@splinterlands Proposal-Do What Baseball Did During the Great Depression to Spice Things UpsteemCreated with Sketch.

in #spt5 years ago

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The year was 1933, yeah, those familiar with the history of the United States, and for virtually the rest of the world for that matter the times were not very promising on the economic front that is for sure. In the midst of the most crippling economic depression (since then for many of us to present day) getting "butts in the buckets" or people in the seats was an outright chore for the clubs in all of professional baseball (and sports as a whole) to say the least. Some of these stalwart franchises came as close as ever to bankruptcy, in fact a few clubs did in effect go into bankruptcy because of the economic conditions this time. Many revolutionary, novel, even outright ridiculous ideas were being tried during this time, radio broadcasts, night games, fan promotions, many of the things we take for granted as baseball fans and sports fans in general today first happened during this period as professional baseball either had to create more novelty and attraction to adapt to dwindling or stagnant crowds, or die.

The main attraction that gathered the most interest in that season though was the first ever Major League Baseball official All-Star Game. Now referred to as "The Midseason Classic" this game at this time became something that struggling owners were dying to use as many tools to gin up interest in the game, using its best players and clubs to promote the game that was having its share of struggles financially across the board.

The era had already had a boon in scoring as the "Dead Ball" low scoring era was long gone by then, many of the all-time records such as RBIs (runs batted in), home-runs, runs scored, and just about every offensive category imaginable were all up drastically and these records would stand the test of time for years to come actually. So while the game itself was never more "Star-Studded" with the likes of mammoth legends at this point of players like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Carl Hubbell, Mel Ott, Lefty Grove, just to name a few of the inaugural participants, the fans buzzed about having an 'officially sanctioned game' with eyes of the nation and all of baseball on it at the time.

This of course is in parallel exactly with what is going on with steemmonsters. Back in this time pro baseball players would do something called "Barnstorming," (very similar concept actually to tournaments held now)played unofficial games and make appearances for extra means of supporting themselves outside of the season, sometimes even in foreign countries, sometimes with their fellow Negro League players of the time to drum up max interest and most importantly to them money and attendance to support themselves in the off-season.

The Splinterlands has a similar option in my opinion sitting on the table right in front of their faces. The game can have something similar with the spectacle and punch that the creators of the game are looking to have their "Initial Headline Event," or series with both the top players and top guilds in a battle for much larger prizes, and it would be very simple to implement.

First, for the players, I would propose a bracket of 64, one member from each guild, the highest ranked player in that given season, to play against the highest ranked member of the other guilds for a massive "All-Star" roundup of 64 players, very similar actually the March Madness style format that captures the sporting world and often the nation itself every March with the NCAA Championship tournament--which had a similar format of allowing the conference champion (note-the 1 entrant from each guild-similar to what the baseball all star game does, minimum of one player per team). Now, if there are more than 64, then you have it seeded based on league standing going into this tournament (more on that in a bit) and have play-in matches for the lowest seeded teams to play against the very top seeds in the first round. But the NCAA tournament also had a "second chance" style of postseason for a long time allowing the next best 32 teams to participate in a tournament as well, as not necessarily the best 64 teams were included, so there would be "an at-large selection" of all top players that did not make the initial 64 player tournament. It would go by rank highest not included in the regular tournament down until there were 32 total entrants, seeded similar to how the one above is mentioned.

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In summary for the "Mid @Splinterlands Holiday" (or M@SH-lol):
-64 teams at minimum (top ranked player per guild-at large entries needed if less than 64 guilds-which is not a problem)
-32 teams/players for at large entries into a consolation style tournament in comparison that gathers the best not included in the field above.

Now comes the "Holiday" aspect to it. As in season holiday. As in no quest play that day. That's right, all DEC that is paid out is to the entrants to these tournaments, and a "Battle Royale" of some kind of guild match-up including guilds as well. So there would by default, at the beginning of this tournament, be 1 Million DEC available in prizes for these events combined. It would also highlight the meeting of the game's best players to be featured for the whole @splinterlands universe to behold. The same thing could actually be done the day after the season is over, for a one day 'cool-down' at which the season ends the day before, and we do the same thing. So over the course of every 19 days, we have a season and two holiday tournaments encapsulating the entire reward earning process of each monster season.

This has been very apparent to me, as baseball and college basketball integrating these competitive tournaments created a boon for the game and interest for baseball, even in the "Dog Days of Summer," in many cases during the Great Depression, and created instant rivalries even more so than were created in World Series (MLBs championship series against top team from each of the two leagues). Many of the most memorable and described moments in the histories of both sports happened during these events, I cannot imagine the same wouldn't be true if The Splinterlands integrated something similar.

In summary:
Mid Season Break Tournament (& Postseason Championship day after season ends)-no quest play-only tournament invites and Guild Battle Royale
64 team (more added for each guild's representation with play in matches as necessary) Midseason Championship
32 team at large tournament of top ranking players not included in the above tournament
Guild Battle Royale/Team Championship Tournament
No quests during the days of Midseason/Postseason Holiday Extravaganzas-All DEC paid to rewards in the above events.
Each season goes into a 19 day cycle, perhaps having the mid season holiday after the completion of the tenth day, then the post season done the following day after season ends.

There is the parallels in history to the "current crypto boom-bust cycle" that I think that The Splinterlands can do to combat these things and progress the notoriety of the game like gangbusters, let me know what you think...

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That's a cool idea, maybe players could also still earn scrolls by participating in the tournament to help the guild hall towards the next level without needing to do the daily quest during the season break?

Interesting thought @contestkings, that could really add up the scrolls to those who make it really far in them and give even more rewards for doing well. I like the concept, good call there. Thanks for the read and the comment.

No problem, I do still think that having a small break between seasons would be refreshing!

I think this is a great idea... Not sure how many people need to play or if you have "divisions" like they do in college, but the concept is great. I think having a few day break also is nice, it will help people to get a little rest without feeling like they are "missing" out on something they should be doing.

Nice post @cryptkeeper17! You're on a roll!

It's a wide open concept with the game and how it is starting to pick up steam (pardon the pun) they do definitely have a blank slate and a great chance to boost this game from the central creators that is for sure. I think the 32 team tournament could have a different theme to it actually--will have to come up with something else there, which could be a community builder and a boon to the monster card economy to say the least, will come up with that one in a bit I think. Thanks for the read @davemccoy and best luck whenever you play, except when you are playing me in a quest.

hahaha... you don't have to worry about me, you kick my ass on a regular basis Crypt!

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