IAO changes format

[Baca Loco]

International Am Open is dropping amateur 10-man competition in favor of 7-man citing superior spectator and media-friendliness of 7-man. Official notice is calling this part of the wave of the future.
No doubt this will be seen by Euros as validating. As the forum's resident conspiracy buff I'd like to note I predicted this, among other things, right after NPPL/PSP break.
(Besides, I wanted to be the first to post it.)

Moo

 

[Dannefaerd]

So let's see ... 7 player format....

Europe
New Zealand
Australia
IAO
+ others I've bound to have forgotten


I am seeing a trend here .... so what would it take for the US to look at 7-player in the next season for PSP/NPPL?

7 player format has been used very sucessfully at events with large numbers of teams present (e.g. in Europe at the Millennium) ... so a proven concept, set number of games (i.e. 10 prelims + semis + finals) .... less players per team, means more teams entered, means more revenue to defray costs, means .... well you get the general idea.

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by Baca Loco
International Am Open is dropping amateur 10-man competition in favor of 7-man citing superior spectator and media-friendliness of 7-man. Official notice is calling this part of the wave of the future.
No doubt this will be seen by Euros as validating. As the forum's resident conspiracy buff I'd like to note I predicted this, among other things, right after NPPL/PSP break.
(Besides, I wanted to be the first to post it.)
Moo

OK, Baca, now we'll really see how good you are

IAO goes to 7-man, ostensibly standardising formats with perhaps a view to integration of some kind with Europe or maybe just perhaps to give the 7-man format, the US stamp of approval and thus moving closer to an international recognised format of play.
Now, as I see it, your little prediction, had one eye very firmly fixed on recent proceedings with regard to the recent divorce of the promotions company of Jerry Braun, Billy and Adam Gardner, YB, Ren, ED Poorman and Richmond from the NPPL.

Are you suggesting this new 7-man format is one step along the road of a separate US circuit ?

Because if you are (and I think you are), the politics is horrendous !!
Richmond is the major sponsor of the IAO, he is also the brain behind this new X-Ball format being unveiled in Pittsburgh.

Now, if this is a harbinger of things to come and a move away from the promotions committee is what is on the agenda, then don't you think there will be a clash somewhere along the line ?

After all, Jerry Braun, major shareholder of PSP also happens to be a big, big customer of Diablo, as are Billy and Adam and some of the others.
Will Richmond risk any breakaway ?
Would the PSP view this breakaway or rather 'alternative' circuit as a challenge and competition to their circuit ?
The Paintball calendar can only support a reasonable of tournaments and the two circuits, if the new format does come about, will be in direct competition, if pros are going to be allowed to play in both.
Hmm, interesting times ahead.
And I will add one more thing, JT / Brass Eagle sponsor Avalanche and Dynasty and many more, if they decide to get involved, then what ?
Chris Lasoya has already gone on record as saying that his team (Avalanche) will do what their sponsor wants them to do and here he's talking about playing in alternative circuits that may or may not be set up.
There is a significant amount of disenchantment in the previously called NPPL circuit which if utilised, could provide others with sufficient room to cause considerable damage.
Hee hee, have a nice day Baca !
Robbo

 

[Beaker]

Robbo,

Surely your assumption of a competeing circuit assumes that the PSP is not considering the move to 7 man anyway?

If they were, then I would have thought the IAO is the perfect place they can trial it without impacting thier own existing events as it's a pretty much "stand alone" event.

Therefore, if 7 man is a success at IAO I wouldn't be suprised if we see next years PSP events played in it too.

Then the only issue of competition between circuits is that which currently exists between PSP and NPPL.

BTW - I've been trying to call you but you've been permanently engaged !!! let us know how I can get hold of you pls

 

[Al Woods]

Doubt it

I very much doubt that ANY of the yank organiser will ever drop the 10 man format, ok so they might ADD a 7 man format (maybe) to certain events but the yank scene in general is large enough to warrant 10 man games. I aint too clued up on the internal politics of the different organisational bodies but I think the decision will be more an issue of feasibility rather than being a united 'ball format.

The 10 man at Notts proved successful but also proved how teams struggled to get a full 10 man squad together. If we had enough tournament 'ballers and more backing in the sport over here we would probably still be running a 10 man format too.

 

[Beaker]

Well, just to throw another idea in - what if they are trying undermine the credibility of 7man in Europe buy using 7 man for tournaments of lower stature in the US (Am rather than Pro centered events like IAO) and only have the "big boys" play 10 man.

