As you're aware, capnjosh has kindly reinstated our private servers. Before reinstating TPG, however, I wanted to discuss our options with the various team captains and admins. At this point, I've spoken with everyone (albeit not always as extensively as I would've liked) and wish to report my decision and its reasoning.
Firstly, we will be continuing Season 2 from where we went on hiatus. For most teams, that means 1-2 regular season games remain. Once these games have been played, we will seed the playoffs using the regular season standings. Teams may start scheduling and playing matches at their earliest convenience.
Here are the reasons for this decision:
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Many players and teams (and admins) put forth 2-3 months of effort. I do not want to discard that effort. Nor can I assign Season Champion to any teams without their having completed the regular season and the playoffs.
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The majority of teams have only 1 or 2 games remaining in the regular season. Two teams (RATA and TBT) have completed their entire match set.
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Enough teams have both the interest and the players required to complete the second season.
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If we're putting effort into starting another season (which we will!), we may as well spend the 2-3 weeks it'll take to finish the second � especially since the third season teams will comprise many of the same players.
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I hope that a slight kick to the bustle will revitalize certain teams and the competitive scene at large.
Recruitment Rules
As per TPG rules, the rosters were locked after week 6. Although I understand the extenuating circumstances surrounding our second season, I am reluctant to permit further recruitment/roster changes for the following reasons:
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Allowing players to recruit/change teams increases the likelihood that teams will vulture players from their competitors.
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Similarly, it increases the likelihood that players will leave their teams for stronger contenders.
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All of the teams have experienced similar difficulties re: participation drop. At the same time, I have been watching the activity of the players from each team (through Steam and through the Hawken forums). By my count, each previously active team has sufficient players to continue playing (perhaps with a ringer or two). Asides from drama or severely dissonant schedules, I can't see a reason that each of the teams can't gather enough members/ringers to participate
If teams cannot meet player requirements, they will be encouraged to utilize ringers. A particular ringer's participation remains, of course, subject to the opposing captain's approval. However, TPG admins will work with teams to find appropriate replacements. Additionally, I will not permit any schedule dicking. Teams don't risk forfeiture if particular dates don't work for them. Although we do expect teams to play matches as promptly as possible, we will work with captains to accommodate scheduling difficulties.
Teams who elect not to participate will forfeit their playoff spot. This forfeiture shouldn't be considered a punishment, of course, and does not reflect poorly on the captain or the team.
Teams who wish to participate but find themselves severely short of players should contact me to discuss their options. I'll be sending this information to all team captains.
Nept
TPG Hawken Head Admin
*Cross-posting from general forums for maximum visibility