This was a great event that benefited many aspects and people of the community. This milestone may prove to be problematic, but it was with GREAT intentions.
Yes, sure, I don't doubt that. And I could totally understand that Relic is disappointed that this turns out to be problematic. After all this was supposed to be a happy party. I was merely pointing out that issues like these could have been anticipated.
So the fairest option in a pretty unfortunate event was to stick to tournament rules set out from the beginning which unfortunately means if Noggano can't make it he is DQ'd and third and fourth place move up a slot.
Thanks for some background, but I think it would be possible to find a better solution.
At least the public rules don't say anything about that. Ok, sounds like the players got an additional set of rules presented. Sure that the "move up a slot" part is really covered ? (I wouldn't be surprised if strictly DevM would win by default. Yeah, very anticlimatic, but he could still go to Vancouver for a celebration...)
If the disqualification is in the rules, well, ok, rules are rules but if this ever happens again, it should be removed for a couple of reasons:
First and foremost, this is meant to be a prize for 1st and 2nd, an added bonus. And I hardly think that any fan who bought the skin to support WPC would be disappointed by Noganno not going to Vancouver. So it's not like anybody but Noggano and the poor chap who came up with the travel idea has an advantage.
I feel it would be ok if it would be clear from the outset that the finals are held in Vancouver and you'd have to participate. And the announcement would have to be made earlier, as even if Noggano started to arrange for everything when WPC was announced, he might not have made it. Mind you, getting all the required papers also requires to spend time and money. Yeah, you could expect from professional players (that do this for a living) to have their travel documents ready, but I doubt there are any in CoH2.
As it stands, you have the strange situation that Noggano would be better off if he lost to VonIvan or if the millions of Noggano fans wouldn't have bought War Paint Skins
Ok, let's see, before this issue came up we had:
DevM & Noggano: Trip to Vancouver + 1000$ secured, 2500$ when winning.
Jesulin & VonIvan: 750$ when winning match for third.
I feel better options than the current one would be:
- The semi between VonIvan and Noggano is ruled in VonIvans favor, VonIvan advances, Jesulin and Noggano play for 3rd. The only person that is off worse than to the original situation is Noggano. VonIvan benefits, no changes for Jesulin or DevM.
- VonIvan and Jesulin play for participation in the final. The loser plays against Noggano for third. Noggano again is worse of, VonIvan benefits, but not as much, Jesulin benefits as well as he still has a shot for 2nd place, DevM no change.
- VonIvan and Jesulin play for participation of the Final. Noggano is ruled 3rd. In this case is better for the winner of Von/Jes, no change for DevM and slightly worse for Noggano.
- VonIvan and Jesulin play for participation of the finals, Noggano wins second prize money. If the winner of Von/Jesulin loses the final, he get's 3rd place, if he wins, he and DevM will split the 2750$. This would give no changes to Noggano (other than not being able to win), Von or Jesulin, and DevM is slightly better off (because when loosing he gets more money than he would otherwise. Of course in that case the potentially unsatisfying outcome is that there might be a joined "winner".
In all these cases VonIvan, DevM and Jesulin would even be not affected or are better off...
Basically, if Noggano can't make it (Which is still available for him to do) Positions 3 and 4 will have to move up a place
Sounds strange to say Noggano is disqualified but he still has the option to undisqualify himself by showing up. I think it would be good to settle this before VonIvan and Jesulin have their match. It should be clear what they play for, otherwise this might cause even more drama.