Hello racing fans, and welcome to this special MSN Post-Race Report! I'm Jim!
And I'm Bob!
And we're the Lakitu Brothers!
Reporting live from the winner's podium here on Rainbow Road, where we've just seen Crank turn in the performance of the season!
That's right Jim! Once again, Crank had a strong start, and never fell lower than third place on his way to being the most decorated racer in the league with two wins to his name! An overall dominating performance, despite taking damage early in the race.
Beside him on the winner's podium is Zelda, who laid on the gas after a slow finish saw her trailing to the rear of the pack, and took a commanding grip on second place throughout the second lap! The only racer on the track without a sponsor, she figures to be receiving some lucrative offers in the coming weeks before the next Season of the Prix!
Luigi rounds out our top three, who despite struggling through much of the race managed to pull off a late charge, falling short of the frontrunners but leading the rest of the field across the finish line!
Captain Falcon, the Mysterious Mr. L, and Dry Bones all fell prey to the unprecedented difficulty of the course and the ingenuity of their fellow drivers- this will be a tough loss to stomach for drivers accustomed to success!
True story, Jim! The Mysterious Mr. L is bankrupt- his Sponsor, Nightmare Enterprises, is expected to cover his next race, but it's sure to have an adverse affect on their relationship!
He's still better off than Dry Bones, who is expected to be sponsorless after losing to their hated rival, Silph Co!
On a related note, allegations that Dry Bones hit the course with an illegally modified Kart were proven false upon post-race inspection. A representative from Team Rocket called the allegations "vicious, malicious slander," before inadvertently revealing that he wished they'd thought of it first.
Besides, if they had gone to the trouble of cheating, you'd think they'd have finished better!
Ha! True story, Jim. Now approaching the podium is the Commissioner of the Mushroom Kart League, accompanied by guest speaker and representative of the Royal House of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach Toadstool!
...
On behalf of the MKL Commissioner and the racing fans of the Mushroom Kingdom, we are pleased to present Crank the Gloomba with the Star Cup in recognition of his performance here today. Your tenacity in the face of adversity is an inspiration to us all!
sparkly noises! And salutations to all the racers who competed so fiercely this season!
END SEASON ONE
Crank
+9 Coin, +4 Fame, +9 Points, +1 CupZelda
+4 Coin, +2 Fame, +7 PointsLuigi
+3 Coin, +5 PointsMML
+3 PointsCaptain Falcon
+1 PointNookington's Department Store
+5 Coin,
+10 PrestigeSilph Co
+4 CoinHFS Inc
+6 CoinNightmare Enterprises
+5 CoinTeam Rocket
+3 CoinRez Media, Diamond Software
+2 CoinWaluigiWare, Koopa Korp, Hocotate Freight, Lakitu Travel, Pappy's Pizza
+1 CoinNookington's Department Store- 9 Coin, 18 PrestigeCEO- Alligator Executive
Industry- Consumer Goods. Favors High Marketability, High Straightforwardness. Driver-
CrankImage- None
Relationships-
Alligator Executive +12,
Crank +8Tom Nook built his commercial empire up from a small backwater store. Nookington's is known as a respectable but profit oriented business that deals fairly with its employees and rarely stoops to dirty tricks- at least, they've never been caught before.
HFS Inc- 9 Coin, 6 PrestigeCEO-
Riras NodIndustry- Entertainment. High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly
Image- None
Relationships-
Riras Nod +3,
Counselor Grimtoad -1A rather old company that specializes in extravagant circuses. Mostly famous for its clowns.
Silph Co- 14 Coin, 5 PrestigeCEO-
President of Silph CoIndustry- Technology. Favors Low Marketability, Low Straightforwardness, High Education. Driver-
Mario & LuigiImage- None
Relationships-
President +2,
Luigi +2,
Mario +2The wealthiest of the sponsors, Silph Co specializes in technical marvels and is increasingly invested in the sport of Kart Racing. However, past troubles with treacherous employees and rival businesses has made Silph Co extremely conservative and distrustful of outsiders. They prefer to sponsor a single driver and make them the face of the franchise- for as long as they are trustworthy. Silph Co refuses to consider any affiliation with Team Rocket, or any driver who has had dealings with Team Rocket.
Nightmare Enterprises- 14 Coin, 5 PrestigeCEO- NME Executive
Industry- Military. Favors Low Straightfowardness, Low Family-Friendliness and High Glamor. Driver ->
The Mysterious Mr. LBranch- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly.
Branch- Consumer Goods. Favors High Marketability, High Straightforwardness.
Image- None
Relationships- NME Executive +4, Mysterious Mr. L +2
Nightmare Enterprises is a conglomeration of different products wrapped in an internet startup. NME's principle product is genetic engineering and the creation of monsters for a variety of purposes, as well as the transformation of living things. NME is also involved in arms dealing, clothing, toys, and a draconian entertainment network that features big budget movies and television shows as well as independent startups- provided they can fulfill their contracts. NME is well known for their underhanded tricks, but they always honor their contracts. A driver sponsored by NME must be wary not to cross them, however, for their wrath is legendary!
