N.Y.S.E. Open II

[Prospero]

Wizards has released the GP schedule for 2014.  It can be found here:

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=grandprix/welcome

I'm currently looking at the weekend of June 13-14th May 30th-June 1st, 2014.  

Beyond that though, I'm looking for ideas on what you, the players, would like to see in a big event like the N.Y.S.E. Open.  

There are going to be a few small changes for the next iteration of the N.Y.S.E. Open.

For starters, I'm going to be doing pre-registration for 2014.  Only pre-registrants will be entered into the random drawings.

Doing live coverage of the matches (streamed online) seems like it's going to be impossible, given the lack of internet at the venue (which I am considering using again, given location and cost).  Also, I'd imagine that the players would rather have the money that it costs to set this up funneled back into the prize pool.

Entry fee would still be $100.  I would still look to run qualifiers.  I would hope that, given the ample notice, we'd have a few T/O's from other parts of the country who were interested in running a qualifer.

I have a few other things in mind, but nothing solid yet.

So, thoughts?  

If you were at the N.Y.S.E. Open, what did you like, what didn't you like, what would you like to see more (or less) of?    

EDIT: Changed the dates, due to Father's Day.

[rpf5029]

More art.  Less savages.  MORE YUMMY FOOD.  OH MY GOD, AUSTIN POLLACK WAS MY HERO. 

Um...

I think that's it. 

[Prospero]

More art.  Less savages.  MORE YUMMY FOOD.  OH MY GOD, AUSTIN POLLACK WAS MY HERO. 

Um...

I think that's it. 

I'm thinking about having the friend who came and brought the P9 cookies come back, but having her do different gamer-fare this time around.  Junk food, really, but cookies, brownies, etc.  She's absolutely excellent.  She did the birthday cake that we had for Coss and Egan a couple of years ago (can't find a picture of it atm).  Having typical candy is fine, but why not have something better, if you can? 

I don't know how I feel about bringing my own personal art to the venue, but I'll consider it.  I'd like to have Josh Krause back, if he's interested in selling the rest of what he has for sale (if he hasn't by then).  If there's a (relatively local) artist who has done work for Magic and has pieces left, I'd consider having them as well.  Jeff is mostly out.

[Shock Wave]

I could organize a Canadian qualifier for this event. I'm sure I would not have difficulty finding people interested in coming to New York for this. Let me know if that would be possible.

[quicksilvervii]

She's absolutely excellent.  She did the birthday cake that we had for Coss and Egan a couple of years ago (can't find a picture of it atm).

I can.

[Prospero]

I could organize a Canadian qualifier for this event. I'm sure I would not have difficulty finding people interested in coming to New York for this. Let me know if that would be possible.

I'd love to see that, Rich.  I'd love to see you battling, too. 

She's absolutely excellent.  She did the birthday cake that we had for Coss and Egan a couple of years ago (can't find a picture of it atm).

I can.

Boom.  You're the man, Mike.  Thanks.

[Samoht]

I'll pre-register for whatever date you book, though I'll be aiming at qualifiers as well.

[A.-1.]

I'll pre-register for whatever date you book, though I'll be aiming at qualifiers as well.

Same.

As a free alternative to streaming matches, you can have a non-player taking pictures throughout the day.

[Prospero]

I'll pre-register for whatever date you book, though I'll be aiming at qualifiers as well.

Same.

As a free alternative to streaming matches, you can have a non-player taking pictures throughout the day.

This much can, and will, be done.  Probably by me!

[Mr. Type 4]

As the previous winner, I'll have to make time to come out for this to try to defend the title. 

If you cant do streaming coverage, I still think there is value in having some feature matches/top 8 recorded and later uploaded to the internet for people to view after the fact.  I believe that one of the goals for this tournament is to generate and maintain excitement for Vintage and letting people see some video will serve that well.  I'm sure somebody in the community has to have some equipment to make that happen. 

[Smmenen]

totally agree with Paul.  This being the 21st century, a premium is put on videorecording.  I actually think professionally recorded and produced videos are better than streams anyway.  It will also expand the prestige and importance of this event for Vintage.  I would hire a professional videographer if I were you.

[Prospero]

totally agree with Paul.  This being the 21st century, a premium is put on videorecording.  I actually think professionally recorded and produced videos are better than streams anyway.  It will also expand the prestige and importance of this event for Vintage.  I would hire a professional videographer if I were you.

I actually did look into this, and the cheapest quote that I got was $400.  The N.Y.S.E. Open ran on tight margins; if I were to do this, I'd have to cut $400 (or more, if that quote goes up between now and June 2014) out of the prize support.

While it would be great to have this professionally done, the price tag associated with it was more than I was willing to pay given what it would have done to the prize support. 

[Smmenen]

Maybe have a vote and see what people think?

To me, this is become a marquis Vintage event, and a very important selling point for the format.  It can't perform that function if people can't see it.  Every high level Magic tournament these days is videoed: Pro Tours, GPs, SCG Opens, etc.

