I've spoken with Slash some about issues previously with cash tournaments, AoK DM community and so on. I'm working up some proposals for 2015 AoK DM tournaments. Some of the main problems and concerns mentioned to me are 1) AoC top players show up for the AoK cash tournaments, win the prizes, then go back to AoC 2) Players come to Voobly and play in the tournament then leave the Voobly AoK lobby and go play on GR, or in AoC lobby, ect 3) lack of funds for cash tournaments.

First dealing with problem#3, financing for the cash tournaments. I'm working on a IndieGoGo project to raise funds for AoK DM tournaments. I hope to get at least $500, but I'm looking for more, over $1,000. I'm still trying to locate someone who can put together a video for the project and get some screen shots but either way I'm aiming to get that project up beginning in 2015. I've got some other ideas and potential sponsors in the works too, but more on that after the IndieGoGo project is done.

The #1 and #2 problems seem to be partially self inflicted and partially due to the current state of the Voobly AoK lobby. No one plays at Voobly AoK lobby because no one is ever there. it's a vicious cycle that is hard to break initially, but I think it can be done. We just need to create incentive to play in the AoK lobby. People will come when they have a concrete, hard to ignore reason for playing there. Money. The classic driving force for people, money is an easy motivator and with the right framework surrounding the money incentive we can break this no one in the AoK lobby so no one come to play there cycle. No one denies that the Voobly server is superior to say, GR, so once we get people always in the lobby it shouldn't be hard to keep them there.

So my ideas for creating a framework around the money tournaments that will promote playing at Voobly is beginning with not just having the tournaments held in the AoK lobby but requiring the use of the lobby to be eligible for the cash tournaments. In other words you have to be active within the lobby to be eligible for cash tournaments! We could do this by requiring several things to get activity. The first one is simple; Ratings. AoK DM cash prize tournaments will require that you have at least a 2k rating to be eligible to participate in them unless you qualify by another means (see further below). This will force some minimum participation level to earn and maintain a 2k rating in AoK DM. I believe Voobly already has a rating decay system in place for inactivity (please help me understand this better and clarify if I am misunderstanding it) so even after getting a 2k rating continued play will be needed to maintain the 2k+ rating. Second, we can use non-cash tournaments as possible entry into the cash tournaments. Finalist's of these events will be allowed to enter into the cash tournaments. To enter into these non-cash tournaments you will have to show activity levels of over 50 games within the last month of play at sign up. That simple. Play regularly and you can play in these "qualification' tournaments as they may end up being called. But two ways to play in cash tournaments isn't enough. I want incentive to support Voobly. So I suggest we also allow premium members to be eligible for cash tournaments. If you're a Gold or Platinum member you are automatically allowed to sign up for any cash tournament. These members have already gave to support Voobly and probably play here regularly already. No other requirements or questions asked. Come play. You've earned it!

I will write more later, I need to go now!

continued below

I would also like to structure these tournaments in a way that allows some kind of cycle- like AoK DM championship annually- using all these tournaments as means of qualification. This could add to participation levels and interest and hopefully I could round up donations and sponsorships to give this final event higher cash prizes. I think the tournament schedules should be announced and planned ahead so that it's "on the calendar book" and people can plan for these events more easily and anticipate them. A basic out line for 2015 calendar year for example could be having a no cash prize tournament at the end of January, March, May with cash tournaments beginning early March and July with a final cash tournament for the AoK DM championship beginning at the end of October. This would be for the classical 1v1 Arabia Frank War, we'll hold other tournaments though out the year too.

I'd like some input from other VCOM members here who I'm sure have a lot more experience than I do and may have insight I have not considered. Slash has already suggested lower cash prize tournaments so that we can have more of them which I think is a good idea. I like feedback. Please share your thoughts and opinions!

Edits have been made below from it's original form.
-"Zone Rules" was specified in the 1v1 Frank War tournament schedule
- Another tournament was added in the "other tournament schedules" on March 7th 2015
-Wording was added to each 1v1 Frank War tournament specifying that the finalists are automatically allowed entry into the AoK DM championship in October
-Rating requirements have been adjusted to 1700 instead of 1800 in some of the tournaments, 2000
from 2050 in others
-Changed the Black Forest tournament to a 1v1 instead of 2v2. Misread my poll forum.
- Added another 2v2 Arabia Frank War tournament for late April. Non-cash prizes.
-Gold Rush tournament changed to a maximum 32 teams from 16.
- The 2v2 all civilizations allowed no siege or bombard towers tournament March 7th 2015 has been changed to allow each team member to use a different civilization instead of both using the same. Prizes will be based on the civilizations rating totals against the base 1st and 2nd place prizes for a total prize fund!
-Changed the January 31st 1v1 Frank War tournament prize to $100 1st place. Start off with a cash tournament!

