The APAT tour embodies all of our events and what you view as cheap, may be expensive to others. The online series games were $20 + $2 in season one for one game every two weeks. In Season Two we retained the same level of buy per every two weeks, but we effectively now run two games during that period. The focus in developing S2 was live; where a great deal of development has taken place, while keeping the online series relatively risk free.
For Season Three the online proposition will gain a greater focus and offer Championship events at a higher level of buy in, while retaining an entry level offering also. I believe those who are unhappy with the current online series schedule will be very pleased when we roll out Season Three. However, we are not willing to alienate beginners in doing this. Bottom line is the range of online events will be wider and much more prestigious, while I expect the overall number of events to drop.
I would welcome further feedback on the rankings and points allocation. I"m still of the opinion that winning an APAT two day live event - from a cost, physical and overall skill point of view - is a far greater achievement than winning our most prestigious online event (whatever that might become).
Apologies for using the word cheap. That was maybe a bit harsh. I hope this didn"t make me seem like a high roller who thinks low buy ins are beneath them. I"ve never played anything higher than the P Stars Sunday million and this is only very very rare. If there was an occasional APAT high buy in event I would save up my online bankroll to enter an event not only with a big prize but also with some prestige (unlike the Sunday million). It"s just nice to have something like this to look forward to and also to talk about on the forum etc.
I certainly wouldn"t want anyone alienated because events were too expensive (especially beginners as I"m still very much one myself). Unfortunately a low cost event also alienates another set of players. Maybe a set of satellites or something to enter the bigger event is the way forward.
It sounds like there will be many changes to the online series and I"m looking forward to seeing what they are. Good luck to the APAT team trying to keep everyone happy. Unfortunately this is impossible because no matter what you come up with someone"s going to have a moan. I"m just glad I only have to bang on about it on here and not actually make the final decision.
I agree that the live events are always going to be superior to the online events (as they should be). It would just be nice to have then as close as possible in order that the rankings are kept fair.
On to that subject a bit later.......
