"The MORSE ranking for online tournaments is no longer a EMA endorsed ranking and has been discontinued from this site." (excerpt from http://mahjong-europe.org/ranking/index.html)
MahjongTime does a lot more than just making money
- Details
- Created on Friday, 06 November 2009 11:20
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 November 2012 18:00
- Written by Martin Rep
Every mahjong player should cross his fingers that MahjongTime will stay alive and kicking. The internet mahjong server is more than a company which just tries to make money by seducing players to spend money on its server. MahjongNews counts the blessings for the international mahjong society.
If MJT is in trouble, the mahjong world is in trouble
COPENHAGEN - If MahjongTime really is in trouble, this would mean a great loss for the mahjong world. Not only since the online tournaments which it organizes are a relative success, but in the first place because the ‘premier online mahjong community in the world’ is one of the very few sponsors of international mahjong events in the West.
MahjongTime’s core business is having people played for money on its server, for a small subscription fee. People can play in fun games or in cash games. But MahjongTime does a lot more than just making money. It is one of the very few companies which are willing to sponsor miscellaneous activities such as the first European Riichi Championship, the Open European Mahjong Championships 2007 and 2009 and the Golden Dragon Jubilee Tournament 2008. MJT not only is an advertiser on MahjongNews, but also took care of a new design for this mahjong newspaper some years ago, without charging anything. Furthermore, on many occasions, participants to tournaments who are also members of MahjongTime could win special prizes. On various of these occasions, Mr. Slava Novozhenya of MahjongTime was present to hand over the trophies and to talk with the representatives of mahjong organizations.
The forthcoming World Mahjong Championship 2010 was to be sponsored by MahjongTime. The San Diego company promised to take care of the mahjong sets and promotion stuff, such as T-shirts, mugs etcetera. Besides, MJT would offer a number of exclusive arrangements as prizes for future online tournaments. But, according to EMA-president Robert Rijnders, this sponsorship has been cancelled by now.
Online tournament
The German Online Open would have been the twelfth online tournament, organized by MahjongTime. These tournaments are formally acknowledged by EMA. The most recent one in this series was the European Open 2009, which was held in September. EMA and MJT together maintain the European online ranking system (MORSE).
Not all MahjongTime activities are as successful, though. The North American Mahjong Federation, launched by MahjongTime in 2007, looks like a dead horse since nothing is heard from it since its foundation. Also, a promised ‘great update’ of the MahjongTime website, which was to take place last September, still has to be carried out; it is now promised for ‘soon’.
Recently, fierce competition for MahjongTime emerged when online gaming software developer Mahjong Logic announced the launch of their network. Mr. Jonas Alm, CEO of Mahjong Logic, in an interview with Mahjong News, claimed that this new server also intends to sponsor mahjong events, just like MahjongTime.
Maybe this would mean good news for EMA. President Robert Rijnders says that EMA already is trying to contact new sponsors, out of sheer necessity.
Comments (28)
1Friday, 06 November 2009 12:49
noluck
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 18:46
Martin Scheichenbauer
Not really important but: ...The ranking there is apparently my ranking and not the ranking of MJT, it is just based on the games there. I have spending time to get my ranking. Where is the reason to "punish" players? We can continue this ranking a) using other providers or b) reparing the relationship to MJT. So where is the logical reason to delete an official ranking if it can be kept independently from a provider?
2Friday, 06 November 2009 13:23
Otto Myslivec
These are really bad news. I like to play at Mah Jong Time for a long time and I also plaid a lot of tournaments there. Last year I've got an invitation to Macau including all for free and it was a
grandiose adventure.
I know Slava personally and I wish him and his team the very best and hope Mah Jong Time will excist for a long time.
grandiose adventure.
I know Slava personally and I wish him and his team the very best and hope Mah Jong Time will excist for a long time.
Friday, 06 November 2009 23:51
Robert Rijnders
We regret the way things turned out, but only MJT can give answers. I agree that if MJT doesn't make it, this is a bad thing for mahjong in general, but perhaps there are lessons to be learned here as well.
To Otto: you may notice that the website of MJT was last updated around the end of August, so don't look for any news there. The fact that the site is outdated (as is the ranking) and that the foreseen update to the interface is delayed, doesn't promiss a lot of good...