Team Rocket- 3 Coin, 3 PrestigeCEO- Proton, Rocket Executive
Industry- Technology. Favors Low Marketability, Low Straightforwardness, High Education. Driver-
Dry BonesBranch- Military. Favors Low Straightfowardness, Low Family-Friendliness and High Glamor.
Branch- Foods. Favors High Straightforwardness and High Family-Friendliness.
Image- None
Relationships-
Proton +2,
Dry Bones +1 Counselor Grimtoad -1,
Luigi -1Team Rocket's primary operations are scientific research, but also has significant investments in the meatpacking and candy industries, as well as a healthy treasure-finding department. Team Rocket's dubious business practices and outright defiance of the law has outlawed their operations in many nations, including their native region of Kanto. Team Rocket has emerged as an unlikely sponsor of MKL due to a desire to improve their public image and make some quick Coin, but their management of their drivers indicates that they are the same old Team Rocket.
Rez Media Corporation- 5 Coin, 2 Prestige[/abbr]
CEO- TV on a Hand Cart
Industry- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly. Driver-
King HarkinianBranch- Rez Cinema- Entertainment. Driver-
Captain FalconImage- None
Relationships-
TV +2,
King Harkinian +2[/color],
Captain Falcon +1Known for churning out mass market garbage specked with the occasional gem, Rez Media is the largest single media outlet in the multiverse, focused mainly on television and movies. Not much is known about their shadowy owner, but judging by the actions of the company he has a cold-hearted eye on the bottom line.
Diamond Software- 7 Coin, 2 PrestigeCEO- Diamond Executive
Industry- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly Driver-
Fox McCloudBranch- Entertainment.
Image- None
Relationships-
Diamond Executive +2,
Fox McCloud +1,
Waluigiware -1Another video game developer from Diamond city, with interests in records and comic books as well. They are the principle rival of Waluigiware Inc, opposing their business practices out of principle- when Warioware announced its sponsorship of MKL, Diamond Software was right behind them. Diamond Software is known as a fairly good place to work with a hatred of all things Waluigiware.
Waluigiware Inc- 13 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO-
WaluigiIndustry- Entertainment. Favors High Glamor, High Marketability, Low Family-Friendly
Image- None
Relationships-
Waluigi +1,
Wario -1Warioware was founded by none other than Wario that specializes in coming up with unique, interesting properties from a variety of developers. Unfortunately, Wario's abrasive personality drove off most of his friends and Waluigi ultimately betrayed him, forcing Wario out of the company. The new management of Waluigiware has since gone on to achieve enormous financial success, buying out smaller developers and sucking the life from their ideas. These unscrupulous business practices have translated to their foray into Kart Racing, and they will do anything for notoriety or Coin.
Koopa Korporation- 8 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO- Koopa Executive
Industry- Consumer Goods. Favors High Marketability, High Straightforwardness. Driver-
LinkBranch- Consumer Goods.
Image- None
Relationships-
Koopa Executive +1,
Link +2Koopa Korp is a leading producer of cheap consumer goods in the Mushroom Kingdom and is based in Dark Land, the domain of Lord Bowser. Low quality goods are compensated for by high quantity, and Koopa Korp adopts a similar philosophy in the sport of Kart racing, signing as many drivers as they can to truly meager contracts.
Hocotate Freight- 7 Coin, 1 Prestige
CEO- President of Hocotate Freight
Industry- Transportation. Favors High Marketability and High Family-Friendliness.
Image- None
Relationships- President +1
Hocotate Freight is an interstellar shipping company hailing from the planet Hocotate. Perennially in financial difficulties, a windfall of treasure scavenged from Planet Pikmin gave the company enough capital to sponsor MKL in the hopes of long term financial security for the company. While not known for the fantastic treatment of his employees, the President of Hocotate Freight is reputed to be a risk-taker willing to sponsor drivers nobody else will touch. Whether his foolishness will sink the company remains to be seen.
Lakitu Travel Agency- 6 Coin, 1 Prestige
CEO- Lakitu Executive
Industry- Transportation. Favors High Marketability and High Family-Friendliness.
Image- None
Relationships- Lakitu Executive +1
The Lakitu Travel Agency is a long-time sponsor of MKL, and orchestrates journeys across worlds, solar systems, galaxies, and even dimensions. Known far and wide as a fair sponsor, LTA has found itself being out-muscled by the newer, larger sponsorship groups.
