janstad

Your local Rival Blue turned Professor.
Team Galactic, Elite 040, Squirtle Squad

[janstad @ajanstad]

Thank you @Omavaraisuus and Mishka!
@JayHornung, you game to pimp my cube?

[janstad @ajanstad]

@TheLostZone
Thanks for the 08 game

[janstad @ajanstad]

@Kinagi_ @TordReklev Legal in GLC at our league for sure

[janstad @ajanstad]

@mrsodaking

[janstad @ajanstad]

@XanatuVPR @RobSanchezE @CarlSnickers @Kinagi_ Thank you so so much!
Can I book you for next years MGW Pokémon event? 😂

[TCEvolutions @TcEvolutions]

Important Please read carefully (Thank you ♥️):

In the last 24 hours I have been amazed at how my words can be interpreted in so many different ways. If my original wording was confusing for whatever the reason, I apologize and I hope this tweet helps clarify, and also there's something of an accidental discovery I made from some of the DMs I have received which I’d like to share:

1) I don't think it’s a stretch to say that a good number of players are not happy with the presented invite structure, and the first part of my tweet is simply to ask EVERYONE to look at what is being said, who is saying it, and ask yourself the question why they are saying it. I thought this was a very fair statement. It is something we all should do with the information we consume daily. Going a bit further in this first part, I said that if your opinion is different, but you have strong belief in your perspective, then stand your ground. Don't change simply because your favorite player or someone of more prominence says differently. I thought this was fair too, but I'm willing to hear it if you feel otherwise.

2) Now the second part of the tweet, and I really want everyone to carefully reread my words and not feed any more than what is there. I said I noticed (read: an OBSERVATION) over the years (9 to be exact) that some players or members of the community are like mouthpieces, which by definition, a mouthpiece of an organization is someone that conveys an entity’s (in this case TPCi's) policy, opinion, or stance. I took it a step further and said these policies are often conveyed in a positive light. I NEVER said paid, or even contracted or anything of that sort. If you read into it beyond that, I'm sorry, that's on you and you have gravely misinterpreted. If you embellished it in your retweet beyond what was said, then I'm not sure if you are trying to help with a solution or just want to add to the chaos for fun. If that struck a nerve for you, then I would say maybe a quick self-reflection is worthwhile.

Finally in the last part of the tweet: it was my effort to remind players that the more we express our opinions, suggestions, criticism...etc. in a constructive and respectful way, the better we can make this for everyone (assuming TPCi listens) and that the "average Joe’s" opinion is JUST AS VALID as the player that has a huge following and fanbase. Please do correct me if I'm wrong here.

For me personally, when I see something that flies so blatantly in the face of common sense, I just can’t help myself to speak up. And that is this new structure which really leaves out the bulk of the player base, the group that I feel really propelled the growth for Pokemon. I don't feel this is right, but at the same time I do realize this is the direction that it eventually needs to go as a business for Pokemon. They need better control over the whole competitive circuit. As I have expressed on @azulgg twitter Space discussion, this is just too much too fast and too many are left behind. And what about the juniors and seniors? They are the future of this game...what about them? This structure really puts a strain on the parents. I sincerely hope they were considered during the decision process.

Now this next part is what concerns me and that is about the overall wellbeing of this community. I have received numerous private DMs thanking me for speaking up and for saying something that they were too afraid to say themselves.... now let that word sink in a bit... AFRAID!! (Screenshots attached, names withheld) Do we now have a space where players are afraid to speak up? Why? I believe it’s the roasting they will get from wannabe pro players with these "git gud" comments. These could be new players we want to bring in and stay with us, these could be veteran players that have a legitimate suggestion or criticism of the new structure. These could be kids/teenagers that you are belittling. But now are they just quietly walking away? Especially with an invite system that at least in their perception has left them out.

Some comments yesterday said it was ironic that I'm anti pro. That I use them to promote and now I'm anti pro. I don't use people, and as I've shared on @LakeOfRagepod before, I viewed it as a partnership where we work together for mutual benefit. And here’s one thing I want to dispel right here and right now especially for the younger players (juniors/seniors.) A “good player” does NOT necessarily equal a good person. There are players I absolutely admire from day one until now. There are some players, who in my opinion, have changed as I’ve gotten to know them better and I have adjusted our distance accordingly. And frankly some players that, at the moment, we keep a good distance. But for the sake of our business, I am constantly reassessing, because people can change, people can improve, so I am constantly watching and "listening" and reading on twitter.