To Otto: you may notice that the website of MJT was last updated around the end of August, so don't look for any news there. The fact that the site is outdated (as is the ranking) and that the foreseen update to the interface is delayed, doesn't promiss a lot of good...
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 05:22
mjt player
Dear All,
I read alot here now and I see that why only make mjt to sponsor? Only one time or two times last minute cancellation and everyone jump off? Isn't this very unfair?
Perhaps, all the mahjong clubs should chip-in to help to organise such tournaments rather just point fingers to anyone who just did not make something happens.
I really hope mjt could be as aggressive as before again. GOOD LUCK!!! MJT!!!!
I read alot here now and I see that why only make mjt to sponsor? Only one time or two times last minute cancellation and everyone jump off? Isn't this very unfair?
Perhaps, all the mahjong clubs should chip-in to help to organise such tournaments rather just point fingers to anyone who just did not make something happens.
I really hope mjt could be as aggressive as before again. GOOD LUCK!!! MJT!!!!
3Friday, 06 November 2009 21:34
NoName
If mahjongtime dies then it will not be a great loss, but a great win. Then maybe a much better company will be able provide an actual playable English client.
4Friday, 06 November 2009 22:08
aka Atticus on MJT
Playing online at MJT is my only opportunity for playing MJT. I am completely dependent on MahjongTime (MJT) for my daily MJ fix. I'm an invalid and can't travel: I play CO only and live in the U.S., so no CO tournaments are offered anywhere nearby even if I could travel.
MJ Logic is an exciting project, but unfortunately for me, they have chosen to require a software download which my older Macintosh doesn't support.
Here's hoping that MJT will overcome this hurdle, whatever it is.
MJ Logic is an exciting project, but unfortunately for me, they have chosen to require a software download which my older Macintosh doesn't support.
Here's hoping that MJT will overcome this hurdle, whatever it is.
5Monday, 09 November 2009 12:58
george woods
the mahjong time site certainly sucks. so is mahjong logic ...
i keep wondering why some people still keep playing on these sub-part platforms.
???
i keep wondering why some people still keep playing on these sub-part platforms.
???
6Tuesday, 10 November 2009 00:17
CosmicFactory
Because there are no other sites available Mr George Woods. And if you mean just like your SUB PAR English and punctuation, not to mention unnecessary impolite use of word, people should not expect perfection.
And playing on these sites should be just for fun, relax, chat a little if you want and play a game or 2, exercise your brain a little but and forget about it !!
And playing on these sites should be just for fun, relax, chat a little if you want and play a game or 2, exercise your brain a little but and forget about it !!
7Tuesday, 10 November 2009 09:49
Adrie van Geffen
I bet if it wasn't for MJT then Bo Lang would not be European Champion 2009. Through MJT a lot of players got new interest in mahjong and became aware of the international tournaments. It also provided a first step in contacts between mahjong players. Count your blessings and stop fighting. It doesn't get anyone anywhere. Mahjong should be fun!
8Tuesday, 10 November 2009 17:24
Mahjong News
Mahjong Time is not in any kind of trouble, the site is fully operational, and we are due to release the new software that will greatly enhance player's gaming experience. The gameplay will be much faster and the animation smoother. The new version will also feature an enhanced rewards system and a greatly improved avatar shop.
The new President of EMA's reaction to the sponsorship of WMC-2010 was less than predictable. The WMC-2010 sponsorship deal and the cancellation of GMO Online 2009 cannot be used as a grounds for ending the partnership. What does EMA gain by ending our partnership agreement before it's expiration date? Is this decision fair for EMA players, who lost MORSE tournaments?
Regardless of such events, Mahjong Time continues to be the best Mahjong platform on the web. Stay tuned for the new software release coming this month!"
Slava Novozhenya
President and Chief Operating Officer MahjongTime
The new President of EMA's reaction to the sponsorship of WMC-2010 was less than predictable. The WMC-2010 sponsorship deal and the cancellation of GMO Online 2009 cannot be used as a grounds for ending the partnership. What does EMA gain by ending our partnership agreement before it's expiration date? Is this decision fair for EMA players, who lost MORSE tournaments?
