StreetPass UK Pokémon Autumn Event 2014
After a successful Pokémon Winter Event in 2013, Nintendo UK and StreetPass UK are once again treating UK Pokémon fans to a tournament series! Throughout September, October, and November, trainers will battle it out using their Nintendo 3DS and Pokémon X or Pokémon Y video game. Trainers will compete in Double Battles, constructed to match that of the official 2014 Pokémon Video Game Championships Series format. There will be 14 qualifier tournaments in total, culminating in a Grand Finals in Manchester on Saturday, November 22nd, 2014. To earn entry into the Grand Finals, you will need to place in the top four at a qualifier tournament. These qualifier tournaments are run by the StreetPass Group Founders, who organise gaming meet-ups around the country most weekends.
Prizing at each qualifier tournament is dependent on the tournament you attend and what the host can offer while the Grand Finals will offer great prize support, the most interesting of which will probably be copies of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire setting you up nicely for the VGC format switch in January next year.
The majority of the tournaments will run Single Elimination, Best of One game and competitors are allowed to enter as many of the tournaments as they wish — offering multiple chances at winning an invitation for the Grand Finals. The first events will take place this weekend in Southend and Manchester; we’ll certainly see some great battles throughout this series and an excellent final event in November.
Qualifiers
Southend
Organised by: StreetPass Southend
Date: Saturday, 20th September, 2014
Time: 13:00 – 17:00
Place: Astro City, 2c Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/862784620400314/
£3 Entry Fee
Manchester
Organised by: StreetPass Manchester
Date: Sunday, 21st September, 2014
Time: 11:00 – 18:00
Place: Bar21 – 10 Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1DH
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/306278612892985/
Bangor
Organised by: StreetPass North Wales
Date: Saturday, 27th September, 2014
Time: 11:00 – 16:30
Place: Powis Hall, Bangor University – Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/910864362275975/
Yeovil
Organised by: StreetPass Somerset & Yeovil TCG
Date: Saturday, 27th September, 2014
Time: 09:00 -17:00
Place: Labour Club – Unity Hall/Central Rd, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1JL
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1450244548571773/
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/195063900663938/
Middlesbrough
Organised by: StreetPass Middlesbrough
Date: Tuesday, 30th September, 2014
Time: 18:00 Onwards
Place: GAME – 71-73 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 5BU
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1461083577501839/
Birmingham
Organised by: StreetPass Birmingham
Date: Saturday, 25th October, 2014
Time: 12:00 – 17:00
Place: The Sack of Potatoes – 10 Gosta Green, Birmingham, B4 7ER
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1480653135528014/
Lincoln
Organised by: StreetPass Lincoln
Date: Sunday, 26th October, 2014
Time: TBC
Place: TBC
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/263530410509952/
Nottingham
Organised by: StreetPass East Midlands
TBC, October
Portsmouth
Organised by: StreetPass Portsmouth & Southampton
Date: Saturday, 1st November, 2014
Time: 12:00 – 18:00
Place: The Royal Maritime Club – 75-80 Queen Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3HS
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/827942917239471/
Leeds
Organised by: StreetPass Leeds
Date: Sunday, 2nd November, 2014
Time: 11:00 – 17:00
Place: Tiger Tiger – The Light, 117 Albion Street, Leeds, LS2, 8DY
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1456719314617509/
London
Organised by: DS London
Date: Sunday, 2nd November, 2014
Time: 15:00 – 18:00
Place: Scenario – 97 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 8BX
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/352445011585215/
Gloucester
Organised by: StreetPass Gloucestershire
Date: Friday, 7th November, 2014
Time: 18:00 – 22:00
Place: Gloucester Guildhall – 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1NS
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1496727937236124/
Liverpool
Organised by: StreetPass Liverpool
Date: Sunday, 9th November, 2014
Time: 13:00 Onwards
Place: The Scythe and Teacup Gamer Cafe – 61a, Kempston Street, Liverpool, L3 8HE
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/942090595807091/
Cambridge
Organised by: StreetPass Cambridge
Date: Saturday, 15th November, 2014
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Place: The Hexagon Room, Frank Lee Centre – Addenbrookes Hospital Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0SN
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/294734597393426/
Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Battle Format?
