[nirvAnA]

I just want to randomly say I love my Plantronics headphones

Quick Comments

Pandan:

They are amazing, that's for sure! Splash out and get the COMMANDERs just like mOOnGLaDe has :)

[ToRSpookToR]

Pandan has a beef with everyone... ACL does a lot for the community the $5 really isn't that much to spectate a great tournament. I do believe the entrance fees are quite hefty and shouldn't be that high it is a $5 increase from last year which seems unnecessary. AFAIK no booths they only have one good tournament in them I correct me if i am wrong ACL people. Not really a big deal if you ask me.

Quick Comments

	nirvAnA:	My only concern is live spectatorship was not high last year to begin with. I would pay for an ACL HD stream instead!
	Fourby:	My only concern is spook needs to proof read his shit so I dont get lost in his sentences

[|Erasmus|]

Is the $5 to spectate for each day, or both days? If you play day 1 and get knocked out do you need to pay $5 to spectate on day 2?

Given the spectators are paying now, are there going to be more provisions made to them then a screen off somewhere and not even able to hear the casters from where it is?

Quick Comments

x5_dot:

this ^ will there be better conditions for spectating?

[TtSYF.tRoy]

Cant believe the negativity in this thread, yes $50 is a fair chunk of money especially if you have no chance of winning and thats what you are there for. But to get prizes like $2500 players are going to have to pay $50. To get good gear for players to use at ACL events players will need to pay $50. For ACL events to be held at venues like Mercure Hotel players will have to pay $50.

Do you prefer this event for $50 each or a ACL event at Woop Woop Internet cafe with $800 prizes for $15 entry?
Stop sulking and show some support for ACL who have supported Australian esports for so long now.

Quick Comments

	nirvAnA:	yup exactly <3. I think the people whining have no idea how much events like these cost to run. Update: actually they do so thats puzzling
	Pandan:	I think I know PRECISELY how much they cost to run mate
	syfChadMann:	ahaha hahahaha hahahaha ohh Bryan.

[SLCN.Kez]

It's 5 dollars, and they are running a massive amazing tournament so that we can all win hundreds, even possibly a thousdand-ish dollars in prize money. Get over yourselves. Pandan go get slapped at lan again.

Quick Comments

syfSoundwave:

kez the man

[mGGDaedalus]

Positive circle jerking is just as annoying and pointless as negative circle jerking. There is some baseless whining in this thread but there are legitimate questions/concerns that deserve to at least be answered.

I'm happy to have player fees (although I do think they are quite a hefty amount) but I found the description to be very unclear on what exactly they are. I also echo spook in being interested in what exactly the spectating conditions will be like considering it is paid now, as I have to now decide whether it's worth paying to compete (considering I'm not gonna win anyway) or whether its worth paying to spectate.

All in all I'm excited, I would just prefer that ACL spokespeople would just ignore the whine posts and just respond to legitimate questions instead of the other way around.

Quick Comments

	syfSoundwave:	I don't think you'll have to pay for anything mate :)
	PiG:	Good post, agree :)

[nirvAnA]

How can anyone not be excited for this! And its HoTS yay!! Going to be so unpredictable.

Plantronics ACL Brisbane has been confirmed for April 13th & 14th, 2013!

Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm - $2500*
1st $1,000.00
2nd $550.00
3rd $325.00
4th $200.00
5th $125.00
6th $100.00
7th $75.00
8th $50.00

Quick Comments

	Pandan:	SC2 has more (min.) players than HALO & similar toCOD & SC2 basically built ACL last year; yet Console Games get the $$?
	x5.Arrival:	Halo and COD would still bring in more viewership than starcraft though i feel. Maybe this year we can correct this ^_^
	Dox:	^ not the case
	mGGDrGooSe:	Huzzah for prize depth! Thats the way to ensure a competitive future.

[syfChadMann]

Originally Posted by ETL.Daedalus

I'm happy to have player fees (although I do think they are quite a hefty amount) but I found the description to be very unclear on what exactly they are.

Basically there are two stages to the event. Open Bracket and Pro-groups stage. Pay $30 for Open bracket and $55 for Pro-groups, top 8 of Open bracket move onto the Pro-groups and only have to pay the difference ($55-30=$25). ALSO, you'll get a $5 discount if you pay online before the event (rather than at the door).

Originally Posted by ETL.Daedalus

I also echo spook in being interested in what exactly the spectating conditions will be like considering it is paid now, as I have to now decide whether it's worth paying to compete (considering I'm not gonna win anyway) or whether its worth paying to spectate.

This, besides the obvious social aspect - if spectators are going to pay $5 to watch the event, there should be a spectator area with casting. Otherwise people are just going to stay home. Not saying everyone will.. but setting up a spectator area, people are going to be happy to pay $5 and you'll have more spectators for it.

I do agree that perhaps more could have been offered to SC2 in the growth of the overall prize pool. But thats all good. Any plans on adding additional game titles over this year?

Either way, this is just my 2c. Glad to see how deep the tournament is paying. Should be an interesting event, HotS randomness and all...

[SLCN.Kez]

Originally Posted by ETL.Daedalus

Positive circle jerking is just as annoying and pointless as negative circle jerking. There is some baseless whining in this thread but there are legitimate questions/concerns that deserve to at least be answered.

I'm happy to have player fees (although I do think they are quite a hefty amount) but I found the description to be very unclear on what exactly they are. I also echo spook in being interested in what exactly the spectating conditions will be like considering it is paid now, as I have to now decide whether it's worth paying to compete (considering I'm not gonna win anyway) or whether its worth paying to spectate.

All in all I'm excited, I would just prefer that ACL spokespeople would just ignore the whine posts and just respond to legitimate questions instead of the other way around.

