Proposal: Allowing Custom Launcher Grips

NOTE: This post was originally posted in the Hobby Q&A session here: https://worldbeyblade.org/Thread-Unanswe...cher-Grips

Hi all,

I'd like to start a conversation here regarding custom launcher grips.

I've recently come back into the hobby after many, many years and so far I'm really enjoying Beyblade X! One thing I find lacking in the official TT/Habsro product, however, are the launcher grips. In past gens grips were more ergonomically shaped and, in my opinion, aesthetically pleasing. The current X grips I find to be too blocky and don't appear to be as ergonomic. Fortunately, in this modern day and age, many talented designers and artists have created launcher grips for the X system that I believe are better than what are officially available.

However, under official WBO rules, it is currently illegal to use unofficial launcher grips at tournaments. To be frank, I do not agree with this. Custom launcher grips do not confer any advantage to the player using them that an official one wouldn't. They do not themselves increase the power of a launch, do not interfere with an opponent's launch and do not, in any way, affect the performance of a Beyblade themselves.

I ask the WBO to reconsider the ruling, or to add another clause to the equipment rules that would allow the use of custom launcher grips at official WBO tournaments so long as they meet the following criteria:
  • The Launcher Grip must not mechanically affect the performance of a Beyblade
  • The Launcher Grip must not interfere with the opponent's launch
  • The Launcher Grip is not molded or decorated in such a way as to be deemed offensive or inappropriate by a reasonable individual acting in good faith (i.e. no bigoted, sexually explicit or otherwise offensive designs)
As previously stated, this post is meant to be an invitation to discuss and debate the merits and drawbacks of custom launcher grips on the Beyblade scene. Ultimately, it is my hope that after a period of reflection, the WBO rules can be amended to allow the use of these grips at official events.

Thanks,
- Xamkr
As much as I agree with you, the WBO rules have historically never allowed custom parts, because that would technically be a custom mod
This would help with inclusivity with disability's and just look cooler
(Oct. 03, 2024  2:35 PM)Xamkr Wrote: NOTE: This post was originally posted in the Hobby Q&A session here: https://worldbeyblade.org/Thread-Unanswe...cher-Grips

Hi all,

I'd like to start a conversation here regarding custom launcher grips.

I've recently come back into the hobby after many, many years and so far I'm really enjoying Beyblade X! One thing I find lacking in the official TT/Habsro product, however, are the launcher grips. In past gens grips were more ergonomically shaped and, in my opinion, aesthetically pleasing. The current X grips I find to be too blocky and don't appear to be as ergonomic. Fortunately, in this modern day and age, many talented designers and artists have created launcher grips for the X system that I believe are better than what are officially available.

However, under official WBO rules, it is currently illegal to use unofficial launcher grips at tournaments. To be frank, I do not agree with this. Custom launcher grips do not confer any advantage to the player using them that an official one wouldn't. They do not themselves increase the power of a launch, do not interfere with an opponent's launch and do not, in any way, affect the performance of a Beyblade themselves.

I ask the WBO to reconsider the ruling, or to add another clause to the equipment rules that would allow the use of custom launcher grips at official WBO tournaments so long as they meet the following criteria:
  • The Launcher Grip must not mechanically affect the performance of a Beyblade
  • The Launcher Grip must not interfere with the opponent's launch
  • The Launcher Grip is not molded or decorated in such a way as to be deemed offensive or inappropriate by a reasonable individual acting in good faith (i.e. no bigoted, sexually explicit or otherwise offensive designs)
As previously stated, this post is meant to be an invitation to discuss and debate the merits and drawbacks of custom launcher grips on the Beyblade scene. Ultimately, it is my hope that after a period of reflection, the WBO rules can be amended to allow the use of these grips at official events.

Thanks,
- Xamkr

About the third bullet point, people have different definitions of what's bigoted (despite there being objectively correct answers), and rulings will end up being dependent on majority opinion rather than what's actually right. I think people can abuse the customization even if you try to include that clause. That's not a point against the whole idea, but I think we do have to be more careful when defining the rules to avoid this. Perhaps we can limit this to just making grips which actually have grip shapes? So no shapes that would not reasonably be comfortable to hold, like a water bottle shaped grip for instance would not be permitted. It does inhibit expression a little bit, but I think it's still a nice and reasonable improvement from the existing system with lesser chance for risk.
Glad to see that this has been addressed in the November 2024 Organized Play updates! Grin

(Nov. 15, 2024  1:47 AM)Orbit Wrote:
(Oct. 03, 2024  2:35 PM)Xamkr Wrote: NOTE: This post was originally posted in the Hobby Q&A session here: https://worldbeyblade.org/Thread-Unanswe...cher-Grips

Hi all,

I'd like to start a conversation here regarding custom launcher grips.

I've recently come back into the hobby after many, many years and so far I'm really enjoying Beyblade X! One thing I find lacking in the official TT/Habsro product, however, are the launcher grips. In past gens grips were more ergonomically shaped and, in my opinion, aesthetically pleasing. The current X grips I find to be too blocky and don't appear to be as ergonomic. Fortunately, in this modern day and age, many talented designers and artists have created launcher grips for the X system that I believe are better than what are officially available.

However, under official WBO rules, it is currently illegal to use unofficial launcher grips at tournaments. To be frank, I do not agree with this. Custom launcher grips do not confer any advantage to the player using them that an official one wouldn't. They do not themselves increase the power of a launch, do not interfere with an opponent's launch and do not, in any way, affect the performance of a Beyblade themselves.

I ask the WBO to reconsider the ruling, or to add another clause to the equipment rules that would allow the use of custom launcher grips at official WBO tournaments so long as they meet the following criteria:
  • The Launcher Grip must not mechanically affect the performance of a Beyblade
  • The Launcher Grip must not interfere with the opponent's launch
  • The Launcher Grip is not molded or decorated in such a way as to be deemed offensive or inappropriate by a reasonable individual acting in good faith (i.e. no bigoted, sexually explicit or otherwise offensive designs)
As previously stated, this post is meant to be an invitation to discuss and debate the merits and drawbacks of custom launcher grips on the Beyblade scene. Ultimately, it is my hope that after a period of reflection, the WBO rules can be amended to allow the use of these grips at official events.

Thanks,
- Xamkr

About the third bullet point, people have different definitions of what's bigoted (despite there being objectively correct answers), and rulings will end up being dependent on majority opinion rather than what's actually right. I think people can abuse the customization even if you try to include that clause. That's not a point against the whole idea, but I think we do have to be more careful when defining the rules to avoid this. Perhaps we can limit this to just making grips which actually have grip shapes? So no shapes that would not reasonably be comfortable to hold, like a water bottle shaped grip for instance would not be permitted. It does inhibit expression a little bit, but I think it's still a nice and reasonable improvement from the existing system with lesser chance for risk.
I would agree that the third clause could be up to judge's discretion, but I'm largely relying on good faith enforcement for that one. I do agree that we should be careful when defining it, but we don't want to be in a situation where someone could make something offensive by exploiting a loophole in the rules. For example, if we were to codify only "launcher-shaped launchers", a water-bottle shaped launcher grip with no pattern would be illegal, but a grip-shaped launcher grip with an offensive symbol or text on it would be legal. I think we can probably figure out something airtight, but it'll probably take a number of clauses working together to cover all bases. That said, I don't really think that third clause will have to be enforced often, this community is pretty amazing!