The World Bowl Discussion Thread (OOC, version II)

[Allamunnic States]

Congratulations, Equestrian States on a great run and a very well-run World Bowl!

[Cosumar]

Congratulations, Equestrian States on a great run and a very well-run World Bowl!

This.

And an even bigger congratulations to you, Allamunnic States! Enjoy the sweet savory taste of victory as you commence in your glorious day of golden triumph

[Neu Engollon]

Congratulations, Equestrian States on a great run and a very well-run World Bowl!

This.

And an even bigger congratulations to you, Allamunnic States! Enjoy the sweet savory taste of victory as you commence in your glorious day of golden triumph

Congrats to all! Allamunnic, Equestrian States, runners up and assistant scorinators! Well done.

[Gregoryisgodistan]

Congrats. This is what I get for RPing that we'd be better off in terms of rank losing in the quarterfinals than winning and finishing fourth again. Lo and behold, I got my wish.

[HopNation]

Congratulation to the winner - Allamunnic States!
Commiserations to the losers - everyone they beat down along the way.

[New North Aqmuland]

Are there updated ranks for post WB25 anywhere yet?

[Free Republics]

Are there updated ranks for post WB25 anywhere yet?

I don't think so, since our rank updater is busy co-hosting the BoF at the moment. I'm sure he'll get them up before the next World Bowl.

EDIT: I stand corrected. See EQS's post below...

[Equestrian States]

Are there updated ranks for post WB25 anywhere yet?

You mean these?

[New North Aqmuland]

Are there updated ranks for post WB25 anywhere yet?

You mean these?

Perfect, thank you.

[World Bowl]

World Bowl XXVI signups are now open

[Allamunnic States]

So I have a question that may or may not become more relevant based on the outcome of this coming World Bowl.

Is it possible for a nation to willingly take a hit to their ranking points without having to actually lose games? Like could I ask for a reduction in my ranking at some point?

I ask because, frankly, the success I've experienced is not only unprecedented, it's a tad ridiculous. I can't imagine that I'm likely to slip significantly in the rankings short of willingly not participating in a World Bowl or two, or participating and then not roleplaying at all for multiple editions. Because I like participating and roleplaying, that would not be something I'd like to do, but, if Margaret doesn't start sorting me out over the course of the next edition or two, I'd like to clear a little bit of the room at the top for new blood.

Is this remotely feasible or doable? It doesn't seem to me like it would be setting a bad precedent or anything, since I'd be taking the hit voluntarily, and, in fact, at my own instigation.

Edited Addition: I'm not asking to be dropped to the bottom; I know that's pretty easy to do (just reduce rank to 0, or close to it), and that's a level of difficulty I don't quite want to deal with. But is there some way that a nation could be dropped from the top tier into, say, the middle of the pack, without fucking up the formula or everyone else's rankings?

[Neu Engollon]

-snip-

Wanna trade spots?

[World Bowl]

As we've not reached the required 16 nations for the Baptism of Iron, that tournament will not be held this cycle. Those new to the World Bowl (non-puppets and non-returning users) will instead be given the small rankings bonus as instructed by the constitution.

World Bowl Assembly members (listed here) should telegram votes to the designated nation. You have five days to vote (ending on Sunday, May 10th, at around the time of this post), so get voting!

World Bowl XXVI Host Bids:
Electrum
Royal Kingdom of Quebec and San José Guayabal

The options for vote (please send votes to World Bowl via TG) are:
1) Accept the bid of Electrum
2) Accept the bid of Royal Kingdom of Quebec and San José Guayabal
3) Re-open Bidding

---

So I have a question that may or may not become more relevant based on the outcome of this coming World Bowl.

Is it possible for a nation to willingly take a hit to their ranking points without having to actually lose games? Like could I ask for a reduction in my ranking at some point?

I ask because, frankly, the success I've experienced is not only unprecedented, it's a tad ridiculous. I can't imagine that I'm likely to slip significantly in the rankings short of willingly not participating in a World Bowl or two, or participating and then not roleplaying at all for multiple editions. Because I like participating and roleplaying, that would not be something I'd like to do, but, if Margaret doesn't start sorting me out over the course of the next edition or two, I'd like to clear a little bit of the room at the top for new blood.

Is this remotely feasible or doable? It doesn't seem to me like it would be setting a bad precedent or anything, since I'd be taking the hit voluntarily, and, in fact, at my own instigation.

Edited Addition: I'm not asking to be dropped to the bottom; I know that's pretty easy to do (just reduce rank to 0, or close to it), and that's a level of difficulty I don't quite want to deal with. But is there some way that a nation could be dropped from the top tier into, say, the middle of the pack, without fucking up the formula or everyone else's rankings?

