Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Yes, Virginia, There Will Be PCS This Year

...and in a hopefully-more-accessible format!

Not only that, but Stubbs will finally send out last year's prize packs, because he is haunted by feelings of remorse, guilt, and personal shame at his inability to fulfill his duties as Master of the Revels at SoSG in a timely manner!

Hooray!

This year, we'll be going back to the old off-Monday system. Because I am selfish, and that's what works for MY schedule.  I also want to focus on getting more SoSGers able to compete with the giants of the PCS ecosystem (y'all know who you are) and increase overall participation. That's why (at least at first), I'm going to free the contest from the tyranny of the leaderboard. There will still be "fabulous" prizes, but I'd like those who tough it out and solve the puzzles to have a fair shot at the loot, too.


How it will work is simple. For every puzzle you participate in, you get 1 point. For every puzzle you solve successfully, you get 3 points. Additional points may be assigned, completely at my whim, for feats of exceptional speed, skill, or valor.  For the first and second halves of the season, there will be a drawing for prizes, so the more points you collect, the more entries you get, and the better your chances. Incidentally, I also like this system because the commissioner (that's me!) has power that would make Kenesaw Mountain Landis blush. Never you mind that. I promise to rule with a benevolent iron fist.

In another stunning twist, Sons (present company excepted) are welcome to participate in this year's contests, too!* So, let's do this, SoSG puzzlers! We've got an off day coming up this Monday, so gird your loins in preparation.

*Though if a Son manages to win, your prize will be beer (the quantity and quality thereof will be dependent on the manner of your triumph).

10 comments:

Orel said...

Whoo hoo! Looking forward to getting my ass kicked by the giants of the PCS ecosystem!

Hideo Nomo said...

I gets to play?

Franklin Stubbs said...

Come one, come all!

Dusty Baker said...

May I play?

#Operation

QuadSevens said...

I was listening to the game on the radio last night and as Steiner went over the schedule he said "Thursday is an off day..." and I immediately thought of the PCS!

Franklin Stubbs said...

We've trained you well, Q7

ubragg said...

Sweet, glad to hear it is back, I was starting to worry! Also, totally love the new format, as now I don't feel compelled to wake up at the ungodly hour of 7am any more, AND I won't feel like my solving the puzzles may be making it less likely for some others to participate, which was making me consider not participating at all this year for the greater good...

Anyway, let me at these Giants of the PCS you speak up, I hate Giants!

Franklin Stubbs said...

Lowercase "g", and thank the gods for that.

BJ Killeen said...

Can you make them last longer? I don't always get to check in everyday cuz I travel!

Franklin Stubbs said...

BJ,

Let me think about it. We could give 2 points for a second-day solve, but it doubles the administrative scope and my work schedule is not as forgiving as it could be.