Nintendo UK Announces Battle Tournament 2014 + VGC National Details
Nintendo UK have announced another tournament series for UK players, this time taking place throughout March and April. Beginning on 1st March and running until 5th April, there will be a number of qualifier tournaments at various GAME stores around the country, with some events taking place in shopping centres with no specific location mentioned at the moment. There are currently no known prizes for regional tournament winners, other than an invitation to the London grand final on 26th April, although travel stipends will be available to winners to make their way there.
If you manage to win a regional tournament, you’ll get to play in the finals in London where you have a chance to win some great prizes, perhaps the most important of which is a First Round BYE at this years United Kingdom Pokémon Video Game Championships National Tournament in May for the winner and runner-up. Other prizes are a week-long trip to Tokyo, Japan for two and lots of other goodies.
United Kingdom National
Along with this announcement, Gordian Knot Games have announced that the United Kingdom National Event will take place on 24th-25th May, in Manchester, England. The venue is Event City, situated across the road from the Trafford Centre. You can discuss it on our forum thread.
UK & Ireland Pokémon Nationals
24th & 25th May, 2014
Event City
Phoenix Way,
Barton Dock Road,
Urmston,
Manchester M41 7TB
Nintendo UK Event Information
There are four divisions for this tournament, with differing prizes for each:
Ultimate Pokémon Expert – The winner of the prestigious “Ultimate Pokémon Expert” title – a category open to those aged thirteen years or older – will earn themselves a week-long trip for two to Japan, the birthplace of Pokémon. They’ll be able to immerse themselves in the Pokémon world by visiting the Pokémon Center and also explore all of the sights of Tokyo. Recommended for seasoned Pokémon players the “Ultimate Pokémon Expert” title will test your Pokémon skills to the limit. The first and second place winners in the Ultimate Pokémon Expert category will receive fast track entry to the second round of the official Play! Pokémon UK VGC event this Spring.
Junior Expert – Younger Pokémon Trainers (12 or under) itching to compete can enter the “Junior Expert” category. In this competition, a weekend trip for the whole family to Alton Towers theme park with hotel stay is up for grabs, for whoever comes out victorious. The first and second place winners in the Junior Expert age category will receive fast track entry to the second round of the UK Pokémon Video Game Championships event this Spring.
Ultimate Team – The “Ultimate Team” competition is exclusively for two family members (one aged 16 or older, and one 12 or under) who want to team up and take on other families in a four-player Double Battle. Successful teams will have the chance to win a £250 Nintendo UK Online Store voucher and a group trip for four to one of the world’s best gaming shows: EGX London 2014. This event takes place in Earls Court London, from 25th – 28th September and offers visitors the chance to play the biggest games before they are released.
Pokémon Apprentice – New enthusiasts can enter the “Pokémon Apprentice” title; where complete newcomers to Pokémon X and Pokémon Y can battle it out to receive a mega bundle of Nintendo 3DS games up to the value of £300.
Crucially, you can only enter one qualifier tournament and one division. So, you’ll have to choose whether you want the chance at single player glory and the shot at a holiday and Nationals Round One BYE, or whether you’d like to play as part of a team with a sibling to win some vouchers and a visit to a great gaming show. Lastly, there is the opportunity for newer players who aren’t confident of winning one of the tougher tournaments to enter the Apprentice event.
Entering a Tournament
Sadly, the entry process of the qualifiers is not great. Think back to the early VGC Days in Europe, in 2009, or if you’ve been around as long as some of us (me), the Battle Master event in 2004 — where you can only gain entry to the tournament via a random selection process. You can enter at this link. You’ll need to enter some of your personal information and choose which division you are entering, along with choosing two qualifier tournaments you can attend. You will receive an e-mail no later than two days prior to the event stating whether you have gained entry or not and only one of your two choices can be the event you go to, which will again, be randomly selected by Nintendo UK based on popularity of each event. I assume a lot of players will miss out, so best to enter the two you can definitely make as soon as possible and get training.
Tournament Rules and Format
All tournaments (bar the team-tournament) will use the official Pokémon Video Game Championships 2014 season rules, opting for the Flat Battle and infrared process used at the previous Nintendo UK events. Tournaments will be single-elimination format, with each qualifier having a maximum of 16 participants, thus four rounds of battles to determine the winner. The team tournament will use a more specialised set of rules with players using pre-set Pokémon and borrowed consoles from Nintendo.
