Hello, tournament fans, players and organizers.
I hope this installment of the newsletter holds something that interests you. As always, keep sending your submissions, and I will keep putting them in.
Thanks, and enjoy!
Gozar
News Hound
Fun Facts
Currently Taking Signups
Tournament Updates
Coming Soon
The Tournament Roll of Honour
Interview with Luxurious
Next Issue
Notes
Staff
This weeks top stories:
Beta Maps!
After many suggestions it’s finally here!
Turtle Epidemic!
Do they really want to spread an epidemic? We’ve talked to Humley, who will set things straight.
100 Maps!
We’ve spoken to yeti_c about the feeling of making the 100th map and how it will change CC.
Hi, i’m White Moose and welcome to this weeks News Hound Report!
Beta maps has arrived! After several suggestions about having beta maps, they are here. Instead of having new maps listed as ”New” they will now show as ”Beta”. This is essentially more of a technical tweaking of terms to better describe how a Map might play when it is first uploaded to the ConquerClub system. The ”Beta Maps” will play just as any other map, just that ”Beta Maps” may change midway through the game as the map gets tweaked, fixed and balanced. So play at your own risk.
There has been a large amount of turtle avatars coming up lately. Why is this happening? Our reporter, Moose, is standing by with more information. Over to you Moose.
Thanks White. I’m standing here with humley, the one who started this epidemic.
WM: So humley, why did start the “Spread the Epidemic week”
humley: hmmm, because there's been so much doom and gloom in the forums lately. I received a few emails from the French Pirate and saw his blog which was trying to destroy CC. That angered me! Why is he trying to destroy such a great site?!
WM: What did you want to accomplish doing it?
humley: So, I've tried to bring the community together in a happy way and fun way.
WM: Who was behind it?
humley: I started seeing turtle avatar's popping up everywhere. I thought it was cool and a unique way to show solditary with CC and lackattack. I found out it was Gimil's idea and I decided to extend that idea and make it even more interesting.
WM: Thanks humley. Back to you White.
Thanks Moose. Our next top story is the making of the 100th map! A great accomplishment for the whole community and truly a grand milestone. It was yeti_c who made the map Conquer 4, which became the 100th map to be quenched. We’ve spoken to yeti_c, and here is what he had to say.
WM: What is your feeling for created the 100th map?
yeti: To be honest I'm quite chuffed about it! I've been at CC quite some time - and have put a fair bit into the Community - so to actually make this milestone map (with gimil of course) has felt like a nice reward!!
WM: Is there anyone you would like to thank for making this milestone?
yeti: Obviously Gimil (He did the Graphics on the map) and all the people that contribute to the foundry.
WM: Do you think things will change now when its over 100 maps?
yeti: I'm hoping that now we have such a large amount of maps - that the site will change the way that this information is displayed - at the moment we have chipvs's fantastic little filter script - but I would like to see this integrated into the site.
With regards to the Foundry - I hope that this new milestone will bring more activity and commentators to the Foundry. The Foundry is nothing without people to comment.
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That concludes this weeks News Report! Catch us next week with the next issue of the tournament newsletter.
I’m White Moose, saying.. Thanks!
Celebrate 100 maps! Want to know which one was the 100th? Try to find the answer, before next issue!
Want to see how many tournaments were completed? Who won what? Check out the Tournament Hall of Fame today!
Here are just some of the tournaments that are currently taking signups. Just click the title to visit the thread.
Teams Tournaments
Madden 09
Organizer: sergentgforce
The Supreme Doubles Feudal War Tournament
Organizer: LFAW
Conquer Club World Cup
Organizer: sensfan
Fight Together, Die Alone
Organizer: Dragonah
1 versus 1 Tournaments
Bring It On
Organizers: Lufsen75 and thekidstrumpet
1vs1 King of Doodle Earth
Organizer: assassin07
1v1 Tourney *With a twist*
Organizer: skeletonboy
General Tournaments
Modern Pentathlon
Organizer: max is gr8
Unanimous – AoR I, II, & III
Organizer: max is gr8
Boss_oss_ss’s Big Bracket Tourney
Organizer: Boss_oss_ss
A first of many
FIFA World Cup
Organizer: RAM16
Unanimous – Egyptian Maps
Organizer: max is gr8
On the Run
Organizer: drake_259
Instant Crossword!
Organizer: dittoeevee8888
King of Fantasy
Organizer: milner94
Balanced Triple Elimination
Organizer: max is gr8
Gladiator Assassin
Organizer: MEK
Prison Break!
