Quote:1. Written, 3 TPE (150 words min.)
This reality is just one of infinite realities existing alongside this one in parallel. Take us over to one of those realities in which everything is the same but these S53 playoffs have unfolded differently. What happened in that reality's playoffs and who's in the Challenge Cup over there?

I have actually been looking at an alternate reality sim for the past couple of weeks for a series of media pieces where I tackle things in a swing between a narrative-style and a descriptive-style of writing regarding the game itself, which you can find here, here and here if you are so inclined to read them. Now, of course, I've only recently started to actively dabble with the simulation in some ways (namely, I wished to run an IIHF like tournament but the lack of a proper Tournament option, which you could actually use in OOTP but not in FHM for whatever reason, means that I'll have to do some shenanigans to get it running, thus neutering any chances of that sim being entirely clean of kerfuffle) but if I must write a proper reality, here goes.

The year is 2020 and... nothing went wrong. After the Chinese announced the closure of their more traditional, carefree open markets and a ban on some of their more unique foods (or that one guy that was supposed to take care of their research... did his job right, depending on who you ask) after being threatened to not be allowed participation in the World Cup of Hockey; the year didn't go as poorly. After decimating the former National Hockey League, the SHL's Challenge Cup became hockey's most cherished cup, with efforts from the Russians, the Germans, the Swiss, the British, the Japanese and the Brazilian following them respectively. The finals aren't a shocker: led by the efforts of Micronesian-South African center Enosa van Kolet, the Steelhawks prepare to square off against the current champions, the Edmonton Blizzard, after taking out the Calgary Dragons, the Seattle Metropolitans and the Texas Renegades on their way to the big dance. On the other hand, the Blizzard, still a dominating team with many names from that strong Canadian team that dominated the World Cup two years previous, managed to take out the Buffalo Stampede, the Indianapolis Racers and then finished off facing a resilient but alas beaten Baltimore Platoon.

In hindsight, I might have gone with one reality with a couple of more changes than the acceptable but eh, hell, sounded more fun.

Quote:7. Written/Graphic, 2 TPE (100 words min. for written option)
Even though the Panthers fell short this season, the LA influence has been felt around the league and execs in Hollywood are paying more attention to the SHL with the hometown team making waves. If your player could have a cameo in any tv show or movie, what show/movie would they choose? (for the purposes of this PT you may choose a show/movie that already exists just uhhh pretend they re-shoot it with your cameo or something idk).

Uh... they kinda beat me to it.

For the record, that movie kinda sucked too. I do think me being there would improve the quality to some extent, the costume they used for Yoshimitsu could've used some improvement (even though he is quite definitively one of the hardest characters to cosplay as in a decent fashion and the movie did get most character costumes pretty well, with a couple of exceptions) and I'm sure I'd make the character way more appropriate, given how the Hollywood big heads had the brilliant idea of making him a villain (which is totally not accurate at all) and a Kazuya lackey (which is bullshit, Yoshi would never work for a Mishima, he would definitively steal money from them and give most of it to the poor but never work for them at all).

Also, two comments: Jin with a Naginata is hilarious and the guy there as Heihachi? That's the same actor who did Shang Tsung in the first Mortal Kombat movie. Look it up.

Quote:16. CW TRIVIA, 3 TPE max - 1 TPE for participation, 0.5 TPE for each correct answer. This is now completed through a Google form linked below. Make sure to spell your answers correctly or you will not get credit. Post your verification word in your CW post.

My word there is "Yoshimitsu" like usual.

Quote:13. Written, up to 4 TPE Pick up to 4 Challenge Cup related topics to write about! Each topic is worth 1 TPE. Each answer must be 50+ words to qualify.
a. Who is the best player in this CC finals? Plenty of good candidates: Lagerfield, Phelps, Kryyst, McIntry, Pepperoni, Scholz, etc. Who's your choice for best player and why?
b. Based on player ratings, EDM has the advantage in speed and acceleration and HAM has the advantage in balance and strength. Which team's physical skills will give them the edge in this series?
c. Assemble your ideal fantasy team out of players in this series - F, F, F, D, D, G. Explain your choices.
d. Blizzard... snow... ok debate time - do you like snow? yes or no? why or why not?

a. Flacko Lagerfield, hands down. Almost led the league in goals and led the league in points during the regular season while also making a major contribution to his team at the playoffs. Sounds like the kind of player they should pre-emptively take for a friendly weekend at Saskatoon where he would totally stay out of the nice sights and not from any possible threats... What?
b. A true ninja understands that a proper strike is always quick and painless. Well, until the blood starts to come out, then it hurts like hell... so, if I must make a suggestion about who would probably win, I reckon that a team with a focus on speed and acceleration will be, eventually, capable to topple down strength and balance. Can't exactly tackle down what you can't reach, can you?
c. Well... I am not really an adept of fantasy hockey, something I think I have said in the past but if I really need to pick some sort of all-star squad, I would go with the following. Geezus Kryyst as the goalie (seeing as Emiko Spector is still a bit of a prospect and Tommy Tuck is kind of a massive figure first and foremost) while my other selections are based after how well they went on the playoffs so far. Samuel Michaud and Tor Tuck as the defensive duo (most hits), Tony Pepperoni as the Center (assists) and finally the duo of Barrett Blackwood and Sophia Bennett as wingers (goals).
d. A true ninja is capable of adapting to any sort of terrain and weather, to the point where such a situation like the snow would hardly affect or ruin my time. That said, I do like the snow as I believe it's pleasant and easier to handle the cold than to handle the heat. Just my two cents.