As the rankings person, I'd be reluctant to slash anyone's rank points simply to increase competitiveness. If the majority of the community, particularly the other long-standing members of our community, supports such a change after the upcoming tournament, I might reconsider it, but for now I have no intention of cutting the ranking of Allamunnic States.

- Equestrian States

[Allamunnic States]

That's fair. Thought I would ask the question.

Again, it may well end up a non-issue, anyway. Either way, I'll defer to you and the community on this.

[Gregoryisgodistan]

From the signup thread....

I don't think Electrum should get to host the BoI without a vote. I, for one, would have voted for RON. Nothing against his bid - I voted for the World Bowl part of it. But I'm convinced it has outlived its usefulness. I hosted the last two BoI's, and between them maybe five or six truly new users (i.e. not puppets or returning users) actively participated. And most of those were experienced NS Sports members who just never participated in the World Bowl before.

With that in mind, I would like to propose the following amendment:

The Baptism of Iron is abolished. The Baptism of Iron Amendment, adopted July 30, 2010 and amended August 20, 2011, is hereby repealed.

A consequence of this would be that new nations receive no ranking points heading into the World Bowl. But they weren't getting much anyway.

[Free Republics]

I'll second the proposal.

[San Jose Guayabal]

From the signup thread....

I don't think Electrum should get to host the BoI without a vote. I, for one, would have voted for RON. Nothing against his bid - I voted for the World Bowl part of it. But I'm convinced it has outlived its usefulness. I hosted the last two BoI's, and between them maybe five or six truly new users (i.e. not puppets or returning users) actively participated. And most of those were experienced NS Sports members who just never participated in the World Bowl before.

With that in mind, I would like to propose the following amendment:



A consequence of this would be that new nations receive no ranking points heading into the World Bowl. But they weren't getting much anyway.

Seconded too.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

I wholeheartedly support this proposal.

[Cosumar]

My initial reaction was one of opposition, but all of my reasons could be traced back to nostalgia

Though I enjoyed my BoI back in the day, it never had great participation and has become increasingly pointless over the years. There's no reason to continue it. So I have no objections to the proposal.

[Barunia]

While I am not necessarily against the proposal, removing the BoI will leave new nations with a loss of ranking points. That being the case, and considering the predicament of the Allamunnic States, perhaps it may be necessary to take a closer look at the rankings formula?

[Saintland]

While I am not necessarily against the proposal, removing the BoI will leave new nations with a loss of ranking points. That being the case, and considering the predicament of the Allamunnic States, perhaps it may be necessary to take a closer look at the rankings formula?

I refer you to the most recent version of the rankings to illustrate why this is not a problem:

1 Allamunnic States 24.58
2 Saintland 23.71
3 Equestrian States 23.63
4 Ko-oren 22.68
5 Taeshan 21.69
6 Karditan 20.91
7 Cosumar 19.94
8 Gregoryisgodistan 19.04
9 The Fair Republic 18.41
10 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 18.40
11 Nassau Hessen 17.76
12 Holy Republican Empire 16.36
13 German Zerabithea 16.30
14 Jeckland 15.86
15 Timbermunich 14.71
16 Abanhfleft 14.43
17 Patistan 14.18
18 HopNation 14.13
19 New North Aqmuland 13.38
20 Osarius 12.95
21 Estenia 11.02
22 Estope 10.52
23 San José Guayabal 9.94
24 Darmen 8.75
25 Super-Llamaland 8.74
26 West Guiana 8.17
27 Neu Engollon 7.60
28 Southern Democratic States 7.33
29 Walamzia 6.96
30 New Wolfopolis 6.63
31 Coconutstan 6.55
32 Sheffland 6.29
33 Thereisnogodistan 6.20
34 Barunia 6.07
35 United States of Devonta 5.96
36 Vettrera 5.94
37 Pacificana Islands 5.86
38 Kolmya 5.48
39 Schottia 5.33
40 Nukehavistan 5.02
41 Anditia 4.90
42 Vermark 4.81
43 Britonisea 4.73
44 Hambeich 4.33
45 Farlandria 4.19
45 The Greater Vakolicci Haven 4.19
47 Yttribia 4.17
48 McKleigh 4.11
49 United States of Minton 3.98
50 New Nationale Einheit 3.83
51 Bongo Johnson 3.39
52 Cassadaigua 3.13
53 Thatius 2.86
53 The Serbian Empire 2.86
55 Gustavpolis 2.83
56 Gregory Llama Land 2.79
57 Aredshan 2.71
58 Serbian Orthodox Church 2.68
58 Silver Beach 2.68
60 Mochria 2.64
61 The New Greek Republic 2.48
61 The Urain 2.48
63 United We Stand 123 2.17
64 Miley World 2.14
64 The Kytler Peninsulae 2.14
66 Ati Kaluraya 2.05
66 Democratic States of Fenbar 2.05
68 DBostick 2.00
68 Teague 2.00
70 Laiyenda 1.99
71 Eritai 1.96
72 Gregoryisgodistan Special Admin Zone 1.83
73 North Britonisea 1.76
74 Christian Isles 1.68
74 Vankelland Islands 1.68
76 Free Swiss States 1.60
77 Jachaelter 1.51
78 Darvale 1.50
79 Vjaalsburg 1.43
79 Alkoul 1.43
81 New South Aqmuland 1.25
82 Azrea 1.17
82 Mieraskya 1.17
82 Sereina 1.17
85 Hutt River 1.00
85 Levivania 1.00
85 Macquarrie 1.00
85 Menukten 1.00
85 The Tidal Wake 1.00
85 Zenic 1.00
91 Wolfbenz 1.00
92 Dobbsland 0.88
93 Aynard 0.83
93 The Babbage Islands 0.83
93 The Qocaekian Isles 0.83
96 Antornas 0.80
96 Globus 0.80
96 Star United States 0.80
96 The Sarian 0.80
100 Hamamatsu 0.75
100 Kykid8 0.75
100 The Glorious Commune 0.75
103 Alparia 0.50
103 Icatus 0.50
103 Quakmybush 0.50
103 The Royal Barangay 0.50
107 Democratic Donesia 0.25
108 Jecatria 0.17
108 Val Halla 0.17
108 Zitru 0.17
108 Ayank 0.17
108 Dead Names 0.17
108 Forthhanu 0.17
108 Greater Weselton 0.17
108 Nornaius 0.17
116 Bzakstan 0.08
117 Hicana 0.00
117 Al-Mumtaz 0.00
117 Ulapotamia 0.00

