04-29-2023, 02:46 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-29-2023, 02:52 PM by slate. Edited 2 times in total.)
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3,317 words, ready for grading. Please give @Mojojojo 50% of the payout!
Following on an incredible 12 host city submissions last season for the Ultimus and Ultimini, @Mojojojo and I scored and ranked all of the submissions and created a media partly to help voters keep track of and rank all of their options, but mostly for our own personal enjoyment. With another 8 submissions this season, we decided to bring it back again!
A reminder that this is an extremely subjective review of all the submissions, based on our own thoughts about what makes a good ISFL Ultimus/Ultimini Host City, and how we feel about the cities and logos chosen. Feel free to incorporate or completely ignore in your vote for the S41 Host Cities.
The 35 point rating scale we used was the same as last time, broken down as follows:
Location [15 points]
Uniqueness [1 to 5 points] - Mojo and I frequently try to highlight underlooked locations that may be less well known but deserving of more attention, places that could benefit from the spotlight of an Ultimus or Ultimini. The uniqueness of the location is a fairly substantial piece of how we evaluate bids. This category aims to reward submissions that choose unique locations - both compared to the current field and to historical winners - and penalize ones that pick “obvious” cities that are hard to get excited about (looking at you, the 5 submissions in the continental United States).
Feasibility [1 to 5 points] - While we do like underappreciated cities getting to host, we also appreciate the in-universe logic of the host city having the capacity to host a large sporting event. Locations with large sports stadiums, good transit and other infrastructure to facilitate large crowds visiting, etc. are all favored in this category.
Tourist Appeal [1 to 10 points] - At the end of the day, the most important thing for a host city is that it must be exciting for visitors. This is the most subjective category, where Mojo and I basically just ranked on “How much would I personally enjoy visiting this location?”
Logo [15 points]
Reflects Location [1 to 5 points] - How well does the logo match the host location? A logo that highlights recognizeable elements of the host city, reflects local culture, and ideally even teaches you about the location a little will do extremely well in this metric.
Visual Appeal [1 to 10 points] - Mojo and I have both dabbled in graphics a fair amount and designed several host city logos ourselves, so as much as one can be objective about graphics we tried to be. But yeah this is probably another extremely subjective category where we just rated based on how much we personally liked the overall design of the logo.
Mojo and I both ranked each submission blind and then averaged our scores to create the combined rankings you see below. Let’s dive in!!
8. Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA by @beardedserb
Location
Uniqueness: 2/5 (S), 2/5 (M)
Feasibility: 4/5 (S), 5/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 1/10 (S), 5/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 9.5/20
Mojo: So, Slate and I always do our ratings "blind" to what one another think and then tally the scores afterwards. But I can guess that Slate will be unable to fully look past his dislike of the Green Bay (Packers) and their fans to objectively consider this bid. So I will do my best not to let his bias rub off on me. However, if you have read any previous iterations of this article series, you will know that we tend to prefer international locations much more than US cities given the goal of promoting new fan bases and broadening the reach of the game of sim football. So, while Green Bay scores well in terms of feasibility for hosting the Ultimus game, It's uniqueness and coolness leave much to be desired.
Slate: The Tourist Appeal category is based on how much I would personally enjoy visiting Green Bay, Wisconsin, and I’m quite confident the answer to that is not very much! I admit that it’s a very unfair and biased ranking but there’s no way I’m letting a Packers-based submission score well ?. I do have to admit that the city would be easily able to host a large sporting event at Lambeau, but are the amenities of the small midwestern town really up to par for the international audience that will attend the Utlimus?
