Well, with the Pokemon World Championships just around the corner, most of
the chat questions were regarding that.
However, we also have news about the future of Pokemon League next year; it will be called "Pokemon BattleZone" (reminds me of the TV episode where the
gang & Pikachu were all dressed up in camouflage gear) and sounds like the
format will be changed up quite a bit.
Read on & enjoy,
- CHRISBO
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Aug. 3 & 4, Seattle, WA):
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #126 from yoshi1001:
How is media coverage shaping up for worlds?
master_trainer_mike says, "Several local players and I will be interviewed
on a local radio show next week. There is a big write up in one of the
Seattle papers in the lifestyle section. There are television ads starting
in a few days and so on. We have a PR company working on this event with us.
There should be a good amount of coverage. Of course, it is the same weekend
at the Seattle Sea fair, a huge celebration that has gone on for a long time
so the media is already pretty busy. Once I know which newspapers and such I
will let you guys know (we'll mention it on the boards) so you can check it
out."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #140 from magmar2000:
What radio station/show will the interview be on? I'll have to see if I can
listen. And do you know which paper? =)
master_trainer_mike says, "It will be on 92.5 KLSY or something like that at
8:30 am on next Wednesday. I think the article will be in the Post
Intelligencer I think."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #133 from
indigomaster33:
will players who participate in the grinder receive any prizes? or just
admission to worlds if they make top 8
master_trainer_mike says, "Just an invitation to the Worlds main
tournament."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #148 from articjedi:
are there any prizes at the grinder?
master_trainer_mike says, "There may be some small ones but the point of the
Grinder (and its main prize) is winning an invitation to play in the main
championship event."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #127 from
indigomaster33:
will the card vendors be open on friday of worlds?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, Friday is ONLY the final open. It will go
on for 4-5 hours and then the room will close. The actual full event starts
on Saturday morning."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #128 from
indigomaster33:
do you know of any stores that sell cards in the area relevant to the crown
plaza?
master_trainer_mike says, "Hmmm, someone wrote a good list of local stores
and restaurants on WizPog. I would check that out. Within Seattle itself
there is Xanadu Comics and an Electronics Boutique and Borders and such.
There are Wizards of the Coast stores in some of the surrounding towns too."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #141 from mt_icecold:
How far is GameWorks relevant to the hotel and the convention center, would
I be able to walk there from the hotel?
master_trainer_mike says, "Check out the great article that someone wrote on
Wizpog, they researched everything in the area. It's not too far of a walk."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #129 from prof_kris:
On the previous chat, MTP mentioned something about a gaming room at the
Crowne Plaza. Any details on that?
master_trainer_mike says, "It is a room set up for players to play in at the
Hotel. It shuts down promptly at 11pm each night. It isn't all that large (I
think it has a capacity of 75 people or so). If it fills up then people not
staying at the hotel would be asked to leave. It is primarily for hotel
guests I think."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #130 from
indigomaster33:
will the gaming room at the crown plaza be open on friday of worlds?
master_trainer_mike says, "I think it will be, yes."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #213 from
indigomaster33:
who will be the head judge at worlds? Kierin? or you?
master_trainer_mike says, "Kierin is, I am the tournament manager and keeper
of the cheese."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #215 from soslowpoke:
When signing up for side events at Worlds, is it safe to get there at 9AM so
we can make sure we get into the event we want (especially those with
limited seating)?
master_trainer_mike says, "The main doors only open up at 9 am or so."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #125 from chrisbo:
For the side events at Worlds, can you pay using a credit card or is it cash
only?
master_trainer_mike says, "Cash only, sorry."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #151 from soslowpoke:
Any information on what theme decks will be used for the theme deck
challenge at worlds?
master_trainer_mike says, "A random assortment. I'm hoping for tons of
Discovery Unown Theme decks myself!! KIDDING!!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #169 from soslowpoke:
Do you know how much time will be allowed to build decks at the Limited
Events at worlds? (specifically the Team sealed and theme deck challenge)
master_trainer_mike says, "Half an hour."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #230 from soslowpoke:
How long are rounds for Team Sealed tourneys?
master_trainer_mike says, "Rounds are 40 minutes since each team will put
out 4 prize cards (as opposed to 50 minute rounds for constructed as each
team puts out 5 prize cards)."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #161 from soslowpoke:
Has King Rah-Rah announced whether or not he will be at worlds yet?
master_trainer_mike says, "I am glad to say that he will be there!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #184 from soslowpoke:
Will we get "goodie bags" at Worlds like we did at the STSs ?
master_trainer_mike says, "nope, you get what you win."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #226 from soslowpoke:
Will there be any displays at Worlds for upcoming product or international
product like there were at the STSs?
master_trainer_mike says, "yup"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #228 from soslowpoke:
Will you bring the Space Weedle and Leaning Tower of Pika to worlds?