Regardless of such events, Mahjong Time continues to be the best Mahjong platform on the web. Stay tuned for the new software release coming this month!"
Slava Novozhenya
President and Chief Operating Officer MahjongTime
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 21:31
Mahjong News
It is great to hear that MJT is not in any kind of trouble and we wish all players many more happy hours. In fact, many EMA members have continuously offered advice and support to MJT in order to get where they are today. To be clear: we do not discourage anyone to continue playing there, but we would call upon players to continue putting forward their legitimate questions, as there continues to be much room for improvement.
And it is not about what EMA gains by cancelling the partnership(s), it is about whether or not they want to continue to be associated with an organization that may well offer a platform to players to get their mahjong experience, but that otherwise fails to meet the intent and purposes of partnership agreements, other than that they are used as advertising material.
And it is not about what EMA gains by cancelling the partnership(s), it is about whether or not they want to continue to be associated with an organization that may well offer a platform to players to get their mahjong experience, but that otherwise fails to meet the intent and purposes of partnership agreements, other than that they are used as advertising material.
9Tuesday, 10 November 2009 18:43
Joseph Edwards
While it's true that MahjongTime is dominant in the Anglophone (and/or non-Japanese-speaking) community, to be quite frank it deserves to die and I hope and pray that it will.
Why? Because, quite simply, the interface is absolutely awful. While there are certain constraints from the platform used, the amount to which MahjongTime's client sucks is inexcusable. It's clunky, it's ugly, and God damn the sorry excuse for a meld system.
Right now, MahjongTime has an effective monopoly on much of the Anglophone market, because for one it has a huge playerbase who don't know of anything better, for two because there aren't any significantly better clients (Mahjong Logic is somewhat better - still somewhat slow, and a tad clunky, but it's a big step forward), and for three because by having such a large base it's self-sustaining. It should die, but it won't.
Anything that leads to MahjongTime's swift demise is A-OK. I'm unlikely to play MahjongLogic in its current form (it has potential but it's not reached it yet), but improvement is improvement. It's not hard to make an online client that actually plays decently, as Tenhou shows us; it just isn't going to happen if people are still basically forced to accept worse. Or they'll just bugger off to Tenhou; I've seen many people who can get past the pathetically slim language barrier do so.
Why? Because, quite simply, the interface is absolutely awful. While there are certain constraints from the platform used, the amount to which MahjongTime's client sucks is inexcusable. It's clunky, it's ugly, and God damn the sorry excuse for a meld system.
Right now, MahjongTime has an effective monopoly on much of the Anglophone market, because for one it has a huge playerbase who don't know of anything better, for two because there aren't any significantly better clients (Mahjong Logic is somewhat better - still somewhat slow, and a tad clunky, but it's a big step forward), and for three because by having such a large base it's self-sustaining. It should die, but it won't.
Anything that leads to MahjongTime's swift demise is A-OK. I'm unlikely to play MahjongLogic in its current form (it has potential but it's not reached it yet), but improvement is improvement. It's not hard to make an online client that actually plays decently, as Tenhou shows us; it just isn't going to happen if people are still basically forced to accept worse. Or they'll just bugger off to Tenhou; I've seen many people who can get past the pathetically slim language barrier do so.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 21:58
CosmicFactory
The animosity Mr Edwards is showing here is quite frankly a reflection on his miserable existence. If you do not like it, do not log on and play there, why hope and pray ??
I am say with certainty that God will not hear your prayer. However I pray that you will find some peace and resolve any internal turmoil you experience that lead you to such hatred towards a GAME site....astonishing really.
I am say with certainty that God will not hear your prayer. However I pray that you will find some peace and resolve any internal turmoil you experience that lead you to such hatred towards a GAME site....astonishing really.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 02:55
mjt player
I feel so sorry for Joseph Edwards that he is in such an agony playing online.
If you really could not find anyone that speack your language or your way, just gather some of your own folks to play in your house!!!.
I can guarantee that you are those free-loaders (not even play cash or a paid member) and play on this site and yet commented bad on mjt. I hope that you don't carryon playing and bring unhealthy comments to the others.
If you really could not find anyone that speack your language or your way, just gather some of your own folks to play in your house!!!.
