Abandoned and Cancelled Tournaments

[amazzony]

No number in front of the topic. Ha.

So... shall we discuss it?

Actually, I'm not sure if any discussion will open in here because there's one in General talk but... I have a few questions and points what I want to bring out and maybe we'll get a lil' discussion out of it.

1. Cancelled tournaments (I like this expression from Steelhorse about tournaments that are left before they started).
I believe that there isn't a tournament that wont get filled. If there's a problem of getting people to join then there are always possibilities to tweak the tournament, make it more attractive. Change a bit in here, a bit in there. Change the thread title a bit more welcoming (adding: Join now, Spots open etc), make the first post more colourful etc (just some "advertising" tips). Change it to some more liked fortification, lose a map or two or change it to something else, etc etc.
I know that it's giving up on your first idea but life is all about compromising and if you aren't changing the main point of you tournament but at the same time get more players to join, get your tournament going and it wont end up in Abandoned then I think it's worth the trouble.

Though, the thing with this point - newer tournament organisers (not that I'm not one of them ) should get this kind of encouragement.

So, why am I talking this? Because I believe that there should be some supporting to each others tournament (advisory support, I mean) and we should also keep our eyes opened for those who are making their first few tournaments and they have some troubles with filling them then we should give some tips&help how they could make it more attractive.

I know that everybody is busy with their own tournaments and stuff so, of course, it's a bad idea for our own time and actually, everybody started on their own and have "worked themselves up".

2. Abandoned tournaments. They should be actually under point number 1 because they are bigger problem IMO. For me it's sad that tournaments get abandoned. Especially when they are half way or even more completed. It's frustrating to players who competed in there and I think that the most to those who have actually a good chance to win. I know that I would be pissed if I lost a chance to win a tournament

Now, I understand that people don't have time or they have serious reasons why they can't finish the tournies. And, in a way, I even understand those people who just say that they had enough. Because before your first tourney you have no idea what it means to run a tourney and if you are taking too big chunk to bite then you might choke.
So, whatever the reasons are, the players shouldn't suffer.
And I think that we can do a bit to help to finish those abandoned tournaments.
I have a few questions and if there aren't sure answers then just your personal opinion would be great.

1. Lets say that I want to finish an abandoned tournament. I know already that I should ask the previous organiser... but what if the previous organiser has disappeared from the site and isn't answering my PM(s)?

*long silence*

I had more questions. And more ideas to put down but I forgot

Anyway, I guess I need a brake but don't worry, I'll be back

[Aerial Attack]

If a TO just disappears, there's not much that can be done about it. If, on the other hand, a TO has undertaken a tourney too great for their time constraints (or just too much total effort) - they should at least be willing to give their tourneys a grace period.

Once a TO knows they are no longer going to be able to handle a tourney, they should change the Subject from "Ongoing" to something like "Troubled" or "Organizer Change?" Once this change has been made - everyone is aware that this tournament may become abandoned. In your first post (or maybe even in the Subject) give an estimated abandonment date [the end of your grace period]. Hopefully, it will be a reasonable grace period (1 or 2 weeks - up to 1 month).

If at the end of this grace period, the TO has not given express permission for a replacement TO - the tourney then becomes open for anyone to continue. For a TO who just disappears, their tourneys can be considered open after 2 weeks.

Grace periods need to be fairly short, because [I don't have any numbers to back me up] I'm guessing that most players will wait up to 2 weeks for a tourney that makes no progress before giving up on it. Tournaments with longer running times will probably have more players willing to expand the grace period (up to a month).

Aerial Attack

EDIT: I forgot that sometimes a TO just needs a little time off. They are allowed to change the title to something like "Vacation until 11/21" to let people know they are taking 2 weeks off. Anything more than a month and they really should get a co-host.

[amazzony]

I would like if it worked like that Because I like to pick up abandoned/cancelled tournaments.
I don't have enough fantasy to think of great ideas for tourneys but it's no problem for me to pick up some tournaments that are half way or haven't started yet and either finish them or tweak them a bit before restarting.

So, lets say that somebody abandoned the site and I can't ask him that if he is alright if I take over the tournament... then it would be great if there's a certain time that I need to wait and then just take over something out of a blue

[Optimus Prime]

I'll be back later today to makes some comments.....

[tentamu]

Maybe we should form a group (council, clan, etc) that helps people to get there tournment filled, and helps those who want operate their own tournments.

This group would also rescue dying tournments.

[Optimus Prime]

Maybe we should form a group (council, clan, etc) that helps people to get there tournment filled, and helps those who want operate their own tournments.

This group would also rescue dying tournments.

You are already staring at that group. It is called the Tournament Organizer Forum. We are hoping that by having this lovely place that anyone who needs help in keeping a tournament going can find it, or if someone needs advice on how to fill their tournament, they can come here for ideas.

Regards, Optimus Prime

[amazzony]

I'll be back later today to makes some comments.....

Where are your comments?