The World Cup Discussion Thread (OOC, Version IV)

by **Krytenia** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 6:10 pm

Free Republics wrote:
Krytenia wrote:Incorrect. The sign-up thread will be up once a bid is placed. There's usually a grace period during which regional tournament happen (especially for Atlantian Oceania, Rushmore, and Esportiva, the three main sports regions) and we have the Thankschristhanukwanzaa season upon us. Keep an eye on the forum is my best advice, but don't expect anything till at least December.

I have it on good authority that there will be a bid for 74 around the time this WC ends, if you know what I mean.

I'd still think it would be a good idea to wait till after the regionals, personally.

by **The Royal Kingdom of Quebec** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:06 am

Quebecois IC information and Roster are now up. My Pre-MD1 RP should be up in 12 hours as well.

by **Starblaydia** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:34 am

Krytenia wrote:
Free Republics wrote:I have it on good authority that there will be a bid for 74 around the time this WC ends, if you know what I mean.

I'd still think it would be a good idea to wait till after the regionals, personally.

Opening signups immediately after the previous one finishes (in this case via posting a bid immediately) doesn't give the various Champions time or space to gloat and also rushes the regional tournaments and DBC. Then you throw in the usual December/Early-January nonsense of people being away from NS and it seems like the wrong time to start. [/twopenneth]

by **Gregoryisgodistan** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:50 am

Krytenia wrote:
Free Republics wrote:
I have it on good authority that there will be a bid for 74 around the time this WC ends, if you know what I mean.

I'd still think it would be a good idea to wait till after the regionals, personally.

Or we could, you know, keep signups open for longer to account for this....

by **Starblaydia** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:54 am

Gregoryisgodistan wrote:
Krytenia wrote:I'd still think it would be a good idea to wait till after the regionals, personally.

Or we could, you know, keep signups open for longer to account for this....

Which leads to more CTEs and host headaches, antsy newbies wondering when the Cup will start and drawing the whole thing out. So ideally not.

by **Vilita** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:39 am

Starblaydia wrote:
Gregoryisgodistan wrote:
Or we could, you know, keep signups open for longer to account for this....

Which leads to more CTEs and host headaches, antsy newbies wondering when the Cup will start and drawing the whole thing out. So ideally not.

Agreed

by **Barunia** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:50 am

Starblaydia wrote:
Gregoryisgodistan wrote:
Or we could, you know, keep signups open for longer to account for this....

Which leads to more CTEs and host headaches, antsy newbies wondering when the Cup will start and drawing the whole thing out. So ideally not.

Also, the newbies who sign up, then lose interest, leaving us with a whole host of no roster, no RP teams for everyone to complain about losing too. So ideally, no, we don't want that.

by **Saintland** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:06 am

Starblaydia wrote:
Krytenia wrote:I'd still think it would be a good idea to wait till after the regionals, personally.

Opening signups immediately after the previous one finishes (in this case via posting a bid immediately) doesn't give the various Champions time or space to gloat and also rushes the regional tournaments and DBC. Then you throw in the usual December/Early-January nonsense of people being away from NS and it seems like the wrong time to start. [/twopenneth]

The slower cycles that have become the norm lately have definitely hurt us when it comes to retaining newbies. It seems that too many newer users join the BoF, participate for a cycle or so and then lose interest during the seemingly endless wait for the opening of World Cup signups. Between World Cups 66 and 68 when the practice of opening signups only after a bid was received was first implemented, the first World Cup bid would show up within a week or 2 after the conclusion of the previous World Cup. Before that, the practice was to open signups either at the end of the previous World Cup or even before the previous World Cup concluded:

In terms of entry numbers for these various WCs, they were as follows:

I could dig up the numbers for number of RPs per matchday (ie. activity), but its well known that WC66 had the most RPs per matchday while WCs 67 and 68 saw the highest number of total RPs. I should also note that WC69 was held around the time of the last FIFA World Cup and saw no increase in entries (and a decrease of 8 entries from the previous summer WC). This happened mere months after the IX Winter Olympics, held right after the Sochi Winter Olympics, broke NS Olympics signup records. I believe that the month long gaps between the end of the WC and the opening of signups cause many newbies to lose interest and that is why there simply aren't that many nations from the last few BoFs that are still active in the WC.

