Anyone at PAX 2006 could tell you that no matter where you looked, there was a handheld gaming device (okay okay. There were DS’) in every nook and cranny at the show. We tried our best to run a series of tournaments, much like we do in the PC and console areas, but there were a variety of factors that really hindered the format’s ability to translate to handheld gaming. (connectivity, no dedicated rooms, etc. etc.) That said, we’re trying something new this year. It dawned upon us that there were (obviously) more handheld consoles being played than any other (albeit socially), meaning there was this untapped potential for this cool, competitive thing a ton of people could participate in… but the existing format just doesn’t scale very well. 16-32-64 person tourneys are great… but anything bigger and you’re looking a logistical nightmare and TONS of waiting around for 95% of the players. Blah. So I’d like to introduce our new concept: The Handheld Distributed Tournament System. It’s essentially a convention-wide platform for competing 1v1 against anyone and everyone with a DS or a PSP with actual rankings/prizes at the end of the tournament/show. How is this going to work, you ask? Let me explain! THE OFFICIAL HDTS RULES! When you arrive, go to the HDTS Booth in Handheld Lounge B on the 2nd floor. In exchange for a holepunch in your official PAX Badge, you will receive two HDTS buttons. That’s all that’s required to register. You may challenge any person wearing an HDTS button for one (1) button. (a good visual initiation would be to present your button between your thumb and index finger) They can decline the challenge, but hey, that means they can’t win your button. Their loss. Any handheld game and system may be used with any gametype – the only condition is that both players agree beforehand on the ruleset. Intentional dropping is not cool and will result in an automatic forfeiture of your button, but come on guys- this is PAX! (I honestly don’t see much of this happening) Any disputes should be directed toward the HDTS Booth Staff. After 2 PM on Sunday, you can check in to the HDTS Booth to report your button count. (the buttons will be yours to keep, but they will be uniquely marked to avoid multiple use of the same button) Pooling buttons together is not allowed. We’ll list the Top 5 at 4 PM where winners can claim their prizes! (we’re working on the five prizes, but what we’ve got so far is pretty sweet) If you’re looking for a SPECIFIC game to play, we’ve set up some “suggested times” in Handheld Lounge B for certain games. By no means are you required to use these, but hopefully people will find this helpful: Friday 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM: Mario Kart: DS 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM: Pokemon Jump Super/Ultimate Stars 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM: Metroid Pinball / Metroid Prime: Hunters 08:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Meteos / Bleach DS Saturday 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Puzzle League / Bomberman 12:30 PM - 02:00 PM: PSP Games 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM: Elite Beat Agents / Ouendan 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM: Lumines 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM: Tetris / Advance Wars 08:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Brain Games / Zendoku / Puzzle Games Sunday 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Puzzle Quest 12:30 PM - 02:00 PM: Naruto / New Super Mario Bros. Like I said, there’s a huge potential for this to turn out really really well (or spectacularly terrible!). If it’s a hit, we’ll make sure it’s a big part of the show for 2008 and beyond. Questions? Comments?

That's such an amazing idea. Awesome.

When you say "buttons" you mean a button with a picture on it and a pin on the other side that can be pinned to clothing right? The rules all sound great. Depending on the awesomeness of the prizes I can almost guarantee that friends will attempt to pool their buttons together. I am at a loss as to how to prevent that from happening.

This will be awesome. So basically an open-ended tournament all weekend. Great idea! Question: Can buttons be exchanged outside of Handheld Lounge B or should all button-playing be done within that area?

Well holy shit

I personally would have preferred more structured tournaments, but I think this idea definitely fits well with the social atmosphere of PAX.

Yes, when I say "Buttons", I mean little metal buttons with pins on the back that you can attach to your clothing, hats, etc. The idea is that people will wear these things like medals of honor. The pooling is difficult, although we're trying our best to solve that issue with the prizing - stuff that can't be split up will help. Gameplay can happen absolutely anywhere, whether that means in Handheld Lounge B, in the bathrooms, on the street or in the expo hall. it doesn't matter. Everywhere is fair game.

I personally would have preferred more structured tournaments, but I think this idea definitely fits well with the social atmosphere of PAX. We tried man! We tried so hard! Hopefully the social experience will make this super cool.

