I think it is another evidence of people's misperception of the internet, and video gaming. I have heard many things said to people like "i have a life and a hot gf, you are just a geek and a nerd", when people lose in games; i have seen many comments like "man, i can't come, though i promised, cuz i'm going out with my gf."
So you have a life outside the internet, good for you. You have a girlfriend, good for you. But in the end, if you break a committment, any committment where you gave your word, even on the internet, even related with games, then you are an untrustworthy, dishonourable person.
So what if it's a AOM tourney? It is the same committment as playing in Manchester United. You can't just say "oh look, i can't be bothered, i'm going". You make committments, you keep to them, no matter what they are. "look man, it's only a game tourney", you may say. Of course, it's not as serious and important as, say, the Iraq Crisis, but it's a committment, and you can't back out of it just because you feel like it, just because you have something else in line, unless it is something very important or urgent.
Think. You are playing in a tournament.. but then your girlfriend rings and says she wants you to take her out. A majority of the people would ditch the tourney, have a fun time, then later say "oh look man, i went out with my gf." Breaking a promise, a committment, letting people down, it is nothing, because it's only on the internet, it's only a game, it's nothing important, or serious.
That is not the way to think. Any promise is seroius, any committment should be respected. Who are you to break your word, let people down, just because you feel like it?
But worse is the fact that the general opinion of the society is not so. If you told your girlfriend you can't go out because of an AOM tourney, many would say "oh, come on, it's only a game", or "you're just a geek, aren't you?".
This needs to change. Today, games are more serious, with tournaments and big cash, and fame. More importantly, game communities are larger, there are more people, and on ther internet there is a whole new world, with millions of people inside it. Real life may be more important, but why should promises and ethics be ignored in the digital world? They are promises you are breaking, it is your name you are dirtying, and it is real people you are letting down. The society needs to realize this.
I advise GoT to promote the fact that they can't just blow appointments off just because it's on the internet. Ruthlessly disqualify those who neglect their committments. You might get fewer players, but it will be a better tournament, and you will cleanse the untrustworthy from those who sign up for your tournaments.
-Avenger