worlds dies a little. Some of those decisions are unavoidable but the hurt is still real.

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Worlds is STILL an awesome event I'm not saying that it is not and nor is J&PDS. But with this change then for many the grinder is no longer part of that awesomeness. The change to the grinder leaves a hole and for those that never knew the joy of playing at the middle and high # tables it wont be missed, but many of us will remember, will know what the grinder used to be, will mourn for what was lost.

If you can afford to go to worlds and believe you will enjoy a full-on two day 100% pokemon event with hundred and hundreds of other like minded fans then go..