Or if they really want to screw the green dice, make it a week long entry into a lottery pool. Put scratch away codes on the back of the bye cards for exponentially more entries based on whether it's from a store championship, regional, or national and hen let the computer decide.

Give regional and national winners good enough odds that they'll most likely make it and have dedicated spots for past top finishers at worlds.

Any system is always going to screw somebody.

If a business has an opportunity to take money from a customer, then they cannot (due to stock, customer service, or limited searing...whatever), how can that be called anything but a failure?

Sorry, this is a failure due to FFG. They have failed to take my money, as I was ready to hand it over.

Failure. Plain and simple....and upsetting to this customer.

Any system is always going to screw somebody.

Yeah, that's what I mean when I say "don't see a problem." It would be great if there could be an X-Wing super event and there was room for everyone who wants to go. But there isn't. Guess you should quit cuz FFG hates you? (obviously, the answer is no and no, so please excuse the sarcasm). I'm just pointing out that it doesn't necessarily make sense to make a top-level competitive event available to every person who wants to compete.

I'm not confident events like these make enough money to be profitable. I'm sure it's great exposure and they make lots of incidental sales, but I doubt your entry fee covers the full cost. Besides, from my limited knowledge of event management, twice as much space =/= twice as much money, and is usually skewed in favor of the money side. Space comes at a premium and FFG is putting this event on for existing customers, not attracting new ones. They already have your business, so I doubt they make significant money on sales. More people means:

-Higher venue costs (and more people to run the place, because I know you're not going to clean up your own trash)

-More employees to run events/manage the crowds

-Better (more expensive) insurance required to rent venue

-More complicated logistics of pre/post event

-Greater risk/liability (heaven forbid something goes wrong, either logistical or safety wise)

-Stipulation in licensing contracts that average customers are not privy to.

It's not a 1:1 ratio...if a small event is profitable, doubling the size of it does not always equal double profits.

Think about the quality and care FFG puts into its products. Then, think about the customer service they provide as well. Do you really think those same people responsible for those two things we hold in such high regard go: "Meh, eff 'em. Throw a bone to a couple hundred and let the others suck a Vibrostaff. We don't feel like it."

FFG, to me, seems very deliberate about what they do. Sure, be frustrated, but cut them some slack.

QUICK EDIT: As mentioned, I've never been to a worlds and only have limited knowledge of event management. I'm assuming the venue they use they don't own or have control of? If they did, that opens up a whole 'nother can of worms as they have to deal with City permits and usage limitations and what not, but I doubt it would be profitable for them to own their own convention center.

Last year was 2 flights of 128 and the second day wouldn't have been close to full if not for many players that didn't advance on day one trying again.

It was like 10 seats. 10 second chance seats.