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WOTC CHAT REPORT
March 31, 2003 - by CHRISBO

Master Trainer Pat is finally back from his "maternity leave" this week; it's good to have him back with us.  Also, the dates for the Skyridge Super Battle Zone have been set for the weekend of May 24-25; more details & locations will be posted next week.  We also heard some talk about Origins & GenCon, and some about whether you will be able to use Nintendo-made cards in DCI tournaments.

Read On,
 - CHRISBO

MASTER TRAINER "DADDY" (PAT):

master_trainer_pat says, "Hi gang it's good to be back. Though I understand I missed a bit of bad news while I was gone."

master_trainer_mike says, "Yeah! The new Superman movie has been delayed again!!!"
master_trainer_pat says, "D'oh!"
master_trainer_mike says, "Anyway welcome back Pat."
master_trainer_pat says, "Thanks."
master_trainer_mike says, "Be nice, he doesn't get much sleep lately......"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #666 from wizo_pokemom:
congratulations to the new daddy, pat...hope you don't miss your sleep too much, and that mom and baby are doing fine :-)

master_trainer_pat says, "Thanks. I am doing ok...Mom and little MT Matthew are doing fine.."
master_trainer_pat smiles.

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #671 from pokesensei:
Congrats on your new son Pat! Hope everything is going ok for you three.
master_trainer_pat says, "Thanks again...I'm becoming quite the diaper changin' machine!"

BATTLE ZONE / SUPER BATTLE ZONE:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #672 from lepi1962:
Any news re SkyRidge?
master_trainer_mike says, "Look for it in early May is all we know. I did start scheduling the Skyridge Super BattleZone this week though. It will be held on the weekend of May 24-25. Hope to get the full schedule up on the web site next week."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #683 from lepi1962:
Any info on promo prizes for SBZ?
master_trainer_mike says, "It will be similar though this time there will be 3 trophies. One for best 10 and under, 1 for best 11-14, and one for best 15 and up. Some other minor changes but basically the same."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #687 from gym_leader_blaine:
In regards to the scheduling of the Skyrigde SBZ, did you read my email that I email, or was Linda Roberts able to talk to you at all about me helping with one?

master_trainer_mike says, "Every SBZ is scheduled through Retail locations that are active running BattleZones. They are picked based on their interest and their geographical location and play size. If you want to be involved with an SBZ as a TO or Judge you will need to contact the chosen locations yourself. The list will be posted early next week."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #691 from gym_leader_blaine:
so the SBZ's are not going through the Premium TO's like the last one was?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope. That was only done through a small number of them based on the limited amount of time we had to put it together. Now we have more time (6-7 weeks) and the point of this is to reward the stores that still support Pokemon."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #693 from marril2000:
by any chance, do you think a master professor point will be awarded to the professors that judge at the Skyridge SBZ?
master_trainer_mike says, "The head Judge, yes. These are not as large as the Challenge series, so only the TO and Head Judge will earn a point. Though I do send along extra product to be divied amongst the staff."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #694 from marril2000:
any details on the LC2 Super BattleZone 2, such as a target month?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope, sorry."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #716 from pokesensei:
Mike, any thoughts or words that you can tell us about the feedback from the last SBZ?
master_trainer_mike says, "It was very positive. Outside of some individual location issues, it seemed to go over quite well. I am removing the badges and table numbers and adding that 3rd trophy as it seems to be more of what you guys want. Sorry we won't be doing Pokemon so I could keep doing these (they have been fun), but Nintendo will have their own great ideas I'm sure."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #722 from m_p_douglas:
Removing the table numbers from SBZ -- no problem -- scanner + photo paper + black marker = pretty table numbers :) Trophys were VERY popular :)

master_trainer_mike says, "There ya go."