As you can likely tell from the above, there are 2 nations (myself and EQS) that are within a point of Allamunnic States in the current rankings and you'd have to get to #21 before you find somebody whose ranking is less than half of Allamunnic's. I should also note that the maximum ranking is 26.25 (15 + half of 15 + a quarter of 15), which is the ranking of a team that wins 3 consecutive editions of the tournament. The World Bowl rankings largely correct this problem, on their own.

The BoI points in question are 1.5 ranking points for the World Bowl immediately following a BoI win and an additional .75 points for the following World Bowl. Those are for BoI winners. If there was something preventing first-time teams from having a realistic shot of qualifying (and there really isn't, unless you draw German Zerabithea and Equestrian States for your groupmates), giving the BoI winner another 1.5 ranking points wouldn't make much difference anyway.

[Allamunnic States]

Eh, I have no objection to removal of the BoI. With what Saintland's said about the rankings, it doesn't seem like it would be that big a deal; a lack of ranking points isn't hard to overcome (I've never finished less than a game or two under .500, including my first World Bowl, and I didn't participate in the BoI at all) provided a person is RPing.

That said, nostalgia-wise, I would like for us to still have a mechanism by which we can have the BoI, should conditions change again where it would be useful to do so. Might we perhaps modify the existing amendment to leave it wholly to WB President's discretion, based on sign-ups, even if we surpass the raw numbers to hold one?

TL;DR: I don't necessarily want to see the BoI go entirely, due to nostalgia, but I wouldn't oppose getting rid of it if that's something everyone else is on-board with.

[Gregoryisgodistan]

Eh, I have no objection to removal of the BoI. With what Saintland's said about the rankings, it doesn't seem like it would be that big a deal; a lack of ranking points isn't hard to overcome (I've never finished less than a game or two under .500, including my first World Bowl, and I didn't participate in the BoI at all) provided a person is RPing.

That said, nostalgia-wise, I would like for us to still have a mechanism by which we can have the BoI, should conditions change again where it would be useful to do so. Might we perhaps modify the existing amendment to leave it wholly to WB President's discretion, based on sign-ups, even if we surpass the raw numbers to hold one?

TL;DR: I don't necessarily want to see the BoI go entirely, due to nostalgia, but I wouldn't oppose getting rid of it if that's something everyone else is on-board with.

Theoretically speaking, anyone who didn't want a BoI could just vote for RON no matter who was bidding. If it wins, there's no BoI. In practice, I'm not sure that would work. And it would just serve to confuse new users, who are exactly who the BoI is targeting. As for just leaving it in the President's hands, I'm not sure we should just give one person that power. Right now, it's dependent on the host of the World Bowl. I see no reason why making it dependent on the President would change things in practice. If a majority of us ever want it to come back, we can always vote to reinstate it, just like we're voting on a repeal now.