Even if the WC hosts want to move quickly, it will still take 6-8 weeks after the opening of the signup thread before they can begin the actual World Cup. That leaves plenty of time for the various off-cycle tournaments to run. By waiting to open signups until a month after the previous WC ends, that period extends to 10-12 weeks and results in the situation we're all too familiar with nowadays where there's literally nothing but the BoF going on for a week or 2 then a week of absolutely nothing going on, while we wait for WC qualifying to start. Every cycle, more and more of us who have been around for several years leave and the numbers decline further because the newbies who should be replacing us aren't sticking around long enough to do so. Consequently, every cycle now sees less activity than the previous cycle not just in the World Cup but in just about every other tournament that runs on a regular schedule.

Barunia wrote:
Starblaydia wrote:Which leads to more CTEs and host headaches, antsy newbies wondering when the Cup will start and drawing the whole thing out. So ideally not.

Also, the newbies who sign up, then lose interest, leaving us with a whole host of no roster, no RP teams for everyone to complain about losing too. So ideally, no, we don't want that.

I happen to agree with this because the data is pretty clear that we had the highest levels of activity when A) signups opened shortly after the previous WC ended and B) host bids were posted in a timely manner allowing the process to move forward. The policy of opening signup threads when the first bid was posted and holding the host vote 2 weeks later worked well to maximize activity when bids were posted in a timely manner. When bids are not posted in a timely manner, it kills activity levels and entry levels across the entirety of NS Sports. When we actually had bids within a week to 10 days after the previous WC ended (and signup threads opened around that time), we had record high levels of activity not just in the WC but in just about every tournament.

by **Vilita** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:32 am

Saintland wrote:
Barunia wrote:
Also, the newbies who sign up, then lose interest, leaving us with a whole host of no roster, no RP teams for everyone to complain about losing too. So ideally, no, we don't want that.

I happen to agree with this because the data is pretty clear that we had the highest levels of activity when A) signups opened shortly after the previous WC ended and B) host bids were posted in a timely manner allowing the process to move forward. The policy of opening signup threads when the first bid was posted and holding the host vote 2 weeks later worked well to maximize activity when bids were posted in a timely manner. When bids are not posted in a timely manner, it kills activity levels and entry levels across the entirety of NS Sports. When we actually had bids within a week to 10 days after the previous WC ended (and signup threads opened around that time), we had record high levels of activity not just in the WC but in just about every tournament.

I think Barunia's comment was supporting Starblaydias, not opposing it.

What I think Star is saying is that starting signups right after the WC is a bad idea, if the World Cup isn't going to start shortly after it (which is a very real possibility with regional tournaments and holidays coming up)

Its the gap between signups opening and the world cup starting that needs to be addressed because that is the gap that causes CTE's, inactive newbies etc, not the gap between the world cup finishing and the next signups starting.

by **Apox** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 10:14 am

It should also be said that since approximately November 2013, we've been having a pretty continuous loss of established nations from the WC in addition to the usual newbie loss, which could be another reason for declining numbers in the WC.

On a completely different note, cut-off for my half of finals is going to be delayed by at least 2 hours tonight (10pm UTC or later), meaning cut-off for groups E-H will not occur for at least 4 hours 45 minutes.

by **The Archregimancy** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:24 am

Apox wrote:It should also be said that since approximately ~~November 2013~~ September 2003, we've been having a pretty continuous loss of established nations from the WC in addition to the usual newbie loss.

I think the corrected version of the above more accurately reflect the period over which we've been losing both established nations and new sign-ups.

Whether the current rate of losses is exceptional or not is a different issue, and one I have no data to hand to analyse.

As to overall declining numbers, these things tend to be cyclical, and what we're seeing right now compares favourably to some of the supposed 'crises' we've had in the past. A slightly lower participation rate might not even be a bad thing given how much the tournament's grown in the last 5 years or so.

by **Whovian Tardisia** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:39 am

Thanks. I think it's time to make jerseys...

by **Armeia** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:27 pm

Would anyone want an Armeian manager for their national team or maybe youth team?

by **The Saint James Islands** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:06 pm

The one time I want a shit draw, I don’t get it. Though it’s not like my presence or any amount of effort I put into the CoH is going to make a difference anyway… (–_– )

Good luck to all the CoH teams, anyway. Not that you’ll need it if you’re facing me.

Whovian Tardisia wrote:Thanks. I think it's time to make jerseys...

If you don’t have it already, this might be helpful.

by **Stvoto Latoli** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:47 pm

Due to unforeseen personal circumstance, San Jose Guayabal may not be available to scorinate the Cup of Harmony's first matchday tonight. I will likely take on those duties. If I do, occupants of Groups E through H should be forewarned that their cutoff times will be pushed back a couple hours. Thanks, y'all!

by **San Jose Guayabal** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 7:54 pm

Well, it sucks being in this position but MD 1 of CoH (Groups E-H) won't be scorinated by me due to a routine check at hospital after an illness I had two weeks ago with both of my ears, Stvoto Latoli will scorinate them and Quebec will be the third party for the match involving his nation.