I can guarantee that you are those free-loaders (not even play cash or a paid member) and play on this site and yet commented bad on mjt. I hope that you don't carryon playing and bring unhealthy comments to the others.
10Wednesday, 11 November 2009 06:49
CosmicFactory
The animosity Mr Edwards is showing here is quite frankly a reflection on his miserable existence. If you do not like it, do not log on and play there, why hope and pray ??
I am say with certainty that God will not hear your prayer. However I pray that you will find some peace and resolve any internal turmoil you experience that lead you to such hatred towards a GAME site....astonishing really.
I am say with certainty that God will not hear your prayer. However I pray that you will find some peace and resolve any internal turmoil you experience that lead you to such hatred towards a GAME site....astonishing really.
11Wednesday, 11 November 2009 06:52
mjt player
I feel so sorry for Joseph Edwards that he is in such an agony playing online.
If you really could not find anyone that speack your language or your way, just gather some of your own folks to play in your house!!!.
I can guarantee that you are those free-loaders (not even play cash or a paid member) and play on this site and yet commented bad on mjt. I hope that you don't carryon playing and bring unhealthy comments to the others.
If you really could not find anyone that speack your language or your way, just gather some of your own folks to play in your house!!!.
I can guarantee that you are those free-loaders (not even play cash or a paid member) and play on this site and yet commented bad on mjt. I hope that you don't carryon playing and bring unhealthy comments to the others.
12Wednesday, 11 November 2009 11:53
harry
...Because they have so much perverted the game of MJ by twisting the randomness of the drawing that playing on MJT does not mean anything more. You feel manipulated by a machine programmed to make you win or lose, depending on what type of player your are (money or not), if you subscribed or not, how long is your subscription, when it will end, what you say to other players (if you make criticisms on the fairness of the game you will begin to lose).
13Wednesday, 11 November 2009 11:55
harry
...I demonstrated what I say using 5 differents profiles and tracing the evolution of rating of those profiles, switching from one to another and noticing the difference of "luck" of the profiles. I made many many experiences during months, showing WITH NO DOUBT POSSIBLE that MJT IS NOT FAIR AT ALL, although they say the opposite.
They fool us, they despise us, so THEY DESERVE TO DIE !!!!
They fool us, they despise us, so THEY DESERVE TO DIE !!!!
14Wednesday, 11 November 2009 12:54
Joseph Edwards
Splitting this up because of the character limit.
Dear me, I see one or two people have taken offence, although I'm not quite sure how you come to the conclusion that I'm some troubled angry man just because I stated a critical opinion about MahjongTime. If you think that's an expression of rage and pain, then my God! I hope you never have to live in the real world!
Dear me, I see one or two people have taken offence, although I'm not quite sure how you come to the conclusion that I'm some troubled angry man just because I stated a critical opinion about MahjongTime. If you think that's an expression of rage and pain, then my God! I hope you never have to live in the real world!
15Wednesday, 11 November 2009 12:56
Joseph Edwards
(cont.)
I don't like MahjongTime, and I would rather like to see it die, because it's not quite as simple as 'if you don't like it don't play it'. Any client in a position as MahjongTime is with the Anglophone (and particularly the play-for-money) mahjong market - that being, a popular and almost monopolistic client in a relatively niche market - doesn't exist as a bubble in and as of itself.
I don't like MahjongTime, and I would rather like to see it die, because it's not quite as simple as 'if you don't like it don't play it'. Any client in a position as MahjongTime is with the Anglophone (and particularly the play-for-money) mahjong market - that being, a popular and almost monopolistic client in a relatively niche market - doesn't exist as a bubble in and as of itself.
16Wednesday, 11 November 2009 12:57
Joseph Edwards
(cont.)
MahjongTime's client is of a very, very low quality (compare playing on MahjongTime to Tenhou or even Mahjong Logic some time - the different is startling). The problem is simply this - while MahjongTime retains its position, there is no real opportunity for a client to target and take the same market. Thus, progress of the quality of the client is literally defined by MahjongTime - and they show no signs of bothering to improve. Why would they when they couldn't be challenged?
