Advice for devising a shmup tournament wanted

Post by **spadgy** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:11 pm

In short, I'm running the shmups tournament at the one, the only, the greatest, most fantastical show on earth, Insert Coin 09, and I'd like to have an open discussion about how best to run a tournament that will be fair, exciting, fun, and close for a wide range of players.

I have five cabs at my disposal, and just below is a list of all off the shmups at the tournament.

I'm wondering how many rounds I should do, whether I should follow a knock-out cup or a points based thing, and lots of things like that.

Any advice? Any thoughts on the best five games? Any thoughts on how you'd do it? I can sort this alone, of course, but I though it would be all the better for considering a range of inputs.

Thanks!

And here's the games...

Death Smiles MegaBlack Label
Armed Police Batrider
Muchi Muchi Pork
Progear no Arashi
Flying Shark
Esp Ra.De
Ibara
Zero Gunner 2
Ikaruga
Raiden Fighters
Border Down
Radiant Silvergun
Salamander 2
Sexy Parodius
ketsui
dodonpachi
esperade
Death Smiles
Battle Bakraid
Battle Garegga
Guwange
MushihimeSama
Raiden Fighters 2
DoDonPachi 2
Pulstar
Blazing Star
Aerofighters 2
Ketsui
R-Type Leo
Guwange
Muchi Muchi Pork
Pink Sweets
Battle Bakraid
Battle garega
Armed Police Batrider
Psyvariar 2
Varth
Taito Space Invaders cocktail
Trigger Heart Exelica
karous
Radilgy
Under Defeat
Border Down
Giga Wing 2
Strikers 1945 II
Salamander
Mushihimesama Futari
R-Type Leo
P-47 Thunderbolt
Defender

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:55 pm

You might want to include the cool Namco's Tenkomori Shooting or the all-English variant known as Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCB. Since it uses a pair of 8-way digital based joysticks and a single fire button for each player, some fun and very heated contests had be had with it. Yeah, I've personally see some heated matches on a USA region Tenkomori upright between two players and a crowd watching them at one California Extreme show. Crazy but fun shit if you were to ask me. ^_~

If you plan on giving away some arcade shmup PCBs as top prizes, that wouldn't be a bad idea. Giving away cash also works wonders as well.

Hire some sexy female bikini models to spice up the action to let others know when it's time for the next round of elimination -- they can hold up placards (just like in the boxing rounds). Call up some talent agencies and ask if their female models would be willing to pose for an agreed fixed rate beforehand for both days. Doesn't hurt to inquire about it. ^_~

Just a simple pairing of competitors and the one with the higher scores goes to challenge the next player in "elimination type of round" until there is one remaining player who wins.
At the California Extreme show, the folks who are in charge of putting on the show every year, they have a set of dedicated rules for their pinball competition contests.

Let the news media know well in advance of your shmup competition event and get some free media coverage of the Insert Coin '09 event. Contact some local telly news stations to come out and broadcast some video coverage of the events. There's nothing like free TV media coverage to get the word out. ^_~

Back in 2005, I entered a local gaming store's PSP Ridge Racer contest and the way how it was setup was by "elimination round". The winner of playing one-on-one moved on up until it was just two final contestants racing against each other. The winner was given a store gift certificate good for video gaming merchandise.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

lgb · Post by **lgb** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:49 am

Here's for reference: the latest MARP Knockout Championship rules.

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:25 am

PC Engine Fan X! wrote: Hire some sexy female bikini models to spice up the action to let others know when it's time for the next round of elimination -- they can hold up placards (just like in the boxing rounds).

Ha! Nice idea - I used to work in PR though - I know how much they are to hire! I could see if Skykid and RupertH are free!

And lgb - thanks for the link mate - that's really helpful...

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:03 am

the most popular/sucessful/fun tournament ive had was at my ketsui challenge where we had a head to head knockout tournament.

2 machines playing ketsui side by side, both players start simultaneously and whoever survived the longest went thru to the next round.
the battle for 3rd consisted of a separate "loosers" bracket..

great fun and doesnt necessarily mean the players have had to been playing the game extensiveley beforehand (like a scoring competition does).. it also means you get to play teh game raw as it is without setting stupid rules.

