Sounds cool! I'd be game for it.

What do the names for the divisions mean? Or are they just aesthetic?

The regions that the players in them come from. For example, I would be in the Pacific Division, because I live in California.

id be in

Sounds fun, I wouldn't mind taking part. I would be part of the Commonwealth division (I'm guessing it means all the ex-British Empire nations).

I'm willing to give this a shot.

Southeast Division represent

I'd definitely be in. Chi-town represent!

Getting 64 players to commit to 7 games is not an easy task. Conservative Man, there are lots of questions that need to be sorted out for this.

When are the games to be opened?
What scoring system is to be used?
What are the rules on meta-gaming?
What are the rules on pauses?
What if people's total points changes between signing up and the tournament starting?
Is total points the best measure to use?
Do other tournaments provide the same experience already? What is new about this tournament?
Is there a play-off between division winners?
Is there any control over which countries people get?
What will you do about NMRs and CDs?

Don't get me wrong here- I'm not poo-pooing setting up a tournament, I just don't want you to go into it blind. Getting 8 games played in a tournament will take the best part of a year, and 64 games need to be opened in that time. You, and any players, are committing a lot to this, and you need to make sure that its going to be worth it.

I am more than happy to help you run a tournament, and am available to chat at length with you, over MSN, googlechat, facebook chat or preferably a Skype call, but I really don't want people to walk into setting up a tournament for the first time blind, and then get disillusioned by the process.

@Ghost: If only a few people want to join, I could also do an 8, 16, or 32 player tourneey instead of 64.

(Disredard the point symbols, the p o i n t s are not webdip points.)

When are the games to be opened?
When enough people want to play.

What scoring system is to be used?
In each game there are a total of 14 in the "pot". Defeats earn you 0, Survives earn you 1, and the winner gets everything else. In draws the points are distributed as follows: 7-way - not permitted. 6-way - 1 point each. 5-way - 1 each. 4- way - 2 each. 3-way - 4 each. 2-way - 6 each.

What are the rules on meta-gaming?
Disqualified, replaced with a new player that inherits the metagamer's points.

What are the rules on pauses?
If requested, must be granted, one week limit on pauses.

What if people's total points changes between signing up and the tournament starting?
As long as it doesn't go too far above or below, it's fine. Otherwise, a replacement must be found.

Is total points the best measure to use?
How could I do it using GhostRatings?

Do other tournaments provide the same experience already? What is new about this tournament?
This tournament is for people who would not perform well against the top diplomacy players, so that these players can participate in a tournament without losing immediately and badly.

Is there a play-off between division winners?
Yes, to determine the overall winner, and there is also a playoff between division runner-ups, and third places, and so on down to last place.

Is there any control over which countries people get?
Is it possible to control that? If so, I would like each person to get each country one in the division round, and then again in the playoff round.

What will you do about NMRs and CDs?
-1 point for CDs. Will not be allowed to return to the game. Excessive CDing without a good reason will merit a DQ.

I also have 2 more requirements to join. Must have 10 games played and at least one win.

Also, if the mods would allow it, I would like a prize of 10 webdip points given out to the division winners, and an additional 20 for the overall winner.

Also, anonymous players, and I'd like two games from each division going on at once to make it go quicker.

Can we not have a win recquirement? Everytime I'm about to win I get stabbed up the ...nevermind, I'm restraining.

"When enough people want to play."

My concern is that if tournaments are started "just whenever", a regular schedule would be impossible, but I think it could be better to have one.

Also, how long is there to be between the first games being opened and the second and so on?

"What are the rules on meta-gaming?
Disqualified, replaced with a new player that inherits the metagamer's points."

I warn you, you will not be able to keep this rule in a manageable way.

"Is total points the best measure to use?
How could I do it using GhostRatings?"

Say that Ghost-Ratings at the time of application must be between 80 and 250, for instance.

"Do other tournaments provide the same experience already? What is new about this tournament?
This tournament is for people who would not perform well against the top diplomacy players, so that these players can participate in a tournament without losing immediately and badly."

I was thinking about the way in which a GFDT offered a good chance for weaker players to push themselves really far. It is a format that lends itself to having an upset.

Also, there are the leagues, which offer mid range ability players a competitive diplomacy tournament they can enjoy without being up against high-fliers.


"Is there any control over which countries people get?
Is it possible to control that? If so, I would like each person to get each country one in the division round, and then again in the playoff round."

Yes, although it requires some fairly intensive help from a moderator.

"What will you do about NMRs and CDs?
-1 point for CDs. Will not be allowed to return to the game. Excessive CDing without a good reason will merit a DQ"

When a player CDs, they are normally leaving the tournament, so you will need replacements to take their place.

Okay, the tournament will start the first saturday after everyone is signed up. The first two games will start then, and once one game finishes, another will start, and so on.
We can use Ghostratings as requirements, would you recommend the 80-250 requirement, or was that just an example?
If the mods don't want to do the work required to make sure everyone gets each country once, I understand, but if you're willing to help, I'd like it.
And finally: 1 CD is -1 point, but they can come back the next game if they like. Otherwise they are out and replaced. Two CDs and you are out and replaced. If you CD you can not come back to the game you CDed in.

"I also have 2 more requirements to join. Must have 10 games played and at least one win."

"Can we not have a win recquirement?"

I second this motion. I've played enough games (including FtF) to not be a noob.

Count me in, as long as either the win requirement is lifted or I pull off a win before the start of the tournament. Like above, I don't have a win, but also don't think that I'm a total noob.

Okay, the win requirement is lifted, but the number of games requirement is boosted to 15.

Hmmm, I better play some live games. BTW, are all the turn lengths going to be 1 day?

Okay, well, count me in. I'll be in the Southeast division.

Yes, 1 day turn lengths.

Copy and past and add you name to sign up
Conservative Man - Pacific Division
tarspaceheel - Southeast Division

Do I count as an average player? I've got fewer than 100 but I have 4 wins and 24 draws under my belt. On the other hand I also have like 25 defeats, which might actually make me an abysmal player.

@Mafia: Your total points are 140, so you can play, although I'm thinking about using Ghostratings as requirements instead. And by the way, my defeat percentage is worse than yours and I'm still playing.

Good point. Where do I find out my ghostrating again?

here: http://tournaments.webdiplomacy.net/theghost-ratingslist

I'm interested in this, but if you go by ghost ratings, would you use the monthly or all time?

Conservative Man - Pacific Division
tarspaceheel - Southeast Division
Mafialligator - Commonwealth Division

i like how you don't yet even have 64 replies.

not hating, good luck with the tourney. lol. but maybe think about some adverts.

I'm currently trying to estimate how long this tournament will take. I suspect it is over a year, though I've never organised a tournament where games work in the back to back fashion you describe.

Conservative Man - Pacific Division
tarspaceheel - Southeast Division
Mafialligator - Commonwealth Division
rayNimagi - Rocky Mountains/Southwest

1 day turns will be easier on my schedule...

I'm in.

Conservative Man - Pacific Division
tarspaceheel - Southeast Division
Mafialligator - Commonwealth Division
rayNimagi - Rocky Mountains/Southwest
KyleFC - Commonwealth Division