MahjongTime's client is of a very, very low quality (compare playing on MahjongTime to Tenhou or even Mahjong Logic some time - the different is startling). The problem is simply this - while MahjongTime retains its position, there is no real opportunity for a client to target and take the same market. Thus, progress of the quality of the client is literally defined by MahjongTime - and they show no signs of bothering to improve. Why would they when they couldn't be challenged?
17Wednesday, 11 November 2009 12:58
Joseph Edwards
(cont.)
I don't like MahjongTime, and I would rather like to see it die, because it's not quite as simple as 'if you don't like it don't play it'. Any client in a position as MahjongTime is with the Anglophone (and particularly the play-for-money) mahjong market - that being, a popular and almost monopolistic client in a relatively niche market - doesn't exist as a bubble in and as of itself.
I don't like MahjongTime, and I would rather like to see it die, because it's not quite as simple as 'if you don't like it don't play it'. Any client in a position as MahjongTime is with the Anglophone (and particularly the play-for-money) mahjong market - that being, a popular and almost monopolistic client in a relatively niche market - doesn't exist as a bubble in and as of itself.
18Wednesday, 11 November 2009 13:00
Joseph Edwards
(cont.)
The continued dominance of MahjongTime is bad for internet mahjong (and in the longer run for mahjong in general. After all, internet mahjong is often the route that sparks interest for real mahjong, and the better the quality of the client, the more likely they are to get into it and thus get on to playing real mahjong), and that's why I'd like to see it bugger off.
The continued dominance of MahjongTime is bad for internet mahjong (and in the longer run for mahjong in general. After all, internet mahjong is often the route that sparks interest for real mahjong, and the better the quality of the client, the more likely they are to get into it and thus get on to playing real mahjong), and that's why I'd like to see it bugger off.
19Wednesday, 11 November 2009 18:39
PetiteEtoile
I believe your theory might at first glance has some merit, but is actually extremely flawed and ignorant, bordering absurdity. In the FREE MARKET ECONOMY, Laissez-faire, the market is determined by the consumers and supply and demand theories. If the market condition is viable, there will certainly be new competition that will emerge.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 20:33
Joseph Edwards
PetiteEtoile, I do understand how the free market economy works. As a student of economics, I'm not ignorant of that. What you don't seem to understand is that no market is perfectly competitive and the Anglophone online mahjong market is particularly susceptible to this.
(continuing...)
(continuing...)
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 20:35
Joseph Edwards
For example: its monopoly status thanks to its share of the market (particularly its ability to advertise and affliate), uneven information thus (how can you make an informed decision on what client to use when MahjongTime is portrayed as the only choice?), the nature of the market (particularly in that because of the multiplayer aspect any client must quickly build a strong base to be viable, and thus a limited number of firms can be viable) the small target demographic in the shorter term, etc
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 20:37
Joseph Edwards
The market condition isn't viable when MahjongTime has such a corrupting influence. It effectively has reached monopoly status and is in a position to prevent or hinder other companies entering the market through its economic power, media and commercial influence, and large market share. If a company was operating under these conditions in a large market with these conditions, it would have probably have been butchered by regulators already!
20Wednesday, 11 November 2009 18:41
PetiteEtoile
A sub standard player in a field will NOT hinder the emergence of competition in market economy. New competition will serve as a comparison and choices, and the consumers, as the end users, will be the determinant factor in which companies will gain or lose share in the market.
21Wednesday, 11 November 2009 18:42
PetiteEtoile
Simple economics. An example is, McDonalds is the biggest fast food chain in the world, but there are many players which emerge to compete, some will succeed, others will fail, there are the Wendys and Burger King, get the idea ? The monopoly in a perfect competition in free market economy is almost unheard of. Even with corporate giants such as McDonalds.
22Wednesday, 11 November 2009 19:49
Martin Scheichenbauer
Not really important but: ...The ranking there is apparently my ranking and not the ranking of MJT, it is just based on the games there. I have spending time to get my ranking. Where is the reason to "punish" players? We can continue this ranking a) using other providers or b) reparing the relationship to MJT. So where is the logical reason to delete an official ranking if it can be kept independently from a provider?
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 19:55
harry
What you must understand is that your ranking on MJT means NOTHING at all.