Organizer: R0K0v
Every Single Setting: Classic
Organizer: TaCktix
American Dominators
Organizer: Lexitonia5
Asian Dinner Date
Organizer: PaulusH
Hitman North America
Organizer: ralphcptc
Pass the Points 1
Organizer: Boss_oss_ss
Termintator of all Terminators
Organizer: blacky44
Late Night Poker Tournament
Organizer: Risk_Killer_1
Race for the Cup
Organizer: Seth#12
World War II
Organizer: blacky44
The Short Story of WWII
Organizer: Jerrytheman
Reserves
Super Mario 64
Organiser: Fire Mario
Here are how some of the currently ongoing tournaments are progressing. Just click the title to visit the thread. Want your tournament listed here? Use the form at the end of this letter!
License to Kill
Organiser: conquerAce
After 5 months of killing the finals are set with mushin, banana_hammocks and graulenst. The final match is gettin played out on Middle Earth, Game 3168425.
Our ghost killer was Kilazul who recorded the most eliminations by a non finalist.
The Legend of Tor Na’Mit
Organizer: Gozar
All round four games are running. A few dropouts have been removed.
The Long Walk
Organisers: Gozar
All games before the next elimination are now running.
Eight In One Tournament Headquarters
Eight tournaments by different organizers, with the winners competing for a premium prize. Join one, or join them all, the choice is yours.
Gilligan's Bracket Tournament III
Hath has won.
lord voldemort's Double Elimination Delight
graulenst has won.
Natewolfman’s Lost in Translation Tournament
Round Four underway.
Sir. Ricco’s Mission – Survive the Longest V4.0
biscuit boy wins
Gozar’s Battle for Waterloo Tournament
All games of the finals are underway.
amazzony's Musical Chairs
EdwinG wins
barterer2002's Alien Invasion
EdwinG wins
jennifermarie’s The C-list
Standings update 30/04/08
Here are some tournaments that noted tournament organisers are planning on running soon.
Battle Asia from Gozar
A continuation of the 3 player ‘Battle’ tournament series, this one with an Asian theme.
Look for it: Soon
Championship Series from barterer2002
New tournaments based on a single map.
Here are some recent tournament winners.
"The Player's Tournement" -Godd
"Bart's Joined Powers II" -MEK and BagwellTheGreat
"The Bachelor/Bacherlorette Tournament" -colson
"Bart's Joined Powers I" -ubcman64 and spoofer
"USFL Football League" -vykingsfan64
"Championship Series: Alexander's Empire" -keiths31
"t-o-m's AoR Bracket Tournament" -CHO A$$ UP
"European Championship" -Wendt100
"Dragon Warrior" -White Moose
"You're Eliminated VIII" -GRAPE APE
"Euro 2008 Doubles" -Forza AZ and lokisgal
"Championship Series: AoR3" -BarbieB
"Band or Die 2" -Daryth, Chariots of Fire, Shatners Bassoon, jpeter15
"Star Wars" -Jonny_Morbid, negoeien, ralphcptc and conquerAce
"Battle for the Continents Tournament" -killmanic
"1v1 Singles League Season 5" -BENJIKAT IS DEAD
"Cold War Tournament" -madman7
"Championship Series: 8 Thoughts" -BaldAdonis
This week we sat down for an interview with MEK.
Next week, our interview will be with the player and organiser, blakebowling. If you have any questions you can go post them in this thread.
Now, on with the interview!
Q: Hello, MEK.
A: Hi Gozar, thanks for the interview invitation!!
Q:How did you find this website?
A: A group of my family members were talking about playing the board game years ago and decided to try to find something online to play. We have a competitive group of family members and wanted to maim one another from afar
We are spread out from Minnesota/Tennessee/Florida so it was a good way to stay connected. Turns out my aunt, sister and I are the only remaining players. Q: Why did you join CC?
A: To bludgeon my family members.
Q:Why did you start to play tournaments?
A: I stumbled across them when cruising through the forums. I didn't get it at first, seemed a bit silly I must admit but once I jumped in I realized I loved it. It is just another way to compete on this site and the diversity of tournament choices brings so much more to my experience here.
Q:What made you want to start running tournaments?
A: I was a bit interested and my sister Marfski and I started brainstorming my first tournament foray. It just so happened that a few days later then same idea popped up in a tournament. So I went back to the drawing board and came up with an idea after going to a movie.
Q: How long have you been organizing tournaments?
A: I did my first one in July of this year and just put my second out.
Q:What tournament did you first run?
A: Dragon Warrior, 1:1 battle for training dumplings to enhance Panda power, it was great fun finding pictures of dumplings to add to the results as we went along.
Q: Where did you come up with your tournament ideas?
