World Bowl VIII Signups (American football)(CLOSED)

[Dancougar]

SIGNUPS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT.

Past competitions: O | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII

The Fujisawan Territories qualified for the playoffs of World Bowl I and then vanished for several tournaments after being knocked out in the first round. But since returning, they've been in the ascendancy, barely missing the playoffs in World Bowl V before safely qualifying in World Bowl VI. The final step came in the last tournament in Dancougar, where the traditional powers fell to the wayside as the Territories won their first crown over Taeshan, another team which shook off the playoff monkey to make its first final since the retconned World Bowl 0.

The Fujisawan victory has been a great story for the tournament; certainly better than, "Oh, Dancougar stomped some n00bs again." Will you pen the next chapter in World Bowl lore? NationStates' premier American football competition returns, and the next champion could be YOU!

Signups are now officially open for World Bowl VIII and will run for a minimum of two weeks, starting now. Ideally, with American football (also called, by our various competitors, as gridiron, gridball, or just plain ol' football) being a demonstration sport in the ongoing Olympics, the tournament will begin around the beginning of October to avoid a conflict, but this is not required. This will be decided by the host, which may also be you, if you're up to the challenge.

This is not a roster thread or an RP thread, so don't post those here. There will be time for that once the official tournament thread is started by the eventual host. Also, this isn't a discussion thread. Although that tends to happen, please try and keep those in the World Bowl Discussion Thread, which exists for that purpose.

Things, however, that should be posted here:

• Signups: If you want to play, simply post your intention to play and you'll be added to the participant list. Also, please indicate whether or not this is your first entry, since we will use the number to determine whether or not there will be a Baptism of Iron, which is a small tournament for new nations which gives them a small boost in the rankings leading up to actual qualifying.
• Host Bids: If you wish to host the World Bowl or Baptism of Iron, post the bid details here. You should already have a scorinator and know how it works - NSFS 2.0.7.2 is one option, which can be found in my signature - and also be willing to block off 2-3 weeks of time in the near future to produce match results. Your bid should also include details like the preferred format for qualifying and the finals, what ranking system you'll use, how you'll account for roleplays, and anything else that determines how the tournament is run.

Host bids should be submitted by Saturday, September 26, at which point the World Bowl Committee will vote to determine the host. Anyone who has posted a roster in one of the last two World Bowls is a member. At that point, the host will take over signups and declare them closed whenever they're satisfied with the number of entrants.

Any questions should be posted in the Discussion Thread or can be directed to me via telegram. Now, have at it!

Signups
1. Dancougar
2. Babbage Islands
3. Newmanistan
4. The Fanboyists
5. Taeshan
6. Osarius
7. Delaclava
8. Antarctistan
9. Delesa
10. Connar Republic
11. Vephrall
12. Tatuape
13. Sarzonia
14. German zerabithea
15. Docky
16. Palmouth
17. Sibirsky
18. Jalanat
19. Cassadaigua
20. Kura-Pelland
21. kenavt
22. Albudania
23. Fujisawan Territories
24. McPsychoville
25. Bluth Corporation
26. Courezzia
27. Tocrowkia
28. Krytenia
29. A White Hawk
30. Barnettsville
31. Arroza
32. Lovisa
33. Secristan
34. Iglesian Archipelago
35. Qazox
36. Profero
37. Replica Union
38. Steroga
39. Chetssaland
40. New Texxas
41. Christstan
42. Khabarovsk Krai
43. The Mueritz
44. Tinjko
45. Free Austin
46. Swyat
47. Scandavian States
48. Peisandros
49. Danielturner
50. Ell-Oh-Ell (puppet of Babbage Islands)
51. Weanhall (puppet of Dancougar)
52. Forza Motorsports (puppet of Connar Republic)

Debutants
1. Osarius
2. Antarctistan
3. Delesa
4. Connar Republic
5. Tatuape
6. German zerabithea
7. Docky
8. Jalanat
9. Albundania
10. McPsychoville
11. Courezzia
12. Krytenia
13. A White Hawk
14. Barnettsville
15. Profero
16. Replica Union
17. New Texxas
18. Christstan
19. Khabarovsk Krai
20. The Mueritz
21. Tinjko
22. Free Austin
23. Swyat
24. Peisandros
25. Danielturner

