Exchange>XGC Is it really better? Is the sky really blue? What are doldrums really?

Ry

Before you say it I know I don't play any more but I still do pop in "regularlyish" to the various events that are on and after today's I'm just curious about what the benefits were of having it in the Exchange over in XGC again?

XGC P's and C's were:

Pros: Tonnes of Machines and seats. Not limited by time and casuals can ACTUALLY be played during and after (meaning 15 quid goes further than 3 or 4 games in groups before you're out and that's your lot for the day). Shop is closer (It matters ). Little bit more central to town also.

Cons: Hot as hell, Monitors can be ****, Can be a bit cramped if we're all on one side of the room. Then the BIG one, Games Workshop is so close the lameness infects you little by little by sheer proximity reducing our already low level of coolness down to the fact we're at a gaming event anyway.

Exchange:

P's: Decent space,...?

C's: **** all machines and monitors. Seats are few and far between and ain't nice and leather, It's hot as ****in hell, Monitors aren't all that better anyway, We're always booted out as soon as it's done so no casuals afterwards and casuals during are a near impossibility due to lack of machines to play on.

I only raise this because I'm just wondering what it was that pushed the move to happen? I understand the lack of machines and monitors are down to people not bringing them but it's damn hard for anyone not driving (the majority) to bring these things. Not to mention risky anyway putting personal property on the line just for people to play in a different place ye know. Xgc has all the **** needed in abundance. I'm not an XGC fanboy by any means I'm just trying to get a perspective on why the exchange is supposedly better.

Cheers

Ry

P.S. The theme tune to this post can be found here > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Q-qF3OpXc

Sairus

Ry wrote: »

I understand the lack of machines and monitors are down to people not bringing them but it's damn hard for anyone not driving (the majority) to bring these things.

I've never understood this belief.
What exactly is so hard about bringing stuff? You get your monitor or Xbox and you put it in a bag. You then carry that bag to the venue.
Seriously, if I can lug up an Xbox and a monitor along with my stick from Cork without much hassle it can't be that difficult for locals to bring one or the other.

Ry wrote: »

Not to mention risky anyway putting personal property on the line just for people to play in a different place ye know.

This is understandable to a degree, but aside from a lost camera I have never had any of my stuff broken or stolen in the year we've been running non XGC events.

Doctor DooM

I too question why it's so hard to put a 15 inch monitor or an xbox in a bag. Try carrying the case (as many people have )

Security was waaay worse in XGC. I've never seen random people hitting other people they don't know in Exchange.

There's no room there for recording.

There's no couches for a chill out moment in XGC.

The staff in XGC have been outright hostile at time towards holding tournaments.

XGc is significantly more expensive.

Placebo

Majority of sticks are pretty big, on top of that is a heavy xbox and a monitor? Its alot of effort for the average Joe, not to mention the overhead of taking care of your equipment and the fear of breaking it.

I know the community runs on this and it vital to tournaments but it clearly requires more effort than bringing in your stick.


if we were talking about these... then its another story
as i mentioned before bringing in laptop would suit better [if people have fast enough ones]

Doyler01

Games Workshop is next to the xgc, not the Exchange.


Exchange is wayyyy better. Every event there has been excellent. Evo quals and last DoC were outstanding events which would never of been as good if they were held in XGC.

K.O.Kiki

As someone who's been doing tourneys before SF4 in XGC...

The Exchange is better. More space is muuuuch appreciated.

So what if you don't get casuals?
YOU'RE HERE FOR THE TOURNAMENT.
Get a better teammate play better.

Though some kinks @Exchange do need to be worked out (mostly who has the bloody keys), and both venues suck for air conditioning.

Liquidswords

Ry wrote: »

Then the BIG one, Games Workshop is so close the lameness infects you little by little by sheer proximity

UberPrinny_Baal

Ry wrote: »

Then the BIG one, Games Workshop is so close the lameness infects you little by little by sheer proximity reducing our already low level of coolness down to the fact we're at a gaming event anyway.

