Post by *Edwards on Nov 27, 2010 22:51:04 GMT -5
Megabyte and DOCTOR DEVICE's Event Guide from TAO
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Tournies that are done properly take a LOT of work. Most people out there think that if they make a post saying "I W@NT 2 rUn a T0URN3Y" then pop open a thread it's gonna happen. They simply don't realize that (realistically) not everyone can run a proper tourney. Either from lack of organziation skills, dedication, or time available. You're going to need to set aside a good several hours to get it setup, several more to run the show (or more if your tourney goes over multiple days), and several more again to list out the matches, send out prizes, and get info from participants.
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"BUT HOW DO I ORGANIZE MY EVENT?"
What you'll need:
Rules: Clear, concise, and complete rules. EVERYTHING should be explained out. How opponents will be matched up, what sort of characters are allowed, how many players will be in the tourney. Spell it all out. While no list of rules is every 100% foolproof and covers everything, you want to get as much of it in there as you can. This will help prevent problems in the future.
Leaders: Depending on how the tourney will run, you'll need either someone in or out of game to organize the matches and result. Largely, this will be you, the person running the tourney, but sometimes you need help. Be sure to utilize your helpful staff provided if there is a conflict/question in your thread, or as to how the event should be run.
Deadlines: Timing is everything. Would it be better to have the matches' deadline be at 8pm on a Thurs, or 4am on a Monday? Set reasonable but firm deadlines.
Again: Set reasonable but firm deadlines.
Once more, everybody: Set reasonable but firm deadlines.
If your deadlines are neither reasonable nor firm, your tournament will fail and degenerate into inactivity.
Participants: Guess what, you need people! This is actually the hardest thing to get it seems for most tournies out there. People are flakes (you are, admit it!). So, how to get them to join in?
At the very least, though, make sure you adhere to the above guidlines. Organization and creativity helps encourage players to stick with it. Most people will bail on a tourny if they think the person running it is unorganized, an idiot, or a flake themselves. Aside from that, keep it fun for the participants (duh). Don't run your tourny like a POW camp, and remember not to take yourself, or your event, too seriously.
Prizes: Luckily, you don't have to worry about prizes. When your tournament is done you post your results in the Official Events Board.
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"BUT HOW DO I RUN MY TOURNAMENT, SPECIFICALLY?"
OK! You got some people, got yourself organized, now its time for the tourney! Here's some guidelines to keep it runnin smooth.
Stick to your Rules and Stick to your Deadlines:
Related! ( Click Here! )
Changing the rules on the fly is bad. VERY bad. People will get annoyed and learn to loathe you. Stick to the original plan. If its not as cool as you hoped, tough luck champ; do better next time. Unless there is universal player support and staff approval, you cannot change your rules, and, if these circumstances apply, rules would only take effect starting the round after the new rules were established.
Stick to your deadlines! You've got to keep the tournament running, and punish those that disregard your deadlines with disqualifications. It's unfortunate, but it happens.
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"BUT WHAT DO I DO AFTER MY TOURNAMENT?"
Give out some congrats to all who won and post your results in that handy-dandy "Official Events Board" aforementioned. Get some feedback and be on your merry way. Great work champ, you just ran an event!