Thursday, 12 November 2009 18:07
Martin Scheichenbauer
..... about Mahjong, Mahjongtime and economics means also nothing at all. Considered that already? :-)
Thursday, 12 November 2009 18:11
Martin Scheichenbauer
..... I made a mistake!! Your are not the one who knows all about economics. Now tell me why the ranking means "nothing at all"?
23Wednesday, 11 November 2009 19:59
harry
What you must understand is that your ranking on MJT means NOTHING at all.
24Wednesday, 11 November 2009 20:43
Joseph Edwards
PetiteEtoile, I do understand how the free market economy works. As a student of economics, I'm not ignorant of that. What you don't seem to understand is that no market is perfectly competitive and the Anglophone online mahjong market is particularly susceptible to this.
For example: its monopoly status thanks to its share of the market (particularly its ability to advertise and affliate), uneven information thus (how can you make an informed decision on what client to use when MahjongTime is portrayed as the only choice?), the nature of the market (particularly in that because of the multiplayer aspect any client must quickly build a strong base to be viable, and thus a limited number of firms can be viable) the small target demographic in the shorter term, etc
The market condition isn't viable when MahjongTime has such a corrupting influence. It effectively has reached monopoly status and is in a position to prevent or hinder other companies entering the market through its economic power, media and commercial influence, and large market share. If a company was operating under these conditions in a large market with these conditions, it would have probably have been butchered by regulators already!
For example: its monopoly status thanks to its share of the market (particularly its ability to advertise and affliate), uneven information thus (how can you make an informed decision on what client to use when MahjongTime is portrayed as the only choice?), the nature of the market (particularly in that because of the multiplayer aspect any client must quickly build a strong base to be viable, and thus a limited number of firms can be viable) the small target demographic in the shorter term, etc
The market condition isn't viable when MahjongTime has such a corrupting influence. It effectively has reached monopoly status and is in a position to prevent or hinder other companies entering the market through its economic power, media and commercial influence, and large market share. If a company was operating under these conditions in a large market with these conditions, it would have probably have been butchered by regulators already!
25Thursday, 12 November 2009 00:38
mjt player
I think everyone got his own opinion over the software, the site they play.
Therefore, very simple, if you like tenhou, just continue there, if you like mahjonglogic, carry on.
Those who like mahjongtime, just wait for their change this week. I also hope those who criticise mahjongtime so much, don't come back and play anymore. If you still do, it is really ashamed of yourself, cos in the actual fact, you actually like the site. Am I right?
Therefore, very simple, if you like tenhou, just continue there, if you like mahjonglogic, carry on.
Those who like mahjongtime, just wait for their change this week. I also hope those who criticise mahjongtime so much, don't come back and play anymore. If you still do, it is really ashamed of yourself, cos in the actual fact, you actually like the site. Am I right?
Saturday, 14 November 2009 21:25
Joseph Edwards
I don't play on MahjongTime, I mostly play on Tenhou in lieu of a good Anglophone client; my main point, dear fellow, was that MahjongTime's very existence holds back the possibility of a better Anglophone client.
26Friday, 13 November 2009 08:02
Martin Scheichenbauer
..... about Mahjong, Mahjongtime and economics means also nothing at all. Considered that already? :-)
27Friday, 13 November 2009 08:03
Martin Scheichenbauer
..... I made a mistake!! Your are not the one who knows all about economics. Now tell me why the ranking means "nothing at all"?
Saturday, 14 November 2009 08:44
harry
Just read my post and after you should understand what I mean :)
28Saturday, 14 November 2009 08:49
harry
Just read my post and after you should understand what I mean :)
IMO, kuitan nashi will be the most problematic point for a world championship.
To shorten my point, kuitan-nashi Mahjong is like Formula 1 racing with 3 tires. It's probably a great learning exercise (good) that they turned into the only form of testing (bad). If that was the only problem, most people could live with that. The bigger problem for EMA Mahjong is their tolerance for a type of call that would be considered cheating anywhere else: tolerating the pick-and-switch for the same tile. (chi 78+9, throw nine; pon 11+1, throw one)
For a WC-Riichi event to succeed, that last point needs to be addressed once and for all. As for the rest of the rules, it will most likely be a take it or leave it scenario. There's nothing we can do about it.
But i appreciate the current changes cuz they minimize the luck factor a bit.