Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I am planning to start tournaments in Homer, Alaska area. I want to know a few tips, but first, you should get info of the area:

Many churches
Tourist town
your a drug addict or bible person

I'm pretty sure i got 2 areas as a possibility (school gym and downstairs of church), haven't filled out the fourm, and will try to get an idea of how many people will come (all i have to do is get an idea of how many people, and there are so many churches to contact for youth groups to be notified.)

Of course, since what i noticed about this game is that the groups tend to be small (not trying to offend) unless your in some area. I don't even have a deck and still want to run a tournament.

My idea for getting everyone (getting new people, and very unlikely 1 person has their own deck) is doing a closed deck tournament. I will be able to be over in Tri-cities in Washington for running games over there, but i just want an idea of how many people will be attending.

I can do this as a church event, so players can even bring their own food as a potluck if needed. I would get posters in as many churches i can (i bet theres over 50), and i just don't know how many people will be attending. My idea is to have the players pay the admission before the tournament, and will not be refunded at the tournament or if you missed the tournament. The reason for this is so i can buy the decks in advance, and then once everyone has a deck, i will run another closed deck tournament so at most, people have 2 decks, and at least some people have 1 deck. Then i will run a mobile shop to sell card packs to players, then run an open deck tournament (can't remember what type needs 100 cards). If no one chooses to buy cards from me, they can go ahead and order online and get cards that way. Then this will spark games over in homer, then i can possibly move them over into Anchorage (no one sells these cards in alaska, so it will either spark guys in Achorage to sell them, or i start selling them) then i can run a district tournament in either Kenai peninsula, Mat-su, or Anchorage, then start Alaska's first State tournament. And this could even be done at the state fair.

But first. i need an estimate of how many people will attend, second, if i do closed deck, will i be sent the starter decks? third, what should i charge for entry? im thinking 12 dollars, but 15 seems a bit better so i can get more money to supply the people. fourth, should i use the potluck idea? and last, should i just get the UN and whatever was above it deal for sale? (minus decks)

Heres the idea: i looked at my church, and i dont see anyone interested currently. I just need to look by going to other youth groups (im under 18) and ask them. I got the person running the youth group i go to to look at them. What i checked so far, NO ONE sells these cards in alaska. I checked Bosco's (Biggest card seller in Alaska) and they said last time they had them was 1997. I completely understand the new rules already, I had even went into complex levels of another CCG (never played in a tournament, but my deck looked like it was the best i could get, i also had 2 other decks before i sold the cards). I don't know of anyone who was played, or even heard of Redemption. I feel advanced enough (even though i haven't played) to modify the deck just slightly (just adding 6 cards that would work). for some reason, the new starter decks feel more powerful, and would perfer to start with one of those. Gold seems like the best option to basic out (philosophy seems like a good card just to throw right away in the starter deck) and i had also read that the UN packs are best to start out, but i want to go ahead and get one of the Grab Bags to get a good amount of cards to start out with modifying my deck when i see what path i want to go. For me, im looking for cards that are just offensive, but stand good. (10/10 looks like a good area to stick around). I also want to use a semi-mill deck to get rid of a few cards so i have more cards if the opponent runs out. I had played about 6 other CCG's and got the idea of it. Also, to get an idea of it, how many decks do you have that you are willing to give? Also, if i do a local tournament, what card should i give out? I was thinking philosophy as its very universal and good for advancing a small step.

Ok, so i might as well order from the website (except for those who are willing to donate) This is what i got as an idea:

1 4th edition starter deck

1 of each tin

2 disciples boxes (small box)

Would this be good for me once i get it?

Also, it says on the main website shipping is free for above 40$, does this apply to alaska? Also, what tin numbers would you recomend? I feel that the newest would be best for some reason.

Ok problem: my stepmom does not want me to play this game, so that is easily assumable that i won't be able to do a tourney without help. I tried getting it through via my church, but my stepmom is in the worship group (and has a good level of power for the church). She doesn't want me to play this game as "CCG's are bad". I feel that this is one thing i can use to spread christianity. How could this destroy me? If your thirsty, you fill your cup with water, not alcohol. This i would say would be the "water" of CCG's, and many others are "Alcoholic drinks". I feel i can bring this game to Alaska, and possibly hawaii. This game needs to be spread, and i do not know why it isn't. This game needs popularity, and so far, there are weaker ones that are more popular (ex: spongebob CCG, who would play that? MLP as well, its stupid). This is a game that can run strong, and i feel we can do it. If you know people in Alaska, or hawaii, tell them about this game and tell them to run tournaments. This is one way of spreading christ for my age group. I do not see why im having this "brick wall". I need friends as well, and this is one way of making friends, "brick wall"'d there too. What do i do?

I agree with Prof U i would show her all the great christian attributes of the game but if she says no i would not play the Bible says honor your father and mother in Exodus. On a side note i agree with your water and alcohol analogy i have witnessed one of the players in my playgroup accept Jesus Christ as there Lord and Savior through
this great game i also agree with Techno my playgroup started with 4 people and grew into hosting 2 Northeast Regional tournaments so i would teach your friends how to play and see where it goes from there i to wish this great game would get more popularity instead of other secular games i hope this helps.

in Christ AJ

If you like the game make a good case (to your step mom) for why it is a beneficial game for you to be playing. Better yet play her a game with a starter deck and let her win. You have brought up good reasons as to why this game is beneficial already, like evangelism and making friends. Explain that to her. Whatever you do you ought to wait on the whole tournament thing for a while. Get used to the game, bring friends into the game, be nice to your step mom and the church, and get used to tournament format. She might be receptive to an argument you give for the game but will be less receptive when you are proposing something additional like tournament hosting. Tournament hosting=huge time commitment. Hopefully she will let you play and you will be able to bring your friends into the game. After a while, as your step mom becomes more and more receptive to the game, you could try and host tournaments. This is a long way of saying that is probably best to take things slow so and wait to host tournaments because A) that gives your step mom time to adapt to the game and B) that gives yourself time to bring people into the game.