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WOTC CHAT REPORT
May 30, 2003 - by CHRISBO

First of all, I personally want to say "thank you" to all those who participated and/or organized Super Battle Zone events last weekend.  Early reports indicate that they were all very successful this time around.  And a very special thanks goes to everyone at the Westminster, CA event that I organized; despite all the typical chaos & confusion everything went remarkably well and a great time was had by all.

So, that just leaves us with some summer conventions, a few more months of Battle Zone, and then we will see the reigns handed over to Nintendo.  It is still unknown what plans for public information dissemination Nintendo has in mind, but rest assured if they have a weekly chat like WOTC has I will be there reporting it for you.

However, it's beginning to sound more and more like the end of WOTC's involvement may be within sight.  Other than the Convention updates below and thanks to everyone for SBZ, there wasn't much new news other than being UNABLE to confirm the rumored ending dates for Battle Zone yet.  I encourage everyone to please continue supporting your local tourneys and Battle Zone so that the transition from WOTC to Nintendo can be as successful as possible.

Hang in there everyone,
 - CHRISBO


 

ORIGINS, COMICCON, AND GENCON CONVENTIONS:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1715 from trekiev:
any news about the FAT [Fan Appreciation Tournament] at comic con?
master_trainer_mike says, "It will be on Saturday as previously stated. Lots of prizes. Will be run like the FAT at Gen Con (same mix of limited and constructed). Additional details still being worked out."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1744 from farbsman:
How do we volunteer for Origins and/or Gencon to help out? Also, do we need to pre-register for the professor tournament?

master_trainer_mike says, "The TO for these events already has his staff set up. I will need some help running the Pokemon League/Final BattleZone at each event and may need some help for the larger events. Come and see us at the League/Final BattleZone table at each convention. You will not need to pre-register for any of the Championship events, can sign up on site. I will NOT allow any non-Professors into the final Professor event. You MUST pass the online test before that point. No on-site testing will be held."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1746 from farbsman:
Will there be anything else you will need help on other than pokemon even if we are not knowledgeable of that game?
master_trainer_mike says, "We may need some help for Pokemon at the San Diego Comicon as well. You can check in to see if we need any help with other games (though we are usually fairly well covered). Thanks for asking :)"

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1750 from lance313:
Are you saying there will be events other than just Fan Appreciation at the SD ComicCon?
master_trainer_mike says, "There will be a Team event held on Friday and one scheduled event held on Thursday and Sunday then pick up events as needed. There will also be a small RISK 2210 Championship as well. And some Magic, Star Wars, and MLB events too."


 

PROMO CARDS:

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1712 from gym_leader_blaine:
are there any plans to make a 'Winner' Holo Elm promo at all?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope."


 

"THE BEGINNING OF THE END???" (not quite yet, but soon...):

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1710 from gym_leader_blaine:
one the boards it said that July would be the last month for BZ, is this true? and can you tell us about the last BZ?
master_trainer_mike says, "An official statement will be out soon but we will be ending our involvement with Pokemon this summer."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1701 from pokesensei:
Hey Mike, I heard that the last month for BZ is July. Any other info on what you guys plan on doing for that last month (i.e. sending some goodies, etc...)?

master_trainer_mike says, "Details to come as the time gets closer. And as they are worked out."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1702 from lepi1962:
can you confirm that the July BZ is the last one?
master_trainer_mike says, "Nope."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1735 from lizardotc:
If I schedule DCI-sanctioned events through August, and advertise them, is there a risk that I will not be able to provide what I advertise?

master_trainer_mike says, "You can certainly run events whether they are sanctioned or not. Again, when all details have been worked out, an announcement will be made."

master_trainer_mike presents the speaker with question #1743 from gym_leader_blaine:
I am working on getting tournaments set up for help the rest of the professors in my area to become Master Professors, how much longer will you think we have to work on the Professor program?

master_trainer_mike says, "Guys, I know you all want to know specifics. I am sorry but we will tell you when we can tell you."

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