As Doyler said, Games Workshop is near XGC. Also "low level of coolness"? Speak for yourself :P

Ry wrote: »

I understand the lack of machines and monitors are down to people not bringing them but it's damn hard for anyone not driving (the majority) to bring these things. Not to mention risky anyway

I bring mine on foot. It just requires one more bag than the bag you're going to need for your fightstick anyway.

I think the main point here is that if you want casuals, they're on twice a week in XGC, or you could come to a tournament before it starts and get your fill.

If you want there to be more machines, bring a machine.

But if you want (and sorry if I sound cynical here) to come in towards the end of a tournament, and have some casuals without paying any entry fee, I don't think the tournament organisers are going to lose any sleep over this not happening.

Sairus

Placebo wrote: »

Majority of sticks are pretty big, on top of that is a heavy xbox and a monitor? Its alot of effort for the average Joe, not to mention the overhead of taking care of your equipment and the fear of breaking it.

I know the community runs on this and it vital to tournaments but it clearly requires more effort than bringing in your stick.

But this is my point - I have been lugging crap around for years and it's not as difficult as everyone seems to want to think it is. The fear is an understandable issue, but I really think it's an awful excuse for people to say it's too much effort to bring equipment when those same people are often the ones who complain of a lack of set ups.
I would hope I needn't say this is not directed at anyone particularly in this thread, but come on. A stick in your backpack and a console or monitor in a Tesco reusable bag (with some pillows or t-shirts for buffering if you really want to make sure it's safe on arrival) is really not a lot to complain about.

Obviously not everyone has access to a conveniently sized monitor so they're off the hook as regards to this rant, but people need to man the **** up when it comes to equipment usage.

Placebo

No ones complaining, its not a feasible solution for everyone. It sounds fine to you but i dont like carrying 3 bag packs when i visit town. Not to mention the rain dripping into that tesco bag. Of course exchange is better than xgc and im not complaining about the lack of equipment but merely indicating the reason why there might be and will be an abundance in the future.

In any case, isnt XGC due to close soon?

unky chop chop

UberPrinny_Baal wrote: »

I bring mine on foot. It just requires one more bag than the bag you're going to need for your fightstick anyway.

You still bring your fight stick in its original box Dave?Classic.

Anyway I've only been to Exchange once-evo qualifiers and I thought it was the dogs balls. A real leap forward compared to the XGC.

You can play a game comfortably with out breathing down some ones neck or fear of knocking over camera equipment. I presume the EVO qualifiers was the biggest crowd there yet and afterwards I didn't end up smelling like a tramps undies,unlike the XGC.
Also there is no fear of some traveller coming in starting fights,and you don't have to constantly keep your eye on your equipment for fear of some pikey being away with it.

UberPrinny_Baal

unky chop chop wrote: »

You still bring your fight stick in its original box Dave?Classic.

Nah Dave, not anymore.

Trying to fit that box + bag in a Dublin Bikes basket damn near killed me. :pac:

Dreddybajs

Placebo wrote: »

but i dont like carrying 3 bag packs when i visit town

If this is what your argument comes down to then there's no point even replying really.

My xbox/power cables and stick all fit in the one rucksack, then it's just a case of using a Tesco reuseable bag for a monitor, that's one bag on your back and a shopping bag in one hand. If that's seriously a reason for people to want to go to the XGC over the Exchange I'm gobsmacked.

Sairus

Dreddybajs wrote: »

If that's seriously a reason for people to want to go to the XGC over the Exchange I'm gobsmacked.

This is what I'm trying to get across.
The hassle of bringing equipment is not a valid argument as far as I'm concerned.

Placebo

Jesus christ is anything EVER up for debate in this community ?
regardless - I have been referring to Sairius's comment from the start

Sairus wrote:

I've never understood this belief.
What exactly is so hard about bringing stuff?

Ciaran, you're basically explaining to me how easy is it to carry 3 pieces of equipment and what i'm trying to tell you is that - FOR ME, its not.
I do not like extra bags hanging around me. I dont own those type of bag packs. Neither do i like them. Thats merely my point - that it is awkward ! thats whats hard about bringing in stuff.

i understand that my argument somewhat implies that equipment load is a good reason to change venues but i thought i made it clear when i said

Placebo wrote:

Of course exchange is better than xgc

i have even been suggesting the laptop idea for the exchange.
so to finish off, yeah you were right there was no point in you even replying..... really.

of course this really ends up being completely off topic and nothing to do with anything, so here a random ****in picture, maybe Brian will thank my post some day. One can dream.