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:18 am

sven666 wrote:the most popular/sucessful/fun tournament ive had was at my ketsui challenge where we had a head to head knockout tournament.

2 machines playing ketsui side by side, both players start simultaneously and whoever survived the longest went thru to the next round.
the battle for 3rd consisted of a separate "loosers" bracket..

great fun and doesnt necessarily mean the players have had to been playing the game extensiveley beforehand (like a scoring competition does).. it also means you get to play teh game raw as it is without setting stupid rules.

^^this

It was very fun (hey, I was there) and not having scoring to worry about, gives "n00bs" a fair advantage over the seasoned players (most of us never survive stage 1 because of obsessively going for a few measly points more).

poolchamp · Post by **poolchamp** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:31 am

Hi all iv just sent wil a pm.

I have given a gurantee of £150 prize money and increased his number of cabs to 8 .

Post by **Icarus** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:11 am

For a scoring-based competition, do a league table with inverted points distribution - for example, if a hundred players are taking part, 1st place gets 100pts, 2nd get 99pts, 3rd gets 98pts and so on. Do this for all games, then total up at the end.

You could also do a final knockout stage after this, by taking the top 4, 8 or 16 players overall after the league table portion and pitting them against each other either by seed ranking - 1st vs 16th, 2nd vs 15th etc - or via "random select". A knockout phase also guarantees that the top players won't automatically get the top prize, and still have to play at their best to win.

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:24 am

dont overdo it dude, most people that show up do not want to compete or participate in tournaments anyways..

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:32 am

Spadgy dude, I quite like Sven's idea of simultaneous survival - it rids us of things like scoring and brings it down to a fairly base level.

I do think it would be crap if someone had extensive knowledge of the game though, as that would be an unfair advantage - so something obscure might do better.

However, you've then got another 7 titles to worry about...

(Progear is a requirement, y'hear!)

moozooh · Post by **moozooh** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:43 am

You can split the games into scoring and survival categories as well.

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:59 am

Skykid wrote:Spadgy dude, I quite like Sven's idea of simultaneous survival - it rids us of things like scoring and brings it down to a fairly base level.

I do think it would be crap if someone had extensive knowledge of the game though, as that would be an unfair advantage - so something obscure might do better.

However, you've then got another 7 titles to worry about...

(Progear is a requirement, y'hear!)

If the games played uses risk/reward scoring, the "survival contest" is automatically more fair for unexperienced players as they tend to take less risks.

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:17 pm

Guys - this is all awesome. Lot's to digest, which I'm going to have to do in a couple of days thanks to a pile of deadlines at work, but with poolchamp generously upping the ante with the the number of cabs and prize money, this is going to be an awesome comp, and Skykid will definately be wearibng a bikini and holding up the round numbers...

EDIT: And yes - Progear's the one game I'm sure of, even if I can't enter as I'll be in charge.

charlie chong · Post by **charlie chong** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:53 pm

sod progrear

please to put non boring games in the torunament

DJ Incompetent · Post by **DJ Incompetent** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:59 pm

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=13540

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:16 pm

charlie chong wrote:sod progrear please to put non boring games in the torunament

I'll take this on board, but whatever I choose we'll end up with games somebody doesn't like! And I think the game boasts a great scoring system for a tourny...

charlie chong · Post by **charlie chong** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:20 pm

nah i'm not bothered really. just it's already in the inter forum comp. mebbes we should just cancel the interforum comp and just have the shooty one

poolchamp · Post by **poolchamp** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:49 pm

charlie chong wrote:nah i'm not bothered really. just it's already in the inter forum comp. mebbes we should just cancel the interforum comp and just have the shooty one

No need you can have both its not going to interfear with each comp.

you could have progears in both or not choice is up to wil this a shumps forum comp using IC09 as a venue .I have no say as to what he is using just offering a helpfull pot and a few cabs and IC09 trophy to the winner .

All i wish is everybody is happy and has a good time .

