Second, the Qualifiers. Some suggest we should revert to the old qualification system under SNF, spread over several weekends. The problem with crowd funding here, however, may be that some donate because they hope their own favourite player will make it through. In other words, if a favourite or two got knocked out early on a longer tourney, this could adversely affect the crowd funding side of it. Further, if we spread a crowd funded tourney over several weeks, it could seem as if we trying to milk the system, which was not the intention. Thoughts on this, either way, please?
One suggestion to change the qualification system (closed + open qualifier);
In addition to the open qualifier, first run a closed Ro32 qualifier (1 day, first week) for top active ladder players. Those that dont qualify directly from here get a second chance in the longer open Ro128 qualifier (2 days, second week).
So the open qualifier can work like a "loser bracket" for the closed qualifier. Any high seeds in the open qualifier could then be based on the results from the closed qualifier.
As an example;
1. Closed Ro32 qualifier (1 Day, top active ladder players)
6 players qualify for the "Main Event". Including all Ro4 players + 2 invites (winner + loser from previous OCF, so Devm + Aimstrong).
The 2 qualifier invites will have to compete for a high seed in the "Main Event" to skip one opening round.
Play Bo3 until Ro4. The 2 winners of Ro4 play against the 2 invites for a "high seed" in the "Main Event".
2. Open Ro128 qualifier (2 days)
6 players qualify for the "Main Event". Including all Ro4 players + 2 invites (both loser's from previous OCF "winner bracket" and "loser bracket" finals, so OMGPOP + VindicareX).
The 2 qualifier invites will have to compete for a high seed in the "Main Event" to skip one opening round.
Day 1:
Play Bo3 until Ro32
Day 2:
Play Bo3 until Ro4. The 2 winners of Ro4 play against the 2 invites for a "high seed" in the "Main Event".
With a similar qualifier setup like this the setup for the "Main Event" (8 players + 4 invites) can remain the same except one small change. The 4 invited players will first have to play for a "Main Event" seed in one of the 2 qualifier tournaments.