Logo
Reflects Location: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 2/10 (S), 3/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 6.5/15
Mojo: I love cheese and it does work well as a simple logo that captures the essence of the location. However, I feel that the text for "Ultimus XLI" just feels sort of slapped on the cheese with no other visual merit and it feels a bit incomplete
Slate: A competently made logo but again I am letting my personal bias heavily influence my rankings here with no shame! FTP
Overall Score: 16/35
7. San Diego, California, USA by @18situaseans
Location
Uniqueness: 3/5 (S), 2/5 (M)
Feasibility: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 7/10 (S), 6/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 13/25
Mojo: While I am not usually inclined to rate US cities very highly, I do appreciate the personal touch on this hometown submission and acknowledge that there is clear ability for the city to host a large Ultimus sporting event. The weather is lovely, so who wouldn't be okay to visit San Diego, although it has less international appeal as many of the other locations submitted this season
Slate: I respect Sean’s inclination towards Californian cities as a previous California resident myself. While choosing a large city in the most populous US state is not a particularly novel choice, I would definitely love to visit San Diego again as it has IMO the best weather of anywhere in the continental US. It also gets some points in my book for providing a return of professional football to the city after the Chargers’ departure.
Logo
Reflects Location: 3/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 5/10 (S), 5/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 8.5/15
Mojo: Ooh, I honestly have a lot of trouble commenting/rating this logo because there is something about it that just feels cool. While yellow is my least favorite color, the gold that was chosen is so warm and inviting and the palm tree and font just really feel like stereotypical southern California (taken with a grain of salt coming from someone from the opposite coast). My main quibble is the cutouts of the skyline and the state of CA which just feel like unnecessary clutter since they're too small and not integrated.
Slate: The palm tree, gold coloration, and surfer aesthetic vibe from the outer circle immediately make it feel like a SoCal Ultimus, although I feel like if this same logo were submitted for Los Angeles no one would bat an eye. Including the skyline and the iconic state outline are also good touches, but I agree with Mojo that they aren’t well integrated into the logo as a whole and sort of make the whole end up as less than the sum of its parts.
Overall Score: 21.5/35
6. Uruk, Iraq by @Starboy
Location
Uniqueness: 5/5 (S), 5/5 (M)
Feasibility: 1/5 (S), 1/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 6/10 (S), 3/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 10.5
Mojo: Well, this is definitely a unique location and I love the inspiration of going back to the roots of human civilization. However, I really worry about the feasibility of hosting a sporting event in the middle of the dessert at a historically protected archeological site. While, of course, a stadium could be built to accommodate the games, is that really what we want to do with these ancient lands?
Slate: Hosting a major international sporting event in the middle of the desert would be a brave choice. I didn’t even think about the issues of building a brand new stadium right on top of a major archeological site when creating my rankings, but that just goes to show how many issues there are with this idea. However, I had to rank Tourist Appeal somewhat highly because it sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime trip to go see this fascinating location!
Logo
Reflects Location: 5/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 8/10 (S), 6.5/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 11.75/15
Mojo: Wow, this is an amazing logo and I really appreciated the write-up that went along with it explaining the symbolism and design choices that the author made. The logo is eye-catching and sleek, with just enough detail to convey the location and the relevant information about the sporting event. My main quible here is that the star within the outline of Iraq seems to imply the location of the city of Uruk in the northern Kurdistan region of Iraq. However, the city is actually much further South and it would have been an even stronger logo if the star had been located where the city actually is within the country of Iraq today.
Slate: This logo is visually probably my favorite of the ones that were submitted this season. The color scheme is excellent and the logo comes across as simple yet powerful in a way that feels appropriate for the cradle of civilization. Though I love the idea of using the Cuneiform script, I might also have liked to include “Uruk” somewhere as well just for the benefit of those who can’t decipher a 6000 year old writing system
Overall Score: 22.25/35
5. Grenada by @Bayley
Location
Uniqueness: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Feasibility: 2/5 (S), 2/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 8/10 (S), 8/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 14/20
Mojo: Who doesn't want a little extra spice in their life? Especially when that means getting to see an Ultimus match live on a beautiful Caribbean island... While I would love to visit the location, I question whether Grenada, with its small population and idyllic landscape, would be able to host such a large sporting match. And the short description of the bid doesn't provide enough context for me to be confident in this choice.
Slate: Mojo and I agreed completely on our rankings here so I don’t have much to add. I will say that I docked a point in Uniqueness just because of my own Caribbean-based submission last season, but I do think that many locations in that region could be great Ultimus locations (despite some feasibility concerns) and I would love to keep seeing submissions there!