This is an excellent idea to include as many people as possible. There are 30,000 expected people at PAX and if the tournament only includes 32 people, then that's 29,968 people that don't get a chance to participate. I still think there should be some sort of Picto-chat competition. Or at the very least somehow get several good (aka draw well or just funny) people to play it on a big screen.

I still think there should be some sort of Picto-chat competition. Or at the very least somehow get several good (aka draw well or just funny) people to play it on a big screen. It is too bad the new PSP with video out will not come out until after PAX. We could have watched some really good gamers play some hawt rounds of Lumines.

Maybe some kind of Pictionary using Pictochat (Pictonary?)

This sounds like a fantastic idea in all honesty. Plus it makes things a bit more interesting since you never know if you will be playing someone who has spent 13 million hours devoting his life to the game, or someone who picked up the game the day before so they would have it for PAX. So the tournament is not only about personal skill, but also about picking the right battles... Its like pokemon, only more awesome!

This sounds like a fantastic idea in all honesty. Plus it makes things a bit more interesting since you never know if you will be playing someone who has spent 13 million hours devoting his life to the game, or someone who picked up the game the day before so they would have it for PAX. So the tournament is not only about personal skill, but also about picking the right battles... Its like pokemon, only more awesome! Of course, in some instances, it is Pokémon!

So the tournament is not only about personal skill, but also about picking the right battles... Its like pokemon, only more awesome! So it would be a good idea to challenge someone that has only one button. It would mean that they have been beaten at least once, or that they are hiding their 35 buttons in their backpack so that people think they only have one button left. Very sneaky sis!

Maybe some kind of Pictionary using Pictochat (Pictonary?) It's up to you guys! In my opinion, you can have a group tournament for who can throw their DS the furthest. As long as it involves a handheld device, I'm completely cool with it.

What about matches for more than one button? Can players negotiate odds?

Maybe some kind of Pictionary using Pictochat (Pictonary?) I'd totally be down for something like that. May be best to just have it informally this year, at a party or something. Would definitely be a fun social event.

What about matches for more than one button? Can players negotiate odds? There isn't a whole lot we can do to stop it - i would just hate to have someone's Tournament experience be cut short because of one match... let's say there's a little lag or someone bumps them on the elbow accidentally. It is my personal preference that they be kept 1 button matches.

What about matches for more than one button? Can players negotiate odds? Come on man! Double or nuthin'! My Chimchar is ready to roast your ass!

Maybe multiple button matches are best saved for people who already have enough to spare.

>>edited out Yu-Gi-Oh reference THIS SOUNDS AWESOME!

I'm going to find someone to challenge in Rocket Slime, feel the wrath of my slime tank!

Yes, when I say "Buttons", I mean little metal buttons with pins on the back that you can attach to your clothing, hats, etc. The idea is that people will wear these things like medals of honor. The pooling is difficult, although we're trying our best to solve that issue with the prizing - stuff that can't be split up will help. Gameplay can happen absolutely anywhere, whether that means in Handheld Lounge B, in the bathrooms, on the street or in the expo hall. it doesn't matter. Everywhere is fair game. There is just one problem with this plan. Lets say your awesome at "such and such game" People can deny your request there by disallowing you to collect buttons even if you are better then them. If this is a tournament, tournament-- Challenges should not be so easily declined. And two buttons seems like not enough imho. People are going to hold onto their very last button and not challenge people/not accept challenges if it means they can't play anything more competitively. 3 buttons would be preferred especially since is over multiple games. Don't take my criticism wrong, I love the idea. I just think it needs to be adjusted a bit. I still wish nintendo made a DS hub that logged all the games and stats so you could deal with your pooling issue.

I completely understand your concern, but I believe there are enough participants where getting matches will not be an issue. There is definitely a critical mass component to making this work, but I'm pretty sure PAX has achieved it size wise.

I'm not going to enter a tournament for a game that I'm horrible at. With this system, yes, it does limit you to only competing in games that you're good at, unless you actually want to try other games, because this isn't a ladder system, how do you know what games other people are good at. Yes, people can decline your request. It's in the rules. I'm not about to accept a challenge for my button at Lumines if I've never played Lumines. >_>