Three-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan claims snooker's World Championships are boring and in need of an overhaul.
O'Sullivan has been responsible for some of the best snooker played in the sport's elite tournament over the last decade and his flamboyant style has been a hit with crowds at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
But the 34-year-old believes snooker has gone stale since he won his first world title in 2001 and he is backing the launch of an action-packed version of the game aimed at revolutionising the sport.
Created by Rod Gunner and fully endorsed by World Snooker chief Barry Hearn, 'Power Snooker' is seen as a chance to make the sport more exciting to a younger audience.
Power Snooker is a radical departure from the orthodox game, with matches lasting just half-an-hour and where points count instead of frames won.
And O'Sullivan is excited by the plan to have the world's top players go head-to-head at London's O2 Arena in October.
"I've got to be honest, I find the World Championship really boring," he said.
"I've won it three times but 17 days in Sheffield is draining. People just want to pitch up and play.
"Anything new is a challenge. I definitely think this is the future of snooker.
"It is just that a few people have got to get their heads around it. It is the year 2010 and we are not stuck in the 1970s anymore. Snooker needs a new audience and the idea of a game coming to an end in 30 minutes is exciting.
"I can understand that people still like their long endurance games, but for me the excitement of playing a game that keeps you on your toes, keeps you on your edge, is something I am really looking forward to.
"It is going to change snooker. The crowd will love it and the public will enjoy it. I cannot find a flaw in it.
"You just want some excitement in your life and this brings excitement."
Cricket has already benefited from the introduction of the Twenty20 version of the game and Hearn, who has already turned darts into a major TV sport, is now looking to do the same for snooker.
O'Sullivan has confirmed his participation and invitations have gone out to Neil Robertson, Ding Junhui, Mark Selby, Ali Carter, Shaun Murphy and Jimmy White.
Hearn added: "We are 100 per cent behind Power Snooker. In this new time for World Snooker, it is important for us to embrace new formats and new ideas.
"World Snooker welcome the Power Snooker event which we hope will bring new audiences and new fans to the sport."
Power Snooker at a glance
• Instead of the traditional rack of reds, nine reds will be placed in a diamond formation next to the pink.
• The middle red, marked with the Power Snooker logo, is the PowerBall. Once potted, this triggers a two-minute PowerPlay during which every ball potted counts double. If a shot is missed during a PowerPlay, the clock stops and the player's opponent inherits the remaining time.
• Each game lasts half an hour.
• A shot clock limits players to 20 seconds for each shot. If the 20-second shot clock is exceeded, there is a 20-point penalty and the player still has to take the shot.
• Points count, frames don't. The most points scored after 30-minutes wins the game.
• The area behind the baulk line is the PowerZone - if the cue ball is struck from within the PowerZone, any colour potted counts for double or, during a PowerPlay, quadruple.
• A century break in any frame is worth 50 bonus points. If this is repeated in the next frame, 100 bonus points. If this is repeated in the third frame, 200 bonus points.
• The 'ball in hand' principle applied following a foul shot. The cue ball can be positioned anywhere in the PowerZone.