[SLCN.NXZ]

Originally Posted by Dox

iirc SC2 is almost always finished hours before CoD, so they can probably squeeze some extra games in.


That was literally the most accessible venue out of all. It doesn't get more central than that. :x


I'll echo the stream downtime you've heard about a million times already. Having someone on the ground roaming/interviewing will fill time perfectly. Nothing else needed.

Just on the stream downtime note. Roaming camera even of itself would be fine. I remember at ACL Sydney last year they had something like this. I distinctly remember watching ninja vs jazbas on Antiga from behind ninja for a little while. This is something cool that also familiarises the stream audience with where the players are actually playing. Players could sit behind someone and just talk about the game, interviews if you had someone to do that.

[iM tgun]

Originally Posted by x5_NXZ

Just on the stream downtime note. Roaming camera even of itself would be fine. I remember at ACL Sydney last year they had something like this. I distinctly remember watching ninja vs jazbas on Antiga from behind ninja for a little while. This is something cool that also familiarises the stream audience with where the players are actually playing. Players could sit behind someone and just talk about the game, interviews if you had someone to do that.

Hell if you run another event in Sydney, put the Camera over the players shoulder and get another player of the same race (eg: ninja is playing, grab moonglade) and talk about what ninjas doing and why -- from his perspective.

[SLCN.NXZ]

Originally Posted by iM tgun

Hell if you run another event in Sydney, put the Camera over the players shoulder and get another player of the same race (eg: ninja is playing, grab moonglade) and talk about what ninjas doing and why -- from his perspective.

Yeah as long as the player is fine with this it would be sweet.

[Baldie]

One of our main focuses while over in America will be around structure and format.

In 2014 there will be 2-3 offline events and an array of online rounds again. It is most likely we will not do open bracket at all next year, meaning offline events will purely be invite only by points. This is due to a variety of reasons but in simple terms, the demand isn't high enough to justify the resources required to have it.

As a result we appreciate the format and structure of our online rounds will be more important than ever. We would love to hear your thoughts on potential formats of our online rounds and offline events. Thank you to those who have already expressed their thoughts.

We takes these "ACL Summits" very seriously so please continue with your feedback so we can provide the best experience in 2014.

[NvRossi]

I'd like points earned to mean something.

I've always hated having to play in every single qualifier to guarantee myself a slot.

[ACL VaNzR]

Guys, it's always great to read feedback in these threads. I'm going to BUMP this a bit and ask that you please complete a survey we have just released, along with Part 1 of a 2013 Review I'm putting together.

Please bear in mind this is probably the most negative of the 3 parts in the review. There are some ugly things to talk about unfortunately, though I'm a positive person and believe our communities can rise above those issues to make 2014 fantastic.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to collating your anonymous feedback.

FEEDBACK SURVEY AND REVIEW HERE: http://forums.aclpro.com.au/t/acl-pr...13-review/5964

[syfMiley]

No worries Nick! Will send feedback on through there.

[ToR.Arnor]

Originally Posted by ACL VaNzR

Guys, it's always great to read feedback in these threads. I'm going to BUMP this a bit and ask that you please complete a survey we have just released, along with Part 1 of a 2013 Review I'm putting together.

Please bear in mind this is probably the most negative of the 3 parts in the review. There are some ugly things to talk about unfortunately, though I'm a positive person and believe our communities can rise above those issues to make 2014 fantastic.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to collating your anonymous feedback.

FEEDBACK SURVEY AND REVIEW HERE: http://forums.aclpro.com.au/t/acl-pr...13-review/5964

hey man i helped with pack down

[PiG]

Originally Posted by Baldie

One of our main focuses while over in America will be around structure and format.

In 2014 there will be 2-3 offline events and an array of online rounds again. It is most likely we will not do open bracket at all next year, meaning offline events will purely be invite only by points. This is due to a variety of reasons but in simple terms, the demand isn't high enough to justify the resources required to have it.

As a result we appreciate the format and structure of our online rounds will be more important than ever. We would love to hear your thoughts on potential formats of our online rounds and offline events. Thank you to those who have already expressed their thoughts.

We takes these "ACL Summits" very seriously so please continue with your feedback so we can provide the best experience in 2014.

I think losing the open bracket would make a lot of players sad. Also losing all the signup fees and having less spectators could hurt the event (though if production increases then that probably easily makes up in spectators). The two sc2 Open-brackets this year had at least 40 signups on top of the 16 players already qualified. I guess that's only between $1000-$1500 which isn't a lot considering how much these events cost to put on, but it is something.

I guess it's just some of the storylines which evolve and the chance for up-and-coming players to prove themselves which has always been great for the community. I would love to see the open-bracket continue.

So you said that the demand isn't high enough to continue open-brackets. Could you please tell us what sort of demand would allow it to continue? If you could guarantee 75+ open bracket signups would it be a different story?

As for admins and setting up and packing down I know that it's a big effort to set up and pack it all down for a bunch of volunteers and I'm always amazed by the job you guys do. This is an area I really think the community needs to step in and help out. I personally will be trying to spread the word that more volunteers are needed to keep these events as strong as they are, and with the help of all the teams promoting ACL in each community I can easily imagine us consistently getting more volunteers on the ground at these events.