World Bowl Host Bids
1. Babbage Islands

Baptism of Iron Host Bids
1. Qazox

IMPORTANT DATES!
Sept. 26: Deadline to submit host bids for the World Bowl and Baptism of Iron.
Sept. 26-Sept. 30: Host vote. Anyone who posted a roster in WB6 or WB7 is eligible to vote.
Oct 2: Host-imposed signup deadlines for both the Baptism of Iron and World Bowl.

[Dancougar]

Here we go, Black Wings, here we go!

[The Babbage Islands]

The Babbage Islands will enter World Bowl VIII, and are preparing a host bid.

[Newmanistan]

Back for more!

[The Fanboyists]

Just 'cause the Federation fell short the first time doesn't mean they won't take another shot at it.

Babbage, you're going down this time.

[Taeshan]

We will be back, and Dancougar they are called Host's not Hose's.

[Osarius]

Osarius checking in! (and for the Baptism of Iron since this is my first tournament)

[Delaclava]

Delaclava's back to show why they won Baptism of Iron last season! (Just please don't draw me with Secristan, please!)

[Antarctistan]

Antarctistyan enters both the tournament proper and the Baptism of Iron

[The Babbage Islands]

World Bowl VIII Host Bid: The Babbage Islands
Amended to allow time for a Baptism of Iron and to accommodate up to 56 teams

The Babbage Islands (TBI) herewith submit a bid to the international gridiron community to host its preeminent competition, World Bowl VIII.

TBI have hosted seven international sports competitions in five different sports, including the rescue of the gridiron Silver Bowl tournament when the original host had medical issues. They have also been active in scorinator development, although for this event the proposal will be to use the proven NSFS 2.0.7.2.

The TBI gridiron team is currently ranked 19th in the world.

Overview

This bid differs from many other bids in one principal respect: The qualification period for the main 16-team draw has been shortened to a two- to four-game process. A team needs to win one of its first two games to enter into single-elimination play, and might need to win in a third or fourth game to make the round of 16 depending on entries and results obtained. This makes it possible to complete the entire competition in ten calendar days including one or two one-day breaks, and to schedule all matches at neutral venues in the host nation.

Classification Round

Following the Baptism of Iron, if it is held, teams will be divided into four pots by world KPB-style rank and drawn into pools for the Classification Round.

CR1, the first game in each pool, will match the team from the first (strongest) pot against the team from the third pot and the team from the second pot against the team from the fourth (weakest) pot.

CR2, the second game in each pool, will match CR1 winners against each other, and likewise CR1 losers.

Teams that lose both CR1 and CR2 games are eliminated. (There is a specific exception if 20 teams are entered, see below.)

CR1 and CR2 results will establish a ranking of all teams, based on: 1. Winning percentage. 2. Point differential. 3. Points scored. 4. Head-to-head result where applicable. 5. Drawing of lots. Teams then advance directly into the tournament field or into a CR3 game as outlined below.

