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:
Friday02:30 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
Saturday10:30 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
Sunday10:30 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?
Some guy.
Posts
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.
PS3: Mentok || Steam: mentok1982 || Diablo 3: mentok1982#1212
Links: GPUReview.com My IGN activity My IGN Blog [H]ard|Forum
Question: Can buttons be exchanged outside of Handheld Lounge B or should all button-playing be done within that area?
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.
We tried man! We tried so hard! Hopefully the social experience will make this super cool.
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.
PS3: Mentok || Steam: mentok1982 || Diablo 3: mentok1982#1212
Links: GPUReview.com My IGN activity My IGN Blog [H]ard|Forum
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 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!
PS3: Mentok || Steam: mentok1982 || Diablo 3: mentok1982#1212
Links: GPUReview.com My IGN activity My IGN Blog [H]ard|Forum
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.
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.
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.
Come on man! Double or nuthin'! My Chimchar is ready to roast your ass!
PS3: Mentok || Steam: mentok1982 || Diablo 3: mentok1982#1212
Links: GPUReview.com My IGN activity My IGN Blog [H]ard|Forum
THIS SOUNDS AWESOME!
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.
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. >_>
[10:24] * @BigRed-Worky cums the water
[12:32] <+prox> lawl you kickbanned me so hard my client crashed
I'll be up for that...
Rock-Paper-Scissors?
Is there going to be a limit of people registering for the handheld tournaments? I'm sure theres going to be X number of buttons that you can give out. The problem is, I could see someone like no one wanting to challenge hirocon since he came in first last year. Me coming in 2nd place last year might also scare off people, Although there would be some people willing to challenge me to see if I'm really as good as I am.
I guess I just have to get better at more games from now until then..
If people did this, they wouldn't win the tournament. So basically they would be about the same as not entering, thus anyone who doesnt accept challenges isnt really a competitor for the top prizes. I mean, I know Im not going to win this thing. But I am going to play just to see how long I can keep my buttons, and to see how many I can get.
Honestly I am not that good at games (read as; not as good as the best) so for me, I have a 1:30,000 chance of winning a tournament. So I figure Ill just have fun with it.
And to Mr. Khoo, it would be awesome if the buttons looked like pokemon badges. Or those star things from Yu-Gi-Oh in that episode on the island or whatever it was...
Its more psychological in my view. If I lose my first round, I'm not that bad off with 2 out of 3 pins. If I lose my first round with 2/2 pins going to 1/2-- It makes me worried that the next round will be my very last.
My drawing of a wang will p0wn your drawing of a wang!
DUDE! PICTOCHAT ROCK PAPER SCISSORS!
BRILLIANT!
cock, vagina, boobs sounds more appropriate.
My EV trained team is going to waste, Khoo.
To waste.
The only time I'll play Pokemon purely for buttons will be if it's over WiFi somehow, I don't think you can level-match on local games although you definitely can over WiFi.
I can't wait to play some people in Jump Ultimate Stars, I've only gotten to play against comps
But see here is the catch. If someone notices that you just finished crushing your opponent, how will you get more buttons from other people?
I'm going to add his friend code right now so I don't fight him!