The fate of Halo's future on the MLG Circuit resides in Columbus

[MrChaosTheory]

In light of The Halo Council last night, Adam Apicella made it clear that Halo is only guaranteed in Columbus and is intentions are that it will sell out, so much so he bet his job on it.

The issue with last year was attendance. It was stated that Columbus last year was the only Halo event to sell out and so in turn MLG have given Halo the best opportunity to thrive. As the prize pool is funded by admission fee's from all the teams, the importance of Halo selling out is needed now more than ever.

So I just wanted to float this idea out there. We can't force more teams to compete at an event, what we can do is raise attendance and have a bigger crowd. If you're serious about helping Halo thrive here's what I propose, we have a donation box which contributes money towards spectator passes. We can dish them out in anyway we desire, whether it's alerting people within Columbus of MLG and then give them spectator passes for free, or we could give the tickets to people in or around Columbus who usually don't have the funds to go.

Obviously I live in the UK so I wouldn't be the one to spearhead this, but I will give enough for one spectator pass and then if the total is $1-19 short I'll kick in the rest to bring it to enough for a pass. All I would ask is with this format no one take advantage and think they can get a free pass when they would usually of paid, it's not in the spirit of the idea.

Give me you're thoughts, is this something you would do. Also any improvement upon what I've already stated. A trusted and well-known member of the community would come first in the pick to take the reigns.

[Antidote]

I don't believe buying tickets to give to people who normally wouldn't go is the way to show dedication. It's essentially the same as buying more tickets then what you need and then pocketing them just to increase numbers.

That and it would be bad if anyone bought some random person a ticket and then they went and watched SC instead of Halo as planned.

[MrChaosTheory]

I think you missed the point entirely. It's more so killing two birds with one stone...

It's not an act of dedication per say. It's the complete polar opposite to buying tickets and pocketing them, that in my mind is an effort of charity for MLG. It's informing people about Esports, MLG and Halo, and affording people the chance to spectate whether a newcomer or a fan without the means.

These "Random" people are no different to you and I, they may never of heard of MLG but it doesn't mean they won't enjoy it or become fans. Or if we choose to give them to people who haven't attended because they lacked the means to do so, they may come to an event and become long-time attendee's, possibly even inspire them to come again and compete in turn solving one of the problems that currently exists. As for the public choosing SC2 over Halo, it's a possibility and it isn't the intention of the idea but it isn't a bad thing. I'm not saying it is imperative we do so, but if you fancy doing something good it's an outlet.

This isn't to you directly but, I think as a community we need to stop looking over our shoulders and worrying about what SC2 is doing, it only instils negativity. Some will say the rivalry between SC2 and Halo is the driving force we need, I disagree, I think irrespective of what SC2 is doing we should look to further improve our league and community constantly rather then when we're backed into a corner. If anything we should be thanking the SC2 community as it's enlightened a lot of people as to our place within MLG and the need to strive for excellence.

[D Moralize]

I think you missed antidote's point. When you get a spectator pass you are not supporting any game in particular, so in the short term this will do nothing to help halo. The people we send would have to decide to watch halo, which is unlikely because sending a new person would probably check out the game with the biggest crowd, SC2. So best case they come decide to watch halo, and then get a team and pay to fly out and compete in an event in another state when they weren't even going to pay 25$ to go to an event in their home town. I think the best way to get more event attendee's is to promote the new more liked setting's through our halo media outlets. Or at least finding a way to send Halo players to events, I think we would have more luck growing the scene by getting players with GB teams who don't compete live to start attending events than we would by trying to create new halo fans and have them playing in tournaments with a team soon after.

[MrChaosTheory]

That's fine, like I said I'm just floating the idea out there. Like I also said, if the general pubic choose SC2 although it isn't the intention it isn't the worst thing.

I had initially thought of team passes but if I remember correctly they are $250 enough for 12-13 spectator passes allowing 12-13 more potential fans instead of 4. Sure that money would directly support Halo in MLG but % of further growth is smaller, plus the likelihood of team passes selling out is higher, it's also about accessing a different audience. The same in your post applies here, if they chose not to compete before why would it change now, on the opposite end perhaps it was the incentive to make them long-term attendee's which applies to both also.

If you look at the UFC, Dana White does something not dissimilar, yes they're surplus tickets. Those people live in the city the event is in yet they don't have tickets and are obviously fans. Despite what he'd have you think it isn't all charity, they are potential customers who haven't yet experience the event and consequently the experience could be what entices them to return.

[Antidote]

D_Moralize caught my point very well. You're basically saying, "Hey since you guys can't sell tickets for Halo, what if we buy extra and give them to our friends? Even though they might not watch Halo." That doesn't support Halo. Plus I doubt since there is a huge deal about paying $20 to watch a weekend event that people would be willing to give $20 for other people to watch the event.

It isn't plausible to believe buying tickets for other people that may not watch Halo, will help support Halo.

[MrChaosTheory]

I'm not saying that at all, as it isn't sustainable, I'm saying afford people the opportunity to attend an event in the hopes they become fans, we try it fails so what we tried. Also should we follow others immaturity over $20 as a guild-line? I haven't said you have to do this for Halos sake and I'm not saying you have to donate $X. I'm merely putting an idea out there, and encouraging CONSTRUCTIVE feedback.