• 20 teams: 15 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. In this situation two of the otherwise eliminated teams with the highest KPB-style rankings will play a repechage game in CR3 with the winner gaining the 16th seed.
• 24 teams: 18 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top 14 will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have two games: 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.
• 28 teams: 21 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top 11 will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have five games: 12 v 21, 13 v 20, 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.
• 32 teams: 24 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top eight will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have eight games: 9 v 24, 10 v 23, 11 v 22, 12 v 21, 13 v 20, 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.
• 36 teams: 27 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top five will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have 11 games: 6 v 27, 7 v 26, 8 v 25, 9 v 24, 10 v 23, 11 v 22, 12 v 21, 13 v 20, 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.
• 40 teams: 30 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top two will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have 14 games: 3 v 30, 4 v 29, 5 v 28, 6 v 27, 7 v 26, 8 v 25, 9 v 24, 10 v 23, 11 v 22, 12 v 21, 13 v 20, 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.
• 44 teams: 33 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top five will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have 14 games: 6 v 33, 7 v 32, 8 v 31, 9 v 30, 10 v 29, 11 v 28, 12 v 27, 13 v 26, 14 v 25, 15 v 24, 16 v 23, 17 v 22, 18 v 21 and 19 v 20. The CR3 winners are re-ranked (losers are eliminated), and the top eight are seeded into the tournament. The remaining six teams play a CR4 game: 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower-numbered team.
• 48 teams: 36 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top four will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have 16 games: 5 v 36, 6 v 35, 7 v 34, 8 v 33, 9 v 32, 10 v 31, 11 v 30, 12 v 29, 13 v 28, 14 v 27, 15 v 26, 16 v 25, 17 v 24, 18 v 23, 19 v 22 and 20 v 21. The CR3 winners are re-ranked (losers are eliminated), and the top eight are seeded into the tournament. The remaining eight teams play a CR4 game: 13 v 20, 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.
• 52 teams: 39 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top five will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have 17 games: 6 v 39, 7 v 38, 8 v 37, 9 v 36, 10 v 35, 11 v 34, 12 v 33, 13 v 32, 14 v 31, 15 v 30, 16 v 29, 17 v 28, 18 v 27, 19 v 26, 20 v 25, 21 v 24 and 22 v 23. The CR3 winners are re-ranked (losers are eliminated), and the top five are seeded into the tournament. The remaining 12 teams play a CR4 game: 11 v 22, 12 v 21, 13 v 20, 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.
• 56 teams: 42 teams will survive the first two rounds of classification. The top four will be seeded into the tournament. CR3 will have 19 games: 5 v 42, 6 v 41, 7 v 40, 8 v 39, 9 v 38, 10 v 37, 11 v 36, 12 v 35, 13 v 34, 14 v 33, 15 v 32, 16 v 31, 17 v 30, 18 v 29, 19 v 28, 20 v 27, 21 v 26, 22 v 25 and 23 v 24. The CR3 winners are re-ranked (losers are eliminated), and the top five are seeded into the tournament. The remaining 14 teams play a CR4 game: 10 v 23, 11 v 22, 12 v 21, 13 v 20, 14 v 19, 15 v 18 and 16 v 17, with the winners assuming the seed of the lower numbered team.

World Bowl Tournament

The World Bowl Tournament is a 16-team single-elimination bracket, with teams seeded according to the results of the Classification Round. A third-place game will also be scheduled for the losing semifinalists.

Scorination

World Bowl VIII will be scorinated using NSFootySim 2.0.7.2 with its implementation of the Newmanistan algorithm by Dancougar for American football.

The official World Bowl KPB-style rankings will be the basis for point-based scorination in NSFS 2.0.7.2. These rankings will be augmented by 0.5 or 1.0 points per roleplay, and by 0.5 or 1.0 points for the posting of a valid roster. The award of 0.5 or 1.0 is in the discretion of the host, based on the perceived quality of the roleplay/roster.

Roleplay period: All roleplays posted between one set of results and the next, or between the opening of the designated roleplaying thread and the first matches, shall be treated as a single roleplay for bonus purposes.

TBI shall receive a fixed roleplay bonus of 0.5 per roleplay period as host, and shall not be eligible to augment this score.

Entries and Styles

Entries may be posted to the existing signup thread at any time until the host cuts off entries. The entry will be trimmed to a multiple of four teams, so very late entries run a risk of exclusion.

• The entry should include a style modifier, an integer from +3 to -3 inclusive. Positive numbers reflect an offensive orientation, negative numbers a defensive orientation. This will be assumed to be 0 if no modifier is given.
• The entry should include a preference for extra point conversions: Always (always go for two), Never (always kick), or Logical (generally kicking unless the scorinator's logic suggests otherwise). If no preference is stated Logical is assumed.

Roleplaying and Rosters

Roleplaying may begin for competition purposes as soon as the entries have been closed and the host posts a designated thread for roleplaying.

