Everyone interested in OFCC please read this

[Xavier319]

Alright everyone, I've been wanting to say something on this topic for a long while. I've been reading your posts, and the organizers' replies, and I have wanted to find out how to say this. This is serious time, which those of you that know me, is not a common thing.

 

My name is Sean Whelan, and I've been participating in OFCC for about 11 years, and have only missed one in that time. I joined a team my first year, and have captained Team Diversity for the other nine. I currently live in Ohio, attending to my doctorate, and despite that I have attended OFCC each year. I and my two teammates Kaoshin and Kyojin (Alex and Jeff) fly over 2000 miles each year, and spend a large sum of money, to attend this event. I am not going to list amounts, as it does not matter, and I am not saying this to imply that anyone should cater to our desires due to us coming so far each year. What I am saying is that what I've just told you SHOULD surprise you. Why on earth would three adults with bills, jobs, etc fly that far, to go to an event in Oregon, when we live a short drive from Adepticon? With that in mind, I am going to tell some stories about OFCC.

 

- My first year, I was given a spot on a team randomly at the last moment, lent about half an Ork army (Thanks Gravedigger!) and had the experience of my life. Even G-Money screaming out "I hate Fifth Edition!" and everyone laughing after his Raptors got gunned down by some of the new AP 3 boltguns that the THousand Sons carried (Remember when that was a big deal?).

- Other than the three core members of our team, there is usually a rotating fourth member, and everyone that has joined our team even for one year,has felt like family (Mausdeadalive, skkipper, Brother G), and does to this day.

- One year, there was this crazy mission where the models you killed got sent over to the game next to you as models for the guy fighting your teammate. I had a rough Ork list that year, and Jeff looked at me after a particularly brutal turn with a wounded puppy look and said "why are there so many blood angels over here?" I felt bad.... until three squads of his opponent's terminators walked on and gunned down three units.

- One year, we knew who our opposing team was ahead of time in the third round, and they were fellas we'd played before. We exchanged quality scotch before the games as teams, and toasted each other, and played with a nice buzz (except one fella who was so drunk I almost convinced him to sell me his army for a hundred bucks ;) )

- Two years running, we were competing for LAST PLACE overall with the Emperor's Massive Unit, the title changed hands twice!

- Last year was about the most ideal that an OFCC could ever be, and let me explain why. I played against folks I hadn't seen in years. I got to play against teams we'd played before, and see old friends. In one round, my opponent offered to buy me a beer, and when we got back Jeff and his opponent looked at us and said "What... you didn't get us any?" We shrugged. Five minuets later, we were deep in our games... and our beers had disappeared! We found them, in our teammate's guts. Threats, weeping and gnashing of teeth followed... then we bought more beer. And lastly, we played some friends of ours in the last round, and decided as a team to give them all four wins, and just throw out the mission, the format, and play a giant apocalypse game. It as amazing... it was hilarious, and it was silly. It was everything OFCC was supposed to be.

 

Why have I told you these stories? I suppose at this point I'd be considered a veteran of the event, and I've seen it under many different HOGs, many different types of missions.. (that mission that made you kill your own stuff or lose.. what? XD), and I loved it all. But something that has remained a constant source of excellence has been the team nature of the event. I am actually bringing one of our local guys with us this year. Yes, someone who has NEVER BEEN is flying TWO THOUSAND miles to play 40k for a weekend with bunch of people he's never met, all because of what he's heard of this event. The team nature, the fun, the smiles, the beer and good times. The elimination of the team portion has crushed him in a way. I saw him deflate. I know it's not 'eliminated' per se, but it has been DE-emphasized significantly. I know why, and I am not saying it's right or wrong. Bryan is amazing and he loves this club and this event. I don't know the new HOGs personally, but I don't think they hate OFCC either. I trust these guys. But, this is the first time ever I've thought 'If I had not already bought my plane tickets, I might not go this year." when I heard about the partial elimination of one of the defining factors of OFCC. Does the captain system work flawlessly? No. Does the team system work Flawlessly? No. But is it important? I feel that it is.

 

In the end everyone, remember that the guys that run this event get crapped on constantly by back seat administrators complaining about what they do wrong, but never offer how to do it better. While I disagree with how things are changing, I'm not surprised.

 

Take my thoughts for what you will, and I'll be coming regardless, with a first-timer from Ohio. All I ask is that we don't lose the magic of OFCC by turning it into just another 40k tourney. Just not having a Best General, emphasizing sportsmanship, lauding painting... those are not the things that make OFCC magical. The people are. Friendships are. Beer and shenanigans are. Playing apocalypse instead of the mission is. That is what makes OFCC magical. Just keep it magical guys, that's all I ask.

