The following was posted on the Fans of the National Mahjongg League Facebook page. I thought it made a good springboard for discussion - so let's discuss.
"So why is the NMJL official website so poorly implemented? It's literally one of the most poorly developed websites I have ever used. And that online game they have (by Sigma) ... Really? I mean come on! So they "make the rules!" Does that make them think they are indispensable to the rest of the "mahjong" world and unaccountable for fostering a lackluster image to potential new players? I think not! Don't they know they bear a responsibility as stewards of the game in America? Don't get me wrong AMJA is not much better. (Please note, I am not referring to the visual design! I am talking about the features and ease of use/Information Architecture) At least they post occasional tournaments. I mean there's not even a contact form on NMJL website. Do they really expect everyone to call them with their issues? And who wants to answer THAT phone? Wow! I'm gonna make a prediction, which may or may not come to pass: NMJL/AMJA will be a lost section of mahjong within 20-30 years if they don't move into new better use of new technology and stronger (dare I say) flare for marketing to new players. I mean, I'm a new player and I have a penchant for the more International forms of Mahjongg, but when I see the lackluster appeal the "American Flavors" hold for younger players it saddens me. I'd like to see a stronger eye towards real league-style sportsmanship and national tournaments that might reinvigorate some youthful interest in this marvelous game. Maybe I'm alone in this, but I hope not."
This post expresses many of the frustrations
and desires of NMJL players, and it asks the question: What is the future of
the League? In order to answer we need to know what the League is and what it isn’t. When I have spoken to Mrs. Unger she was
adamant the mission of the League is twofold:
Create the card in such a way that will entice new players yet remain
challenging for experienced players and distribute the proceeds from the sale
of cards to deserving charities. Most players don’t think about the charitable aspect of the
League, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But regardless of where you buy your card, your money goes to fulfill that mandate, and the League takes that most seriously.
Expansion of the responsibilities of the League would take time and money, and that may diminish the charitable donations. While I agree that there should be more tournaments and standardization of same, I do not think it would benefit the League to run them. It is independent tournament
operators who determine how best to run their event, using League rules and efforts are underway to standardize (see post on Master Points). But this is a tough task and one the League may not be in a position to fulfill. They do have a rule sheet that is available to all tournament operators; some follow it, some don't. How would the League enforce this?
The online game, while sanctioned by the League, is the product of a third party. I understand that the software is undergoing an
overhaul that will include more features and will run on more platforms,
but will not be playable on the iPad, tablets or phones, which is a complicated and expensive endeavor, but nothing is stopping someone from creating
such an app if they thought they could profit from it. There are other sites, such as Mah Jongg
Time, which allow players to play NMJL mahjongg online. These independent operators may not be comfortable with the League overseeing their operations.
While the League could have a more sophisticated online presence,
with contact forms and Facebook pages, I do not believe they see it in their purview to manage a one-and-only official type of branding. There are many fan pages and retailers who provide this function. I would be interested in hearing others’ opinions about whether the League name would attract new players in and of itself, or whether they think that the word is spread by all the members out there in one form or another.
I have heard, however, about rudeness on the phone, and there is no excuse for that. It is a tiny office, and the people there work very hard and may be under stress at certain times, but perhaps an additional volunteer or two would solve this problem. New players should be aware there are rule books available if want to play seriously and these are written by very experienced players, such as Elaine Sandberg and Tom Sloper, who also has an extensive FAQ list on his website and will answer questions, as will I.
I have heard, however, about rudeness on the phone, and there is no excuse for that. It is a tiny office, and the people there work very hard and may be under stress at certain times, but perhaps an additional volunteer or two would solve this problem. New players should be aware there are rule books available if want to play seriously and these are written by very experienced players, such as Elaine Sandberg and Tom Sloper, who also has an extensive FAQ list on his website and will answer questions, as will I.
So in my opinion,
the future of the League will look much like today. The League will depend on outside entities to attract new
players, organize tournaments and sell tchotchkes. Will the game die out? I
don’t think so. Membership has grown enormously
in the last few years and new players come on board every day. Young people are catching on, and as baby
boomers retire they are learning the cost of a card is a bargain for the hours of pleasure the game brings. The League leaves it to us, the members, to spread the word, extol the
virtues and teach new players this wonderful game.
Again, this is my opinion.
I would like to hear from others about what they feel the future of the
League is. Do you think the game will
die out? Is the League going the way of
the dinosaur? Discuss!
as a beginner, I found the League's website useless.
ReplyDeleteLooking for simple explanations should not require buying books! and most books available do not conform to the NMJL.
I mean, I got so confused looking for explanations about a run, as described in one book - no such thing in american style of play.
