EPTNobody is going to suddenly snap their fingers and change it to a 100% open qualifier akin to the GSL Open Seasons, so how can we give everyone a fair shake?
The issue I'll be addressing is that of the tier/code system that is now becoming standard for the entire of WCS. Specifically, the part about how people who start in Code S are given an incredibly unfair advantage at the beginning of each WCS year - so much so in fact, that it's very likely that everyone who is currently in Code B has pretty much no hope at all of making it to the grand final at Blizzcon... and this is a trend that will repeat every single year. Whoever is in Code S at the beginning of each year will get the lion's share of the points in the first season, effectively giving them a big advantage over everyone else.
But this logic, while sound, makes one big assumption: that Code S players absolutely/automatically get more points than Code B and Code A players. (EDIT: An assumption that turns out to be true! Thanks Blizzard! v_v)
Now, I'm not saying that they should be worth the same amount of points, because that is obviously ridiculous. Someone who does very well in Code S deserves more than someone who does very well in Code A. But, what the system absolutely needs to consider, is that someone who does very well in Code B and Code A should get more than someone who does kinda mediocre in Code S. If an approach like this is taken carefully and intelligently, then I think that while the people in Code S have an advantage of status (it's harder for them to fall out of the GSL) and a greater potential for high points (if they become GSL champion) - starting from Code B can not be total a deal-breaker, so long as you back it up with skill.
There's a few ways to do it, some more simple than others. One method is to use would be to award points based on wins.
For example:
Set win in Code S Ro32: 3 Points
Set win in Code S Ro16: 4 Points
Set win in Code S Ro8: 6 Points
Set win in Code S Ro4: 6 Points
Set win in Codes Final: 6 Points
Set win in Code A Ro24: 5 Points
Set win in Code A Ro32: 5 Points
Set win in Code A Ro48: 5 Points
Qualifying from Code B: 7 Points
Advancing from U&Ds: 3 Points
As a consequence of the above...
Advance from Code S Ro32 group = 6 Points
3rd in Code S Ro32 group = 3 Points
4th in Code S Ro32 group = 0 Points
Advance from Code S Ro16 group = 8 Points
3rd in Code S Ro16 group = 4 Points
4th in Code S Ro16 group = 0 Points
And in full...
-w-> indicates a win
-l-> indicates a loss
A48 -l-> B = 0 Points
A48 -w-> A32 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 5 Points
A48 -w-> A32 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 8 Points
A48 -w-> A32 -w-> A24 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 10 Points
A48 -w-> A32 -w-> A24 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 13 Points
A48 -w-> A32 -w-> A24 -w-> S = 15 Points
[All of the above would be the same had the player dropped from Ro32 of Code S with no wins]
B -w-> A48 -l-> B = 7 Points
B -w-> A48 -w-> A32 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 12 Points
B -w-> A48 -w-> A32 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 15 Points
B -w-> A48 -w-> A32 -w-> A24 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 17 Points
B -w-> A48 -w-> A32 -w-> A24 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 20 Points
B -w-> A48 -w-> A32 -w-> A24 -w-> S = 22 Points
S32 -l3-> A32 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 3 Points
S32 -l3-> A32 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 6 Points
S32 -l3-> A32 -w-> A24 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 8 Points
S32 -l3-> A32 -w-> A24 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 11 Points
S32 -l3-> A32 -w-> A24 -w-> S = 13 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -l4-> A24 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 6 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -l4-> A24 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 9 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -l4-> A24 -w-> S = 11 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -l3-> A24 -l-> U&D -l-> A = 10 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -l3-> A24 -l-> U&D -w-> S = 13 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -l3-> A24 -w-> S = 15 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -w-> S8 -l-> S = 14 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -w-> S8 -w-> S4 -l-> S = 20 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -w-> S8 -w-> S4 -w-> S2 -l-> S = 26 Points
S32 -w-> S16 -w-> S8 -w-> S4 -w-> S2 -w-> Champ = 32 Points
In this system, a player who won their Code B qualifier group, then won all three of their Code A matches, would only be beaten out in points by the two Code S finalists (something which I think is pretty reasonable to expect). In fact, clearing Code B and your first Code A match already gives you a chance to beat poorer Code S Ro16 players (let alone Ro32, who have a chance of walking away with zero if they lose every match!)
In this way, even players who are in Code B aren't completely boned out of ever being competitive in the year ladder. Hell, getting straight through to Code S off of a Code B win could potentially put them as third in the entirety of Korea at the end of the first season - plus landing them in Code S next season and all of the benefits which come with that.
As stupid as the pre-seeded system is, I feel that if Blizzard uses this sort of strategy for awarding points (not exactly the values I've used, necessarily) - then it gives many of the same opportunities that would be present had it been a full qualifier every season, without losing the benefits that exist with the ongoing season system. Nobody is ever totally out of it, even if they drop to Code B later!
And to emphasize, these values are by no means a be-all-or-end-all; I'm just using these point values as an example/demonstration. They can be tweaked as needed.
Frankly when it's layed out like this it's a bit confusing - but is it really absolutely necessary for the layman to be able to calculate someone's points in 2 seconds, so long as it's fair?
Does anyone see any problems with an approach like this?