Pappy's Pizza- 3 Coin, 1 PrestigeCEO- Pappy
Industry- Mom & Pop. Favors Low Marketability. Driver-
Counselor GrimtoadImage- None
Relationships- Pappy +3
Pappy's Pizza started out as a small pizza parlor in Brooklyn before the endorsement of the (newly famous) Mario Brothers vaulted them into the big time. Now, Pappy's Pizza Parlors are springing up across the Mushroom Kingdom, and Pappy has decided to endorse MKL to bring his product to the multiverse, as well as to sponsor the sport he loves. Pappy is widely regarded as a kind and generous employer, although with far smaller Coin reserves than the other big companies.
CrankSponsor- Nookington's
Points- 18, 2 Wins
Fame- 6
Coin- 16
Last Race- 1-4
KartModule Installed-
High Acceleration,
Sticky WheelDamage-
Rubber Band Back ZeldaPoints- 16, 1 Win
Fame- 4
Coin- 8
Last Race- 1-4
KartModule Installed-
Compensator The Mysterious Mr. LSponsor- NME
Points- 12, 1 Win
Fame- 2
Coin- 0
Last Race- 1-4
KartModule Installed-
Dirty Weapons,
Banana Magnet LuigiSponsor- Silph Co
Points- 12
Fame- 1
Coin- 4
Last Race- 1-4
Poltergust 4000Module Installed-
Nitrous,
Not AerodynamicKart Damage-
SlowModule Available-
High Acceleration,
Rubber Band Back Captain FalconSponsor- Rez Media
Points- 8
Fame- 1
Coin- 2
Last Race- 1-4
Blue FalconModule Installed-
Compensator Dry BonesSponsor- Team Rocket
Points- 7
Fame- 2
Coin- 2
Last Race- 1-4
Dry BomberModule Installed-
Ramming Speed,
Banana Magnet LinkSponsor- Koopa Korp
Points- 5
Fame- 0
Coin- 3
Last Race- 1-1
KartModule Installed-
Free Item,
Not Aerodynamic Oomph and BradleyPoints- 5
Fame- 0
Coin- 5
Last Race- 1-2
KartKart Damage-
Rubber Band Back Shy GuyPoints- 5
Fame- 0
Coin- 2
Last Race- 1-3
KartModule Installed-
Speedy,
Faulty Weapons King HarkinianPoints- 3
Fame- 0
Coin- 2
Last Race- 1-1
KartModule Installed-
Rubber Band Forward,
Faulty Weapons MarioPoints- 3
Fame- 0
Coin- 4
Last Race- 1-2
KartModule Installed-
Item Bonus,
Banana Magnet VaatiPoints- 3
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
Last Race- 1-3
Hurricane EyeModule Installed-
Speedy,
FeatherweightKart Damage-
Sticky Wheel KirbyPoints- 1
Fame- 0
Coin- 5
Last Race- 1-1
KartKart Damage-
Low Item (3 Coin to Repair)
Bill RyzerPoints- 1
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
Last Race- 1-2
The Spread-ShotModule Installed-
High Acceleration,
SlowKart Damage-
Sticky Wheel MonkeyKongPoints- 1
Fame- 0
Coin- 1
Last Race- 1-3
KartModule Installed-
Speedy,
Rubber Band BackKart Damage-
Faulty Weapons Fox McCloudSponsor- Diamond Software
Points- 0
Fame- 1
Coin- 4
Last Race- 1-1
KartModule Installed-
High Acceleration,
Not Aerodynamic Counselor GrimtoadSponsor- Pappy's Pizza
Points- 0
Fame- 1
Coin- 10
Image-
LocalLast Race- 1-2
KartModule Installed-
Speedy,
FeatherweightKart Damage-
Banana Magnet,
Not Aerodynamic Boss Form AmadeusPoints- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 4
Last Race- 1-3
KartBasic Kart
PikachuPoints- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 2
KartModule Installed-
Speedy,
Faulty Weapons ConkerPoints- 0
Fame- 0
Coin- 5
Basic Kart
ALRIGHTY THEN! Books should be balanced, so in the next few days here I'll be processing what all the NPC Sponsors do during the offseason, which will last until I'm caught up on everyone's actions.
At this point, I will note a meta-rules change: Fame and Prestige decay at the rate of 1 point for every season beyond the date it was earned. For example, Nookington's sponsored the first race for 2 Prestige- after the first race of next season, it will only be worth 1 Prestige, and after the first race of season three it will be worth nothing. It's intended as something of a throttle on Coin gain, and puts more focus on Drivers performing well.
And now, a brief format debate. Currently MKL can only support 18 unique racers per season (which I figured would be enough given the scary wall of text in the OP,) but we're now at 20. Rather than have two racers sit out until the season after, I'm strongly leaning towards adding another Race to the Prix. The upside is that everyone will get a chance to race and qualify for the Cup (some will get two chances!) while the downside is that it will take more realtime to get to the next Cup.
I'd like to hear your thoughts though, so let me know what you think! Once a decision is made I'll reveal the seeding for next season (at this point, assume the guidelines in the OP are inaccurate, since they'll change even if we keep the current format.)
I think that covers everything I was gonna say for this update, so I'll see you shortly for offseason shenanigans!