I don't imagine that will make these events less stressful, but it will make it less overwhelming and a little more manageable for you guys.

The question I have though is how many more signups, volunteers and admins would make an open-bracket feasible?

[syfSoundwave]

If you get rid of open bracket you really do take away the most awesome aspect of ACL IMO: getting to meet players from all over ANZ. Meeting teammates, meeting forum buddies, meeting pro players. But not many people are gonna fly/drive interstate to hang out with you if they aren't even gonna get the opportunity to play. Without open bracket, these events will just be a clique between the same 16-20ish pros over and over again, with the occasional underdog slipping in through the online rounds (eg, Schnitzel and Afhrait at ACL Sydney, Nomad at ACL Brisbane). While that's all fine for the spectators who get to meet the pros, people like me, Aiya, Xormentor, fuckin uhhhhhh...RunaMoK will probably just be sitting at home practicing and praying to god we get through that online round, cause that's basically the only way we're gonna get rewarded for our passion then, since flying to ACL to interact and play with everyone you know from all around ANZ won't be happening anymore.

Originally Posted by PiG

I guess it's just some of the storylines which evolve and the chance for up-and-coming players to prove themselves which has always been great for the community. I would love to see the open-bracket continue.

This too. With no open bracket you don't have things like Djvillian's absurd underdog run at ACL Melbourne. He had a pretty large crowd watching him towards the end of the bracket (most of which was probably ToR guys :P) just because of the story there. He certainly isn't the only one. No open bracket also means no Stormz at ACL Melbourne, getting to meet his Exile 5 teammates, and he also had a pretty decent sized crowd watching him.

There is very little in SC2 that is cooler than watching your teammates games while standing behind them. You get so ******* emotionally invested in a way that pro SC2 really can't match (unless it's like GSL Finals between your favourite player and some random)

[ACL VaNzR]

To be clear, I think the most important takeaway is: Without committed helpers (about 4-5 times more than what we have now - which is just Baldie) - there will be no open bracket.

I too, agree with the great positives of an Open Bracket and want to see it continue - but we can't run a top quality production with it in play (and no help from the community). The harsh truth is that SC2 players are the least willing to help of any community, and we just won't do it anymore unless people step up. Putting your hand up as a 'oh I might pop in after work' won't suffice, as ACL Sydney made it clear that noone would do that. Volunteering is a BIG commitment, we get that, and we don't EXPECT anyone to do it. But the choice is very plain: Better production/stream or NO stream/shit stream and an open bracket. Either that or more people come out of the woodwork.

PiG, I'll answer your question with numbers etc soon. As someone who tries desperately to be an optimist, I'd like to say the answer is we can have both, but after 24 months of having 1-2 volunteers from this community instead of the 5-6 we need, my hopes aren't high.

Quick Comments

	syfSoundwave:	We all appreciate the work you guys put in. Hope a solution can be found for all our sakes ^^
	syfChadMann:	5*0 stillequals 0.. :(

[ChowMuddha]

this maybe a stupid question... but what the heck. lets say i volunteer is it an entire event commitment or is it helping setup/packing up. Because i would like to participate in the open in future acl events

[TtSYF.tRoy]

It would be sad to see open bracket go but what Vanzr is saying is completely true, Im not sure about Brisbane because i didn't follow the event for some reason but at Melbourne and Sydney there were hardly any volunteers.
At Melbourne we had Baldie - Myself - Kez (legend)
At Sydney i believe we had Baldie - Runamok
Unfortunately i couldn't get up to Sydney When ACL announced the possibility of having a open bracket at Sydney they stated they needed 4-5 volunteers or they simply won't do it. My question is where did these volunteers go?
We talk down the Call Of Duty community for being loud and immature and we complain how LoL is getting more attention yet players and spectators of our community wont help organisations like ACL run awesome events.
Mind boggling.

[ACL VaNzR]

Originally Posted by ChowMuddha

this maybe a stupid question... but what the heck. lets say i volunteer is it an entire event commitment or is it helping setup/packing up. Because i would like to participate in the open in future acl events

Just the setup/packdown my friend. That's what is most needed, though we do like to have 1-2 additional admins throughout the event. We understand they are harder to find (non players) but when you have an open bracket of 60 like we had in Melbourne, it should be easier to find those for setup/packdown.

For all those reading. I will go into more detail about our lack of communication (ACL to blame) in Part 2 of my review. This is a two way street.

Thanks all for reading and communicating thus far . Still so much love for SC2. xo

[Maynarde]

I am obviously with the community here; do not want to lose the open bracket. I also am one of the few who have the unique perspective of being involved behind production and also being a fan / spectator out in the crowd from time to time as well. Production is a SHIT load of work, those guys and VaNz and the other admins work so hard it makes me physically ill watching them. They need help!