Logo
Reflects Location: 4/5 (S), 5/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 4/10 (S), 4/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 8.5/15
Mojo: Every season there is one of those logos that I love as a piece of artwork reflecting the location but don't really think work as a logo for a sports tournament. This year, the logo for Grenada fits that bill. I absolutely love the armadillo and bird around the seal and the way in which the ribbon with the slogan wraps around the text. However, as a whole it just feels too busy for a logo that will be shrunk down on merchandise and on a football field and I particularly don't like the texturing on the letters for "Ultimus XLI". The ultimus trophy feels added as an afterthought and is just too much/not well integrated.
Slate: This one lost some points in my book when I discovered that the logo is basically just the Coat of Arms of Grenada with an Ultimus trophy slapped on top and the location name and “Ultimus XLI” fitted into it (although I admit that the banner wrapping around the text is extremely well don). It’s an awesome coat of arms so I respect the choice to use those elements, but I prefer logos that have a bit more of a unique take on the host city’s identity and cultural icons, and I agree that it isn’t particularly effective as the design for a sporting event.
Overall Score: 22.5/35
4. Bangkok, Thailand by @AnUnoriginalGuy
Location
Uniqueness: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Feasibility: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 9/10 (S), 9/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 17/20
Mojo: Bangkok is a very exciting location choice and I really appreciated the detailed write-up that accompanied it! It makes it clear why fans would want to travel to Bangkok and that the city would be able to accommodate and entertain the Ultimus crowds. I would definitely go!
Slate: A great choice for an international location, although strangely Southeast Asia in particular seems to be a bit *over*represented in Ultimus bids for some reason. I think it would be a great choice for a host city and I’d also love to visit.
Logo
Reflects Location: 3/5 (S), 3/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 6/10 (S), 3/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 7.5/15
Mojo: Hmm, there's something about this logo that just doesn't quite hit the mark for me. I know the submission says it is a draft, but the landmark chosen (the Giant Swing) was not recognizable without the explanation that accompanied it. The logo feels like the logo for a festival rather than the logo for a sporting event *maybe there are just a few too many colors). Furthermore, the Hindu tale from which the Giant Swing is taken doesn't seem to be unique to Thailand as a country or Bangkok as a city.
Slate: I agree that the location isn’t immediately recognizable as an icon of the city, and the logo also doesn’t quite capture the exactly correct shape of the Giant Swing. I gave some benefit of the doubt that the finalized logo could be improved a bit with the aid of the many talented graphics people in the league, and I think that the fundamental pieces in terms of color scheme, font, etc. are all there to make a solid logo.
Overall Score: 24.5/35
3. Dublin, Ireland by @Akoustique
Location
Uniqueness: 4/5 (S), 3/5 (M)
Feasibility: 5/5 (S), 5/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 8/10 (S), 7/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 16/20
Mojo: The location is recognizeable and would be fun to visit. Dubliin would definitely have the capacity to host an Ultimus ssports event as well as other entertainment to see while in the area. Would easily be worth the travel for fans. The write-up did a great job of highlighting the key points in favor of the location and was fun to read. I will have a Guiness please.
Slate: Despite having a horrible experience visiting Ireland last summer with Mojo’s family, I don’t hold it against the country itself. Dublin is an excellent choice for a host city as a world famous location with the capacity to host a large sporting event without issue. Last season I actually made a short list of future cities I might be interested in making into Ultimus bids in the future, and Dublin was the only one of those to receive a bid this season, so I personally love the choice.
Logo
Reflects Location: 3/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 6/10 (S), 6/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 9.5/15
Mojo: I love the colors but feel that they could pop even more if they didn't have a gradient applied. While I had to look up the Samuel Beckett Bridge, once I did I could really see how the concept of the logo came together and appreciated the design thinking behind it.
Slate: I agree with the gradient between the colors being an issue in terms of readability and also just reflecting the location - the Irish flag doesn’t have a gradient on it! I was a little bit less convinced by the bridge iconography as I think the Ultimus trophy replaces the most recognizable part of the architecture, but it’s still a solid logo.
