On April 02 2011 04:48 Zaffy wrote:
i can not think of a single reason why they would use such a complex format. not exactly opening it up to the masses is it?

I don't think that is the goal at hand. They want to establish a small core of well-known players which they use to generate a storyline and publicity with, and just have a tiny window of opportunity for the masses to get in.

I though GSL Code S were a protected bunch, but hell the top seeds in the MLG circuit has a proverbial life guard carrying lots of life jackets, parachutes and soft cussions for around for them.

Doppelganger

488 Posts

April 01 2011 22:26 GMT

#306

Okay I understood it. But I laughed so hard, I mean: wth? why would anybody design a contest like THAT?

coldonthecob

47 Posts

April 01 2011 22:48 GMT

#307

delete please

Sadist

United States7227 Posts

April 02 2011 14:36 GMT

#308

Really pathetic format that undermines credibility of "esports" They basically rig the system so they will always have the popular players doing "well" despite how good they actually are. Pretty much a joke. Its sad that MLG and GSL have to quasi-rig brackets in an attempt to garner more viewers and gain consistency.

MrCon

France29748 Posts

April 02 2011 14:39 GMT

#309

With yesterday games in mind, I'm not a fan of this new format, because none of the yesterday games had stakes (or understandable stakes). I watched all games, and I still don't know what effect the outcome of those games will have.

GenoZStriker

United States2914 Posts

April 02 2011 14:42 GMT

#310

^ Basically look at it this way. The playoffs (winner+loser-bracket) has spots for four players in the winner-bracket. The top player from the group automatically goes to winner-bracket semi-finals, while everyone else (2nd-5th place in group) gets directly send to the losers' bracket. So the top player from each group is guaranteed top6 placing and has a much easier route to the Grand Finals.

vdale

Germany1173 Posts

April 02 2011 14:46 GMT

#311

On April 02 2011 23:39 MrCon wrote:
With yesterday games in mind, I'm not a fan of this new format, because none of the yesterday games had stakes (or understandable stakes). I watched all games, and I still don't know what effect the outcome of those games will have.

In my opinion it was much better than the last mlg, less ads, more and better games. OK, one b3 doesn't mean so much, but in an open tournament the first rounds are really boring and nobody wants to see Idra against a diamond player.

MrCon

France29748 Posts

April 02 2011 14:57 GMT

#312

On April 02 2011 23:46 vdale wrote:

Show nested quote +

In my opinion it was much better than the last mlg, less ads, more and better games. OK, one b3 doesn't mean so much, but in an open tournament the first rounds are really boring and nobody wants to see Idra against a diamond player.

I agree with the bolded part, but that's not my point. My point is that I still don't know why these games were played, what the winner gain by winning them (well, I guess a higher seed ?) I don't even know if players who lost all their games are eliminated or not. The caster didn't explain anything. I read the format explanation like 2 months ago, I should have read it again to know if the game matter of not.

StarStruck

25339 Posts

April 02 2011 15:27 GMT

#313

On April 01 2011 15:02 zaii wrote:

Show nested quote +

To find the best player!

From a marketing standpoint, it's very smart; for the players who aren't seeded... it's absolutely dreadful. It isn't the best format for the players.

LaughingTulkas

United States1107 Posts

April 02 2011 15:32 GMT

#314

On April 02 2011 23:57 MrCon wrote:

Show nested quote +

All the games matter. However, Pool Play is not part of the championship bracket, but rather determines your place in the championship bracket. If you are not first in your pool, this basically counts as "LOSS" (for double elimination purposes) and you go to the championship bracket in the losers bracket, where you will be facing elimination each series. If you are lower in your pool, then you have more chances to face elimination.

If you win your group, this counts as a "WIN" for the double elimination format and you go to the championship bracket in the winner portion, where you drop down to the losers portion if you lose.

A genius system, similar to GSL if you think of the top 16 as the Code "S" players. Sure its unlikely for someone to grind through the open to win it all, but if they just place somewhere then they get points that allow them to qualify for a higher seed next time. Just like in the GSL, you have to grind through an open to make Code A, then win ANOTHER tournament to get Code S, then ANOTHER tournament to win it all. Its just that in MLG, you can do this all in one weekend instead of in several months. And that your standing is based on points rather than Codes.

I think it's a genius system, and all the b*tching is just cuz it's different than other tournaments.

coolcor

520 Posts

April 02 2011 15:47 GMT

#315

but if they just place somewhere then they get points that allow them to qualify for a higher seed next time

That is only true for the first one or two MLGs. After that the seeded players will have accumulated enough points from the system guaranteeing a high spot every event that an open player with few points can't just place somewhere and get top 16 in points. They'll need something like top 3 or get top 16 multiple times. Meanwhile the winner of Dallas can probably lose almost every game after this and be safe in his seeded spot for 3-4 more events.

Also doing it in one weekend is a huge disadvantage the seeds will be well rested Sunday after only playing one game today while the open players grind out games.

Vansetsu

United States1454 Posts

April 02 2011 16:12 GMT

#316

Thanks for the explanation, this is very helpful! ^^

Season

United States301 Posts

April 02 2011 16:24 GMT

#317

I've been around MLG for a while, so I understand where they come from and how stuff works but dang you are good with words. Well done explaining this. My 3 year old son could understand this if he read it. Hope it is as clear to everyone else

Tyree

1508 Posts

April 02 2011 16:31 GMT

#318

Thanks for the explanation, very well done and you deserve props.

However, the fact that someone needs to make a lenghty thread explaining something that should be easy and simple to understand is alarming. A tournament format can help make a tournament more desireable for "casual fans", people who may or may not tune in to see some games.

Its very difficult to get hyped about games when most people do not even know what a win (or a loss) even means for the players.

For me this screams of MLG simply having a bunch of people who are really passionate about brackets and how to do them, problem is, they are simply too passionate and spent too much time on something that is actually bad for them.

The complexity should always come from the games depth, everything else should streamlined and easy to understand. For GSL and TSL you know who will face who if X wins or losses, you do not need a guide, a manual, a video on Youtube explaining to you in massive detail everything.

Sorry for being a "whining whiner that whines" but MLG could do with something more simple, there is no reason to make it this bloated

Damaskinos

Germany139 Posts

April 02 2011 19:48 GMT

#319

Wow, after coming from 21 Bo3's you gonna be in the state of Maximus in the final showdown of the movie "Gladiator"!

leo23

United States3075 Posts

April 03 2011 02:09 GMT

#320

Someone please help me understand! In the open loser's bracket (http://s3.majorleaguegaming.com/2011-dallas-starcraft2-open.html#) there are 8 final matches. What I would like to know is how do they decide on the 5th to 16th place in order to go to the championship bracket. I assumed the winner of each match (8 people) would go on and that would leave 4 available spot and 8 remaining losers. How do they sort this out???