Whilst I agree with the point about blind positive circle-jerking is just as silly, I still think there is magnitudes more positive things in plain sight to see to be happy about, and grossly outweigh the possibly negatives, thus, its not really circle jerking if it happens to be true.

True, criticism has its place, and I'm sure ACL like constructive criticism, and they have shown to welcome and respond to it, but sometimes enough is enough, especially over relatively small things, and even then, there are many better ways to format it than what people have done. Perhaps I/others are just sensitive to hate whiners and whingers when they have legitimate concerns, because we are so used to seeing people whine and whinge, and yes this too is an issue, but **** it, I got sorta mad/emotional and I'm a bit cranky, but I still stand by what I said.

[syfSoundwave]

Why is $5 for spectating a big deal? $5 is an absolutely miniscule amount of money.

Quick Comments

HuT:

Majority of specs are gonna be gf's or what-have-you, the price is right, I feel the principal is wrong.

[TAminimat]

Can Baldie or Vanz talk about the spectating area? I am coming as a spectator and if I am paying I would expect a whole lot more than what Sydney and Melbourne had last year.

Quick Comments

	syfChadMann:	I'm sure they will.. its 2am dude.
	iM tgun:	Chad: He didn't say "Right now"..
	Dox:	DEW IT. DEW IT NAO.

[ROOT`iaguz]

I guess it's just motivation to top 3 the ****** thing isn't it.

Quick Comments

	iM MaFia:	gl
	ROOTPetraeus:	lol

[ACL VaNzR]

I'd like to respond to some of your enquiries personally when I can. A bit flat out this morning, but will try get a good response up by the afternoon. Cheers,

Nick

[Eddie]

Good to see the prize pool distribution run deeper, now all top 8!

A $5 increase on last year to play is not a big deal. Most people will only play in the open bracket anyway so $25 isn't that much different than most lans, yet you get the experience and enjoyment of a major ACL event. 'Pro players' will likely have help from teams/sponsors to pay their way as well.

I'd try and advertise it as $25 more so than the full amount, as $50 does sound like a bit for casuals. With HOTS coming out it's a great chance to get some new players/fans involved.

$5 for spectators is interesting. It says $5 donation, so optional/not a charge? Either way, it's not that much in terms of money, more so principle. Depends how they go about it. $5 pass for weekend fine. $5 a day? $5 each time you come and go? Since people are paying there would need to be greater consideration towards their needs. A set-up like Melbourne would be needed.

Quick Comments

Pandan:

I don't disagree with any of these points, generally speaking.

[teddyoojo]

50 bucks is too much for me

Quick Comments

	syfSoundwave:	25* considering there's a very low chance you'll make groups
	syfChadMann:	it's only $25 for Open bracket.. give it a go for some fun! :)
	SLCN.Petrify:	teddy is good as soundwave,gosu german ^_^

[PiG]

w00t super excited for this tournament! See you all in Brisbane next month!

[ACL VaNzR]

Finally have a minute to throw some thoughts from ACL's POV into this. It's a bit late, so I'll try keep this to point form where I can.

- Players do not have to pay spectator pass at any point or day in the comp (knocked out or not)
- Spectating pass is a once off $5 for 2 days. Multi in/out wristband type system
- ACL wants to raise the bar for all of those who come through the doors (competitors AND spectators)
- We were hoping that people would want to help contribute to our events (much like you would here on SC2sea) to keep making them a reality
- Our finals event will definitely incur a charge, as this is heavily focused on the spectator experience: We'd like to help get you ready and used to this change
- There are a lot of good things planned for future events that we believe will add great value

Ok, so now to address some of the concerns. I can see from this thread there is clearly a lot of negativity around the spectator pass. While this was clearly the opinion of ACL not to be of a great deterrent from choosing to attend the event or not, we acknowledge your feedback.

To that end, we will initiate the following changes:

- Top 16 (or Pro Zone players) will receive 1 free spectator pass to give out to who they please
- ACL will help support and continue working with SC2SEA by giving out 30 spectator passes.We will give these to SC2SEA's admin Nirvana and work with him to determine the best delivery method to those interested

Thanks folks and I hope this is something that you are happy with

Quick Comments

	mGGDaedalus:	I'm happy to pay, I just want to know there's good spectator area, hear the commentators etc
	fray`Alpha:	What Daedalus said. More then happy to Pay. But will there be a higher quality spectating area (hearing commentators)
	x5_dot:	Thanks for the info. Would also like to echo the two above me ^^
	syfChadMann:	^^ What they said.

[Baldie]

To answer the concerns above, player satisfaction has always been a priority for ACL - providing a fair and enjoyable tournament. Simply put in the past we have placed speakers at strategical places, played with audio settings and various other methods to try increase how loud we can play the casters to the spectators. Unfortunately we are yet to find a middle ground where spectators can hear the casters without the players on stage as well.

I have spent the last two days researching IEM and various other major events, speaking with players who have participated in them etc. to try source the best solution. There are various options available which we will be looking into. Some costing more than others and some more feasible than others.

We will try our best to provide the most enjoyable spectator experience possible however we will not jeopardize the competitor conditions to do so.

[TAminimat]

Will you be able to say for certain before the event that there will be a good section for spectators to see games with minimal down time in between and hear the casters fine? Thanks for the replies.

[syfChadMann]

Originally Posted by Baldie

Simply put in the past we have placed speakers at strategical places, played with audio settings and various other methods to try increase how loud we can play the casters to the spectators.

You've got a Plantronics Gamecom sponsorship - sort out 20 headsets for spectators and rig it up >.<

Srsly tho, I'm sure something can be done, such as setting up a quiet side room/area for either the spectators to watch or a smaller area for the players on stream to be situated where they can't hear the speakers.

I have no idea of the set-up of the venue, but surely there is some option available...?