A: I had just gone to see Kung Fu Panda with my nephews.
Q: Who do you look to for inspiration when organizing your tournaments?
A: Well my sister and I talk through lots of points and she gives excellent advice. I try to do different things than others to bring something new to offer. I find the creativity on the tournament forum to be an inspiration in itself. Some organizers run huge complex tournaments and others have great ideas for smaller ones.
Q: Describe the experience of your first tournament ran, and first played in.
A: I really don't remember the first tournament I played in, probably was out in the first round so I have repressed it.
I was nervous running my first tournament but it wasn't necessary to be. They are not difficult to do and I had lots of help with graphics, text formatting etc from my sister. I enjoyed it very much, the players were all prompt in joining games until the last round and seemed to enjoy it as we went along. White Moose was victorious, I think he only lost one game the whole time!Q: How many tournaments have you run already, and do you have a goal in mind for how many you want to run in total before you "retire"? How many are you running right now?
A: I have one completed and one in the sign up stage. I would like to keep going with 1 or maybe 2 at a time. I would really like to do something larger and more complex but I play so much that I don't want to take on more than I would have time to enjoy doing.
Q:What tournaments have you organized?
A: Dragon Warrior
Q:What is your favourite tournament you have run?
A: Only one in the running so that is easy.
Q: What is your favorite tournament you’ve played in? Why?
A: I love amazzony's terminator series since I really enjoy terminator and she has lots of them to offer. I have enjoyed SirRicco's WWII series. The Fish tournament Marfski started has been a blast, love the fish pictures, I haven't done too great but it is still fun.
Q:Do you prefer to run or enter tournaments?
A: Both offer different returns on your time. I enjoy playing in tournaments because it is very easy to just sign up and wait for your games to come to you. Running a tournament is great too though because you get to make all the decisions, format of games etc, maps and it is nice contributing to the tournament choices.
Q: Is there a specific type of format that you tend to gravitate towards? Why? Is there a format that is your favourite?
A: I don't play freestyle (at least not well) so I haven't used that format. I use cards so the games move along. My current tournament is assassin because it is one of my favorite play styles.
Q: Do you find it easier to choose tournament settings yourself, or to let the players customize them?
A: I like to go ahead and make the choices myself. I have some maps that I don't like so I don't set them up to be open to that. I really don't usually join tournaments like that either because someone is bound to pick an AOR or reudal map and then I might as well let one of my cats take turns for me in those games!!!
Q: Overall, are you playing a lot in tournaments? If not, then why and where do you find your games to play?
A: I am in so many that I don't even know how many.
I try to be more selective now when I sign up but it is hard pacing myself. Otherwise I search for team games to join as well as terminator and assassin. Q: How excited where you with your first CC win?
A: At first I just played family members so we would beat each other back and forth. It was much more rewarding to kill strangers since there was no guilt.
Q:Have you ever won a tournament?
A: Well if you had interviewed me a week or two ago I would have had to say no but now I have won 2
I was thrilled to win my first in Back to the Basics IV, then won another yesterday in Bart's Joined Powers II. Now I really want tournament winners medals implemented. Q: What is your most disappointing tournament loss to date?
A: Well any that I lose in the finals are more disappointing than losing in any other rounds. I have lost 2 or 3 in the finals.
Q: In your mind, what makes a successful tournament?
A: I think they are successful when they move along and don't have deadbeaters hold them up, when the games are easy to join-links set up, basically when the organizer makes it look easy.
Q: What do you consider to be the most successful tournaments you've seen run?
A:There are so many talented organizers out there, Gilligan, Sir Ricco, Amazzony, poptart, you Gozar, Marfski, just to mention a few of them all run great tournaments.
Q: What is the best Tournament that you think has been underestimated?
A: Not sure what you mean by this so I'll pass on this question.
Q:Have you ever been disappointed in a tournament you have run? What about one you entered?
A: I was disappointed in the Harry Potter tournament, can't remember the name of it but it was going to proceed through chapters of all the books, quite a feat but it didn't continue.
Q: What makes a successful organizer?
A: Well having all the details worked out, updating often to keep interest up, sending out accurate games, basically good organization of the tournament and following through on what they offer for the players.
Q: How do you attract players to your tournament, and what aspect (besides a reward of a premium prize or something like that) of a tournament do you think appeals to a lot of players and why?
A: I like to offer an interesting introductory thread to players to try to hook them! Other than that it really depends on whether the settings/maps etc appeal to the players. I want my introduction to answer all the questions I might have when considering a tournament. If I have to ask what map, or clarify a setting I am more likely to forget to check back on the answer and not join up.
