Re: Red Alert Global League: Season 9 - Post Season Discussion
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:12 am
Just dropping a 5c on top of what was already said above.
Sadly, the league scheduling format idea I've pitched in previous post-season discussion thread was overlooked this season. Maybe worth having a second look for the next one.
Also, I still think if the league is to be self-running, Rulebook should be followed proper, otherwise it becomes subjective to immediate feels of admins (or lack of) and the result is admins just need to be much more involved in decision-making, while publicly any such decision will always be viewed as misjudgement. Rulebook may have become complex over the years, then it is time to revise and simplify it, as well as tune it to each occasion before the season.
Speaking of presence, as I had an opportunity to watch RAGL "from outside" this season, it felt that RAGL just lacks transparency - a lot of things weren't clear: why certain players were put to Masters and others weren't; why players didn't get strikes as they should have; what was the decision on unbalanced maps, etc. And judging by the comments above and general discord talks, it looks like the players themselves were as puzzled on these topics. So, if Rulebook is to even be had, but especially if it is there but not followed, - any and all governing decisions should be made swiftly and made public.
As for breaking traditions. I am of an opinion that the league should maintain its structure with regards to who's promoted/relegated across tiers. It is simply unfair "de jure" for a player to be put above the heads of others into Masters even if everyone subjectively agrees such promotion is valid. As the league is multi-tier, top division should always be contested and not a free join one.
Saying that, the past Masters return issue hasn't ever been addressed properly too, and given the thought it is reasonable to allow fast-rising or overall strong returning players to join Masters division, there should be a new pre-season event be introduced. Something as follows:
- Top4 Masters have guaranteed spots next season
- 5th and 6th placed Masters have a guaranteed spot
- Top promoted Minions (3-4 spots) have guaranteed spots next season
This gives a solid core of 7-10 players (depending on usual dropouts) being in Masters. The rest of the field (up to a total of 12-14; I think having it more than 12 drags the season for too long and accumulates the delays if those are not dealt with with other means) is up for contention, with remaining Masters (likely no reason to have a straight relegation spots in such a system) being seeded first, then any other non-promoted Minions, then anyone else who wants to get into the fray. How to run such a qualifying event is up for discussion; obviously it shouldn't drag for too long and should be able to close in one, maximum two weeks time. Likely it may be an uncomplete double elimination bracket, or a short-running swiss group, the core idea being spots given based on at least 2 matches per player.
Sadly, the league scheduling format idea I've pitched in previous post-season discussion thread was overlooked this season. Maybe worth having a second look for the next one.
Also, I still think if the league is to be self-running, Rulebook should be followed proper, otherwise it becomes subjective to immediate feels of admins (or lack of) and the result is admins just need to be much more involved in decision-making, while publicly any such decision will always be viewed as misjudgement. Rulebook may have become complex over the years, then it is time to revise and simplify it, as well as tune it to each occasion before the season.
Speaking of presence, as I had an opportunity to watch RAGL "from outside" this season, it felt that RAGL just lacks transparency - a lot of things weren't clear: why certain players were put to Masters and others weren't; why players didn't get strikes as they should have; what was the decision on unbalanced maps, etc. And judging by the comments above and general discord talks, it looks like the players themselves were as puzzled on these topics. So, if Rulebook is to even be had, but especially if it is there but not followed, - any and all governing decisions should be made swiftly and made public.
As for breaking traditions. I am of an opinion that the league should maintain its structure with regards to who's promoted/relegated across tiers. It is simply unfair "de jure" for a player to be put above the heads of others into Masters even if everyone subjectively agrees such promotion is valid. As the league is multi-tier, top division should always be contested and not a free join one.
Saying that, the past Masters return issue hasn't ever been addressed properly too, and given the thought it is reasonable to allow fast-rising or overall strong returning players to join Masters division, there should be a new pre-season event be introduced. Something as follows:
- Top4 Masters have guaranteed spots next season
- 5th and 6th placed Masters have a guaranteed spot
- Top promoted Minions (3-4 spots) have guaranteed spots next season
This gives a solid core of 7-10 players (depending on usual dropouts) being in Masters. The rest of the field (up to a total of 12-14; I think having it more than 12 drags the season for too long and accumulates the delays if those are not dealt with with other means) is up for contention, with remaining Masters (likely no reason to have a straight relegation spots in such a system) being seeded first, then any other non-promoted Minions, then anyone else who wants to get into the fray. How to run such a qualifying event is up for discussion; obviously it shouldn't drag for too long and should be able to close in one, maximum two weeks time. Likely it may be an uncomplete double elimination bracket, or a short-running swiss group, the core idea being spots given based on at least 2 matches per player.