 

Thank you for your time.

[WestRider]

I have to agree. I'm another 10 time attendee, and I really am kind of worried about how the changes to teams and the matchup system are going to change the feel of the event. I know y'all will do a great job, but still. I worry.

[PumpkinHead]

I agree with the above. So much, I have liked it in both places it was posted. Please don't turn OFCC into just another tournament. 

[PourSpelur]

I came by to drop in my agreement on how much I love the team system.

Looked above and noticed that the two people above, that also like the team style...were on my team last year!

 

All seriousness, I wouldn't have came to my first OFCC if it wasn't team based.

[KAPcom]

I'm not usually one to speak up about this type of thing, but the team aspect of OFCC is the main reason me (and my team) participate in this event. We play itc and braket tournaments often, and OFCC is a nice breath of fresh air from the bracket / pairing format. I would hate to see that uniqueness go away.

 

I'm sure the new format will be fine, but I am concerned about the change.

[Romans832]

I fear this is where beating a dead horse is yelled.

But I, too, will speak up.

 

I attended years ago and bounced around many teams and loved every one of them.

Some amazing friendships have been formed, to the point two of my teammates were in my wedding.

These friendships are amazing and mean the world to me.

I know I've been gone for 2 years and I'm talking of coming back this year.

Please don't lose the spirit of OFCC and the importance of teams and sportsmanship.

[AbusePuppy]

To be the devil's advocate here: I have missed three of the four years of OFCC I wanted to attend because I could get a team put together, or the teams we did form fell apart at some point before the event itself because one or more people had real-world commitments. Getting four people to lock into attending a tournament six months in advance is not a trivial matter when they have kids, significant others, jobs, etc, etc, etc that often bring up emergencies that can't be avoided and are hard to slough off with the excuse of "I have some very important toy soldiers to play."

 

I get that people love the team format, and that's great, but it is a huge limiter to bringing new people to the event.

[Romans832]

To be the devil's advocate here: I have missed three of the four years of OFCC I wanted to attend because I could get a team put together, or the teams we did form fell apart at some point before the event itself because one or more people had real-world commitments. Getting four people to lock into attending a tournament six months in advance is not a trivial matter when they have kids, significant others, jobs, etc, etc, etc that often bring up emergencies that can't be avoided and are hard to slough off with the excuse of "I have some very important toy soldiers to play."

 

I get that people love the team format, and that's great, but it is a huge limiter to bringing new people to the event.

(newly married)

Yes that's why I haven't attended the last two years. Different priorities.

[VonVilkee]

As a captain multiple years it is super stressful to build those teams.

 

Special shout out to Romans832 and PumpkinHead for helping out in a few of those formative years!

[Romans832]

As a captain multiple years it is super stressful to build those teams.

 

Special shout out to Romans832 and PumpkinHead for helping out in a few of those formative years!

We'd still be ;)

[generalripphook]

I think it would be a perfect compromise to have people either buy a ticket as a partial team or a complete team. If someone buys a ticket and doesn't have a team they are added to an incomplete team.n

[Lord Hanaur]

I love the team aspect the most of any aspect of OFCC.  That's just me.  I attend a lot of tournaments, and the expense of OFCC has always been worth it to me because it is different.

 

I have loved doing the "themed" thing with my team.  Every year we come up with something.  We've done "All hordes all the time with no less than 120 models per army" and we've done "All Tau, and all of the armies must include Stingwings and Stealthsuits", we did did "Rolling thunder" last year where everything had to be on treads or Dreadnought legs.  We had fun with Necrons, splitting the Codex into its main 4 themes and all playing pretty much a "branch" of that codex.  Poor Rory.

 

While it may be "more" difficult to find four people who appreciate what OFCC was about, ultimately it ended up being worth the head aches.

[CaptainA]

Having been on the back end of things and a Captain here is my take.

 

One thing to remember is that this event has to make money for the OFCC or at least be able to not bury the club. I don't know particulars, but I would assume that they are one major flop away from either club destruction or someone having to pony up thousands of dollars. An event like this takes thousands of dollars, especially at a hotel, and they are assuming a ton of risk. This is why many things happen for the OFCC. They are looking for a way to grow the event and reduce the barrier of entry to make the event better and healthier as as a whole. Right now, 40k is the flagship event, so it needs to succeed for the OFCC to continue to operate as an event as a whole.

 

It isn't a pretty statement, but I see it to be true. Look more at this as OFCC trying to secure the future of OFCC and not to beat them up (too much) about changing things.