(provided they dont get lost)
master_trainer_mike says, "hopefully yup"
GENCON GAMING CONVENTION:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #131 from yoshi1001:
Any updates on Gen Con?
master_trainer_mike says, "Well, so far there will definitely be the Team
Sealed Event on Saturday. There will also be a Team Constructed event held
on either Friday or Sunday, depending on whether other things work out or
not. And of course, Mike Guptil, the TO who ran everything at Origins, will
also be running plenty of Pokemon Modified and Unlimited tournaments as
well. We will also be there with the Pokemon League again as well."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #144 from yoshi1001:
Regarding Gencon, any further info on the prerelease or are we still on the
edge there?
master_trainer_mike says, "We are still on the edge there. If we get the
product in time I'll run it on Sunday and put the Team Constructed event on
Friday. If the product doesn't make it in time, then the Team Constructed
event will be on Sunday starting fairly early. Check out the TCG Ballroom
when you get to Gen Con for the revised schedule."
POKEMON LEAGUE / POKEMON BATTLEZONE:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #147 from
lugiasforce87:
I know this is kinda early to ask, but will there be a year 4 of the Pokemon
League? I have heard rumors there will not be.
master_trainer_mike says, "There is not going to be a Year 4 Pokemon
League!!"
[Crowd gasps!!]
master_trainer_mike says, "There WILL be new program called the Pokemon
Battlezone. It starts later this year (November most likely). It will be
great!! More details to come!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #170 from soslowpoke:
Will there still be League next year?
master_trainer_mike says, "League no, BattleZone yes (though some of Europe
will be running the Year 3 league next year instead)."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #150 from
lugiasforce87:
Can you give us any info on 'The Pokemon Battlezone'?
master_trainer_mike says, "Well, it is built around a monthly schedule, it
is primarily made to support tournaments (with prizes and such) though it
can also be used for a league type situation. It is cheaper, more flexible,
and changes more often. I'll be contacting Pokemon Professors about this
program in couple of months."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #163 from yoshi1001:
what prompted this pkBatlezn talk?
master_trainer_mike says, "The Pokemon League has lost many of its locations
around the world for a variety of reasons. It is time to bring out a new
exciting program for a new and excited Pokemon crowd."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #154 from chrisbo:
So will this "Pokemon BattleZone" involve green wire-frame computer
generated tanks? (showing my age here, GRIN).
master_trainer_mike says, "You know, that was the first joke I heard about
it weeks ago. I wanted a green wire framed Pikachu but thought no one else
would get it."
POKEMON EXPEDITION:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #159 from
auraasha_alex:
Is there any sets or pokemon game that'll continue to keep pokemon alive on
new consoles? And I'm waiting for a new set, I almost have all the cards,
when is a new set coming out?
master_trainer_mike says, "Expedition (the first card - e) set is scheduled
to come out (hopefully) at the end of August."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #168 from
auraasha_alex:
What's special about Expedition set?
master_trainer_mike says, "Well, in addition to introducing new versions of
favorite Pokemon, it also introduces some new game mechanics like Supporters
and the Burned special condition. Then there is also that card-e stuff on
the cards."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #194 from soslowpoke:
Will the Wizards' set be compatible with the Card-e reader?
master_trainer_mike says, "full details to come much later"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #177 from chrisbo:
What can you tell us about the "Supporters" mechanic of Expedition? I
haven't kept up with the Japanese expansions.
master_trainer_mike says, "hmmm. wait and see"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #160 from soslowpoke:
Will Expedition have theme decks to go with it?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup! I got to design one!"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #165 from soslowpoke:
How many theme decks for Expedition? 2?
master_trainer_mike says, "Most likely."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #214 from soslowpoke:
Do you have any information on the Box Toppers for expedition?
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #223 from soslowpoke:
Will you tell us the information you know about the Expedition Box Toppers?
master_trainer_mike says, "nope"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #176 from soslowpoke:
How many cards will there be in Expedition?
master_trainer_mike says, "wait and see"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #178 from soslowpoke:
Will there be 64 rares in expedition like the Japanese card-e set had @_@?
master_trainer_mike says, "wait and see"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #208 from
lugiasforce87:
is the E-card 1 set going to have holo and rare version of the cards, like
Rare Blastoise and Holo Blastoise?
master_trainer_mike says, "wait and see"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #200 from
lugiasforce87:
is there an official release date set for E-card1?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, hopefully the end of August."
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #152 from soslowpoke:
Can you tell us what the Season 8 foil energy is yet?
master_trainer_mike says, "I could but I won't, sorry :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #166 from soslowpoke:
Do you happen to know what the new Promo for the Pokemon Center in NewYork
is?
master_trainer_mike says, "Not officially though I have my guesses."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #171 from soslowpoke:
Can you tell us your guesses for the new pokemon center promo? ;)
master_trainer_mike says, "Hmmmm, nope :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #217 from soslowpoke:
Will there be a promo Exclusive to Worlds?
master_trainer_mike says, "nope"