My "problem" with RU and LC, has undisputed hinted earlier, is that there needs to be, at the very least 10 easily qualified players, WHO ARE WELLKNOWN, for the metagame to be included. As a person who cares deeply about tournaments and tournament performance, I just don't see how a person can be considered good at a metagame solely from laddering without having proven they are good in tournaments. I felt like we had this problem, although on a smaller scale, last season with VGC. I understand that there is a council of 7 players for RU - so that is 7 players, who have a decent chance of actually being good at it, if they all actually sign up. So that is still 3 spots up for grabs even if all 7 of the council players enter SPL. Honestly, I will not be surprised if nearly all managers will just leave the RU spot to a 3/4k player. I do not think that is good for SPL. I want to see high profile players at every position. This tournament should be about showcasing the best players at their best metagames, not an experiment for metagame inclusion.
There is really no point in trying to argue for the format of this SPL so I will not, but I feel that what I just pointed out needs to be kept in mind for metagame inclusion in future SPLs.
My whole problem with adding this RU is LonelyNess asked the managers to vote on like a few different formats, then doesn't bother following our input at all.
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> BW OU / VGC 2012 / BW Uber / BW UU / DPP OU / ADV OU / GSC OU / RBY OU
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> 8 slots are guaranteed
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> now
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> which of the following would you prefer
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> +1 BW / +1 VGC
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> +2 BW OU
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> +1 BW OU / +1 LC
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> +1 BW
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> +1 LC
[00:08:23 <LonelyNess> <LonelyNess> yes I realize the top 3 choices make 10 slots and the bottom two only make 9
[00:08:33 <LonelyNess> tell me your 1st / 2nd preference
I voted obviously and then the final format is nothing like anything he asked us to vote on. This isn't the first time LN has done something out of left field that makes no sense or even asks for our input on it and I don't expect LN to ever change, he is going to do something out of left field or doesn't make sense for as long as he hosts this tournament.