That way it boxes the Mill series into taking on 10 man to gain credibility of 10 man events in the US. Now - because the US doesn't even play 7 man, it isn't an issue

..... BTW - I am just throwing ideas around

 

[Mark Toye-Nexus]

Beaks

That is a clever idea!!

Most of the big US teams come to the Millennium and love the 7 man format (my conversations with those that i have spoken to suggets this anyway) though.

But what does the industry want???

Watching this space with interest

Mark

 

[Flash-Bugout]

Originally posted by Mark T, Rushers

But what does the industry want???

From experience, 7-man has a much higher paint consumption than 5-man.

From watching the odd video, 10 man has a higher paint consumption than 7-man.

I'd guess those in the paint industry would want as many 10 man events as possible

 

[Baca Loco]

How 'bout something hard?

Originally posted by Robbo


OK, Baca, now we'll really see how good you are

IAO goes to 7-man, ostensibly standardising formats...or maybe just perhaps to give the 7-man format, the US stamp of approval and thus moving closer to an international recognised format of play.

Are you suggesting this new 7-man format is one step along the road of a separate US circuit ?

Because if you are (and I think you are), the politics is horrendous !!
Richmond is the major sponsor of the IAO, he is also the brain behind this new X-Ball format being unveiled in Pittsburgh.

Now, if this is a harbinger of things to come and a move away from the promotions committee is what is on the agenda, then don't you think there will be a clash somewhere along the line ?

Would the PSP view this breakaway or rather 'alternative' circuit as a challenge and competition to their circuit ?
The Paintball calendar can only support a reasonable of tournaments and the two circuits, if the new format does come about, will be in direct competition, if pros are going to be allowed to play in both.
Hmm, interesting times ahead.
And I will add one more thing, JT / Brass Eagle sponsor Avalanche and Dynasty and many more, if they decide to get involved, then what ?
Chris Lasoya has already gone on record as saying that his team (Avalanche) will do what their sponsor wants them to do and here he's talking about playing in alternative circuits that may or may not be set up.

Hee hee, have a nice day Baca !
Robbo

Robbo
To begin, Beaker is in the right neighborhood but he's still looking for the address.
Obviously a recognised world standard is one of the goals and IAO is going to experiment with 7-man and see how it goes over.
However I am absolutely not suggesting a competing circuit. What I am suggesting (and have already implied in both the Jerry Braun thread and the X-Ball, the conspiracy thread) is that a group of those with the means and desire to do so are looking forward and deciding what it will take for paintball to become a full-fledged, money-making sport and are in the process of trying to maneuver paintball in accordance with their vision.
That vision, according to the voices in my head and confirmed by the tarot readings of Mistress Anastasia includes and requires a number of changes: venue (woods to concept), format (number of players for spectators to keep track of, and personalities to follow, a "game" organized in a readily or easily understood way, a game structure that lends itself to league-friendly play), control (of the upper echelon of play, of what is the officially recognised game standard.)
The purpose is to eventually construct a professional league from the ranks of the current pro teams not as competition for what exists now but as an evolution of what exists now.

X-Ball is a trial balloon, obviously. It doesn't take Nostradamus to figure that one. However, there is no conflict with Richmond and PSP if it's an unacknowledged but coordinated effort.

Paintball calendar becomes irrelevant once actual pro league is established because it will be run as a "season" just like other sports and won't have any direct ties to tournaments, period.

Re: LaSoya's statement. When Ed P. says Ava will do whatever their sponsors say then I'll pay attention.

Moo

 

[Al Woods]

I think you're right about the 7-man in IAO being a 'TRIAL'. I think they're a lil' apprehensive about throwing the big boys straight into it because at the end of the day each top level team would have 3 players each sitting out games (duh) which would make for unhappy players....perhaps. If the Ams can hack it and the format becomes a success then and only then will the pros be after a piece of the action, I reckon the organisation(s) are trying to play safe on this one by inviting the big boys to WANT to be a part of it rather than sya they HAVE to be a part of it. A bit of as chicken **** approach but it wouldn't work to upset the top end teams as they generate so much for the sport.

I don't think the idea is to undermine the or even cheapify the 7-man ideal because everyone knows throughout the world that the European Millennium series and the 7-man format is the most successful and exciting paintball game around.

Just a thought.