Q: Is there anything in particular that you dislike about tournament organizing?
A: The only thing so far has been two players who wouldn't join the last round of play and wouldn't respond to pm's. Otherwise I have enjoyed all of it.
Q: For you, what is the best part of being a tournament organizer?
A: I really like being part of making a unique contribution to the site.
Q: What mistakes do you see tournament organizers make the most?
A: Sending games out with the wrong settings.
Q: With experience comes the wisdom of knowing what mistakes you've made in the past so you can avoid them in the future. What mistakes have you made in your tournaments that you are sure to avoid in future tournaments?
A: Well I made up games, had the numbers all written down, wrote the pm and when I got to the password part I hadn't written that down. I had to try joining one of the games with what I thought I remembered as the password and it took a number of tries. So write down the silly password when you set it up-duh! Otherwise, it you don't count organization as one of your strengths, reconsider running a tournament and concentrate on another area of the site.
Q:What is your opinion on organizer neutrality? Should organizers be allowed to place themselves against their own clanmates in tournaments? Should organizers be allowed to join their own tournaments at all?
A: I like playing in my own tournaments and if I'm going to the effort of organizing it I think it should be my choice alone. When clan issues get involved I still think an organizer should be able to make the decision however they see fit and their clan should join another tournament if it conflicts with their clan dynamics.
Q: Do you use a "schedule" for updating your tournaments, or do you just wait until they need an update?
A: I try to update as needed depending on how the games progress, 1:1 went pretty quickly so I tried to update 1/2 times a week.
Q:Should “question marks” be allowed to join tournaments?
A: I wouldn't turn them away unless the number of games prevented it.
Q:Do you feel it is better to give a bye to players whose opponents deadbeats the tournament, or to use a reserve?
A: If I have a reserve then I would use them, otherwise a bye would be necessary.
Q: If you could change one thing about Conquer Club in general, what would it be?
A: There are so many good things about the site in my opinion, map choices are amazing, the tournament community is vibrant and brimming with choices. I also think a great deal of effort if put in by the admins of the site to bring new enhancements such as medals. If I could change anything I would say I don't see the point in having something as negative on the site as flame wars.
Q: If there was something that the Conquer Club administrators could implement into the game to make tournaments easier to manage, what would it be? Similarly, is there anything you would like to see taken away from Conquer Club to make running tournaments easier?
A: I think it would be nice to have a way for players to sign up for a "set" of games. For instance I joined 7 1:1 games recently for a round in a tournament. If the organizer could have made the games and then sent me the "set" code to join them it would be very convenient rather than joining 7 separate games.
Q: If you are thinking purely on balance of tournament games is there anything you would want changing?
A: No I wouldn't want to alter the individual interests of what an organizer wanted to do within the basic tournament rules.
Q: Is there anything that you would recommend to encourage new tournament organizers?
A: If you are interested jump in. Ask for help from tourn admins or other organizers. Get organized and creative and put your contribution out there!
Q: List your top 5 biggest tournament headache's to this point
A: Deadbeats deadbeats deadbeats deadbeats..........
Q:How much time does CC take from your day?
A: 1-5 hours
Q:Are you a member of any clans or usergroups?
A: Yes Skyforce
Q: Why did you pick the name MEK?
A: My aunt signed us up and she used my initials as my name.
Q:Where are you from?
A: Tennessee
Q:Favourite play colour?
A: Purple, oh that's not a choice is it. I like red because the map looks all bloody when you are moving ahead.
Q:Favourite and least favourite map?
A: Fav maps, Classic, Doodle, Siege, least fav anything AOR
Q:Favourite settings?
A: Team, terminator and assassin
Q:Freestyle or sequential?
A: Sequential
Q: Any tournaments planned for the future? What are they?
A: Nothing else planned just want to do something new again next time.
Q: Any parting shots?
A: Thanks for the interview Gozar, I enjoy your newsletter and the NewsHound/Graphics additions have been great.
Q: Thank you for your time.
A: You're welcome, I enjoyed it.
News Hound The News Hound looks into the new video contest to celebrate 100 maps.
Interview with blakebowling blakebowling will answer your questions in our tournament interview series.
Notes
If you want your tournament included in a future issue, please PM Gozar using this form:
----------------FORM-------------------
Tournament Name: (with link)
Organiser Name:
Status:
Brief description or update:
Rough estimate of percent complete/signed up:
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You can also write articles to submit for publishing, I can't keep this running by myself, I need YOUR help!
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Staff
Editor in chief- Gozar
Recruiting Editor/Fun Facts- Gilligan
Graphics- Sir. Ricco
News Hound- White Moose
Contributors- People like you!
