Judge Levels and Testing
from UDE's Player Management Forums
I've copied John Danker's post from our Rules Knowledge Forum because I think it is a great entry point to discuss the current Rules Knowledge structure....
366390:
Quite honestly, I don't expect to live long enough to see a L5 Yugioh judge. Perhaps an L5 WoW judge but not Yugioh. There are many reasons for that....
1. At this point I only expect to see about 2-3 people a year even take the PM3 test alone. The step up from even PM2 to PM3 is huge (much greater than RK2 to RK3) Few people (if any) have the time to devote to attaining such an expertise outside of those employed full time in the gaming industry. Even then, those people seldom if ever judge anymore so what is the point?
2. Developing tests past the L3 level isn't a priority for UDE. Look how long it's taken to get to RK3 and just recently a PM4.
3. Yugioh is such a messed up game in terms of rules. No comprehensive rules, far too many exceptions to the game mechanics, seemingly constantly changing rulings. Keeping up with it enough just to HJ major tournaments is almost overwhelming. I can't imagine what another two steps up in RK looks like!
4. Judges come and go. The min. commitment in years judging the game and experience I'd estimate to be 8-10 years with more major tourment experience than most two current L3 judges combined. The burnout factor judging this game is very high.
For my 2000 post, I'd like to offer some thought while agreeing with John's post. As I see it, he is correct, there is no motivation for either the judges or UDE to go beyond Level 3.... Level 1 judges run local events, Level 2 Head Judges are ideal for Regionals, and the Shonen Jumps/Nationals use level 3s as a Head Judge. When a judge wants to move up in responsibility, he prepares for the next level testing. When UDE schedules their first Galactic Jump, maybe having a level 4 certification will matter.
However, with that being said, I believe we are wasting an opportunity. What I would prefer to see is the current level of judge's adjusted to reflect the current levels of skill, and to do this by inserting an additional level of rules knowledge created between the current level 1 and level 2.
Level 1 Rules Knowledge is given for passing an open book on-line test. This will continue to encourage everyone to learn the rules and become part of the system. Next....
A level 2 Rules Knowledge should be given for Demonstrated Understanding and Practical Application of level 1 rules knowledge in a Tournament environment.
Under this construct, a current level 2 would now become the new level 3, and so forth.
I propose UDE adjust the system such that the new level 2 rules knowledge would be awarded at Regional events, the now level 3 Head Judge, with PTO concurrence, would be authorized to advance 1 floor judge per 64+ players, 2 for 128... in recognition of their applied knowledge. (For premiere events run by Level 4 Head Judge, he/she would be unlimited.)
The advantage of this approach is to recognize the efforts of our current floor judges and to encourage young judges to participate within the system. And yes, this would move us closer to our published five tier system, with minimal changes required.
Open for comments, while I enjoy the game
Dave
http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/community/forums/thread/1414828.aspx
from UDE's Player Management Forums
I've copied John Danker's post from our Rules Knowledge Forum because I think it is a great entry point to discuss the current Rules Knowledge structure....
Quite honestly, I don't expect to live long enough to see a L5 Yugioh judge. Perhaps an L5 WoW judge but not Yugioh. There are many reasons for that....
1. At this point I only expect to see about 2-3 people a year even take the PM3 test alone. The step up from even PM2 to PM3 is huge (much greater than RK2 to RK3) Few people (if any) have the time to devote to attaining such an expertise outside of those employed full time in the gaming industry. Even then, those people seldom if ever judge anymore so what is the point?
2. Developing tests past the L3 level isn't a priority for UDE. Look how long it's taken to get to RK3 and just recently a PM4.
3. Yugioh is such a messed up game in terms of rules. No comprehensive rules, far too many exceptions to the game mechanics, seemingly constantly changing rulings. Keeping up with it enough just to HJ major tournaments is almost overwhelming. I can't imagine what another two steps up in RK looks like!
4. Judges come and go. The min. commitment in years judging the game and experience I'd estimate to be 8-10 years with more major tourment experience than most two current L3 judges combined. The burnout factor judging this game is very high.
For my 2000 post, I'd like to offer some thought while agreeing with John's post. As I see it, he is correct, there is no motivation for either the judges or UDE to go beyond Level 3.... Level 1 judges run local events, Level 2 Head Judges are ideal for Regionals, and the Shonen Jumps/Nationals use level 3s as a Head Judge. When a judge wants to move up in responsibility, he prepares for the next level testing. When UDE schedules their first Galactic Jump, maybe having a level 4 certification will matter.
However, with that being said, I believe we are wasting an opportunity. What I would prefer to see is the current level of judge's adjusted to reflect the current levels of skill, and to do this by inserting an additional level of rules knowledge created between the current level 1 and level 2.
Level 1 Rules Knowledge is given for passing an open book on-line test. This will continue to encourage everyone to learn the rules and become part of the system. Next....
A level 2 Rules Knowledge should be given for Demonstrated Understanding and Practical Application of level 1 rules knowledge in a Tournament environment.
Under this construct, a current level 2 would now become the new level 3, and so forth.
I propose UDE adjust the system such that the new level 2 rules knowledge would be awarded at Regional events, the now level 3 Head Judge, with PTO concurrence, would be authorized to advance 1 floor judge per 64+ players, 2 for 128... in recognition of their applied knowledge. (For premiere events run by Level 4 Head Judge, he/she would be unlimited.)
The advantage of this approach is to recognize the efforts of our current floor judges and to encourage young judges to participate within the system. And yes, this would move us closer to our published five tier system, with minimal changes required.
Open for comments, while I enjoy the game
Dave
http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/community/forums/thread/1414828.aspx