[Equestrian States]

1 Allamunnic States 24.58
2 Saintland 23.71
3 Equestrian States 23.63
4 Ko-oren 22.68
5 Taeshan 21.69
6 Karditan 20.91
7 Cosumar 19.94
8 Gregoryisgodistan 19.04
9 The Fair Republic 18.41
10 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec 18.40
11 Nassau Hessen 17.76
12 Holy Republican Empire 16.36
13 German Zerabithea 16.30
14 Jeckland 15.86
15 Timbermunich 14.71
16 HopNation 14.13
17 Abanhfleft 13.68
17 Patistan 13.68
19 New North Aqmuland 13.38
20 Osarius 12.95
21 Estenia 11.02
22 Estope 10.52
23 San José Guayabal 9.94
24 Darmen 8.75
25 Super-Llamaland 8.74
26 West Guiana 8.17
27 Neu Engollon 7.26
28 New Wolfopolis 6.63
29 Southern Democratic States 6.58
30 Coconutstan 6.55
31 Walamzia 6.40
32 Vettrera 5.94
33 United States of Devonta 5.71
34 Sheffland 5.64
35 Thereisnogodistan 5.60
36 Barunia 5.54
37 Pacificana Islands 5.43
38 Anditia 4.90
39 Kolmya 4.82
40 Schottia 4.75
41 Nukehavistan 4.60
42 Vermark 4.49
43 Britonisea 4.45
44 Yttribia 4.17
45 McKleigh 4.11
46 Hambeich 3.83
47 Farlandria 3.76
47 The Greater Vakolicci Haven 3.76
49 United States of Minton 3.65
50 New Nationale Einheit 3.58
51 Cassadaigua 3.13
52 Bongo Johnson 2.86
52 Thatius 2.86
52 The Serbian Empire 2.86
55 Gustavpolis 2.67
56 Mochria 2.64
57 Gregory Llama Land 2.14
57 Aredshan 2.14
57 Serbian Orthodox Church 2.14
57 Silver Beach 2.14
57 The New Greek Republic 2.14
57 The Urain 2.14
57 Miley World 2.14
57 The Kytler Peninsulae 2.14
65 Ati Kaluraya 2.05
65 Democratic States of Fenbar 2.05
67 United We Stand 123 1.92
68 DBostick 1.83
68 Teague 1.83
72 Laiyenda 1.43
70 Gregoryisgodistan Special Admin Zone 1.75
71 Darvale 1.50
72 North Britonisea 1.43
72 Christian Isles 1.43
72 Vankelland Islands 1.43
72 Free Swiss States 1.43
72 Jachaelter 1.43
72 Vjaalsburg 1.43
72 Alkoul 1.43
80 Eritai 1.40
81 New South Aqmuland 1.25
82 Hutt River 1.00
82 Levivania 1.00
82 Macquarrie 1.00
82 Menukten 1.00
82 The Tidal Wake 1.00
82 Zenic 1.00
88 Azrea 1.00
88 Mieraskya 1.00
88 Sereina 1.00
91 Wolfbenz 0.92
92 Aynard 0.83
92 The Babbage Islands 0.83
92 The Qocaekian Isles 0.83
95 Hamamatsu 0.75
95 Kykid8 0.75
95 The Glorious Commune 0.75
95 Atanatos 0.75
95 Borxinoia 0.75
95 Caveria 0.75
95 Coreyo 0.75
95 Electrum 0.75
95 Kaboomlandia 0.75
95 Karabakh 0.75
95 KingGrant 0.75
95 Le Grove 0.75
95 Mavenheim 0.75
95 Nephara 0.75
95 Panem 0.75
95 Pasneila 0.75
95 San Llera 0.75
95 Sensimillastan 0.75
95 Southwest Eastnorth 0.75
95 The Sword Bloke 0.75
95 Vangaziland 0.75
95 Zillmerilic 0.75
117 Antornas 0.71
117 Dobbsland 0.71
117 Globus 0.71
117 Star United States 0.71
117 The Sarian 0.71
122 Alparia 0.50
122 Icatus 0.50
122 Quakmybush 0.50
122 The Royal Barangay 0.50
126 Jecatria 0.08
126 Val Halla 0.08
126 Zitru 0.08
126 Greater Weselton 0.08
126 Nornaius 0.08
131 Ayank 0.00
131 Dead Names 0.00
131 Forthhanu 0.00
131 Bzakstan 0.00
131 Al-Mumtaz 0.00
131 Ulapotamia 0.00
131 Hicana 0.00

[Kaboomlandia]

I got put in a group with the hosts