Some comments yesterday were in regards how they are “shocked” or they think it’s “wild” that I say what I say under our business account. I decided on day one that TCEvolutions will not just be a business entity. We are a part of this community. It is not going to be the same as your Ultra Pro or Dragonshield or what have you. It is going to be a company that is different, one that makes you feel like we are one of you, one that you can reach out and be heard right away, and I made a conscious commitment to this from day one. So, you are not going to see me have a personal account with the usual “all opinion expressed are my own” tag line. What I say in a personal account is going to tied back here to the business account regardless. Run the business honestly, be genuine with people, and I firmly believe I don’t need a personal account just to share my views.

Next, I was near crucified for locking comments and my God I didn’t know that was like throwing up a big middle finger on twitter. Forgive this 47 year old who after all these years is still trying his best on twitter lol. I had an unusually busy day yesterday and I just knew I wouldn’t be able to attend to all the comments, so I locked it. Wow, it must been on the offensive level of kicking a kitten like a soccer ball. I get it now. Again, forgive me. Comments always open, DMs always open, but I apologize in advance if I missed a comment or msg, I will eventually find it.

To wrap things up: Do I have an answer to the invite structure issue…without knowing the cost of the event, and the resources to run the event, I was advised that it might be best to just keep quiet. But an idea did come to mind: What if we have a 2-tier system? The pros can shoot for the T125 and at the world championship the T125 play for the prestigious title of World Champion. Those that fall out of top T125 will be lumped with the others that have qualified based on a points threshold and we have our own 1st place to play for? They do it in motorsports (Formula 1 is the pinnacle, but there’s also F2 and F3). Maybe it can be done, maybe it’s still too much to control, I don’t know, but if you’re looking for something constructive of a suggestion from me that would be it. If the invite structure doesn’t change, it doesn’t change my love for the game, the enjoyment I get from doing this with my kids. I will spend the season supporting our LGS by attending as many locals as possible and get to know our local player base even better.

TCEvolutions’ aim for as long as the community will allow for us to exist will always be to try our best to be a positive component of the Pokémon community. Whether it be through products we make, the service we provide, speaking up when things don't seem right, or combination of. Are we perfect? No, and I’ll be the first to admit that. But I will always support the average joe and at the same time, I will continue to admire and partner with those pro players that I believe are truly positive parts of our community and are constantly doing good.

Finally, a small reminder: be kind, and let your worth outside the building of Pokémon competitions be more than your worth inside of it. We are only here briefly...

Sincerely,

~Steve

[janstad @ajanstad]

@SecretSantaXVI @mrsodaking @Sir_N96 Shoutout to randomised numbers that singled you out as the random deck check and then paired you against worst-case scenario opponents

[JessicaUSAF @JessicaUSAF]

🤣👏🏼 mic dropped 🎤

[Hampus Eriksson @hampuse1]

Looking to sell some Pokémon worlds items. Prefer to deliver at Stockholm Regionals. More pictures in comments

[hungrybox @LiquidHbox]

I’ve never been more at peace

[janstad @ajanstad]

@mrsodaking Same

[Mrs. Oda King @mrsodaking]

Here's a PTCG puzzle for you:
How'd it get to this board state?

[janstad @ajanstad]

@XanatuVPR Marry someone who says:

- I love you
- I’m proud of you
- I'm grateful for you
- If you have the same number of cards in your hand as your opponent, the attack cost of each of Yanmega's attacks is 0.

[janstad @ajanstad]

Super proud of @Morpekotrainer and myself for putting the time into analysing the meta and building this pile of cards! Happy with my opponents' efforts! I got outplayed but still happy with my results. 4-4-1. Shoutouts to Pokégang for letting loose! #PokemonEUIC #pokemontcg

[janstad @ajanstad]

@XanatuVPR @Blackstarbatty @MicoHone It's super effective

[janstad @ajanstad]

My 60 for the weekend.

[janstad @ajanstad]

@ElizaSheetposts I did own like 12 of them... because i had to

[janstad @ajanstad]

@mrsodaking https://t.co/r17EyWYUxU

[Mrs. Oda King @mrsodaking]

Sweden is lovely this time of year
I'm so amped about this hike!