Next RTCW 6's Cup - Options & Ideas!

Attention RTCW Community:

Virus047 (Team Cross Breed) and Gut (Teh Birdz) are looking to start another RTCW 6’s cup in the next few weeks or months. We have some ideas to begin signups for this future cup in mid Jan 2015. Signups would end Feb 1st or so. Next cup would begin shortly after. The following three options are being discussed with the remaining Reich Cup Admins (Virus047 and Gut). Lasher, Adetoo and Bully have both decided to step down from Admin Duties. Gut and I also have been in contact with several former admins, community leaders and teams for input and have come up with a few options we want to present to you:

Next RTCW 6v6 Cup Options:

Option #1:
“Old School” – A standard Group Stage (would group all NA teams in one group and all EU teams in another group or multiple EU groups depending on signups). Group stage would be followed by Playoffs (winners bracket and losers bracket). This format is dependent on high level of signups and low dropouts during group stage for success. The plus about this is it’s the system pretty much every cup has used in the last few years and its highly liked by the vast majority of the community. Wouldn’t need to really explain this format to anyone. Again like previous cups the group stages would be shorter because playoffs are longer and we generally have a “losers” bracket so all teams get 4-6 matches.

Option #2:
“TWL/CAL/STA/Clanbase” - Season Format. We would group all teams that signup (NA and EU) teams into one “group” or “division”. Use a 6-8 week season where teams would play matches and slowly rank themselves. Matches are played on a set map each week. All matches would be played on a default day/time. EU vs. EU would have a set date/time. NA vs. NA would have a set date/time. NA vs. EU would have a set date/time. Teams that fail to have a match on that date/time will forfeit. No rescheduling unless it is another day during the same match week and both teams agree and admins agree upon the new date/time. In the case of NA vs. EU matches a default server would be established for NA/EU teams to use for matches. Top 6 - 8 teams or whatever based on signups would move onto playoffs. No losers bracket in this format unless community wants it.

Option #3:
“An RTCW World Championship! “- We would have two separate groups.
NA in one large group (all NA based teams).
EU in one large group (all EU based teams).
Each team plays 8 weeks worth of matches. Depending on signups. NA group stage champion (team with most wins) and EU group stage champion (team with most wins) would play in a head to head NA vs. EU “world champion”. The 8 weeks would rank the teams. Depending on signups is possible there would be multiple matches against the same team. There are no playoffs in this format. This format is dependent again on a larger number of signups for better success. 6-8 teams in both EU and NA groups would be preferred. Thus avoiding as many duplicate match-ups as possible vs. the same teams.

The Skinny: (our initial thoughts)
Based on discussions with most of the remaining NA teams, several players, community leaders and some of the former admin staff we’ve leaned heavily towards the Option #2 idea. As it remains one of the best formats available for a smaller community of teams. It is not dependant on large numbers of signups for success but is more specific with the schedule and maintaining a schedule. Which I believe would be a much more acceptable format for EU and NA teams alike. Set match days/times. No excuses. No reschedules (with a few exceptions). Matches should be fair since maps are set each week. This option was an idea we almost went with during the planning stages of The Reich Strikes Back Cup but decided to move forward with a more “old school” approach. I think its time for a little change as we attempt to spark some activity again with this post. Again all options are on the table and all options are just ideas.

Donations:
I’ve already reached out to WarWitch and the MG42 crew. Planning is already underway for a prize pool. We will have more details about this at a later date.

Maps:
We will most likely be using the normal lineup of maps vastly accepted by the NA and EU communities but we have also considered that if Option #2 or #3 is used a custom map could be used during one of the regular season weeks. Suggestions for those are welcome. Maps already being tested are Pacific, Infamy, Tundra_Rush and a few others are open to consideration.

Admins:
We are still looking for one or two more admins and are open to taking on more help as needed but intend to keep our group very small as it worked well last cup having a tight nit smaller group. Anyone interested just message me on IRC, facebook or on crossfire. You can also shoot me an email @ [email protected]

Anyway our group is standing by and continuing preparations for another cup. We just want to get community feedback and are looking forward to hearing your responses. Thanks!

-Future 6’s Cup Admins