Regards Alan

Taylor · Post by **Taylor** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:40 pm

Crap, I still need to register to half this stuff. Will do as soon as I get home... Do you have any idea how many people are interested? If there's a lot then brutal knockout, if not you can do a placing system and let people play out for lower positions in the name of good fun. Should be able to cater to a lot with 8 cabs.

I would prefer playing for score, even though I can't score for crap on a lot of games likely to be picked. Watching a guy take a game apart is more exciting than them sitting at the bottom bombing. Plus it'll cycle people faster!

Slightly off-topic but I don't see Daifukkatsu on that list. I remember seeing it confirmed before?

charlie chong · Post by **charlie chong** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:42 pm

you could lend yours taylor!! .. it is deffo the game i am most interested in trying out of anything on the market at the min.

poolchamp · Post by **poolchamp** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:45 pm

Taylor wrote:
Slightly off-topic but I don't see Daifukkatsu on that list. I remember seeing it confirmed before?

Good spot The person who promised to lend it has not got back to me .

I know he has paid his entry today so if he see's this he might get back to me and let me know .

Now if people wanna offer some games im still needing some including some more Tekken's 5's and 6's .

jpj · Post by **jpj** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:59 pm

do a pink sweets Score Attack Mode round. it's only 5-10 minutes, and you can feel my pain

Skykid · Post by **Skykid** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:56 pm

spadgy wrote:Skykid will definately be wearing a bikini and holding up the round numbers...

I prefer leotards.

sod progrear please to put non boring games in the torunament

Wtf?!

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:29 pm

Taylor wrote:Do you have any idea how many people are interested? If there's a lot then brutal knockout, if not you can do a placing system and let people play out for lower positions in the name of good fun. Should be able to cater to a lot with 8 cabs.

I haven't got a clue about entrant numbers, but there seems to be quite a bit of enthusiasm. Am I right most of you UK guys are likely to enter if you're coming to IC09?

lilmanjs · Post by **lilmanjs** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:54 pm

if I could show up I'd go but sadly I haven't the money to make it. the game lineup is stellar.

Dragoforce · Post by **Dragoforce** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:47 am

Couldn't see it on your list, but Dragon Blaze is a really good game for competions. As it measures how far you've gotten in percent rather than only focusing on score.

charlie chong · Post by **charlie chong** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:56 am

Skykid wrote:

sod progrear please to put non boring games in the torunament

Wtf?![/quote]
IT'S A TERRIBLE CHOICE FOR A TOURNAMENT

pink sweets score attack or similar modes on other games would be cool.even a raizing boss rush might be fun but progear is played out

hahara mode on muchi pork could also be good.. a death smiles challenge where you have to pick all 3s until you get ex mode could also be another good one.. can anyone else think of other good modes on the games listed??

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:46 am

How about a Batrider Special Course Distance Comp.
Or The Pink Sweets Score Attack (Stage6) Comp, as mentioned.
Or a How far you can get on 1 life Ketsui Comp - (That would be the best

).

Any of those would be decent.

Question:- I'm only there for the Sat 18th. Will the Comps be independant One-Dayers? This would be better for people who can only make it down for 1 day.

EDIT:- I have the 1 day ticket, but I haven't booked a Comp ticket. Can Comp tickets be bought on the spot on the day once you're inside?

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:53 am

..a Deathsmiles 2 scoring comp would rock.. id proboably come over for that alone if you could pull it off

Post by **spadgy** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:44 am

DEL wrote:
Question:- I'm only there for the Sat 18th. Will the Comps be independant One-Dayers? This would be better for people who can only make it down for 1 day.

EDIT:- I have the 1 day ticket, but I haven't booked a Comp ticket. Can Comp tickets be bought on the spot on the day once you're inside?

I'll have to speak to Poolchamp about these details, but I think as a lot of people are making one-day visits, two independent comps is a very good idea, or at least some system that makes it worth entering if you're only there for one day.

Personally, I'd hope to be able to just let people sign up on the day in the hour before the comp, but we'll see how Mr. Champ wants to run things...