Dreddybajs

I understand that Farz, but I just don't think it's valid - I don't think it's at all awkward, anyone doing shopping around town probably ends up carrying more stuff around for longer than we're talking about in this situation. I think in the end people just aren't bothered.

Ry

Firstly the bit about Games Workshop was meant as a con on XGC so woops accidentally put it in the wrong place

Anyway what I'm getting from those bigging up the exchange is the extra space is a real big plus so that's fair enough. The reason I listed people's reasons for not bringing stuff because it's too much hassle is because it's just my best guess as to why people don't. Sairus you mentioned it's pretty easy to go with stick in the bag and xbox/monitor in a Tesco bag etc but personally and this might also ring true with others, I go into town admittedly from somewhere closer now lately but the stick in my backpack is genuinely all I want to be lugging around as I'm usually not in town solely for the tournament and bringing anything more would mean I'm carrying a tesco bag with my xbox and monitor around in my hands all around town and to wherever else I'm going. I don't know about others but I'm not comfortable with the risks of damage/theft that come with that.

I'm not afraid of damage/theft at the events by any means because luckily we've a good bunch of people so that's actually not the issue at all. The issue really stems from getting screwed outside the event by weather or whatever else since it's never a case of in to tournament and straight home again.

So I'd love to hear why others don't bring their equipment. Let's face it there were 4 monitors and 4 machines going over the weekend there. Every person at it has a tv and console so why are others not bringing stuff too? I'm not looking to scrutinise anyone's reasons here either I'm just genuinely interested what other people's reasons are for not too since it's probably the only thing (albeit one of the main things) that the XGC still has over exchange going by people's responses.

Just to add in too does ANYONE actually prefer XGC over exchange as I've just seen "Exchangers" posting? I don't prefer either but I'm again just curious if people do and if so for what reasons also?

K.O.Kiki

Use your head, Ry.

-Lots of people play on 37" TVs, not luggable 20" monitors.
--Bringing monitors is awkward.
---Exchange monitors are ALL THE SAME.
---Player's monitors are not, and introduce variability.
-XGC's Xbox TVs are shít, PS3 TVs are not.
-Stop using Tesco's bags and get a €5 backpack.
--I have personally brought a 21" monitor, PS3, 2 sticks and my laptop at once, in only 1 laptop bag + 1 cheap sportsbag.
--Year 1, I'd lug around 1-2 sticks, pads, camera and a tripod.

Also, there are plenty of shops within 2mins walking distance of Exchange.

And finally:

I only raise this because I'm just wondering what it was that pushed the move to happen?

XGC tournaments were kinda fvcking horrid, and we wanted to do our own thing.

Ry

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

Use your head, Ry.

I'm not a mind reader. I'm asking people. Also would you (lugging all that stuff around) be solely coming into town for the tourney and then going home afterwards?

Sairus

For clarity, I assume Kiki means the XGC when he's saying Exchange above.

K.O.Kiki

Sairus wrote: »

For clarity, I assume Kiki means the XGC when he's saying Exchange above.

No I don't.

K.O.Kiki wrote:

---Exchange monitors are ALL THE SAME.

I'm talking about the community monitors that Orim bought.

Owwmykneecap

if ***** like me and ****ing sairus can lug poxy consoles on **** public transport halfway across the cuntry to the bastard exchange, then locals can easily pull their finger out their arse and bring some ****ing equip, no pissing bother to them. **** **** ass **** bitch bollocks.

Edit: added extra cursing.

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

No I don't.

Yes, yes you do.

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

Exchange tournaments were kinda fvcking horrid, and we wanted to do our own thing.

bush

I dont really think the exchange is much better either ry. They both have good and bad points but they dont like us having tourneys in xgc so thats the end of that anyway.
One thing I dont like in the exchange is the big massive windows. I find it off putting when people put their faces of disgust up against the windows when your trying to play a match. 2 dudes pulled moonies the last time I was there.
It seems like everyone and anyone can walk in too so thats the same as the xgc.

