The following press release was posted at the Game PLayer's Network:

So we already know that qualifying for the SWCCG World Championships is going to pay off with $10,000 at stake, but I am sure most of you are still wondering how the qualification system is going to work. This article should answer most of your questions.

REGIONALS

Remember back in the day, 1998, when road trips were the thing to do. You would pack your's or your friend's car full of SWCCG players and you would trek across states to compete in the Regional competition. Well those days are here again. We are going to reinstitute the regional qualification system. From April to July, Regional Championships will be held with both finalists getting byes into Day Two of the SWCCG World Championships. All 23 regions will have the opportunity to have a Regional Championship. These regions will also be used for qualfication for Young Jedi and Jedi Knights World Championship as well. At the bottom of this press release you will find all 23 regions broken down by state, province, and country.

OPENS

The five major summer conventions (Origins, GenCon, DragonCon, SanDeigo ComicCon, and Essen) will play host to five Open Championships where the top two competitors will also get byes into Day Two of the SWCCG World Championships.

RETURNING CHAMPIONS

Both Bastian Winkelhaus and Matt Sokol will be awarded Day Two byes. Matt won the SWCCG World Championships at DecipherCon 2000. Bastian won the SWCCG World Championship last year at FreedomCon. Both players reign as champions will be honored.

PRIZE MONEY

The $10,000 that is up for grabs at DecipherCon 2002 will be split amongst the top 8 competitors. The payout will be as follows:

1st - $5000
2nd - $2500
3rd - $650
4th - $650
5th - $300
6th - $300
7th - $300
8th - $300

Young Jedi / Jedi Knights

1st - $500
2nd - $200
3rd - $150
4th - $150

Don't forget though, we will have plenty of product, special foils, and memrobilia on hand to give away as prizes at each Championship event leading up to DecipherCon and DecipherCon itself. There is also an attempt being made to have glass available for all the top finishers at each convention.

FAQ

Q-Can I play in more than one regional? or can I play in a different regional then where I live?

You can only play in the regional where you have residence - students will probably still be in school, so they can play in the regional where your school has residence - they have to pick one or the other.

Q-What if I have already qualified for Worlds, can I still play in qualifiers? Yes, if you have already qualified, you can still play in qualifiers, however if you would do well enough to get a bye, the bye is passed down the standings to the next player that doesn't have a bye. If you want to volunteer or sponsor an event, please be sure to contact John Arendt he will assist you with what you need.

STAR WARS CCG TOURNAMENT REGIONS

Michael Girard
SWCCG Players Committee
Player Relations