- Joined
- Feb 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,842
- Reaction score
- 4,512
- Location
- La Belle Province
- First name
- Michael
- Country
My experience at the West Coast Melee was very enjoyable. The organizers did a great job to keep everything running smoothly. Their tournament format is unique and innovative. Thursday was an open gaming day. On Friday, they hold as many mini-tournaments as the number of attendees require. I think the minis are geared to 8 people; 3 rounds in one day. Each mini had a theme like paratroopers or Shermans. The truly innovative idea, however, is the way they handle the scenario choices; there is no choice and the scenarios are not released in advance. All participants in a particular mini play the same scenario in a given round. The removes the semi-time consuming process of choosing a scenario from three or more choices. As well, it means there is no preparing in advance for this tournament. I feel this is great for average players. I believe that expert players might not like it, but that is just my opinion. The rounds have no finite time limit, but since all participants play the same scenario, the organizers can see who is playing slow and encourage them to speed up. When there is only one match left to finish, that match is given thirty minutes to finish. If incomplete after that time, adjudication will follow.
The hotel (the tournament’s second year there) was fine. The hotel offers a perk of two free beer or wine during an evening cocktail period. On the negative side (for some people), the hotel does not allow other alcohol or outside food in the meeting room. The organizers set up a meal deal with the hotel for lunch and supper with a few choices for each meal. It works well and the food is okay.
Here is a quick rundown of my opponents and the scenarios that I played.
Thursday open gaming
J183 A REAL BARN BURNER with Jim Svette. I won with the Germans.
J190 TRIAL RUN with Nadir Elfarra. I won with the Canadians.
DB116 TAKIN’ EIBERTINGEN with Andrew McCulloh. I lost with the Germans.
Friday mini - Shermans
J98 LEND-LEASE ATTACK with Larry Reinking. I won with the Germans.
J62 LEE’S CHARGE with Pete Turner. I lost with the Americans.
Open game: WO23 A SIMPLE SOLUTION with David Nichols. I lost with the Germans.
Saturday mini - End of Days.
SP208 PORTOMAGGIORE with David Rosner. I won with the British.
SP147 THE ZEBRA MISSION with Phil Seymour. I lost with the Americans.
Sunday
Open game: J167 HART ATTACK with Jim Svette. I won with the Allied side.
I had a very enjoyable time and had the opportunity to meet some “names” that I have been seeing in the ASL world for a very long time. I hope to return one day.
Here is a link to my FaceBook photo album of photos I took at the event.
The hotel (the tournament’s second year there) was fine. The hotel offers a perk of two free beer or wine during an evening cocktail period. On the negative side (for some people), the hotel does not allow other alcohol or outside food in the meeting room. The organizers set up a meal deal with the hotel for lunch and supper with a few choices for each meal. It works well and the food is okay.
Here is a quick rundown of my opponents and the scenarios that I played.
Thursday open gaming
J183 A REAL BARN BURNER with Jim Svette. I won with the Germans.
J190 TRIAL RUN with Nadir Elfarra. I won with the Canadians.
DB116 TAKIN’ EIBERTINGEN with Andrew McCulloh. I lost with the Germans.
Friday mini - Shermans
J98 LEND-LEASE ATTACK with Larry Reinking. I won with the Germans.
J62 LEE’S CHARGE with Pete Turner. I lost with the Americans.
Open game: WO23 A SIMPLE SOLUTION with David Nichols. I lost with the Germans.
Saturday mini - End of Days.
SP208 PORTOMAGGIORE with David Rosner. I won with the British.
SP147 THE ZEBRA MISSION with Phil Seymour. I lost with the Americans.
Sunday
Open game: J167 HART ATTACK with Jim Svette. I won with the Allied side.
I had a very enjoyable time and had the opportunity to meet some “names” that I have been seeing in the ASL world for a very long time. I hope to return one day.
Here is a link to my FaceBook photo album of photos I took at the event.