J0hnick

bush wrote: »

2 dudes pulled moonies the last time I was there

Lol!

chueytoo

Xgc is just way to cramped for the amount of people for inferno. I don't mind xgc though when it was just blazblue cause it was only ever 16 ppl max at once.
I can see the point of having more equipments in xgc so you can sit down and play some games for fun, while in the exchange you can't. everything is just for the tournements.
Yeah some people are just don't bring things in cause there not bother, well some are. Lucky I live near by so i can bring my monitor and ps3 overall for DOC. But to be honest even exchange can get really cramped like In DOC it was really warm and stuffy.

well either way I don't mind either to be honest. But I do fined xgc a little bit more comfy. But thats due to BB tourney, not ssf4 tourney since i don't go to it.

Kirby

Granted, I missed the last one again due to commitments....but I'll wade in anyway.

There is more room in the Exchange. XGC is mad cramped. It's also difficult to get around the room and watch matches. Much easier in the Exchange. And it is cooler than the XGC. It's still warm but I think people forget how bad the XGC was with 40 people in it. We called it Inferno for a bloody reason guys.

Regarding lag, yes it would be lovely if the TV's were perfect but they aren't. We are all in the same boat and people just need to deal with it.

Casuals is a problem however. XGC was much better at this. Put simply, we need more tv's and consoles. If you are spanking down 15 quid you deserve to spend a few hours playing. There aren't enough for everyone.

To combat this, perhaps we can have a winner stays on machine next time that no tourney matches are played on. Best 3 out 5 with all 5 matches played....and then the loser moves on. This would create decent turnover and make sure people aren't loitering around waiting for games. Just an idea.

chopperbyrne

Kirby wrote: »

Casuals is a problem however. XGC was much better at this. Put simply, we need more tv's and consoles. If you are spanking down 15 quid you deserve to spend a few hours playing. There aren't enough for everyone.

To combat this, perhaps we can have a winner stays on machine next time that no tourney matches are played on. Best 3 out 5 with all 5 matches played....and then the loser moves on. This would create decent turnover and make sure people aren't loitering around waiting for games. Just an idea.

Inferno is a tournament, end of story. If you want to play casuals, go to any casuals that are on.

If you want to bring a console and TV/monitor to have your winner stays on session go ahead, but while I'm running Inferno the four monitors we have will be used for tournament matches until the later stages, when one of them will be free for use.

Exchange is closer to Zaytoons so it's instantly better than XGC.

Doctor DooM

Wow, rose tinted spectacles about the XGC, who would have thought it!

Lads, the place was horrible for tournaments. You couldn't walk from one end of the room to another without accidentally smacking someone who was in the middle of a tournament game, the staff (with one notable exception) hated us, it was WAY hotter than Exchange is (rem we're going through the hottest period of the year, rain or not, XGC is always roasting), people nearly punched the TVs with the lag, Zaytoons wasn't right beside it, virtually every tournament I had to move peoples sticks and stuff because unsavoury types were eyeing them up, I've never had anything thrown at me in the Exchange (I still feel sorry for the fright I gave that kid ), there was no space for a recording/admin area like there is now, there's no projector (which I can start using if Kiki shows or I buy some new gear), and we're not forking over hundreds of quid for the priviledge of being told we're getting in the way.

UberPrinny_Baal

Doctor DooM wrote: »

virtually every tournament I had to move peoples sticks and stuff because unsavoury types were eyeing them up, I've never had anything thrown at me in the Exchange

Yeah, I'd pick a room full of hippies and emo kids over the scumbags at the XGC any day.

Mr.Saturn

Why do the staff at XGC dislike the fighting-game crowd?

Doctor DooM

Mr.Saturn wrote: »

Why do the staff at XGC dislike the fighting-game crowd?

I don't know. They seemed to take great exception to the number of people we brought to the place in proportion to the amount of consoles we used, despite the fact we'd be handing over literally hundreds of euro to them.

ayjayirl

Exchange > XGC = True;

Is the sky really blue? No, Light refracted at different angles based on the wavelength of the respective light freqencies in the atmosphere makes it appear blue.

