WEEK 1 RECAP
We had the highest rate of matches completed since I began to track the data. 31 of the 40 (78%) Week 1 matches were completed by the members involved, either played out or voluntary forfeits as a result of leaving the league. The design of the league for season 2 was highly driven by making this number as high as possible. So far, it is working but still has room for improvement. The other 10 matches resulted in 'decisions' being made to determine a winner, if possible. Seven of those matches were automatic forfeits as a result of members not playing either of their 2 matches this week. In some cases, one of their matches was forfeited so all they needed to do was play their other match. However, not playing their other match will result in a forfeit if they do not communicate with me about any problems they have playing their 1 other match. One match ended in a "Draw" as both members played their other match, but couldn't play each other. One match was a 'Double Forfeit' which occurs when both members do not play their 2 matches.
* Completed matches: 30 out 40 (78%)
* Forfeited matches: 7 out of 40 (18%)
* Draw matches: 1 out of 40 (2%)
* Double Forfeit matches: 1 out of 40 (2%)
OLD & NEW MEMBERS
No members were kicked out of the league for inactivity so far. Week 2 may prove different since 4 members forfeited both of their matches in Week 1. Any member that does not play their matches 2 weeks in a row is automatically dropped from the league. Two members did voluntarily drop out, MARCOPOLO177 and SBL21. Both cited time constraints, although MARCOPOLO177 did promise to return at a later date. I personally thank each of them for helping make this league what it is today. Both were very dependable and loyal members to the SFCCL, and I hate to lose both of them.
With their vacancies, the first two players from the Waiting List were invited to join the league, KLESK_1 & DOPEUYUU. Also, the four spots left open created Auto-Promotions for Week 2. All fighters that actually played (including forfeited wins) benefited by moving an additional 1 to 4 spots in the rankings, win or lose. Any fighters that did not play their matches in Week 1 do not benefit and could see other fighters jump them in the rankings. As I've said many times before...it pays to play.
Also, since the Waiting List had grown to over 40 members, the first-ever Free-For-All event took place during Week 1. The Free-For-All event allowed any player on the Waiting List, no matter their place in the queue, to 'earn' their way into the new C Division for Week 2. Each player 'earned' their way into the league by practicing what every active member does each week - contacting another member to play a match. Each player on the Waiting List had to contact and plays 3 other players on the Waiting List. This was done to help any new members understand how the league operates each week, and hopefully, contributes to the percentage of completed matches each week versus hindering it as was the trend last year with new members. The first 8 players (x2 fighters each) to complete the task locked in their spots in the C Division. The official list of the 8 players was posted in an earlier blog, but here is the list once again:
1. Crusader884 (New Jersey, USA)
2. Kcilick (International, Canada)
3. SlxSolider (International, Canada)
4. Palmerfan (New Jersey, USA)
5. Hedr1984 (International, Poland)
6. Manwithnoarms (California, USA)
7. Ryumanjisen (International, Spain)
8. Rteruyas (International, Peru)
Please join me in welcoming these 10 new members into the SFCCL for Week 2. In terms of ranking these new members and their fighters, the ranking were first-come, first-ranked. Therefore, the Free-For-All members main fighters were ranked first then the two members invited. The second fighters for all were then ranked in the same order. With the vacancies left behind by Marcopolo177 and SBL21, some of these new members begin at the bottom of the B Division as a result of the Auto-Promotions. Note, any fighter that forfeited or had a draw last week does not benefit from the Auto Promotions. As in this case, new members may jump them in the rankings since they did not play.
Here are a couple of tips to reduce lag online, which is something that some are having issues with.
* Install the game on your HDD: Go to Options ---> Install. This is a small file that is saved to your PS3's HDD that reduces the time waiting for a match to load during the VS. screen, as well as adds stability to your online connections. Simple, but you'd be surprised how many overlook it. Should be a mandatory download for fighting games.
* Switch hosts between matchups: Sometimes your opponent has the better connection. It could be for an array of reasons (ISP, speeds, traffic, etc.), but trying out both players as hosts can sometimes give you a better less-laggy connection. Don't worry about player 1 / player 2 positioning as the winning fighter takes over the player 1 spot in the Endless Match feature now.
* Don't be downloading your illegal music...eeeeeerrrrrrrr...'Community Service Registration' forms while playing: It should go without saying but try not to be downloading anything while you are playing online. It obviously slows down your connection if you are forcing multiple items thru your bandwidth. So stop the music and 'adult entertainment' aspects while playing online. You can 'play' with that later. I only know from experience by watching wholesome entertainment on YouTube. Honest...
