[Baldie]

ACL Introduces the Pro Zone

For the first time ever at an ACL national event, we are looking to reward the pro players that put the most time and energy into our competitions. By providing specialist Pro Zone areas at our Plantronics ACL event this April 13th and 14th in Brisbane, those elite players will receive a few extra perks that should help them to relax and focus on their game. This is just a part of what ACL is trying to accomplish in recognising the heroes of our games and rewarding our most loyal followers.

ACL has long been trying to raise the profile of our Pro Players, at the same time giving our newer players something to strive to achieve.....

Read more on this announcement including full list of perks on ACL at the link below:
http://www.aclpro.com.au/forums/topi...s-the-pro-zone

[Eddie]

Great to see ACL trying out new things to benefit/reward players!

Will it be possible for spectators to get close enough to see the games via these pro players first person view, or will they be separated by some distance?

[ACL VaNzR]

We'll reveal a floor plan for you soon to see also. You'll definitely be able to see pro player games

[x5_dot]

If the player competition area will be separate, are there going to be media passes or something?
In other words, will I be allowed to take photos?

Quick Comments

syfChadMann:

Says players get a +1 to the room, I presume you can take photos from side of rope area?

[SLCN.Kez]

Gettin so excited for this

[Baldie]

Originally Posted by Eddie

Great to see ACL trying out new things to benefit/reward players!

Will it be possible for spectators to get close enough to see the games via these pro players first person view, or will they be separated by some distance?

Yes. The area will be tensabarriered off but you will be able to stand at the barrier. The barriers will be a decent amount back as will be disclosed when the floor plan is released

Originally Posted by dot89

If the player competition area will be separate, are there going to be media passes or something?
In other words, will I be allowed to take photos?

Each Pro Player will have a +1 pass. These passes will enable them to the benefits of the pro zone. You will be able to have access as a +1 to the pro area where appropriate and when it doesn't negatively impact the players playing due to noise/space/etc

Quick Comments

x5_dot:

ty :)

[[TA]LoSt]

Does that mean everyone who makes it past the open bracket into groups qualifies for this area?

Quick Comments

SLCN.NXZ:

I second this question.

[Baldie]

Originally Posted by [TA]LoSt

Does that mean everyone who makes it past the open bracket into groups qualifies for this area?

No this is purely for the top 16 qualifiers who don't play Open Bracket. Good question though!

Quick Comments

SLCN.NXZ:

Man wish I had internet when there were sign ups TT

[syfChadMann]

Originally Posted by Baldie

No this is purely for the top 16 qualifiers who don't play Open Bracket. Good question though!

I'm guessing there will be a bank of PC's set up for Open bracket anyway.. So when the open bracket is finished up, there will be PC's available for those guys to use for the rest of their group games. Just no special perks :'(

[[TA]LoSt]

Well there's a few open bracket players that have potential to win the whole thing, yet since they're qualifying through the open bracket -> groups -> top 16, they still don't get access to the area? I'm just thinking it's possible that those top 16 invites there that automatically get into groups won't necessarily be the top 16 making it out of groups.

Quick Comments

syfChadMann:

it's the reward for playing online rounds and being top qualifiers.

[ROOT`iaguz]

I'll give my +1 to my favouritist open bracket -> group stage player if you want.

Quick Comments

SLCN.NXZ:

what a man!

[Baldie]

Originally Posted by TALoSt

I'm just thinking it's possible that those top 16 invites there that automatically get into groups won't necessarily be the top 16 making it out of groups.

True but the time they are in groups and playing (which will be the same time as open bracket) they will have the joy of playing on their own PCs with space around them. By the time the top 8 championship bracket is ready, open bracket and pools would have all been done so there really is no issues around space for computers etc.

Also like chadmann said it is a reward for those who fought it out in qualifiers for a top 16 spot.

Originally Posted by fray`iaguz

I'll give my +1 to my favouritist open bracket -> group stage player if you want.

The +1 for the players is purely to get a +1 into the venue and into the after party, not to have them use the pro zone for personal use.

EG if you give a +1 to a player who qualifies from open bracket they will not be able to use the computers for competitive play. They will however be able to go straight into the after party.

Realistically the pro zone is only meant for the 16 players and their +1 aren't even meant to be in there but we can be lenient with having them come and go in there as appropriate so long as it doesn't negatively impact the pro players currently playing.

Said otherwise a +1 gets limited perks from the pro zone but aren't entitled to all aspects of it.

[syfChadMann]

Originally Posted by Baldie

Each Pro Player will have a +1 pass. These passes will enable them to the benefits of the pro zone.

Originally Posted by Baldie

The +1 for the players is purely to get a +1 into the venue and into the after party, not to have them use the pro zone for personal use.

I think the PC's are only for pro-players, sure.. but if players have team photographers or while their player is not using a PC use it for social media updates from the use of the +1, thats fine.. right? I'm a bit confuzzled by this +1 thing now..

EDIT: My personal use of any potential +1 will be as suggested, also a place to sit with the players in fray and talk to them between games, keep them motivated, positive and sort out their needs. While making updates to social media and taking photo's.. I'm sure everyone understands and respects the players playing and it's not a party-zone.. its a place to play.

yah, best to wait for floorplan before worrying about it.. I'll just add that for me, we want to be able to take photographs of the event and publicise it. I understand that flash photography is not a good idea, but there are ways to take pictures with out a flash and produce good quality imgs - even in poor lighting. The 'access' to the player area would be for this. As well as servicing the needs of players any 'manager' or 'team staff' are there as a +1 for. Using computers isn't a big deal, I have a smart phone after all.

Quick Comments

	ROOTPetraeus:	u aint using my pc mate
	Baldie:	Yeah I might have jumped the guns in terms of responding. Could be confusing until floorplan released

[ACL VaNzR]

Just further to what Baldie is saying, the Pro Zone +1s will get access to the Pro Zone breakout room, not where the players are competing. Only Pro Players can enter the competing area. Will get this floorplan up soon so it's better understood.

[syfMiley]

Can't wait to see the floor plan

[ACL VaNzR]

Ok guys. The floorplan is now up here:
http://www.aclpro.com.au/2013/events...3-landing-page

Let me just quickly explain these points:
- The Pro Zone Competition area will be both on the stage and in the top right corner.
- The Pro Zone Player Retreat is located at the very bottom of this plan and is a separate room
- The Pro Zone Competition area is clearly visible for photography and spectators to watch over shoulders
- The Pro Zone Competition area will not allow any +1s access
- The Pro Zone Player Retreat will allow +1 access
- The Pro Zone Player Retreat is where internet access will be provided (laptops to share for social media etc)

If all of the above isn't obvious, the two areas are indeed very different. The competition area is quite literally where pros are competing. With barriers very close to the players and the area still prominent in the venue, we feel that noone will be missing out on seeing their favourite players in action. The reason noone other than players is allowed in this area is again very obvious - this is for competitive play only.

The Player Retreat is where we feel that the +1 access is really of benefit (especially for coaches/managers). This is your world where (if you're Chadman for instance) you can sit your players down, give them the pep talk they need and 'escape' the noise and hustle of a loud LAN environment for a bit.

It is not our intention to create a 'divide' between Pros and Open players or create any elitism at our events. We feel that the use (or overuse) of this Player Retreat will depend ultimately on the players themselves. This is merely a perk to enjoy where needed, though we'd encourage Pro players to hang with the rest of the crowd and audience who have also come to enjoy the event.

I hope this helps to explain our approach to the Pro Zone

Quick Comments

syfChadMann:

sounds good mate.. :)