$400 sounds like a small price to pay to increase the visibility and prestige factor not only of this tournament, but the format.   It would also help build the brand of this tournament, by showing people how amazing it was.  

EDIT: we are vintage players, not luddites

[Samoht]

Nick,

Let me look into a few things. I have relatives in the video business that might be interested in spending a day down here for significantly less than $400 or that could point me in the direction of some self help kits that can be up and running. Even if we don't stream them live, having them recorded for viewing is something that should be pretty easily done and worthwhile.

Tom

[shrewarmies]

Our Eternal MASTERS top 8 and top 4 matches were filmed. We just used a nice camera that one of the players owned and I "edited" the footage myself. It took a few days in total to get 5 games edited and put online (though one seems to have disappeared). The results can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSzgMG2OuKzeTjV2hXFGo2g , just make sure you look at the 2013 (not 2012) videos. Beyond the cost to hire a camera (which we got for free) this level of production cost us $0 and a few days of my time.

I am certainly not claiming to be an expert or anything but I am more than interested enough in the NYSE that if you guys could film the raw footage and mail me a USB/Hard Drive with that data I could do a similar job with that. For free of course. #InVintage

[Prospero]

Shrewarmies, Samoht, thank you for the offers of help.  

I am incapable of doing the video work myself, as I have neither the equipment, nor the know-how to get it done.  I would very much like to have this up, but these personal limitations have held me back.  I am willing to pay something to have it done, but $400 was absurd.

Steve, I agree with you, and hopefully we have resolved this particular issue.  Looking from the outside, there was a significant amount that came in from all the entry fees; that being said, the costs of the N.Y.S.E. Open were considerable.  The judges, security, venue, artist, prize support and other essentials (pens, photocopies, etc.) all add up quickly.  The tournament was not a profit-making venture when it was all said and done with.  The $400 for the camera work would have come out of the prize support.

[Vise]

Video Based Pleasures...
Commentator(s):
This can be done in post outlining (e.g. featured stuff) play by play and I volunteer btw.
Interviews:
I think many people would like to know what is going on in a players mind during such a tournament with the addition of players talking about great plays and misfortunes of years past.
Eye Candy:
With all of the original art, Beta cards and altered art cards worthy of an art show, Why not video and chat about them.
Speaking of, we should have an Art Show ... (Greg Already Won)

Other Stuff:
An official after party, I vote for "Millers" down the road.
Art Show & Contest (e.g. Artwork, Altered Cards, Playmats)
Entry registration fee at the door should be higher (e.g. $135), I'm just saying.
Artist, Artist, Artist.. Dan....Rebecca............................. ............................. Bliss=)
A Mario Kart /Grudge Match /Stanley Cup style trophy (I'll start working on this one) with historical win data. [ The Chalice Cup ]

[PETER FLUGZEUG]

Yes, I think it is very important that there is good video coverage (with competent commentary), and could be seen as an investment by tournament organizers. I think the quality of video coverage matters a lot, especially (as has been mentioned) in a sanctioned tournament. I realize it's easier said than done though.

A very nice video coverage has just been put up by ELD / the end step. http://www.themanadrain.com/index.php?topic=45585.0

[rooneg]

Video coverage would be awesome, and should clearly be done, but for me the single most important thing for an event in the summer is a venue with some form of air conditioning.  My car load bailed out relatively early in the event due to the heat.  We'd have been happy to stay for side events, but it was simply too hot in the room.

[Prospero]

As far as the A/C goes, that was a surprise for me too; one of the selling points in the room was that it had A/C.  The A/C apparently went out the night before.  There wasn't enough time to have that fixed and running.

I'll be in touch with the people who have offered help as far as video coverage goes.  So long as it doesn't negatively impact the prize support too much, I'm game for it.

I've been notified that the weekend of the 15th-16th of June is Father's Day weekend.  I'd rather not run up against Father's Day for the second year in a row. 

The last weekend in May/first weekend in June 2014 is the new target date.  There's a GP in Brazil, which will do nothing to change how things stand with our attendance.  Hopefully there will be no local area PTQ's or SCG events that weekend.  Still, I hope to have this date confirmed in the next week or two.

[rpf5029]

Calendar and Vacation Dates Held; TAKE MY MONEY!

[H]

Since it is unlikely I will be getting married again next year, I might be able to making it up there for this.  Might even bring a couple Louisianan natives up there too, we'll see how it shakes down though once dates are locked in and it gets a bit closer.

[Prospero]

Since it is unlikely I will be getting married again next year, I might be able to making it up there for this.  Might even bring a couple Louisianan natives up there too, we'll see how it shakes down though once dates are locked in and it gets a bit closer.

It would be good to see you, Matt!  Maybe you can bring Messieurs Exe with you.

[InfectedMushroom]

The sanctioned Monday night events have very good video coverage. It works well because they get their name out, and people get great coverage.

I would love to have player interviews and photo coverage. I'm sure people would be willing to do these things for the benefit of the format. The food selection was great. We vegetarians appreciated it very much that options were present.

I'm sure I will think of something else, but the event was a blast.