I have been playing for about 2 years now. When I first started, the ladies in my neighborhood taught me. Then I started searching the internet. I found Tom Sloper's site and that helped tremendously. I also bought his book and Elaine Sandberg's book and I found them very good too. I agree that the NMJL site is pretty basic. It's pretty much just good for buying the card. And that's OK, if that's all they want to be. But I definitely see room for someone to develop apps or programs for American Mah Jongg. I haven't tried the online game on the NMJL site because every time I go there, it seems complicated to get started. Although I must admit, I haven't really buckled down to try. I think there is a huge opportunity for someone to take off with this thing. I'm a boomer who is in a retired community and Mah Jongg has spread rapidly through the whole community. There were a few Mah Jongg mavens here who taught everyone. Now we have many groups going in the clubhouse and also in homes. I'm a little on the younger side and I'm more computer literate/dependent than many who live here. So I think this is where Mah Jongg needs to move into the future. With younger people coming on, it is necessary. And no, I don't think American Mah Jongg will go away. Not by a long shot. It just needs to keep up with the times. And technology is the way of the future. But I am the only one I know here that has looked to the internet for information, games, etc. And I'm the only one I know who has bought books on it too. Everyone else is content with word of mouth. But that will not do for the future. I'm glad you brought up this topic.
ReplyDeleteI play the Practice online mj tables...for some reason, there is a delay in my response time when I play the regular tables...even the slowest of slow tables and time runs out to complete, plus the other people don't like the slow play. I'm looking forward to a new online setup.
DeleteI wish they would do more to promote the game. There should be a new card twice a year. And those bulletins should come out every month. I mean, there's not much to those but it would be great if they tried to keep people engaged with the league. I don't care if they sponsor tournaments but they really could do so much more.
ReplyDeleteTheir online game itself is a lot of fun and has great potential but they've let it become a snake pit full of nasty players who refuse to let newcomers join their tables and are extremely unpleasant to everyone. This is very effective at chasing away the new players who basically are the new generation of MJ enthusiasts. Why this goes on unchecked is a mystery.
Clearly the times have changed a great deal since the League was formed .. but the League has not adapted. I am quite sure that the game will survive the NMJL's unwillingness to evolve but I'm not sure the NMJL will continue to be the dominant force. Sites like Mah Jongg Madness do so much to promote the game and engage with players. It's not hard to imagine them coming out with their own cards, or for the AMJL to seize this chance to be the new gold standard.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for Mrs. Ungar and league. Their game and their stewardship have given so many people so many happy hours. But they have to do more, and do it soon, or someone else will become Queen of the hill.
There is another version of the American-style game at www.mahjongtime.com
ReplyDeleteThey design the game to be current with the new card every year. They are also adding an app for your cellphone. From what I've heard, the players are quite nice and welcoming to newer players.
ELAINE SANDBERG OCT. 10, 2010
ReplyDeleteI'M GLAD THE TOPIC OF THE LEAGUE'S INTRANSIGENCE HAS COME UP. I HAVE DEALT WITH THE LEAGUE MANY TIMES AND MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT THE LEAGUE IS RUN LIKE A FIEFDOM, WITH MS. UNGER, THE "PRESIDENT", REIGNING, DICTATORIALLY, REGARDLESS OF THE WISHES OR NEEDS OF ITS MEMBERSHIP..
THE CRITIQUE OF THE WEBSITE, THE LACK-LUSTER NEWSLETTER, THE LACK OF MARKETING, ITS SALES DEPARTMENT, THE RUDENESS ON THE PHONE, ETC. ARE ALL LEGITIMATE.
AND, MOST CRITICAL OF ALL, THERE IS NO FINANCIAL TRANSPARENTCY.
WITH 300,000 MEMBERS EACH BUYING ONE CARD AT $7, THE LEAGUE TAKES IN $2,100,000. AND THAT'S JUST THE CARD. WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THAT MONEY? WHAT ARE THE SALARIES MS. UNGER AND HER HAND-PICKED BOARD, WHAT ARE THE
EXPENSES TO RUN THE DILAPIDATED OFFICE? WHAT CHARITIES GET MONEY? HOW MUCH DO THEY GET? WHO SELECTS THEM?
WHAT IS THE "FOUNDATION"?
THERE ARE NO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND NONE ARE FORTHCOMING FROM THE LEAGUE...
HOW MANY BOARD MEMBERS ARE THERE? WHO ARE THE BOARD MEMBERS? WHAT ARE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS? WHY ARE THERE NO BRANCH OFFICES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?
THERE ARE A ZILLION OTHER QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ASKING AND I'M GLAD TO FINALLY SEE SOMEONE ELSE BESIDES ME IS EXPESSING CONCERN. THE LEAGUE SHOULD BE THE GUIDING FORCE BEHIND THIS GREAT GAME, BUT I FEAR IT IS HIDING IN THE BUSHES.
THANKS!!!!
ELAINE SANDBERG