BuzzerBeater Forums

As the title says, the suggestion is on the addition of new countries. It happens on the beginning of each season. But as we all know, most new countries, despite listing 20 active teams, how many of them are truly active? From my criteria, an active team logs in, at least, once a week to send the orders for the games. So, today is the 19th of May and how many teams logged in since Sunday, 10th of May... in, say... Malta? Listed 20 active teams, truly active 7. Pakistan? Listed 18 active teams, truly active 8. Lebanon? Listed 12 active teams, truly active 5. And you know I'm pushing the numbers here. Since this is a new week, today there is a match and should only count from last Sunday (that is, the 17th of May).
So, instead of the current "petition" system, my suggestion is the creation of an "international league", for countries who are not yet officially on BuzzerBeater. Each team would have the flag of their own country, of course, but his league would also have teams from the other countries not official yet on BB. Maybe with the division system that is on every country, so that the experience would be as close as possible to the rest of the game. And, if during a full season, a country has a certain number of constant and always active teams (ten for example, despite the ideal being a full division), then they would see their country officially in BB. And with the official country, every good thing about it... National Team, National Forums, etc, etc... So, it would be a kind of incentive for people to call their friends and let them know about the game. They they could have a proper representation for their country. And obviously, it would filter the teams that register and then never appear. Or some people that send the petition and then are not really interested in playing the game. Plus, you wouldn't be dependent on a official national representation to enjoy the game. Say, some people in Cuba that like Basketball, would also enjoy the game. Some in Angola (and there are major basketball fans in there), would also enjoy the game.
But yeah, just a suggestion. Maybe someone can turn it into an even better idea.

Last edited by the L train at 5/19/2009 11:06:42 AM

I totally agree with your idea, it`s really one of the great ideas laying in Suggestions forum. I should add that teams would be moved to their countries with the teams they have and are playing without need to start everything from zero as it`s now... Cause that league would be just something for those who don`t have at least 16 really active users in their countries. I know couple of users who was playing from Byelorussia, they had to start everything from zero point then they had a lot cause they can`t move with hole team. And I`m not sure if they are playing anymore, cause last time I heard from them they said that it`s insane to develop everything again.

@ZyZla: Yep. Forgot that. Upon country opening, just move the teams to their league. Starting from scratch must really suck. I think, I would've stopped playing too. Getting good deals on the market and then having them out? Outch.

@RiP88: In my opinion, there's nothing to do about currently opened countries that have few users. I just used them as an example of the current policy. They already have a National Team and all that... Taking that privileges away after giving them, it's really bad taste. But it's a situation that can and should be avoided in the future. Or better yet, should be better structured and give them the better game experience possible.

Edit: Well, I gave it more thought. You could remove a country, under two conditions. First one, if you were absolutely sure it would help bring more players to the game. And second, if you had the approval of all active players in that country. Just to make sure they are all about tactical competition and love a good challenge. And in that case, I would also advise that all flags in the "international league" could be collectible. For two reasons. First, not to annoy the people that already got those flags on the flag chase. On a more general note, because I think, it is a way of showing respect and recognition for them. United Nations style. Gee, always loved that flags in the wind image.

Last edited by the L train at 5/19/2009 1:28:56 PM

@ZyZla: Yep. Forgot that. Upon country opening, just move the teams to their league. Starting from scratch must really suck. I think, I would've stopped playing too. Getting good deals on the market and then having them out? Outch.

@RiP88: In my opinion, there's nothing to do about currently opened countries that have few users. I just used them as an example of the current policy. They already have a National Team and all that... Taking that privileges away after giving them, it's really bad taste. But it's a situation that can and should be avoided in the future. Or better yet, should be better structured and give them the better game experience possible.

actually those teams could be moved into one league without taking all the privileges from them, they could keep NTs and even they would get more... Any way we should ask them if they would agree with that... Drafts could be same as it`s now for all the leagues just players would get name and nationality depending on team which drafted him. teams even could be with flags near each one in league standings... I think this is a good idea, cause they will be able to improve them selfs instead of doing nothing and get bored.

Yeah, I just edited my post after thinking a bit better about it. If they don't even lose their NT... even better! There's not really any point on announcing a new country every season, if it is not going to be competitive.

Last edited by the L train at 5/19/2009 1:37:01 PM

I like this idea, too. Here are just some thoughts that may help witht he way this could al lbe organized.

I think these "grouped countries" should still retain a national home, and international leagues should be fluid enough to ensure that most teams in each league are indeed from the same country if possible. Also, instead of a "Small Countries" league, perhaps these leagues could be organized regionally like "European International", "Pacific Intnl", "Central Asia Intl", etc. The point being that even though grouping countries into more acitve and exciting leagues is definitely a great step for improving the BB experience for teams in countries with few active teams, maintaining some sort of regional identity I think would also be beneficial.

I do recognize that this would a very complicated thing to pull off, though. Maybe someone has a suggestion for how to maintain regional flavor in a way that isn't too complicated...

I like the idea of a "regional flavor" but looking realistically at the map of countries not yet officially on BB, the overwhelming majority is African. So, in my opinion, that would complicate things, without any actual purpose. And I don't think it's important to keep teams of the same country in the same division. Because, it would be a league with 1st division, 2nd division... a full league, just like any other country with 100 teams. That way, the competitive spirit would be up and running. The teams on the top, deserve to be on the top. And eliminating the need of a certain number of teams in your country, to start enjoying the game. Then, if you enjoy the game, call your friends and be an official community! If they also enjoy the game, then in no time, you'll have a new, well organized and competitive BB country! And for communication purposes, I agree with one idea that you left. It's important they get forums and all that stuff for each country. Basically, an opportunity for someone to grab it and get active. A meeting point, if you please. Because, these teams might not be on the same division.

Yeah, I was acknowledging how complicated this could get. Also, it will need to be determined when a country would have enough active teams to warrant having its own national league again, and pulling all of those teams out of an international league could get a little messy, but I suppose that wouldn't be much harder than pulling out bot teams...

Well, I have no idea if it is complicated or not to move a team from one league to another. But that, would be definitely the desired scenario, for the reasons ZyZla described.
About the limit of active teams in each country to create their own league, I would say, at least 10 (8 playoff places and 2 not going, for minimal suspense)... but the desired would be, definitely, 16 (that means, a full division). Playing for, at least, one full season (the truly active factor)! But I don't know. This is just a suggestion because, ultimately, it's up to the BB's.

Last edited by the L train at 5/19/2009 5:08:31 PM

pretty good idea :)