What are Doldrums really? The doldrums is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage for those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a low-pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm

XGC is a net cafe with some machines upstairs. Not really suitable for tournament conditions imo.

Kirby

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Inferno is a tournament, end of story. If you want to play casuals, go to any casuals that are on.

If you want to bring a console and TV/monitor to have your winner stays on session go ahead, but while I'm running Inferno the four monitors we have will be used for tournament matches until the later stages, when one of them will be free for use..

Not quite sure why you would take this attitude tbh. It's needlessly abrasive.

Its no skin off my nose because I always make it out of groups and get my moneys worth but there are lots of lads who don't and they should be able to play too.

Bottom line, if new people show up, pay 15 quid and are out after 15 minutes they won't come back. Letting them play a bit and have a good time can only be good, no? There wont be much of a tournament left if people feel hard done by and stop coming. Thats how communities die.

chopperbyrne

We are generally there from 10:00* and the tournament doesn't start until 13:00.

That's plenty of time to get casuals in.



*Last weekend was an exception.

Nutrient

Massive post

Don't know why there's such hostility and festered talk in this thread. But I'll try relay my thoughts here

XGC Is subpar for tourneys U][B]FACT[/B][/U, even in casuals with more then 10 people we have had trouble spacing people out seat by seat, It's stuffy as hell but I guess that is something that should be taking up with the staff there [Sure they have enough money from us to fix it:P]

Exchange is a step up in every direction, these "rose tinted spectacles" need to be taken off for a moment to see that XGC is really just tolerable. [Okay for casuals, Tourneys? remember DOC 3 MK9 Finals?]

My first Tourney was in the exchange actually, the Evo qualifier

It was ran quite well and was pretty well organized by everyone who was involved.
I could not imagine half the turnout from EvoQ to even fit in the XGC, It's bloody laughable.

From what I know it's still a young community right?

Things will only get better in time with commitment and help from everyone in the community!

My whole point which is pretty blurry at this point is;:D

Change is necessary for better or for worse, We'll eventually find a solution that meets all the requirements in due time.



Notice: I'm not belittling anyone, simply stating what I believe


P.S I'm not participating in tourney level play on those laggy ******* TV's in XGC:pac:

Jun_DP101

Are exchange and xgc our only options?

Owwmykneecap

Jun_DP101 wrote: »

Are exchange and xgc our only options?

Ding ding ding! we have a pertinent question!

the 1st hardter

Jun_DP101 wrote: »

Are exchange and xgc our only options?

Isn't there that new "gaming" bar or something??? Or has that died already???

chopperbyrne

the 1st hardter wrote: »

Isn't there that new "gaming" bar or something??? Or has that died already???

If you mean the Thomas House, that's a small pub with one screen. Great craic for a drunken pub tournament, but no way could it be used for a proper one.

ayjayirl

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

Ding ding ding! we have a pertinent question!

...one that was asked and answered already really

2 points on this

1) The exchange is an effort to offer a space to groups and individuals where you can arrange things and events in a fair open environment. I think this is something we should support, especially given the nature of our group (voluntary)

2) It costs as much as we could afford on any given day and is smack bang in the middle of Dublin (which is important for people traveling from outside of Dublin) . Other venues cost more - irrespective of numbers we get, and this could be a problem.



There are load of possible venues but the exchange is the most practical as I see it. The only real issue is having to bring equipment but considering we can store said equipment on site securely (mostly), we can use our brains to solve that problem utilising the money we generate in a more efficient way - like has been suggested in the other fee discussion thread.


..and getting a key?!

Mr.Saturn

It might be a stab asking in Fibber's on Parnell Street, they've held mini-tournaments (Mario Kart, SSF2, mostly SNES stuff) before, on a big projector screen hung over the stage, and there's plenty of room, whatwith the dancefloor being there, and I imagine they'd be keen if there was some hope of selling enough booze and other less buckling refreshment.

chopperbyrne

Mr.Saturn wrote: »

It might be a stab asking in Fibber's on Parnell Street, they've held mini-tournaments (Mario Kart, SSF2, mostly SNES stuff) before, on a big projector screen hung over the stage, and there's plenty of room, whatwith the dancefloor being there, and I imagine they'd be keen if there was some hope of selling enough booze and other less buckling refreshment.