The Battle Format will be the official Video Game Championships 2014 rules. You can view them in full here.
- Number of Players: Two-Player Match
- Battle Format: Double Battle
- Battle Rules: Flat Battle
- Handicap: Off
What is the tournament format at each Qualifier Tournament?
The tournament format is Single Elimination, Best of One Battle* for all Qualifier Tournaments with the exception of Yeovil. Yeovil was organised before the tournament series was put together, but was chosen to be included in the structure. Yeovil will run a Swiss-style tournament with a potential top cut depending on the number of competitors. Only the top four will receive an invite to the Grand Finals, the same as every other Qualifier Tournament.
*At the judges discretion, they may allow for a different tournament format if the tournament attendance is low.
What is the tournament format at the Grand Finals?
The Grand Finals will run a Swiss-style Tournament with a top cut of eight players maximum. There will be five or six Swiss rounds depending on the number of competitors that attend.
Can I play in more than one Qualifier Tournament?
Absolutely. You are free to attempt qualification at as many events as you’re willing to attend.
Can I play in another Qualifier Tournament even if I already finished in the top four at a previous Qualifier Tournament?
Yes. Invites will be passed down to the next eligible player if a player manages to finish in the top four twice or more. Please make the tournament organiser aware if you have already qualified!
What are the prizes at the Qualifier Tournaments?
Qualifier Tournaments will run their own prizing structure, with prizes being awarded to either the top two or top four players. The top four players at each Qualifier Tournament will be awarded an invitation to compete in the Grand Finals in Manchester on Saturday, November 22nd, 2014.
What are the prizes at the Grand Finals?
The top eight players* at the Grand Finals will each win a copy of Pokémon Omega Ruby version or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire version in time for release on November 28th, 2014. Other Prizes TBA.
*Still to be confirmed.
Will there be travel stipends for qualified players?
Sadly no, there will be no travel stipends for players who finish in the top four at a Qualifier Tournament. Everyone will have to organise their own travel and/or accommodation for the Grand Finals.
Are there any age restrictions or age divisions for the tournaments?
No, anyone of any age can participate. All ages will be combined into one group so bear this in mind when entering any young children who may have to battle against players much older.
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.
Related Posts
Nugget Bridge Update →
GS Cup Announced as Pokémon’s 2016 Ruleset →
2016 Pokémon World Championships Date & Location Surfaces →
Please not October 11th!
Glad I’ll be able to go to the Birmingham event. I just hope my boyfriend won’t have work or I’ll be going alone ._.
Just before the Southampton one, I’m actually moving there for University, so I’ll definitely have to attend, this’ll be my first ever competition IRL.
Hey guys I’m going to be running the Yeovil one with Yeovil TCG. Just a word of warning to anyone wishing to attend, the venue is small and so places are on a first come first serve basis. Registration starts early, and will probably fill up quickly! Please see the facebook event for more info. As it is part of National StreetPass Weekend there will also be other things going on.
Any ideas weather we’ll get any of these up in Scotland
Sadly not.
The 14 Qualifiers are set now, assuming none of them fall through in regards to securing a venue before it’s too late.
Every StreetPass Group was given the option to run one if they wanted to. The listed groups are the only ones who volunteered. We have to understand that these Groups are Nintendo-based, fan-run communities that do more than just Pokémon. Some of them won’t be as comfortable running a tournament as the others, but I think the main issue here is that Super Smash Bros. for 3DS is released in October and if it’s a case of one or the other, they’re going to choose to run an event for the newer game.
Ideally, there will be one next year on Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire.
Birmingham seems like a possibility and Nottingham seems like a guarantee, I’ll have to check with my family though. :]
EDIT: Can definitely do Nottingham but not Birmingham, might be able to do Lincoln and/or Leeds as well.
Gonna be going to Leeds almost definitely and hopefully Nottingham too
Ah, Southampton got merged with Portsmouths one? I might still attempt to attend depending on how much money I have.