For ACL and indeed SC2 in general to grow in this country / region, it needs to get bigger and better as time goes on, not drop off. With the lack of money that exists in this industry, more help is needed!

Right now, even with the recent "ded gaem" bullshit and DOOOOOOM reddit threads about SC2's future on the world stage that were all the rage recently, I feel like the game is doing great in this country. Why? Dat ACL and it's Open Bracket; everytime I arrive to an event I'm happily surprised and enjoy the fact that there are a bunch of new faces and the sign ups just keep getting bigger and bigger. Melbourne 2013 had a record amount of signups I believe, Brissy and Sydney weren't too shabby either!

This is ALL without Blizzard's bank roll too. The local Blizzard dudes love the community, they give back as much as their budget permits, and head office decides how big the budget for them is. The bigger and louder the community, the bigger and louder the event, the more the big wigs are gonna help the little wigs. Makes sense to me! These events being run on the bank and backs of small sponsors, passionate nerds and fans is freakin' impressive.

To add on VaNzR's call to action, I got one of my own: I am a full-time worker, who studies in my spare time, and travels often. I pay all expenses to travel to and from these events, and I am going to be arriving early to every ACL in 2014 to personally help set up for you guys. This isn't for thanks or pats on the back or whatever. This is for me, you, and the game.

I love this game and want to see it kick ass in this country, if I can take time to rock up to the venue and spend a few hours in your home town then I dare say it won't be difficult for 5 or 6 other local dudes / dudettes to join me. We sure as hell get more than that rocking up to open bracket, and sure as hell get more than that spectating. So yeah. JOIN ME and (hopefully) others when we're in your town to keep SC2 and ACL getting bigger and better for 2014.

PS. If you go to ACL's and haven't come said hello wtf do it in 2014 I KNOW SOME OF YOU STILL HAVEN'T and I love meeting new nerd friends and adding to my wondrous eSpatz family. Might even get a cuddle! ;o

Quick Comments

	syfChadMann:	**** yeah!~
	asdfSchnitzel:	i'll do it someday maybe possibly
	Tileä:	Will I ever get a cuddle? T__T

[NvRossi]

hitting up that survey!

my 2c

1. Sydney help was pretty unfortunately timed with another event which definitely lead to less people volunteering. Still a shitty turnout
2. I always struggle with knowing how i can help during the pack-up, and time is always a bit restricted due to having to head off as a group. I guess the moral of that story is i need to come up earlier and ask how i can help before all the hustle.

very sleepy, nothing else to add for now!

[ACL VaNzR]

Originally Posted by NvRossi

2. I always struggle with knowing how i can help during the pack-up, and time is always a bit restricted due to having to head off as a group.

I love you Rossi, so I'm sorry to pick - but this mentality right here. This. That group... if they helped out (properly helped out - not just when I tell you guys to reluctantly do things for 2 minutes).... for 1 full hour or 2... would save the rest of us about 6-8 hours. Gotta be said.

Granted, more team leaders and direction would be great to give you guys. Dually noted.

[Dox]

Without the ACL Open Bracket, SC2 in Australia would almost definitely fold.

In 2012, we had support from WCS, Gamespot, ACL, Gigabyte, CityHunter and numerous other events. For the most part - our calendars were saturated. We suffered from event overlaps. This was good and bad for all the obvious reasons.

In 2013, it's just been ACL. That's it for Offline events. And we've felt it. We've seen waves of retirements and the cascading attitude from America has echo'd far too of a familiar tune.

The future of Oceanic SC2 is literally in the hands of the community. Honestly, the set-up / pack-down isn't hard work. Most the time you just stand around socialising when this is happening anyway. So why not lend a hand? It's actually pretty fun.

[syfChadMann]

My thing with the group leaving etc.. is usually because the group is so ******* hungry. Always so hard to get time to go get food.. waiting, not sure when you have to play etc. Need to mix that schedule into things a bit.. Or put on Lunch? I'd chuck in $10 for a Pizza.. I wouldn't even mind if you guys made some coin from it for the effort.

I've tried to help as much as I can.. but always being someone that travels interstate, its not always possible for me. I should have a bit of time at pack up though

The SC2 community want to help out. Don't lose faith in us yet mate.

Quick Comments

NvRossi:

really needed a sausage sizzle at melbourne

[Dox]

Originally Posted by fray`ChadMann

My thing with the group leaving etc.. is usually because the group is so ******* hungry. Always so hard to get time to go get food.. waiting, not sure when you have to play etc. Need to mix that schedule into things a bit.. Or put on Lunch? I'd chuck in $10 for a Pizza.. I wouldn't even mind if you guys made some coin from it for the effort.

I've tried to help as much as I can.. but always being someone that travels interstate, its not always possible for me. I should have a bit of time at pack up though

The SC2 community want to help out. Don't lose faith in us yet mate.

This is pretty piss-poor imo. You think you're hungry? Think of the volunteers who are stuck there past midnight.

EDIT: While I agree on the pizza thing (It was awesome at ACL Sydney last year), your own sustenance is your own responsibility. Everyone knows how long these events are. Bring some food with you so you can endure it!