LSS Improves at Scheduling
Author’s Note: This week is a bit of a different flavor than one normally provided here at The Opossum Papers. I wanted to respond to news that came out, and it turned out to be a bit shorter of a piece than I usually do. I’d like feedback on this, from both a substantive perspective (do you agree or disagree with my conclusions?) but also on form (i.e., is this topic something that makes sense in The Opossum Papers?)
I have repeatedly promised to bring you an interview with Elaine Hamontree from the Pitch Perfect Podcast and the RainbowxPitch League. I still promise you’ll get to read it someday soon, but LSS dropped some news about organized play for the rest of the year, and I wanted to talk about it while it was actually news.
The announcement, which you can read here, announced two Callings later in 2023. First, Calling: Taipei is coming in September, and Calling: Dallas-Fort Worth is coming in October.
First, let me say, I’m very excited for the APAC region to get another Calling. Those players are FAB crazy, and it’s very easy to be a biased westerner and think that every Calling should be somewhere in Midwest America.
Now…as a biased Midwestern American, I am thrilled to see another North American Calling announced this year. I’m quite pleased with how early the announcement has come. Since my days on Flesh and Pod, I’ve lamented how LSS’s slow delivery of news impacts players’ ability to travel. I’ve argued it would be ideal to have at least 3 months advance notice of any tournaments that may inspire players to travel. Those tournaments for me are Callings, National Championships, and the World Championship.
Here, we’re learning about Calling: Dallas-Forth Worth about four months ahead of time, which is great. A person could reasonably get time off work and budget for the event all without feeling rushed. Any time less than what we have here could preclude people from coming simply due to scheduling demands. I’m a busy guy who doesn’t have kids and has a flexible work schedule. If it’s tough for me to get to events announced last minute, I imagine it’s near impossible for people with actual responsibilities.
The more serious the event, the more time players should have to plan it. For example, it’s June 13th and we still don’t know where the World Championship will be. Worlds is a major event that requires extensive amounts of testing and time off to focus on the tournament. It’s frustrating to know that logistics are hampering proper planning. If Worlds isn’t in December, we’re already afield of the appropriate time to notify players about the game’s most prestigious tournament.
Now, I know it’s not easy to plan international tournaments like LSS must. After all, New Zealand might be the worst time zone from which to conduct American business. This, however, is all the grace I’m willing to extend. LSS has chosen to enter the international business arena and cater primarily to an international audience. As a result, LSS is subject to the frustrations of those it seeks to entertain and profit from.
This blog is intended to ultimately be positive: LSS has struggled with giving ample notice in the past. For the Calling: Taipei, they’ve given adequate notice, and for the Calling: Dallas-Fort Worth, they’ve given excellent notice, considering the event. I hope to see LSS continue that trend and soon announce the World Championship.
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Next week: pickles, GA TCG review, or Briar at 998.