FUTURE OF ORGANIZED PLAY:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #703 from mysterioustrainer:
Question, I can assume that the Ruby and Sapphire cards by Nintendo (eta June) is not going to be allowed in DCI events right?

master_trainer_mike says, "Correct. We already answered this. Since we did not make the cards, it would not be proper for us to make any rulings about them or how they interact with our cards in our tournaments. We do not want to cause any unnecessary confusion while we finish up our involvement with this great game."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #707 from mysterioustrainer:
RE 703 So when the cards released should judges enforce deckchecks to insure they are not in the decks?
master_trainer_mike says, "We don't even know when they are going to be released. Certainly for non-sanctioned play, do whatever your players like. For our DCI sanctioned play, those cards would not be allowed for the reasons already stated. But you will obviously be able to use them soon enough in Nintendo's OP."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #708 from mysterioustrainer:
RE 707 According to nintendo.com and pokemon.com this june (ouch in my opinion)
master_trainer_mike says, "I have read that but have not been told anything official."

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #709 from bluetoise:
Is DCI going to lose its power in Pokemon Trading Card Game?
master_trainer_mike says, "the DCI will be involved with Pokemon, as stated above, while we are still involved as a company. Once Nintendo takes over everything, they will be in charge of OP and use their own systems."

ORIGINS & GENCON:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #684 from mysterioustrainer:
When is Gencon?
master_trainer_pat says, "July 24-27 2003 in Indianapolis"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #685 from marril2000:
i know origins's website has released a schedule of events, any word on what wizards has up their sleeve for the rest of GenCon? also which of the wizards crew is attending?

master_trainer_mike says, "Well as you know The Team Multiplay Championships will be multi-format and held on that Friday. The Fan Appreciation event will also be multi-format (sealed and constructed) and held on that Saturday. Otherwise lots of Constructed, Sealed, and Booster drafts are scheduled the rest of the time."

master_trainer_pat says, "You can find more info on Gen Con itself at www.gencon.com"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #669 from steelixownzu:
Will the team event at Origins be as late as last time? God was it long....
master_trainer_mike says, "It is scheduled to start earlier, but it is now a multi-format event. So get your sleep. :)"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #679 from steelixownzu:
Team is gonna be multi-format now???
master_trainer_mike says, "Yup! Sealed and Modified Constructed."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #735 from marril2000:
if assistance is wanted/needed during GenCon, who should i contact (will pay his own convention entry fee)?
master_trainer_mike says, "The TO is Mike Guptil. I believe he has his staffing covered already. I would rather you guys came to play and have fun for one last time. Find me when you are there though and if we need any help, we will ask for it :)  Certainly some help running the Pokemon League there would be great."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #738 from m_p_douglas:
Mike might haul lots of energy with him to Origins and Gen Con -- useful for the events and he could hand out what is left over to Professors when the event is over...

master_trainer_mike says, "I plan on it."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #745 from pojo_log:
Any special kinds of donuts you guys want for any upcoming conventions? GenCon, Origins
master_trainer_mike says, "Donuts filled with money.  mmmmmmmmmmmmmmoney"
master_trainer_pat says, "You'll have to send them to me...looks like I'm going to be the lone guy left manning the phones here. I'm sure the offices will be empty those weeks..."

master_trainer_mike says, "bummer"

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #748 from pokesensei:
So Pat, you won't make either `Con then? That's sad... It woulda been nice seeing ya again. If we don't meet again, thanx for all the fun and I'm glad to have met ya.

master_trainer_pat says, "I know I was really hopin' too. Especially the circumstances the way they are...it would have been nice to see everyone for the big bang tournament MT Mike is working on."

master_trainer_mike says, "FYI, I am in contact with the European offices as well and I hear they are planning fan appreciation events too I will be sending them some goodies for the players over there too."

PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_pat presents the speaker with question #680 from lepi1962:
Will there be a WOTC promo for Pokemon movie 5 in May?
master_trainer_pat says, "Nothing that we've heard about yet."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #690 from lepi1962:
Can you give us a hint re April BZ winner promo? At least is it a never released before card?
master_trainer_mike says, "Hmmmmmnope"


 

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