If as community we looked to do something positive rather that shooting down ideas without contributing any of our own, maybe we wouldn't be in this position. So if this is a bad idea you've given a couple dollars and know that you tried, someone could see the post and formulate an idea off of the back of it. Why procrastinate and continue to take no action?

[Antidote]

I'm not saying that at all, as it isn't sustainable, I'm saying afford people the opportunity to attend an event in the hopes they become fans, we try it fails so what we tried. Also should we follow others immaturity over $20 as a guild-line? I haven't said you have to do this for Halos sake and I'm not saying you have to donate $X. I'm merely putting an idea out there, and encouraging CONSTRUCTIVE feedback.

If as community we looked to do something positive rather that shooting down ideas without contributing any of our own, maybe we wouldn't be in this position. So if this is a bad idea you've given a couple dollars and know that you tried, someone could see the post and formulate an idea off of the back of it. Why procrastinate and continue to take no action?

I am giving constructive criticism. I'm don't knock ideas in really any format. I just state it as I see it and don't post any "lol" or smiley faces. Personally I don't care if Halo remains or not. That however doesn't affect my though process with this idea.

And you did state in your first post that this was for Halo.

It has nothing to do with following peoples ideas over the $20. I'm just saying, if you can't get people to spend $20 on themselves. Then you probably won't get them to spend it on others.

It's a good idea to support MLG as a whole, but I don't believe a collective group needs to do this. People do it on a personal level already. I've paid for my friends their first time to get them into it.

I just don't think doing this really would have an affect at all, except give MLG more money flow. Which is a good thing but I doubt people would be willing to pay money for other people on the level you're discussing.

Hey, I could be wrong though. If I am then awesome, prove me wrong. I'd be happy to see it happen if it helps.

[D Moralize]

I don't think antidote is really part of the halo crowd anymore, and his game is doing fine. I am trying to be constructive hence suggesting we reach out to current GB/MLG playlist players who don't attend events. Im not trying to tell you not to do your idea,only that I think the amount of money contributed would be much larger than the amount of dollars directly supporting halo. And like you said it's not the worst thing if they enjoy SC2, but I know lots of people on TLN that may be disappointed if they donated money to help grow halo and that did happen,

[Antidote]

I don't think antidote is really part of the halo crowd anymore, and his game is doing fine. I am trying to be constructive hence suggesting we reach out to current GB/MLG playlist players who don't attend events. Im not trying to tell you not to do your idea,only that I think the amount of money contributed would be much larger than the amount of dollars directly supporting halo. And like you said it's not the worst thing if they enjoy SC2, but I know lots of people on TLN that may be disappointed if they donated money to help grow halo and that did happen,

He has a point.

Also yeah my affiliation lies with DotA 2. Which isn't even remotely a part of MLG but I still enjoy what MLG does for the community and support them. I'm just looking at it now from a broader perspective rather then a "Don't take my game off the circuit!!!!!" stand point.

[MrChaosTheory]

I agree in a sense with you D Moralize about initial $ spent contributing the Halo directly in the short term, but it was more about a one off that would entice the continued support of MLG from the recipient, over the course of time contributing more that a team pass would initially, foundations if you like.

Antidote I did say it is for Halo, but there was never an implication that it is imperative it's done for Halo's sake. To both, I hope you know that the comments I made about the communities outlook were more so generalisations, although the constructive one was slightly directed. Either way if it isn't popular I'll got back to the drawing board, cheers.

[KRILLIN]

Who is this Mr. Chaos Theory guy? Go back to MLG ya slouch!

[chris_cr33p]

GO HALO DO GEWD IN COLOMBUS!! I wish i could go back this year!!

[MrChaosTheory]

Who is this Mr. Chaos Theory guy? Go back to MLG ya slouch!

Welcome back.

[KRILLIN]

Welcome back.

Thanks Boss!

[ITCHY]

In a child pouting sort of way, I really hate SC2. I get that Halo doesn't have the greatest community and what not, but how has it gotten so bad that people just stopped playing Halo/watching it as much? SC2 is fun/cool but my gosh it gets boring after awhile. Its like watching a SLOW game of Chess...how the heck can it pull so many followers?!?! Even if you don't understand Halo it still has those CLUTCHable moments and ridiculous plays pulled off by pure fine motor skills and reactiok which make it like an entertaining sport to watch...kinda like Football or Basketball vs. "ClickClickClickClickClickClickClickClickClick" of a stupid mouse/letter on the keyboard.

/rant

[CLEHeavyWeight]

Let's get it fellas.

[KRILLIN]

Man I really hope there are at least 150 teams.

[Briimstone]

Man I really hope there are at least 150 teams.

Well, whats it at now? 60? Plus the 15 pro teams, and we're already halfway there!

[heuer89]

Well, whats it at now? 60? Plus the 15 pro teams, and we're already halfway there!

Incorrect. The list shows all teams, Fnatic is the only "pro" team that has filled out any information within team-builder. It would actually be nice if the purchase page showed the number of passes still available and that would give a more accurate answer. Talking with Chig last night other pro teams have purchased their passes, they just haven't filled anything out in team-builder and until at least the captain information is filled out, the team will not show up in the list.