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GCC apparently passed the "top Pro" test last year but I haven't seen the temp courses. I didn't say anything about basic course design specifics being better which will hopefully become more of a factor down the road. For what it's worth, Dodge is sometimes more onboard with using stats to improve courses for the following year. Let's see what happens with Ledgestone next year.
I would sure love to see those said stats from someone at the PDGA. The lack of communication from the PDGA is laughable, at best. It is frustrating to see a comment like this from you, considering that the PDGA has not sent me anything about my event this year except for this email ABOUT Eureka from Steve West:
I'm starting to analyze the scores from Ledgestone for the Game Development team.
A side benefit is that I can calculate the pars that come closest to the official definition. You got the pars for Eureka Temp exactly right. That's the first perfect score I've seen.
The email contained nothing else about Eureka or any issues with the course. I received this email three days ago and have heard nothing else about my event from the PDGA except for what Brian Graham was quoted as saying in the Ultiworld article.
PDGA has no official position I'm aware of regarding scoring stats on a course being an issue at this point. However, it's a fact waivers for non-standard design elements must be obtained for their use on Lake Eureka temp. Northwood was much better this year so thanks for those improvements. Whether the need for waivers has an impact, it's unknown since Ledgestone was already in an NT rotation with other events. So not being an NT some years doesn't necessarily indicate a perceived problem from PDGA admin.I would sure love to see those said stats from someone at the PDGA. The lack of communication from the PDGA is laughable, at best. It is frustrating to see a comment like this from you, considering that the PDGA has not sent me anything about my event this year except for this email ABOUT Eureka from Steve West:
I'm starting to analyze the scores from Ledgestone for the Game Development team.
A side benefit is that I can calculate the pars that come closest to the official definition. You got the pars for Eureka Temp exactly right. That's the first perfect score I've seen.
The email contained nothing else about Eureka or any issues with the course. I received this email three days ago and have heard nothing else about my event from the PDGA except for what Brian Graham was quoted as saying in the Ultiworld article.
On a scale from 1 to 10, how angry were you after reading Brian's comments?
PDGA has no official position I'm aware of regarding scoring stats on a course being an issue at this point. However, it's a fact waivers for non-standard design elements must be obtained for their use on Lake Eureka temp. Northwood was much better this year so thanks for those improvements. Whether the need for waivers has an impact, it's unknown since Ledgestone was already in an NT rotation with other events. So not being an NT some years doesn't necessarily indicate a perceived problem from PDGA admin.
What I was pointing out is that Dodge has been more progressive trying to get better hole designs using stats feedback at least on courses he oversees like Maple Hill. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Maple Hill has any design elements needing a waiver?
That's all good. The stats continue to indicate changes were still needed there so glad you plan to follow through.Your comment just came across as calling out my event for needing to make changes at Eureka. I have certainly reviewed the stats at Eureka and plan on making adjustments again, including the removal of stroke and distance on most of the holes. I use stats extensively to adjust the course.
That's all good. The stats continue to indicate changes were still needed there so glad you plan to follow through.
This was a really insightful post, thank you. I'd be curious for your thoughts on this follow up: I've also thought about the e-sports model as one that can compare to disc golf, but have always thought that a driving factor behind e-sports being able to grow quickly is that potential sponsors are selling products that are more expensive than disc golf equipment, thereby bringing a larger influx of money. Is this something you've observed, or am I way off base?
The largest prize pool contributors in esports is actually the viewers themselves. Last month the largest esports tournament ever was hosted in Seattle, it was the Dota 2 International 6. It consisted of 16 teams competing for a total of about $20 million. $1.5 million was added by the game publisher, the rest came from crowd sourcing. The publisher of the game sold in-game cosmetic items as a way to crowd source their world championship, 25% of the proceedings from the sale of these items went to the prize pool. So the financial model is quite unlike anything we see in traditional sports, and this model leads to far bigger prizes than what we get in traditional sports as well.
The bolded sounds a lot like TFR discs to me...selling something exclusive for the purposes of fundraising. The USDGC, for example, always got a good chunk of change out of the Champion Rocs, especially early on.
Unfortunately, there's a ceiling on that sort of fundraising because eventually the market gets saturated or too specialized or after-market bubbles burst. It's not a bottomless well. There are only so many "next great things" manufacturers can come up with.
This was lame poor sportsmanship that isn't accepted in most sports.
What should have happened:
...
I'm not sure how well you can correlate the spectator experience for e-sports to disc golf. I would think that, watching e-sports, there is a lot happening, a lot of action and activity, compared to disc golf (or much of anything else). Just speculation on my part, as I don't play electronic games, and only found out a few hours ago that anyone watches them.
What did Nikko throw on that 360 drive on hole 18?
I would sure love to see those said stats from someone at the PDGA. The lack of communication from the PDGA is laughable, at best. It is frustrating to see a comment like this from you, considering that the PDGA has not sent me anything about my event this year except for this email ABOUT Eureka from Steve West:
I'm starting to analyze the scores from Ledgestone for the Game Development team.
A side benefit is that I can calculate the pars that come closest to the official definition. You got the pars for Eureka Temp exactly right. That's the first perfect score I've seen.
The email contained nothing else about Eureka or any issues with the course. I received this email three days ago and have heard nothing else about my event from the PDGA except for what Brian Graham was quoted as saying in the Ultiworld article.
While live broadcasts are indeed pretty slow to watch, the commentary was great, JVD active in the chat was a nice touch, and the production level was stellar for a live DG broadcast. I'm very interested in what will come in future years.
I think if they can get to a level where Jamie and accompanying commentators can be in a booth, watching multiple cards on monitors and doing their commentary, while 3-4 cards are covered at once - switching back and forth like the PGA - we will really have a truly great live experience. I understand what a monumental capitol investment that requires for equipment, crew, setup, transport, ect. However, with 1-2 cards, lots of backups and walking, and the commentators getting winded and having to hush their voices, it does make for a less exciting viewing environment.
And, do not take these statements in any way as a dig. We would all be winded doing what these guys are doing and Mr. Thomas' respect for players and keeping himself to a minimal distraction is greatly commendable.
I usually don't see live comments, but happened to be on the computer (not streaming through the tv) and it was nice having JV in there. I too like the idea of a booth commentator, might cut down on some of the "dirty breathing" that was being commented on Saturday.