The basic outline I propose is as follows:

1v1 Frank War "Zone Rules" tournament schedule:

1) January 31st 2015- best of three games per round, 64 player maximum, prizes $100 1st, $50 2nd, memberships 1st through 4th place. Anyone with a 1700 or greater rating at the time of sign up can participate. Finalists automatically allowed into the AoK DM championship tournament in October.

2) March 28th 2015- best of three games per round, 64 player maximum, prizes memberships. Anyone with a 1700 or greater rating at the time of sign up can participate. Finalists automatically allowed into the AoK DM championship tournament in October.


3) April 4th 2015- best of five games per round, 64 player maximum, prizes $100 1st, $50 2nd. Anyone with a 2000 or greater rating at the time of sign up can participate. Finalists automatically allowed into the AoK DM championship tournament in October.


4) June 27th 2015- best of three games per round, 64 player maximum, prizes memberships. Anyone with a 1800 or greater rating at the time of sign up can participate. Finalists automatically allowed into the AoK DM championship tournament in October.


5) August 8th 2015- best of five games per round, 64 player maximum, prizes $100 1st, $50 2nd. Anyone with a 2000 or greater rating at the time of sign up can participate. Finalists automatically allowed into the AoK DM championship tournament in October.


6) October 31st 2015- best of seven games per round, finals best of nine. 64 player maximum, prizes $500 1st, $250 2nd. Membership prizes for 1st-4th. Anyone with a 2050 or greater rating at the time of sign up can participate along with any finalists in any of the previous five 1v1 tournaments for that year. Winner is declared the AoK DM champion of 2015. Finalists for this event are automatically allowed to enter into the 2016 AoK DM championship event.

Other tournament schedules of 2015:

1) February 7th 2015- 3v3 Gold Rush all civilizations, siege and bombard towers allowed. Best of three per round, maximum 32 teams. No minimum rating to sign up. Membership prizes 1st-4th teams (possibly a cash prize too).

2) March 7th 2015- 2v2 Arabia all civilizations allowed, no siege or bombard towers, 5 Trebuchet max in use, no Trebbing military units. Unique "civilization rating" (1-5) where your team will pick your civilizations your team will play at sign up and your combined rating numbers will determine the cash prize amount you'll win if you become a finalist (1st or 2nd)! Example is Team #1 has a civilization rating of 1+4=5 so 5x$10=$50! No minimum rating to sign up. 1st place base prize is $15 2nd place $10, membership prizes to top 4 also.

3) April 25th 2015- 2v2 Arabia Frank War. Best of three per round, maximum of 32 teams. Average rating for each team must be 1800 or greater. Finalists automatically allowed to enter into the September 8th 2v2 Frank War cash tournament! Membership prizes for 1st-4th place teams.

3) May 2nd 2015- 1v1 Black Forest all civilizations, siege and bombard towers allowed. Best of three per round, maximum 64 players. No minimum rating to sign up. Membership prizes 1st-4th teams (possibly a cash prize too).

4) September 8th 2015- 2v2 Arabia Frank War. Best of three per round, maximum of 32 teams. Average rating for each team must be 2000 or greater. Prizes $200 for 1st. Membership prizes for 1st-4th place teams.

All tournaments will work on a beginning date to play and deadlines for each round. For example, February 7th begins the 3v3 Gold Rush tournament, and each week a round will need to be played until it's complete. This will allow for people to be participating in multiple tournaments at once if they want. I would like the entirety of the 2015 tournament schedule posted in the AoK forum along with in the VCOM forum with it "stickied" for easy access of players so that they can plan ahead and sign up as soon as sign ups are available.

All cash prize tournaments are subject to be added to (but never detracted from) as able. I will be personally donating to this and working to get other sponsors and donations too. $1,600 prizes are set for 2015 so far! Please give input, thanks!

40 views and no one has weighed in?

that is so long pal when i be sober i'll read &comment

Thanks look forward to your feedback.

You're the best recruit i ever did! This is all good and I got you back mate. Lets do this