Apologies.

by **Jeruselem** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 8:10 pm

Take care of yourself SJG!

by **Bears Armed** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 9:34 am

I offer my [slightly belated] apologies about not RPing during qualifiers, particularly to the players owning the other nations in my group. Unfortunately RL kept me too busy/distracted/tired for this during the first half of the series, and then for the second half -- when I would have had the time & energy -- I just couldn't think of much worth posting...
... and, anyhows, the Belles seemed to be doing better this cup without RP by me than they had done last time around with it.
:blush:

Some of you might also have noticed that I haven't signed up for the Olympics.

Basically, in addition to now having less time available for NS than used to be the case, I seem to be RP-ed out. The Bears will probably sign up for the next World Cup's qualifiers, simply because they don't give up, but I honestly don't expect to be very active in this forum in future.
So, if our paths don't cross again, "Farewell, and god luck" to all of you.

by **The Archregimancy** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:12 am

San Jose Guayabal wrote:Well, it sucks being in this position but MD 1 of CoH (Groups E-H) won't be scorinated by me due to a routine check at hospital after an illness I had two weeks ago with both of my ears, Stvoto Latoli will scorinate them and Quebec will be the third party for the match involving his nation.

Apologies.

I'm sure that we all understand that hospital visits take priority over NS - and you had a perfectly acceptable contingency plan in place that allowed us to move foward without delay, so absolutely no harm done.

Writing as someone who spends more than a fair share of his time in hospitals, I hope things went as smoothly as possible.

by **The Royal Kingdom of Quebec** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 11:13 pm

Scores will come in 30-45 minutes from now due to RL circumstances making it impossible for me to scorinate right now. Sorry for inconvenience.

by **Saintland** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 7:01 am

I want to alert everybody to an opportunity to collaboratively RP with me for the remainder of this cycle, including those who haven't been reading the WC RP Thread:

Saintland wrote:Editors Note: Starting tomorrow, we will be running a new retrospective series in celebration of Saintland's 10 cycles of excellence in the World Cup. We urge everybody from around the multiverse to write to us and tell us what your favorite memories of Sanctii soccer are.

If you wish to participate, you may post an RP about your favorite Saintland moments over the past 10 World Cup cycles (and also, if you wish, other non-WCC events) or you may TG me something to include in my upcoming series. This series of RPs will run through the last Sanctii match of this World Cup.

by **Alasdair I Frosticus** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 7:05 am

Saintland wrote:I want to alert everybody to an opportunity to collaboratively RP with me for the remainder of this cycle, including those who haven't been reading the WC RP Thread:

Saintland wrote:Editors Note: Starting tomorrow, we will be running a new retrospective series in celebration of Saintland's 10 cycles of excellence in the World Cup. We urge everybody from around the multiverse to write to us and tell us what your favorite memories of Sanctii soccer are.

There are some of us who are very much hoping that Saintland won't be showing much excellence; not tomorrow, anyway.

The rest of the time, knock yourself out.

by **Barunia** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:10 am

Alasdair I Frosticus wrote:
Saintland wrote:I want to alert everybody to an opportunity to collaboratively RP with me for the remainder of this cycle, including those who haven't been reading the WC RP Thread:

There are some of us who are very much hoping that Saintland won't be showing much excellence; not tomorrow, anyway.

The rest of the time, knock yourself out.

No, definitely knock yourself out tomorrow - and THE too. By at least three goals. You can manage that right? After all, as part of the ten year anniversary you'd want to share the victory with your fellow Class of BoF 51 Alumni, wouldn't you?

by **Alasdair I Frosticus** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:30 pm

Not strictly speaking WCC business, but most of Krytenia's 1000th match is up: viewtopic.php?p=26636831#p26636831

Kry will be revealing the result of the penalty shoot-out later.

It's also a rare opportunity for newer nations to see Basil and Theo in full commentary flow; though I'll concede they're likely an acquired taste. But just writing that took me back... took me back a long way.

by **Krytenia** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:45 pm

Alasdair I Frosticus wrote:Not strictly speaking WCC business, but most of Krytenia's 1000th match is up: viewtopic.php?p=26636831#p26636831

Kry will be revealing the result of the penalty shoot-out later.

It's also a rare opportunity for newer nations to see Basil and Theo in full commentary flow; though I'll concede they're likely an acquired taste. But just writing that took me back... took me back a long way.

Later has now happened. Many thanks to AIF/THE for his massive help in making this happen.

The World Cup Discussion Thread (OOC, Version IV)

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