Well, we now have a name for the Card-E expansion; it is currently called
"Expedition" and will be available sometime around September or so. Master Trainer Mike is also finalizing the information for Worlds, and it should be
posted on WotC's site soon.
Finally, I just want to say thanks to all the wonderful people I met at the West Stadium Challenge in San Diego last weekend. I met Martin & Criminal
for the first time, and saw Satoshi again, and so many other familiar and
new faces; I just wish there was more time to spend with everybody. The event ran really smooth, and they even let me be Head Judge for the 11-14
division of the main tournament (now THAT was cool!).
Take care,
- CHRISBO
"EXPEDITION" EXPANSION (Card-E):
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #7 from
team_europe_golduck:
Can you tell us more about the upcoming Expedition set? Is it just a rumor?
Sounds too good to be true, at least what I've heard about it...
master_trainer_pat says, "There is some new news involving that however..."
master_trainer_mike says, "First of all, there is a set called Expedition
coming out soon (September it looks like). It will be the first Card-E set
and IT is now called Expedition."
master_trainer_mike says, "The set we have hinted about that we are creating
here is still in the works (it was previously called Expedition). It is now
in search of a new name."
master_trainer_pat says, "There was a set that was using name before that
was canceled, I guess they liked the name."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #43 from milord83:
In Expedition set, you will use your traditional card back, or you'll use
the new back like Japan Card-e?
master_trainer_mike says, "We are NOT changing the card backs :)"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #30 from soslowpoke:
The press kit letter for Pokemon Expedition is stating that it's due out in
November and it's a mix of Vending/WOTC's own cards. Is that true?
master_trainer_mike says, "That is a very old press kit. Things change.
Remeber CrossTrainer anyone???? ;)"
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #29 from steel_claw:
is there any plans as of yet for the vending cards?
master_trainer_pat says, "We've talked about that a bunch but we don't have
anything concrete to announce yet. Let's hope that the success of Legendary
Collection may resurrect the subject once again."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #23 from soslowpoke:
Do you have any information on this "Pokemon Expedition" set?
master_trainer_pat says, "I don't have much right now, but I can say that it
will be the first Card E set and we will be doing a pre-release for it at
Worlds for sure. Maybe some other events as well (hint, hint, game
conventions)."
CHALLENGE SERIES / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #14 from prof_kris:
Any news on Worlds invites? When can we know the invites? Will the list be
posted soon?
master_trainer_mike says, "I just finished the Worlds FAQ. It should go up
soon."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #9 from marril2000:
here is a question a friend of mine, pkmnx asked me to forward: "can you
give us ALL the ways to get an invitation into the main event at worlds?"
master_trainer_mike says, "Win a trip and invitation at a Challenge event."
master_trainer_mike says, "Be a top rated DCI Pokemon Player"
master_trainer_mike says, "Have come in the top 8 at either of the last two
STS's."
master_trainer_pat says, "Friday the night before worlds starts will be your
best bet at this point. That will be held on Fri Aug. 2nd, at 3 pm"
master_trainer_mike says, "Full details to come up on our web site soon."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #8 from
team_europe_golduck:
Will the Wizards/Professor Challenge at Worlds have best out of 3 matches
too?
master_trainer_pat says, "Nope"
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #49 from skywolf9653:
Is TMP going to be made available for side events at Worlds or just for
Professor's Events?
master_trainer_mike says, "You mean Team Multi Play? The Professor event
isn't team multiplay, it is an Unlimited Constructed tournament held after
hours. There is a scheduled Team Multi Play Sealed event that will be held
at Worlds though. The full schedule of events will be posted online soon.
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #41 from
team_europe_golduck:
will the Wizards/Professor Challenge be held on the same location as the
Main Event? Or will it be held closer to the Wizards offices (so we can have
a look how you "make the cards) =D
master_trainer_pat says, "It will be held at the same location."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #45 from prof_kris:
Is WOTC headquarters open for visitors? If I do go to Worlds this summer, I
would like to visit WotC if it's open to public...if so, what features does
WotC HQ have?
master_trainer_pat says, "Unfortunately, so would a lot of other folks. Once
upon a time we did this but there are just so many people that require quiet
environments for their jobs here."
master_trainer_pat says, "Also, it really is not all that interesting, 'cept
here in Customer Service and OP that is..."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #52 from lance313:
What is public transportation like in downtown Seattle on the weekends? I
may end up 7 blocks out with three 8-10 year olds at Worlds.
master_trainer_pat says, "It's really good actually. Depending on which
direction those 7 blocks are there is a 'ride-free zone' over a 20 block
radius around the convention center.(more to the west side of it though) If
you have more questions and can give more info, you can contact me directly
here at customer service, phone or e-mail. I'll try to help if I can."
PROFESSOR PROGRAM:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #33 from fix_r:
Is there any word on the Professor id cards yet? I'm hoping to get mine
before Worlds.
master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry about the delay gang. There were
extenuating accounting circumstances that delayed these cards. They are in
the process of being made. I promise you will get them, just later than we
thought."
master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #42 from fix_r:
Do the id cards come with a pre-set spending limit :-)
master_trainer_pat says, "We make no guarantees that you'll get it back if
you try to use it in an ATM."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #39 from michel1be:
Are there news about the Master Professor Program ?
master_trainer_mike says, "Sorry that it has been delayed in starting. We
are super busy here and have limited staff and developers. There are
software development issues that are still under way. We are still working
on it."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #40 from soslowpoke:
Will the Professor test ever be "updated" with new rulings questions etc..?
master_trainer_mike says, "In time yes. To be honest, the newest releases
and Worlds is keeping us pretty darn busy."
PROMO CARDS:
master_trainer_mike says, "Promo 48 is still secret............"
master_trainer_mike says, "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #50 from fix_r:
Will there ever be a promo metal or dark seasons in the league? Dark promo
foil energy, ya gotta like that.
master_trainer_mike says, "No plans at this time."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #55 from xeodus:
What will be the energy promo for the Colorless season this year?
master_trainer_mike says, "Why you would have to wait to find out, wouldn't
you... muhahahahahahahaha"
OTHER EVENTS:
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #51 from roonman:
Do you know which version of Modified will be in effect for Origins? Rocket
On? Neo On? Something else?
master_trainer_mike says, "Use the current Modified rules for all events up
until September 1st EXCEPT for the Worlds Main Tournaments and the Professor
Championship held at Origins. Those two events will be using the Neo Genesis
on format."
master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #17 from michel1be:
I've heard about a TMB in August this year. Is it a correct information ?
master_trainer_mike says, "That is not our event though we do help with it.
It is going forward but on a very small scale as per TPC's wishes. Details,
when they are worked out, will be posted."