My name is Chipmunk and I’ve been playing and loving Age of Empires II for over 10 years. I truly appreciate Microsoft’s continued support for the community and the many improvements brought to the game over the years. The community events and tournaments have created fantastic memories for me.
However, there are a few points that raise some concerns regarding the recently announced “World Rumble II” tournament, sponsored by Microsoft and Holy, aimed at promoting up-and-coming players:
Discoverability: The information about this tournament, including the registration deadline of March 23rd, 5:00 PM UTC, was only recently discovered through streamer chats and is not currently available on the official Age of Zone website. The lack of official announcement raises concerns about discoverability for potential participants.
Timeline & Criteria: Additionally, the tournament’s schedule seems to coincide with other existing events, and the use of past performance (specifically excluded players list) as a qualification criterion raises questions about its relevance.
Here’s what sparks discussion:
Why are players who reached quarterfinals in S-Tier from 2020 excluded? Wouldn’t including performances from 2021 or using a shorter timeframe, or even just the ATP ranking system, provide a more current picture of player skill? (List of excluded players below)
ACCM / Bact / BadBoy / Capoch / Daut / Dogao / FreakingAndy / Hera / Jordan / LaN / Liereyy / Miguel / MbL / Mr_Yo / Nicov / SaymyName / Sitaux / TheMax / The Viper / Tatoh / Villese / Vinchester / Vivi
I understand it’s challenging to host a tournament, and there’s a fine balance between supporting established players and fostering new talent. Can we discuss these points and work towards a solution that fosters a healthy competitive scene for both established and aspiring Age of Empires II players?