[adamhlt]

I am hoping that this rule can be reconsidered:

Not achieved Masters for 2 seasons before current season despite active laddering (ie. 2013 Season 3 and 2013 Season 4).

I believe this reason unfairly disqualifies myself, and possibly others, from the GPD Open. And I will explain why.

1. Back in 2013 Season 3, Heart of the Swarm was still a fairly new expansion with a considerably higher % of players, at least on the SEA server, which didn't have a large player base to begin with. As such, there were more new players, and many of the existing players were still getting a handle of HotS. At the same time, the percentage of players in Masters league was considerably higher than what it is now, resulting in players that would only be at the skill level of diamond now being classified as masters in S3 2013.

2. The current and previous season have been a lot longer than season 3, 2013. With rules such as the one mentioned above, they are keeping that masters league rank still relevant for a considerably longer time. Sure, I was placed in masters in S3 2013, but that was arguably skewed (point 1) and was way back in May, over 5 months ago. Since then, I was originally placed in Diamond S4, and started in Platinum S5.

3. Many players believe SEA is a bit of a joke. Diamond NA is often considered higher than Diamond SEA, yet these players are still eligible, while players such as myself are not. This means that the rules, as they are, systematically allow players that are considered stronger, while not allowing weaker players for the mindset that they are too strong for the tournament.

For someone who only plays SEA, it is very disappointing. I cannot play Masters tournaments as I am not a masters player, and I cannot play GPD tournaments because rules like this qualify me out. SEA doesn't get many tournaments and doesn't have many players as it is.

I am not simply trying to make myself look bad - If I was doing that, I would have highlighted poor performance in recent GPDL tournament (knocked out in first bracket) or lacking ladder results at the moment. Instead, what I am trying to do is show that these rules are systematically disqualifying players that would be suitable for this tournament.

[MrLando]

Originally Posted by adamhlt

3. Many players believe SEA is a bit of a joke. Diamond NA is often considered higher than Diamond SEA, yet these players are still eligible, while players such as myself are not. This means that the rules, as they are, systematically allow players that are considered stronger, while not allowing weaker players for the mindset that they are too strong for the tournament.

It's funny how on sc2sea people say SEA server is a joke (I agree) yet still shun the players who play at a diamond level regularly on SEA from playing tournaments. Seems hypocritical.

Just do this guys:
If a SEA server rank is to be ignored (Especially season 1 and 2) just ask for another servers rank this season and have a certain amount of games that has to be played for the current season on that account.

BingBongBobsYoUncle.

[adamhlt]

I just want to make clear that I am not arguing that people should be disqualified for being diamond on other ladders. I agree with others here that diamond SEA should make you eligible.

I am arguing that the current 2 seasons back plus current season is too restrictive, and fails to take into account aspects that were particular to previous seasons but not the current. Even if a player kept the same skill level from HotS season 1 up until now, that doesn't make them the same league as what they were at the start.

Originally Posted by mGGNemesis

◦Masters for at most two season.
◦Not achieved Masters for 2 seasons before current season despite active laddering (ie. 2013 Season 3 and 2013 Season 4).

This part of the rules recognizes this dilemma and allows the re start of a season to give these players the chance to get back into playing GPD if they really do not get promoted back to masters.

The problem with the second rule is that if you were placed into masters back when HotS was newer, with a higher % of masters players, and a much shorter season, you are disqualified from this tournament. Given the same skill level, what qualified you before as masters now would qualify you as diamond. As this is a GPD tournament, you would be included if it wasn't for this rule.
So, for my personal case (for example), I achieved Masters back in May. Since then, I have been allocated to both Diamond and Platinum. Even if I was the same skill level as I was at in May, I would likely still be getting Diamond now under the current system.

This means that the rules systematically denies players such as myself from playing, yet allowing stronger or equal players to play. Personally, I would like to see it at least stripped back to those who have not achieved masters on the current season or previous season, so long as there was active laddering.

The first rule doesn't affect me personally, but I can imagine cases when this is overly restrictive also. As the rule applies to all seasons, an early SC2 WoL master x2 will be ineligible, even if they had achieved platinum every season after that.

If the "spirit" of this tournament is really GPD, it doesn't need to dwell so much in the past.
I don't believe you should be asked to review each player, but simply adjust the rule of no masters 2 seasons back to no masters 1 season back. That would be more relevant to the current state of SEA SC2.