List of Qualifiers
- Bullring, Birmingham – 1st March
- GAME Churchill Square, Brighton – 1st March
- GAME Murraygate, Dundee – 2nd March
- Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle – 8th March
- GAME Hamleys, London – 8th March
- GAME St. David’s Centre, Cardiff – 8th March
- WestQuay, Southampton – 15th March
- GAME Meadowhall, Sheffield – 15th March
- GAME Castle Street, Banbury – 15th March
- Bluewater, Kent – 22nd March
- GAME Back Of The Inns, Norwich – 22nd March
- GAME Victoria Centre, Nottingham – 22nd March
- Intu Trafford Centre, Manchester – 29th March
- GAME Westfield Stratford City, London – 29th March
- Intu Braehead, Glasgow – 5th April
- GAME Cribbs Causeway, Bristol – 5th April
About the Author
Havak has competed in the VGC series since 2009 when it was first introduced to Europe, qualifying for the World Championships in 2011. Since 2009, he has also been a big influence in the United Kingdom's competitive scene by helping run local tournaments.
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I’m afraid not, you’ll just have to keep trying as they haven’t given any other form of contact :/
This might help:
‘4.2. For any enquiries regarding the tournament or its promotion, please call Nintendo Customer Services on +44 (0)845 60 50 247.’.
I thought I remembered a phone number somewhere, hidden in the T&Cs (which are here again if you need them: External ).
As it’s just the general Nintendo Support line they may not know as much as someone who is actually running the event, but it’s worth a shot. Also I am waiting for a reply back too, but remember that it has been Easter weekend and today is a bank holiday too so maybe wait an extra day or 2.
There should be a phone number you can call. I got a voicemail asking to confirm who my guest would be (I said it would be one of two people); I managed to phone the number back and confirm it without any issues at all. I think the number started with 020 if it helps.
Is anyone else considering bringing a list of legal Pokemon? I really don’t want to turn up only to be beaten by someone with an illegal team!
I think, if the staff let in an illegal Pokemon team at this point, their event-running would come into question.
Just ask if you’re unsure, pretty much.
At the tournament in manchester they had one their and checked everyone’s teams well.
This being a step up from that, with a trip to japan on the line, I imagine everything will be fine.
——
On a unrelated note, does anyone know what time registration/sign ups for this event end, and what time the tournament actually begins.
My train gets in at 11:05am but i need to go check in to my hotel before the event (20 mins each way on le tube if things go well),
Doors open at 11:30am, so am i right in assuming that nothing will start until at least half 12?
Personally I feel checking into your hotel first would be pushing it for time. If doors are 11.30 I would say it should start at 12 hopefully. There’s a lot of us to get through :/
Thanks guys, I was just a bit concerned after hearing how some of the other events went. I’m sure it’ll be fine though.
Unfortunately I’m inclined to side with IAmMarti and say that you might be pushed for time, especially if you’re going in and out of tube stations. I’d try to get an earlier train if possible.
What’s the reason for needing to check in to your hotel so early, Mike?
I would honestly think that you will be able to check in at any time on the day you have booked for, so do not feel you’re pushed to get there as soon as check-in opens.
If it’s purely to make sure you can drop your things off that you don’t want to carry around, I’d expect the staff can look after it.
A lot of hotel check ins are later in the afternoon. Are you sure you can check in yours early? I’ve had to pay extra to check in 3 hours early when I get to London tomorrow. But most you’ll be fine to check in later on in the evening.
I’ll be carrying my backpack of stuff around with me on Saturday. I don’t mind carrying my stuff as it’s not much. They’ll probably have a staff area or something, if you’re the trusting type maybe they will look after your stuff like Havak said.
I have just come back from Holiday so only just got round to emailing them with the answers to my Pokemon questions. I also asked about spectator tickets and got told:
“Unfortunately we will be at full capacity at the venue on Saturday, so we aren’t able to offer any additional spectator tickets.”
Well I got a phone call today and unfortunately they have given my place to the runner up so I won’t be participating. Good luck to everyone else who participates though.
Does anyone know what’s actually happening on the day apart from the tournament as I’ve got a guest coming with me and I don’t want him to get too bored.
Its all sorted now, i requested a late check in and they are cool with that. I should be on time now
Really? Why? Did they give a reason? Why arent you angry about this?
I went as a guest to the winter event , it was a fun event filled with cosplay, free pizza, people dressed up in giant pokemon costumes.
A video of what the event was like last time:
Or trip to Alton towers
Just got a email with the rules stated for the Grand Final Ultimate Pokémon Expert Tournament
2.1. The tournament will consist of a preliminary group qualifying stage, followed by single elimination knock-out process consisting of 3 rounds for all players who qualify from the group stage.
2.2. The first round of the tournament will consist of 38 participants, split into 8 qualifying groups. Names of all participants will be drawn at random at the event at 12.30pm to determine group placement and opponents.
2.3. Qualifying groups will take place in a single round robin format, with each participant playing all other participants in their group once. For each battle, participants will be awarded 1 point for a win, and 0 points for a loss.