Rosters are strongly encouraged, and should be posted to the designated roleplaying thread. A roster should include advice to other nations about roleplaying with your players should they post first, especially including any limits you would prefer to keep.

Schedule

CR1: Tuesday, 20 October
CR2: Wednesday, 21 October
CR3 (as assigned): Thursday, 22 October
CR4 (if over 40 teams): Friday, 23 October
Round of 16: Saturday, 24 October
(Sunday is an off day)
Quarterfinals: Monday, 26 October
Semifinals: Tuesday, 27 October
Third Place Game: Wednesday, 28 October
World Bowl VIII: Thursday, 29 October

Matches will be scorinated between 1100 and 1130 UTC on each day, barring unforeseen events.

Venues

All games will be held on neutral ground in The Babbage Islands for both the Classification Round and the World Bowl Tournament.

Championship, Third Place, and Semifinals Site

Charleston, South Island: Capital Stadium (59 437)
Capital Stadium hosted the finals of the Mcleod Cup, as well as qualifying matches in World Cups 47 and 48 and World Bowl VII. It is one of three stadia in the rotation for the FFB Premier League football final.

Quarterfinals and Round of 16 Sites

Baden, Daimler: Badenstadion (50 007)
Badenstadion hosted qualifying matches in World Cups 47 and 48.

Dover, Cayley: Dolphin Stadium (42 742)
Dolphin Stadium hosted qualifying matches in World Cups 47 and 48, World Bowl VII, and the Mcleod Cup. Dover is one of two host cities with no professional gridiron team. The legendary Dover City football club, five-time FFB Premier League champions, are from Dover.

Wye, South Island: Southland Park (53 712)
Southland Park, although home to a founding club of the FFB Premier League, has never hosted an international sporting event.

Xianggang, Gibson: Islands Place (38 888)
Islands Place is a brand-new stadium built for Xianggang FK of the FFB Championship Series and the Xianggang Orioles of the IFL.

Classification Round Sites (some of the above may also host CR games)

Bloomfield, Verne: Callahan & Babcock Arena (39 275)
Callahan & Babcock Arena is another brand-new stadium, with a throwback design to accommodate both football and baseball. Bloomfield, like Dover, has no gridiron team but has an historic football club.

Brigham City, Verne: Pioneer Arena (25 046)
Pioneer Arena hosted a qualifying match in World Bowl VII.

Cardiff, North Island: Cardiff Field (31 409)
Cardiff Field hosted a qualifying match in World Bowl VII.

Kopavogur, Gibson: The Duck Pond (27 373)
The Duck Pond hosted a qualifying match in World Bowl VII.

West Scoville, Tesla: Tiger Den (30 000)
The city of West Scoville has hosted both the F1 Grand Prix and the NSSCRA stock car series, but the Tiger Den has never hosted an international sporting event.

Additional stadia are available if the entry exceeds 40 teams.

[Delesa]

We'll join

[Connar Republic]

We will play

[Vephrall]

We'll never win one if we don't keep entering, so here we go again.

[Tatuape]

Tatuape is in! First time!

[Sarzonia]

Stars!

[German Zerabithea]

I would like to join (first time)

[Docky]

Docky will enter, and the Baptism of Iron!!

[Palmouth]

Palmouth are in.

[Sibirsky]

Sibirsky are in!

[Jalanat]

Jalanat is in.

BTW this is my first entry

[Cassadaigua]

Enter Dagans!

[Connar Republic]

Baptism of Iron BTW

[Kura-Pelland]

In come the Arrows again!

[kenavt]

Yo, I'd like to be in, thanks.

[The Fanboyists]

After a poor start with the Iron Tide in the Silver Bowl (and a failed run in WB VII), the re-named Fanboyist Barons will look to make sure some good football comes out of this place.

Back in. Although, TBI, I'd like to ask about the qualifying round; wouldn't an even number of games (say, four, generally more than three) work better for weeding out teams, or is time a major issue here? If it is, forget I said anything.