Post by TwistovF8 on Apr 13, 2009 16:24:46 GMT -5
Well, since I started the thread, I guess it's time for me to give my opinion on the plans for the next season.
I appreciate all the efforts of all the admins in setting up the new site.
In assessing the new season, I came to my conclusions starting from the perspective that the league is a first and foremost dedicated to people interested in playing fair and competitive rounds of TW golf online with other members. I do not believe that the WiiGA should be dedicated to being primarily another discussion forum, that also happens to set up a handful of tournaments.
With that as my first assumption, I also viewed the changes from the perspective of whether the season as scheduled would increase the number of new participants, as well as whether stock characters only is likely to retain the active existing members.
As one element of league play among others made available to members, it is a great idea. Unfortunately, I just don't see having only stock player tournaments over the next ten weeks having broad appeal and thereby increasing membership. Just as having only NC (advanced swing, no putt preview) tournaments would not have broad appeal. Or irons only. Or "AHOs Off."
So why not run profile player tourneys alongside stock characters tourneys? As a tournament running alongside the tourneys the way we've always done them, stock characters might be great. Then we truly move in the direction of offering something for everyone.
In addition, please consider this. More and more people who chose to join the DGA did so because they were tired of the nonsense prevalent in EA random play. I don't think most people came looking for another leader board to conquer. Or something radically different from the EA online game they normally play. They came looking for fair and honest competition, good people to compete with, challenging courses, and no intentional disconnects. And that's what they found in the DGA.
I believe that its time to consider moving on past the sole focus that there be "one ultimate champion" at the top of a leader board at the end of a season. I think that this focus prevents the league from exploring many other exciting possibilities. I do not believe that the quest of being THE cumulative season champion is what draws the majority of people to join and remain active members here. Continue to offer that "points champion," but sponsor other events as well.
As it's scheduled now we're talking about 20 official WiiGA rounds in 10 weeks. The WiiGa can easily schedule more tourneys than this. Remember, this is not 2 tourneys a week, this is 20 rounds in 10 weeks. I know that many members would welcome the opportunity participate in more official league rounds than 20 official rounds scheduled for completion within that time period. With more types of tournaments scheduled, the league would have an even broader appeal.
Of course, the idea is to take the burden off administrative record keeping, but have the league officially embrace and encourage more rounds between members than the 20 that are currently scheduled.
I think that this season has proved that many members would play in many more official rounds than the average of 2 rounds per week the league has scheduled. And in my view, members who look forward to playing other members are the heart and soul of the league. I do not believe the league should tailor the official tournaments to those who prefer to play many online rounds, but have a hard time fitting in the 20 rounds in 10 weeks.
With that in mind, in addition to tournaments that result in a cumulative leader at the end of the season, how about official league events that are not part of some sort of quest to accumulate points to crown a season end champion. By moving away from a narrow focus only on a cumulative all-around champion, I think participation as a whole would grow.
The league is in the unique position of being able to offer members the opportunity to compete in events that are very different from the same old EA online games. Perhaps a member-selected random tourney of the day type of thing; an occasional match play tournament with rounds between equals rather than initial seedings that are designed to be mismatches; or as many have requested, a team play challenge tournament.
Every member would not have to participate in every event. But by offering unique and fun non-cumulative events, the league would truly be moving closer to its goal of offering something for everyone.
I appreciate all the efforts of all the admins in setting up the new site.
In assessing the new season, I came to my conclusions starting from the perspective that the league is a first and foremost dedicated to people interested in playing fair and competitive rounds of TW golf online with other members. I do not believe that the WiiGA should be dedicated to being primarily another discussion forum, that also happens to set up a handful of tournaments.
With that as my first assumption, I also viewed the changes from the perspective of whether the season as scheduled would increase the number of new participants, as well as whether stock characters only is likely to retain the active existing members.
As one element of league play among others made available to members, it is a great idea. Unfortunately, I just don't see having only stock player tournaments over the next ten weeks having broad appeal and thereby increasing membership. Just as having only NC (advanced swing, no putt preview) tournaments would not have broad appeal. Or irons only. Or "AHOs Off."
So why not run profile player tourneys alongside stock characters tourneys? As a tournament running alongside the tourneys the way we've always done them, stock characters might be great. Then we truly move in the direction of offering something for everyone.
In addition, please consider this. More and more people who chose to join the DGA did so because they were tired of the nonsense prevalent in EA random play. I don't think most people came looking for another leader board to conquer. Or something radically different from the EA online game they normally play. They came looking for fair and honest competition, good people to compete with, challenging courses, and no intentional disconnects. And that's what they found in the DGA.
I believe that its time to consider moving on past the sole focus that there be "one ultimate champion" at the top of a leader board at the end of a season. I think that this focus prevents the league from exploring many other exciting possibilities. I do not believe that the quest of being THE cumulative season champion is what draws the majority of people to join and remain active members here. Continue to offer that "points champion," but sponsor other events as well.
As it's scheduled now we're talking about 20 official WiiGA rounds in 10 weeks. The WiiGa can easily schedule more tourneys than this. Remember, this is not 2 tourneys a week, this is 20 rounds in 10 weeks. I know that many members would welcome the opportunity participate in more official league rounds than 20 official rounds scheduled for completion within that time period. With more types of tournaments scheduled, the league would have an even broader appeal.
Of course, the idea is to take the burden off administrative record keeping, but have the league officially embrace and encourage more rounds between members than the 20 that are currently scheduled.
I think that this season has proved that many members would play in many more official rounds than the average of 2 rounds per week the league has scheduled. And in my view, members who look forward to playing other members are the heart and soul of the league. I do not believe the league should tailor the official tournaments to those who prefer to play many online rounds, but have a hard time fitting in the 20 rounds in 10 weeks.
With that in mind, in addition to tournaments that result in a cumulative leader at the end of the season, how about official league events that are not part of some sort of quest to accumulate points to crown a season end champion. By moving away from a narrow focus only on a cumulative all-around champion, I think participation as a whole would grow.
The league is in the unique position of being able to offer members the opportunity to compete in events that are very different from the same old EA online games. Perhaps a member-selected random tourney of the day type of thing; an occasional match play tournament with rounds between equals rather than initial seedings that are designed to be mismatches; or as many have requested, a team play challenge tournament.
Every member would not have to participate in every event. But by offering unique and fun non-cumulative events, the league would truly be moving closer to its goal of offering something for everyone.