2.4. Players will be ranked in their group according to the number of points gained once all battles in the group have taken place. The player with the highest number of points in the group will qualify for the Quarter Finals of the tournament.
2.5. Should two or more players finish the group stage with equal points, rankings within the group will be determined by the following tie-breaking criteria, in order of priority:
2.5.1. Head-to-head results between tied players.
2.5.2. Total score of the number of Pokémon remaining after each battle (e.g. if a player has 1 Pokémon remaining in their first battle, 2 remaining in their second battle and 3 remaining in their third battle, their total score for this criteria would be 6).
2.5.3. Should two or more players be ranked equally after the above tie-breakers, a run-off battle will be played to determine final standings.
2.6. Participants must be present at the event to take part in their battles. Should any participant not be present for any battle, their opponent will be deemed to have won the battle, and have a ‘Pokémon remaining’ score (for tie-breaking criteria as above) set as 2.
2.7. The highest-ranked player from each group will qualify for the Quarter Finals. Playing orders for the Quarter Finals will be determined by the draw, with the winner of Group A playing the winner of group B, winner of Group C playing winner of Group D, etc.
2.8. Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the Final will be played in single elimination knock-out format.
2.9. Prescribed tournament rules will adhere to the Standard Format Style, Double Battle Flat Rules as set out by the official rules for the VGC ’14 Season, as written by The Pokémon Company International. A full copy of the rules will be available to you at the event and form part of these Terms and Conditions. Please read this document carefully before taking part.
2.10. All battles and results will be recorded and verified by a Nintendo Brand Ambassador. The Nintendo Brand Ambassador will be responsible for observing the Nintendo 3DS console of each contestant after each round of the tournament and will record the results as seen on screen. The Nintendo Brand Ambassador’s verification of the process and result achieved will be final and binding.
2.11. All participants in the tournament are required to compete using their own Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 3DS XL console and their own copy of the Pokémon X or Pokémon Y game.
2.12. The Promoter reserves the right to verify all entries and, at its absolute and sole discretion, results achieved and to disqualify any entrant suspected of tampering with the results, the entry process or the Terms and Conditions of the promotion or the official rules for the VGC ’14 Season. The Promoter’s decision is final in all circumstances.
All that seems pretty standard,
They seem to have a decent tie breaking system for the first round, and at least having more than one battle if we lose makes it a bit of a better day for anyone who goes out,
Interesting, just like the Japanese system
Good luck to everyone competing tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be battling some of you there in the Expert division =)
Yere good luck everyone shame in not allowed to turn up or in the final
Yay
A bit l8 but gl to every1
Just for reference I’ll be the tall blond guy in the Winter Event T-Shirt. EvilPinkDragon’s coming along with me so feel free to say hello to us both!
Good luck everyone!
Rooting for Marti though
Nice day out , the finals match was boring to start off with (meowstic vs meowstic) but quickly heated up and oliver made a great comeback with a burnt mawile and paralyzed ttar earing his trip to japan, Pizza was nice too.
Had a match that went on for nearly half an hour due to opponent stalling with the 90 second timer but thats life
how was your day guys?
btw was that you garchompguy in the nuggetbridge t-shirt ?
Yep it was me btw came 3rd in junior expert beaten by a special mega garchomp O.o
Back from the event after a long journey home.
The event itself I have to say had a delay at the start but afterwards was very consistently hosted. The appearance of Johnny didn’t feel tacked on – he was a genuinely great guy who was enthusiastic about hosting and even stayed on the floor to talk to people after he had hosted parts of the event. Staff members were friendly and knew what they were doing (which is what we all want to see really =P)
The tournament structure I personally disliked; the Round Robin structure didn’t really suffice as to me it still felt like a single elimination – I knew after I lost my first game that I wouldn’t make the top cut. Went to win the other three games (one of them a heated battle with mikeabbo which was pretty close) but alas it was all in vain
I’ll make sure to post my team up soon as it’s one of the more wild teams I’ve made. It’s a shame it didn’t see top cut as I felt it had the potential too but hey, that’s how it goes. Had a NB report half written up but it’s going in the recycle bin, doubt anyone wants to hear me write up another article about failure at the same point of the tourney twice in a row. Hopefully I’ll be able to step up my game and make better plays at the right time by Nationals’ arrival
What an awesome day! Didn’t do to well today at the Ultimate Pokemon Expert Groups won 1/3 but had great fun uploading the grand final to youtube now should be done by tomorrow morning.
Here are the Ultimate Expert Grand finals External
Please be aware there might be some profanity in it (sorry)
All in all, a nice day out.
Made it through Round Robin undefeated, only for Rock Slide to miss a +2 Aegislash with 4 HP left in the quarter finals.
Might consider going to Nationals after that performance, though.