Profile of A_E

Seems like a good compromise.

I'm with you on hoping they can get everything sorted out in time. I'm a Noggano fanboy and Jove is always a top contender. I just don't want drama at the end of GCS marring what could be the best Coh2 tourney of all time.

There won't be drama on this particular issue as we have taken all necessary steps to mitigate it at an early stage. There will be other, and unexpected drama, there always is

Vote now!

Great work to Sturmpanther and all involved.

Big thanks for prioritising the GCS2 maps to get all changes out of the way in a fashion that will still positively affect the qualifying tournaments. With ample time for players to adjust, and creating an interesting element to change things up at the half way point after 1st of July. Players now have a month to assess the changes, before they take place.

For those curious this was done with a view to minimising the impact on GCS2 but still benefiting the whole community and the competitive play of the maps. Which while the best 1v1 maps we've got, still needed a few refinements to make them even better.

It was done in as short a time as possible, and there has been a great worth ethic by all involved. So again, thanks!

edit 1:

Important. There will be a GCS2 player vote on the timing of the implementation of these changes please head to your PMs to vote.

Players have the option to vote on when the maps will hit both automatch and the tournaments.

A: Either in the middle of qualifying meaning the last two qualifying tournaments will benefit from the changes, but players have to adapt.

B: Or exactly after, meaning only the live tournament will be on the new iterations.

Please head to your PM to vote.

edit 2:

Player vote concluded:

27 GCS2 players voted to release the maps changes between qualification tournaments 2 and 3.

6 GCS2 players voted to release the map changes after qualification has concluded.

So the window for implementation is now the week beginning the 2nd of June and ending the 6th. Giving a full week to acclimitise to the changes in Live before Qualification Tournament 3.

Good arguments guys but based on risk/reward logic and a moral basis I believe we should still try.

These two have done nothing wrong and have done everything they can so far. Nothing is certain but I believe they are genuine in wanting to qualify for GCS2, and sort all travel out, and I believe that it's at least very possible that we get them visas sorted.

It's about risk and reward, and I believe we don't risk too much in at least trying to give them a fair shot. I think the damage that could be done is worth the reward of having two of the game's best players having a fair chance to compete and come to England to play. It's a gamble I admit, but a lot of things aren't certain in life, and my moral compass and the logic at play both tell me to give them a shot.

If the worst happens this eight person tournament's systems are robust enough to find another worthy competitor and it won't knock the prestige too badly, especially compared to WarPaint. But if they do qualify and can travel it will be very cool. Also the tournament is also hurt in 'prestige' by straight up refusing entry to two of the best 1v1 CoH2 players ever.

Another aspect of the whole GCS process of passport verification for me, is more about ensuring the players are very serious about wanting to compete in Manchester in September. Jove and Noggano have given me no reason to believe they aren't and won't try their best.

I also understand that players who could get knocked out by either of them, and then see that they can't travel could feel upset. But also with there being seeding shake ups, four tournaments, there will be more than enough time for cream to rise to the top. Again it's only the systems at play that are allowing for this much flexibility.

After discussing passport and visa matters with Noggano and Jove I believe it is the correct course of action to allow both Russians to enter the GCS2 qualification system.

I have decided this based on the following factors:

• Jove has a very valid reason for having missed GCS2 sign ups, having only just finished serving his Army conscription.
  
• Noggano speaks excellent English and has proven himself to be one of the most trusted competitive players in the community, he can vouch for both players and oversee processes.
  
• Low risk. This is not GCS2 this is only QUALIFICATION. Great players can be given either Noggano or Jove's spots if anything goes wrong.
  
• It is the World Cup year in Russia so there's plenty of precedent for travel between the UK and Russia as long as all correct procedures are followed.
  
• Both Noggano and Jove have proven online personal identities to myself.

This is based on the following conditions:

• Noggano and Jove work together to ensure their passport applications are processed in a timely manner at their cost, they will provide proof and provide updates based on this.
  
• They both recognise that there is no prizepool during Qualification, and the actual tournament is the live tournament in September. They are legitimately competing to the best of their abilities for the right to qualify for GCS2.
  
• If they qualify and any of the processes fail, other competitors will take their place in the eight man live tournament. It's a risk they understand.

If all conditions are met GCS2 will pay for the visa application process of either or both players, and A_E will work to the best of his abilities with them both to ensure the relevant authorities permit said visas.

Jove will be given a seed of 19 as it is felt even though he is very rusty he is a former CoH2 grand master (#1 all 5 factions at the same time) and multiple ESL cup winner. It would be unfair to high seeds to have Jove as too low.

Welcome Jove and Noggano!

In Google Translate Russian. Show Spoiler

Update 30th June.

A polite note that Jove and Noggano have been issued a notification regarding passports - and that it may stop their participation of future qualification tournaments if they cannot provide proof in the coming weeks. This is between GCS2 and them, but I am just giving everyone the heads up as a matter of transparency.

Update 19th July

Russians can no longer travel to UK.

https://www.coh2.org/topic/81434/gcs2-qualifier-noggano-can-no-longer-travel