Community

Well, just so it's out there... a fairly common question among the non-US communities (both judges and players) appears to revolve around whether the really heavy US bias in GP locations seen here (8 in the US vs. 3 in Europe?) will be a theme throughout all four quarters, or whether this is just an artefact of only seeing three month's worth of events at this point, with it evening out across the whole year.

On the plus side...

I have heard countless players lament the fixed prize payouts for GP level events with epic turnouts. I feel the flexible prize structure is an awesome idea and improvement, both for the big events and for the smaller locations.  Kudos to all involved in this decision!

I also love the increased number of events.  This translates to more opportunities for judges of all levels.  This was one of the benefits pointed out in the initial announcement, so I don't feel the need to elaborate on this any more than to say "Hooray!"


On the minus side...

As one of many judges with a full-time job and limited vacation time, I find the slow-roll of announcements mildly annoying.  I can easily look at the quarter announced and say "I can make those 3!" -- and be excited to do so. 

But what happens next quarter?  I see another dozen+ events.  Now I may see another event that I'd rather attend, but my alotted vacation time has already been spent!  So now I can't afford to go to my preferred event.

There are similar issues with PT events.  There are of course limited opportunities for PT-level events. I like to do at least one a year, but I also don't want to be an opportunity hog--I'd like to recommend others from my area for the other events. But they can't plan for those events, because they don't know when they will occur!

In short, how do I know when I should jump on a particular opportunity?

And a final note...

I still want my regaional PR events back! It's the only time that casual players from across our larger metro area experience a large event. It's a chance for players to come to an event and play in multiple formats in a single day -- Sealed, 2HG, draft... all with the new set, in the same place, the same day!  More GP events is nice, but it really doesn't replace the PR events.  PR events are regular REL, which means both fun and learning opportunities for players. GPs are competitive, and the atmosphere is quite different; not everyone that comes to the PR would like to play in a GP. I feel the two are complementary, not redundant.

When are you going to start payng attention to the NC/SC region again? NC has a great PTO who has Organized a GP before. It would be nice if Carolinians had more consideration and better treatment than the area has been given. We have been treated as a stepchild to VA long enough.