THE WAITING LIST
The current Waiting List going into Week 2 is now shortened to 34 players. Outside of the 10 players that just joined the league mentioned above, an additional 6 members were dropped from the Waiting List as a result of those players not accepting my Friends Request. Remember, to be part of this league, you must keep me (SFCCL-SALonghorn) on your Friends List. This makes it easy for me to communicate to all members as well as see if you have not been online in a few days in case your opponent can't reach you. Also, being on the Friends List allows me to invite you to any casual SFCCL events online, and especially the official special events. The six players removed from the list are free to signup again if they choose to, but they will go to the bottom of the List.
I tend to send a Friends Request to any interested player within 24 to 48 hours of receiving their signup information. At the beginning of each new week, I will retract that Request and remove their name from the Waiting List. Again, this is an effort to keep those players truly interested in joining the SFCCL and also to keep spots open on my Friends List, which can be quickly full with a bunch of pending requests.
Another Free-For-All event may take place next week depending on the length of the list for a new D Division.
MATCH OF THE WEEK
This feature will return in time to my weekly blog. However, since we are still early in the season, it wouldn't be fair to spotlight a match of 1-0 fighters. Give it a couple of weeks.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Just remember that our first Special Event, WAR GAMES, is scheduled to take place during Week 3, starting July 26th thru August 8th. All active members are invited to take part in this voluntary official event. All events are 'live', meaning you must be online at the time of the event to participate. The prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are known as Prize Matches. A member can then exercise a Prize Match the following week where they can challenge another fighter for their ranking. This match is in addition to their normal 2 weekly matches. Winner of the Prize Match takes the higher rankings, and the loser falls to the lower ranking. 1st place earns the right to challenge anyone in the league, 2nd place earns the right to challenge anyone in the next highest division, and 3rd place earns the right to challenge anyone in your division. This is the perfect opportunity for the newest members to jump from the B or C Division all the way to the Gold Division in one match. Just remember you have to be online to play in the event. More details, including the specific day and time, in the coming weeks.
The website has been fully updated for Week 2, including updating the SFCCL global maps to include the newest 8 members. Also, the Player and Battle Points tables have been updated to include the newest members.
On a personal note, congrats to Daigo yet again for winning Evo2010. This year was the first time I actually followed the event. Actually, let me rephrase that by saying 'watched' the event. It may be sacriligious to say around Street Fighter fans, but I wasn't impressed with EVO. That's not to say that the talent and skill was impressive. It was. I am speaking directly to the online community portion of the event. I would have loved to return to my old playgrounds in Vegas to attend the event in person (hint hint). Instead, I watched the action via the ever-so-fragile stream online like thousands of other fans. I was surprised that the EVO website was so stripped down during the actual event. To put it bluntly, it looked very amatuerish, and I should know being an amateur! What I was expecting to see was a listing of all the players attending and playing in the event. Instead, all I saw was a login screen for those players and a live stream screen. Where were the roster of players? Where were the Pools? Where were the winning and losing brackets? As a professional event, I would expect all this info at the minimum. If only for a marketing purpose. If their site has this information, how many of you would take the time several times a day to check the latest info on matches or times a Pool was scheduled to play? How many visits would the site have that they could then sell to potential, hungry advertisers to the prime demographic they all chase year round? The commentators were nice, but also seemed over their head. They work for EVO and should be making their broadcast as must-see-internet-TV. They talked a little strategy, a little personality, and a little bit of everything. But without any EVO presentation tools, they had little to nothing to offer to the viewing public as to what was going on, who was going to play, who played, etc.
Just take a look around this site. It's basic and you can call it whatever you want......but one thing it screams is INFORMATION. On that level, EVO2010 FAILED miserably from my point of view. So many opportunties lost. Next year, if you guys want to do it right (and have a real good time in Sin City), you know where to find me. That's my final two cents.
Oh, and for all of those like me that got left in the dark during in last nite's championship final match, here is a link to the final match between Daigo and Ricky:
http://www.ripten.com/2010/07/12/daigo-wins-evo-2010-ssfiv-championship-brycew/
(copy & paste link)
DEADLINE FOR WEEK 2
Deadline for all Week 2 matches is Sunday, July 25th.
Good luck to all members in Week 2.