So I've been seing a lot of random speculation and doom talk over this last week. I'm not sure if everyone is just restless, or it's been too long since the last major, or KI has people all silly. But I wanted to go through a few points to talk about some misconceptions:
1) IGAU Tournament Quality -- From what I've been watching, as well as hearing from others, postpatch tournaments are more exciting than ever; characters that you were unlikely to see in a Top 8 are starting to crack their way through or even win at locals and regionals.
Some players of characters who had an absolute strangehold on top placings before are now having to fight harder and harder to have a shot at the top. All signs are pointing towards NEC being one of the most exciting, talent-packed and unpredictable Injustice tournaments to date.
This seems positive to me.
2) IGAU Tournament Numbers -- As far as I know, the EVO numbers were good, as well as the numbers for TFC. I can't remember how many entrants there were at Summer Jam, but it seemed like healthy numbers for what is basically a big regional tournament (it reminds me of an East Coast Season's Beatings).
If anyone has the actual figures and can post them, then we can compare and analyze.
3) Local Scene Health and Particpation -- This is far and away one of the most impressive aspects of the community to date. Aside from the fragmentation of the NY scene, the local community efforts have stepped up in a big way.
When IGAU was first released, hardly anyone was writing about local tournaments, and only a couple scenes had them. As of now, we can look forward to seeing exciting small brackets each week, with compelling writeups, from The Break in Dunnelen, WNF in SoCal, GGA in Chicago and AK in Atlanta. In addition, there are rumblings of things in Arizona and there was a flirtation with a scene in Houston as well. There are new success stories each week of players levelling up and accomplishing exciting things.
The MD/VA/NC area has a series of monthlies and bi-monthlies with some great players that has beena pleasure to watch. In addition, the SoCal players refused to let IGAU at WNF fade away and have taken to streaming the action themselves in a great show of community spirit.
Also the KN crew has been keeping things active up North between Marlboro, Red Bank, and even moving events to people's houses when they couldn't be held elsewhere.
Right now in terms of small-med. sized tournaments, there is more to keep up with and write about than we ever had for MK9, and that's pretty cool.
4) Hype, Forum Activity, and Shows -- As of now, between the Kryptonite Council Podcast, the rejuvenated KTP, the low-tier or mid tier or whatever podcast, and others, there a lot of talk-related content to consume every single week. People are having some great discussions and tackling some interesting subjects, and some of the guest appearances have really helped to bridge communities.
It's been cool to see people get involved again and produce things for everyone. But on top of that, we've seen the return of competitive hype to the forums with money matches springing up, a new East vs. West battle brewing, challenges for character supremacy, and people making big tournament claims with new and different characters (will MMH, Flash and Bane rise at NEC)?
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So based on numbers 1-4.. I am trying to figure out what in the world has everyone so spooked. If you have more information to add in any of these areas, feel free to add it so we can discuss it here.
But honestly I'm proud of the whole community and everything we fought through to get to this point. It's been a unique and special year and there are a lot of signs pointing towards positive things.
What do you think?
1) IGAU Tournament Quality -- From what I've been watching, as well as hearing from others, postpatch tournaments are more exciting than ever; characters that you were unlikely to see in a Top 8 are starting to crack their way through or even win at locals and regionals.
Some players of characters who had an absolute strangehold on top placings before are now having to fight harder and harder to have a shot at the top. All signs are pointing towards NEC being one of the most exciting, talent-packed and unpredictable Injustice tournaments to date.
This seems positive to me.
2) IGAU Tournament Numbers -- As far as I know, the EVO numbers were good, as well as the numbers for TFC. I can't remember how many entrants there were at Summer Jam, but it seemed like healthy numbers for what is basically a big regional tournament (it reminds me of an East Coast Season's Beatings).
If anyone has the actual figures and can post them, then we can compare and analyze.
3) Local Scene Health and Particpation -- This is far and away one of the most impressive aspects of the community to date. Aside from the fragmentation of the NY scene, the local community efforts have stepped up in a big way.
When IGAU was first released, hardly anyone was writing about local tournaments, and only a couple scenes had them. As of now, we can look forward to seeing exciting small brackets each week, with compelling writeups, from The Break in Dunnelen, WNF in SoCal, GGA in Chicago and AK in Atlanta. In addition, there are rumblings of things in Arizona and there was a flirtation with a scene in Houston as well. There are new success stories each week of players levelling up and accomplishing exciting things.
The MD/VA/NC area has a series of monthlies and bi-monthlies with some great players that has beena pleasure to watch. In addition, the SoCal players refused to let IGAU at WNF fade away and have taken to streaming the action themselves in a great show of community spirit.
Also the KN crew has been keeping things active up North between Marlboro, Red Bank, and even moving events to people's houses when they couldn't be held elsewhere.
Right now in terms of small-med. sized tournaments, there is more to keep up with and write about than we ever had for MK9, and that's pretty cool.
4) Hype, Forum Activity, and Shows -- As of now, between the Kryptonite Council Podcast, the rejuvenated KTP, the low-tier or mid tier or whatever podcast, and others, there a lot of talk-related content to consume every single week. People are having some great discussions and tackling some interesting subjects, and some of the guest appearances have really helped to bridge communities.
It's been cool to see people get involved again and produce things for everyone. But on top of that, we've seen the return of competitive hype to the forums with money matches springing up, a new East vs. West battle brewing, challenges for character supremacy, and people making big tournament claims with new and different characters (will MMH, Flash and Bane rise at NEC)?
--
So based on numbers 1-4.. I am trying to figure out what in the world has everyone so spooked. If you have more information to add in any of these areas, feel free to add it so we can discuss it here.
But honestly I'm proud of the whole community and everything we fought through to get to this point. It's been a unique and special year and there are a lot of signs pointing towards positive things.
What do you think?
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