We've been to tournaments in Fibbers before. Again, great craic but not suitable for the type of tournament we run.

Ry

Ok so this is what I'm getting from the various posts. Long post Ahoi!

Exchange is great for the tourneys not for the casuals.

Why? Because there's more space, there's a projector (if it's used) and more space. The staff don't "hate us" and all the other bad things about xgc that doom listed.

XGC is good for the casual side of things because as mentioned by kirby those coming down paying 15 and getting raped at least still get to play games.

I'm gonna give my opinion on the matter and you might disagree but it's just how I feel from going to casuals 2 years or whatever back and infernos until now when granted I rarely play but I still attend.

Let me stress this is just my opinion.

When saying "Inferno is a tournament, if you want casuals go to casuals" I think this is way off the mark from what inferno came from and what it used to be about. That was, everyone getting together from around the country to play each other to see who's top dog at the moment. Granted it's a tournament but to be honest the casuals were where the real tests were as all the players would come to play the guys who they knew were better or that they wanted to play against to prove to themselves they could beat from when everyone had met up last, etc. This is what nurtures a community more than a tournament a month in my opinion. Skill levels and desire to do better increase with an event holding this type of meaning for people.

Every month I'd come down because I wanted to play against Terry's Sagat or Conor's Ryu to see how I would do this time or Mike's (Newtype) Ryu to see how bad mine really was. It was only partly about the tournament and getting out of groups for me. It was mostly about playing all the dudes who had come from far and wide who normally you don't get to play offline in casuals because everyone's too far away.
The "inferno" was that reason for everyone to meet up and play offline. The focus was always on a tournament but back then if you think back the casuals were definitely 50% or more of the day's worth too. It was cool to have a big final vs the top players but outside the tournament the top players would each be playing eachother too testing themselves and seeing how things might have gone if they'd maybe gone a different route down the brackets etc etc. For me inferno is all about the casuals and the gathering of talent from all corners. That aspect has been eliminated with the move to Exchange. Again I'm not saying either are better I'm just pointing out a fact. There are nearly no casuals to be had at inferno's in exchange. People stand around chatting till their matches are called.No one plays casuals against people they don't know unless it's a match in their group also. People don't get to know anyone they don't already know as much. It's much less social. This means no one plays offline with people who aren't normally there to play with offline. The only way to strongly improve is offline play and without this I think the standard suffers. Playing online is fine but the truth is if you play competitively at tournaments the only way to practice for that is 1 on 1 in person, no internet lag sitting down beside eachother. Exchange doesn't offer that. There is a lot more space! Although that's because there are a lot less chairs and machines. For me I'll take the ****ty heat and cramped room if it means everyone's getting the chance to improve and play people offline they don't usually.

If we look at Chinatown fair. That place was a stinky, sweaty, cramped room that tonnes would pack into to do exactly what we do. They had less machines and it was just as horribly hot but they still did it! Why? Because it was the place to improve and get better. For XGC, whatever about the staff downstairs or the random scumbags or even the ****ing monitors it's about games and people improving themselves. I think in trying to improve the standards of inferno it's lost the most important part of it's original charm that kept people coming back and that was the diversity of everyone coming down for the tourney and casuals. I think Inferno belongs somewhere better than the exchange and better than XGC but out of the 2, I think xgc beats exchange hands down. I genuinely feel atmosphere and games were always better in xgc.

Just my 2 cents.

Nutrient

Ry wrote: »

Ok so this is what I'm getting from the various posts. Long post Ahoi!

Exchange is great for the tourneys not for the casuals.

Why? Because there's more space, there's a projector (if it's used) and more space. The staff don't "hate us" and all the other bad things about xgc that doom listed.

XGC is good for the casual side of things because as mentioned by kirby those coming down paying 15 and getting raped at least still get to play games.

