EPTNo Anaheim replays:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=249168
This, indeed, is an issue for a lot of people, especially when MLG replays have been a really good source of strategies to try out. The big issue seems to be that there does not seem to be any kind of response as to why they aren't being released after the event. But again, my same suggestions apply here: calm down, give your feedback on issue of replays being released after the event. Tell it to MLG in a calm and reasonable manner, and give MLG some time to respond to the feedback.
And keep in mind, they really don't need to release replays. It was a PRIVILEGE that we got to get all the replays at past events. Keep the fact that no one is really entitled to these replays and be thankful if you get them.
No 2 HQ Streams at same time:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=249214
Eh. Once again, give MLG your feedback and that you think that you should be able to watch the 2 streams simultaneously if you bought an HQ pass. This seems like a no-brainer for MLG, but it's probably not something they can fix right away. Just give them your feedback and wait until the next MLG event for them to change it.
Subscribers and prize pools:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=248967
This is probably the one that's the most confusing, as there seems to be a lot of emotion being thrown around. Now, I understand how people are really passionate about SC2. But too much emotion can cloud reasoning. MLG DOES have a lot of faults that it doesn't seem to be willing to face/ignoring. However, acting antagonistic towards them isn't the right way to go about things.
MLG has one thing in the right: More subscribers will lead to them raising the prize pool. It's simple business, and that's what MLG is. Aiming for a high subscriber count isn't a bad goal for a business like MLG.
And there are some factors to consider. MLG clearly spend a ton of money on satellite trucks, travel, convention halls, and gaming equipment. At the same time, they also have some big sponsors to offset some of those costs. There’s really no way of really knowing how financially sound the company is - but they are probably not making money hand over fist given their large expenses + staff.
HOWEVER, that's probably where the sympathy for MLG stops.
For a company that only holds 6 events a year, a prize pool of 14,000 dollars, with the First Prize only being 5,000, it's rather pathetic. That's not even enough to cover a lot players' travel costs, especially non-Americans. IMO, First Prize should get at least 7,500 dollars in an event like this at the lowest, and 10,000 to be a respectable amount. When comparing it to the prize pools of other major events, it's a FACT it's much lower than others comparatively. This could even lead to less people attending unless they are near an event.
I don't know their current subscriber numbers, but 100,000 subscribers is a lot to shoot for. If you state "If we sell 100,000 memberships before the national championship I will raise the prize pool. A lot. Next season too" makes it sound like hitting 100,000 is the only way you would even consider raising the prize pool. And when your prize pool is so much lower than most other major tournaments, that's a FACT that asking for 100,000 subscribers is a lot to ask for.
And then going on to state "if that number is to high than I need to cut prize money next year" does come off as a bit dickish. So unless that probably unreasonable goal of 100,000 is met, you're threatening to cut your already lackluster prize pool? Please. That is not the way to woo more potential subscribers. Be optimistic about it, and set a more realistic goal. Provide the services up to the quality that people are expecting when they choose to buy a subscription. Release those replays. Allow for the ability to watch 2 HQ streams with one pass. Things like that will get more people to buy subscriptions because then they'll want to support you.
It's not MLG's place nor anyone else's to tell people to "step up and buy subscriptions". People will buy subscriptions based on how much they value the service, not based on how much they "want to support e-sports". That is also business. Columbus was a step forward in the right direction for MLG, and it gained a lot of supporters following it. However, this attitude by some figures at MLG is quickly losing those same followers.
People could definitely be more polite in their feedback. However, the attitude of some people at MLG isn't really helping, and MLG doesn't seem to be willing to face some facts when comparing their events with other Major events.