[scottshoemaker]

I really think folks need to take a look at the initial post again.  Teams are still encouraged, but not required.  I read this as allowing more folks to participate than trying to squash this as a team event.  

 

As always, we need to support those folks organizing the event, instead of griping about it.

 

Form a committee to help teamless players form teams.  Start a freelancer thread and facilitate this aspect of OFCC.  I encourage you to look into the archive and read the threads from those players who really wanted to come but couldn't, BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND A TEAM.  

 

I say we collectively try this, and if it doesn't work, step up as the HOG for the team event next year.  That's why I'm getting a Friday night event going, I wanted to see some organized play Friday night.

[winterman]

It isn't a pretty statement, but I see it to be true. Look more at this as OFCC trying to secure the future of OFCC and not to beat them up (too much) about changing things.

Yeah totally understand, they have to stay solvent. I think the team thing has been a limiter to attendance.  The club only, invite only, almost speak-easy style of event was probably another as well.

 

The final thing for the current era and one I am loathe to bring up but it is reality - it is hard to get attendance without being ITC reported.  I love ITC, but I can't even consider running an event without it being ITC reported - doesn't have to be ITC format but we know our attendance in Eastern Wa would get affected if we weren't reporting results to ITC.  Not suggesting OFCC become ITC reported, but do give them some slack for trying to stay solvent in the current era where there are a lot of events and options vying for our time and money.

[evil_bryan]

This is still very much a team event. It will be the focus and the highlight of what makes this event special. This year we are allowing people who are not team affiliated play in the event and that has required some changes to make that happen.

 

Although budget does play part, the main driver behind this decision was inclusion of new and former players who struggled with entry to the event. This decision was mine as the 40K HoG with the support of the Campaign Czars and the Ordo senate.

 

Once the event package is released with all of the details you will have a clear picture of what has changed and what has stayed the same. For every detail, there is reasoning behind the decision and I would be happy to share them. This OFCC marks my second time as 40K HoG and the only guarantee I can make is that I am holding nothing back in running this event. I am happy and excited to do it, and my measure of success will be your enjoyment. :)

[WestRider]

I do also have to say, I loved the previous time you were 40K HoG. I'm just a worrier by nature ;)

 

[VonVilkee]

Hey if I don't have to organize "cats" pre event I'll totally captain team whoever ordo assigns me...just waiting on pto approval then booking to attend by myself.

[PourSpelur]

I really think folks need to take a look at the initial post again.  Teams are still encouraged, but not required.

 

Form a committee to help teamless players form teams.  Start a freelancer thread and facilitate this aspect of OFCC.

 

Challenge accepted. If you hear about or know anyone looking please direct them this way. Thanks!

http://www.ordofanaticus.com/index.php?/topic/29943-those-without-teams-for-ofcc-17/

[stokerd]

This OFCC marks my second time as 40K HoG and the only guarantee I can make is that I am holding nothing back in running this event. I am happy and excited to do it, and my measure of success will be your enjoyment. :)

 

I really think you just didn't want to finish your Genestealer Cult army in time for OFCC :-) 

[evil_bryan]

I really think you just didn't want to finish your Genestealer Cult army in time for OFCC :-) 

 

After the flurry of work I put into the Nurgle army getting it ready for LVO, I have a renewed faith in my ability to hobby. I am still planning on honoring the Genestealer Cult commitment.

 

I need to do some compressor work before I can airbrush again, but priming Cult is next on the list. :)

[scottshoemaker]

After the flurry of work I put into the Nurgle army getting it ready for LVO, I have a renewed faith in my ability to hobby. I am still planning on honoring the Genestealer Cult commitment.

 

I need to do some compressor work before I can airbrush again, but priming Cult is next on the list. :)

You've renewed my faith in humanity. Inhumaity? Whatever.

[Torg]

great post Sean

[Xavier319]

I feel like people misunderstood me here. I spoke out in SUPPORT of the organizers and everything they are doing. I was sharing what made this event special for me. All I asked is that they don't lose the magic, don't just make it 'another tournament'. I'm not complaining, crying or getting mad. :( I tried to make that very clear.

[Lord Hanaur]

This will happen anytime you speak up though.  Honestly, people are kind of afraid to be ostracized, so they feel a need to "protect" the edifice of the OFCC even "against" people who aren't actually attacking it.  Lol.  It's happened to me before.  You try and throw some constructive stuff out there or some "hey it'd be nice if it could be like this or that" and 20 pages later you wish you had said nothing at all.  Lol.

 

Don't worry about it.  OFCC is happening, you'll be there, it'll be fun and attendance will be what it will be given peoples stated OR unstated opinions.  I didn't see anything negative in the original post.