I'm gonna give my opinion on the matter and you might disagree but it's just how I feel from going to casuals 2 years or whatever back and infernos until now when granted I rarely play but I still attend.

Let me stress this is just my opinion.

When saying "Inferno is a tournament, if you want casuals go to casuals" I think this is way off the mark from what inferno came from and what it used to be about. That was, everyone getting together from around the country to play each other to see who's top dog at the moment. Granted it's a tournament but to be honest the casuals were where the real tests were as all the players would come to play the guys who they knew were better or that they wanted to play against to prove to themselves they could beat from when everyone had met up last, etc. This is what nurtures a community more than a tournament a month in my opinion. Skill levels and desire to do better increase with an event holding this type of meaning for people.

Every month I'd come down because I wanted to play against Terry's Sagat or Conor's Ryu to see how I would do this time or Mike's (Newtype) Ryu to see how bad mine really was. It was only partly about the tournament and getting out of groups for me. It was mostly about playing all the dudes who had come from far and wide who normally you don't get to play offline in casuals because everyone's too far away.
The "inferno" was that reason for everyone to meet up and play offline. The focus was always on a tournament but back then if you think back the casuals were definitely 50% or more of the day's worth too. It was cool to have a big final vs the top players but outside the tournament the top players would each be playing eachother too testing themselves and seeing how things might have gone if they'd maybe gone a different route down the brackets etc etc. For me inferno is all about the casuals and the gathering of talent from all corners. That aspect has been eliminated with the move to Exchange. Again I'm not saying either are better I'm just pointing out a fact. There are nearly no casuals to be had at inferno's in exchange. People stand around chatting till their matches are called.No one plays casuals against people they don't know unless it's a match in their group also. People don't get to know anyone they don't already know as much. It's much less social. This means no one plays offline with people who aren't normally there to play with offline. The only way to strongly improve is offline play and without this I think the standard suffers. Playing online is fine but the truth is if you play competitively at tournaments the only way to practice for that is 1 on 1 in person, no internet lag sitting down beside eachother. Exchange doesn't offer that. There is a lot more space! Although that's because there are a lot less chairs and machines. For me I'll take the ****ty heat and cramped room if it means everyone's getting the chance to improve and play people offline they don't usually.

If we look at Chinatown fair. That place was a stinky, sweaty, cramped room that tonnes would pack into to do exactly what we do. They had less machines and it was just as horribly hot but they still did it! Why? Because it was the place to improve and get better. For XGC, whatever about the staff downstairs or the random scumbags or even the ****ing monitors it's about games and people improving themselves. I think in trying to improve the standards of inferno it's lost the most important part of it's original charm that kept people coming back and that was the diversity of everyone coming down for the tourney and casuals. I think Inferno belongs somewhere better than the exchange and better than XGC but out of the 2, I think xgc beats exchange hands down. I genuinely feel atmosphere and games were always better in xgc.

Just my 2 cents.

I understand where your coming from, it makes sense

I think if we just had better/more monitors and casual set ups, tourneys would be a blast[Winning and losing]

But everyone has gotta lend a hand for that to happen, I understand the lack of monitors and hopefully this will change over time but there should never be a lack of consoles [if thats ever the case] ever

If 40 people attend a tourney and there's 8 consoles, where are the other 32 consoles?

I mean if just half the people brought consoles then it would never be an issue and it sometimes is

Anyway this is off topic:D

the 1st hardter

I agree with ry. Although I think the "its a tournament" crowd need to realise where not all god like, (scrubs like me increase your winnings) and the I want casuals crowd need to realise some tournaments are run on less than adequate setups (last doc had 6 setups for 4 tournaments and losing one machine makes tourney take longer)

So the solution....... Find a compromise somewhere. My solution, more setups in exchange. If what's his face (I'm horrible with names) can drag his stuff from cork and I'm sure most dubliners can too.

I am a believer in more casuals for social aspect. Hell if it was not for doom telling me about streetfighter.ie at the Evo qualifier I would not even know about this. And I told at least 3 at last doc about it. Without social we will exclude people.

This prob looks a mess cause I'm sleep deprived and on phone