Overall Score: 25.5/35
2. Prague, Czech Republic by @qWest
Location
Uniqueness: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Feasibility: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 9/10 (S), 9/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 17/20
Mojo: I would love to visit Prague and while I'm not sure if it's really known for hosting sporting events, I have no doubt that the historic appeal of the city will be an even greater draw for fans around the world by 2050.
Slate: Submissions from Eastern Europe are definitely an area we haven’t seen be particularly successful in the past so I respect qWest’s choice to focus on that area as I know he really values the international diversity of host city locations as well. Everything I’ve heard about Prague makes it sound lovely and I would definitely be excited to visit.
Logo
Reflects Location: 4/5 (S), 5/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 5/10 (S), 7/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 10.5/15
Mojo: This logo has clearly researched the location and reflected it in the design. The many spires showcase the historic and architectural appeal of Prague and the colors of the city's flag are nice and bright. My main quibble is I'm not really sure where the rising sun shape at the bottom of the logo comes from and I find it draws attention away from the spires because of the bright yellow.
Slate: I think Mojo correctly identifies the arc shape at the bottom of the logo as an issue, and I think for me personally it has a much bigger impact on my enjoyment of the overall logo. The arch of the “XLI” along with the somewhat intricate font makes it hard to parse at a glance and distracts heavily from the very cool, but also very intricate, spires in the background.
Overall Score: 27.5/35
1. Mumbai, India by @TMosura
Location
Uniqueness: 5/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Feasibility: 4/5 (S), 4/5 (M)
Tourist Appeal: 8/10 (S), 9/10 (M)
Total Location Score: 17/20
Mojo: I'm so happy to see a submission from India this year, because if the ISFL is looking to expand its global fan base, then tapping into one of the largest countries in the world is a great way to do it! I also love the idea of the ISFL taking over a cricket stadium for an Ultimus bowl. Overall an amazing city to visit and a clear ability to host the games and expand the "I" in the "ISFL"
Slate: In contrast to Southeast Asia which has already hosted 2 Ultiminis in addition to several other submissions, India has been severely underrepresented in host city submissions as one of the most populous countries in the world. I’m very excited with the choice of location even if I personally might want to visit a few other cities submitted more, as I think an Ultimus hosted in India would be a great choice for the league.
Logo
Reflects Location: 4/5 (S), 5/5 (M)
Visual Appeal: 6/10 (S), 8/10 (M)
Total Logo Score: 11.5/15
Mojo: This logo takes a very different approach to many of the other submissions this season and I'm digging it. I love the thick silhouette/outline-based design that so beautifully captures the location of Mumbai as discussed in the lovely write-up accompanying the submission. I do think the logo is too text-heavy and that removing the "International Simulation Football League" from above the graphic would greatly improve the logo overall. I also feel like the football was added as an afterthought and wish it could be incorporated into the design more intentionally, perhaps as a petal of the flower forming the base of the logo. I also really appreciate the mockup designs at the end of the submission to show how the logo might be used in posters, banners, etc. They really help me see myself attending the Ultimus in Mumbai and having a great time!
Slate: This feels very much like the logo of a governmental agency rather than an Ultimus game to me personally. I really enjoy the clean design and the incorporation of local cultural elements, but I would have probably preferred to see more depth and solidity to the shapes rather than thin outlines, and the font around the outside could have had a bit more “oomph” as well. I appreciate the intentional design choices in play but they didn’t quite work as well for me, I think.
Overall Score: 28.5/35
I hope that was fun for everyone to read! Don’t get too mad at us for trashing on your favorite logo or enjoying a city that you hated visiting, but feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments. This was a really difficult group of logos to rank but I’m really eager to see how the final vote will play out!
Slate’s Rankings
1. Mumbai (27/35)
T-2. Prague (26/35)
T-2. Dublin (26/35)
T-2. Bangkok (26/35)
5. Uruk (25/35)
T-7. Grenada (22/35)
T-7. San Diego (22/35)
8. Green Bay (13/25)
Mojo’s Rankings
1. Mumbai (30/35)
2. Prague (29/35)
3. Dublin (25/35)
T-4. Bangkok (23/35)
T-4. Grenada (23/35)
6. San Diego (21/35)
7. Uruk (19.5/35)
8. Green Bay (19/35)
Thanks for reading!