I might have to try and make it to one of these. The Middlesbrough one is closest to me, but comes with the unfortunate drawback of actually having to travel to Middlesbrough. If train times don’t clash with work/uni, then I’ll probably attend.
This is correct! (I run the Southampton group) – we were unable to secure a decent enough venue so thought we would lend a hand to the Portsmouth group to make it a nice big and successful!
It’s easy to get there – get any train from Southampton Central (or any other station around Southampton – woolston, sholing, st Denys) straight to Portsmouth harbour and the venue is just outside! Will cost less than £10 for a return on the train!
Will most likely be at Manchester, will be first time attending anything like this too.
Quite a few updates added, but not all set in stone yet.
£3 Entry Fee for Southend is required, so bear that in mind if you were visiting that event.
Very interesting, I’ll try and make the London one if possible. I’ve never entered any in-person tournament before, so this is quite exciting!
This also means sharpening up on my VGC 14 knowledge…off to Cybertron on Youtube it is then
Any chance that the middlesborough tourney can be moved to a weekend. It’s the closest for anyone north of the border and most of us can’t get there on a Tuesday.
Sadly not, I’d assume that’s the only date the host could get and the only night GAME would let him in after closing… Leeds is on a weekend, as are Manchester and Liverpool. Might be worth looking into those if possible.
Support for these things in Scotland is pretty lame sadly, and Newcastle’s organiser is for some reason not a fan of competitive tournaments for whatever reason.
Yeah I’ll be going to Manchester definitely and Possible others if I can’t qualify there.
I’ll be at London for sure, and perhaps either Nottingham, Cambridge or Birmingham.
None of these places are in Northern Ireland are they?
Having not played for half a year, hopefully may see you again in Manchester for the final hey?
I can’t make the Yeovil one at the end of this month as I’m on Holiday, so I’ll be attending the Portsmouth event on the 1st November, looking forward to it and see you all there
and really hope the date doesn’t change as Ive bought my train tickets!
Mini update from the Lincoln qualifier – I’ve moved the date of the qualifier to the 26th October. Venue, start time, and end time TBC. Hope to see some of you there!
I might be able to make that, however it is on my grandma’s birthday weekend so I’ll have to check! As long as I can go to the Nottingham one though (provided nothing bad happens), that’s fine – looking forward to see familiar faces there such as Toquill and Xenoblade!
EDIT: Trust Nottingham to be the only place with no released date yet smh
Nice – Lincoln is the closest one for me so I can now attend.
Looking like the Nottingham qualifier will be the hardest to qualify from…..I like that :3
I was wondering why there wasn’t a Newcastle one, what with the popularity of the last event here. Still, the support that this is getting from the groups involved is awesome.
Hey all, Guys from Scotland/Northen Ireland, Why not consider making your’e own events? you can have the support of Streetpass Uk behind you and may even have spaces for the next Tournaments?
they are always looking for new groups.
More info on the website: External
Yo Havak,
Fantastic work on getting this sorted! I’m really looking forward to Southend, Portsmouth and London!
Just a quick question: is it cool that Southend are running a non-VGC tournament as their qualifier? Their FB event says that you can use any Pokémon except Mythicals, Legendary, and Event-based Pokémon. If it is, you might want to let the winner know (if they are using Pokémon not in this format) that they will have to change their team if they progress. Also, is BO1 format or BO3?
Thanks!
-K
This better not be true, if so I’m not going >.>
I contacted the organiser and will make sure it is VGC Rules. He must not have updated the page yet, but once I finish work this evening I will be making sure every tournament knows the rules and lists them clearly. It will definitely be VGC 14. This all goes fully public with Nintendo UK advertisement on Monday and a Nugget Bridge article.
Tournaments are advertised as Bo1 Single Elimantion, but at the hosts discretion they could try something else if the players agree. For example, if 8 players showed up, it’d be pretty lame to do a tournament that’s over in 40 minutes if people travelled long distances. So, they could try Swiss, Bo3, Double Elim etc but this will also be up to the players I imagine. Other alternative is side events once the qualified players are determined.