FFA Masters League

General => News => Topic started by: Persuade on June 03, 2014, 03:31:39 pm

Title: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Persuade on June 03, 2014, 03:31:39 pm
:FMLN:

After another successful FML season with a brand new winner, Mog_Skynet, we wanted to take this time before we announce season 19 to see how everyone feels about map progression and map choice during the season.

When choosing maps we typically look for something that is well received within the community, but also provides the possibility of a fair and balanced game.  Then we alternate between map sizes to allow different types of players to be able to show off their different skills, whether it be map knowledge, macro, micro, or general FFA sense.

Before we announce the Season 19 format, and the maps, we would like to know what you, the community, would like to see this upcoming season.

If you have any map suggestions, whether it be current maps modified with fixed spawns, or classics that we just haven't used, we want to hear your opinions to make this upcoming season as entertaining as possible.
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: SteppinRazor on June 03, 2014, 10:26:43 pm
The only thing I think is worth saying is that fixed spawns is a HORRIBLE idea for FFA.  It takes away a big part of the game, and while it sucks being surrounded it is simply a part of what makes up the FFA gametype.  Fixed spawns on classic maps (market, twilight etc) would create the most generic, boring hoardfest games ever - something that many people think already happens too much!

Just my two cents.  Personally I love how FML is running and see really no significant changes that need to be made.  Perhaps look at some old but good maps that haven't been used in a while?
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: FML|Mog on June 03, 2014, 11:49:38 pm
I think the past 2 seasons the maps have been rotated through really well. There have been some classic big maps like Market, Twilight, Deadlock, and Harvest (obv not a classic map but throwing it in because it is big); and also a nice variety of smaller maps like emerald, twisted meadows, silverpine (even though I hate it!). As long as there is a variety of big and small maps, then I think things are running well. Would be cool to see some more variety though, like Gold Rush, Sanctuary, Anarchy Castle... just off the top of my head. Even some of the playffa bot smaller maps like Rift Valley. Even though I realize some of those maps are pretty imbalanced... Maybe some tweaks could help with that.

Basically, I'm happy we aren't just seeing the core maps anymore every round every season, like Deathrose, Twilight, Market, Deadlock... But also glad those maps haven't totally disappeared since at the end of the day they are great FFA maps.

Format change could be fun too. Was really awesome when we had that season (17?) with like 40 players and people were getting eliminated as the season went on.... I know it kind of sucked on admins with the scheduling problems, and people not showing up... but ultimately I think it was a success in that it mixed things up and kept the league fresh and interesting. Also brought in some new blood so people aren't just getting bored to death watching the same people playing the same strats over and over against the same competition.

Even something like opening the league with the first round being 2 big 12 man ffa's with point being distributed like in the KoFFA matches? As I'm typing this I realize that would be a scheduling DISASTER, but I'm just typing ideas as they come to me at this point...so I will just shut up now :)
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: FML|Renaud on June 04, 2014, 06:46:11 am
Actually the elimination system was great for player not showing and dropping half way, since they just got dropped at the end of the round :D
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: SteppinRazor on June 04, 2014, 08:29:49 am
I really liked the season with the elimination by round format as well, gave a lot of players a good chance to succeed in FML as having a small player pool always makes it so a handful of very good players don't make it for whatever reason. 

Considering the activity level of FFA right now, which is probably more thanks to playffa than anything, it might not be a bad idea to try something for S19 that will incorporate a large number of players
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Ugrilainen on June 04, 2014, 08:56:07 am
Cold Plains is a good map
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Searcher_FF on June 04, 2014, 10:27:19 am
+
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Lightweight on June 04, 2014, 10:35:57 am
No qualifiers!
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: DV- on June 04, 2014, 12:16:15 pm
Maybe reduce gold in goldmines a bit?
Ppl hoard too much at maps like Harvest of Sorrow, Market, Deadlock. It makes games boring.
I mean since there is 4 players (and there is usually 3 players in 30 min) some players (elves, humans) getting 20, 30 even 40k gold and it makes games so sloooooow.

Also i want to see some maps like Sanctuary, Nortshire etc (maybe Hellsquare or Round Village?)

Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: MattiasG on June 04, 2014, 12:23:56 pm
I want at least 1 extreme map. Like ragnarok or hurricane isles. Fuck balance!
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: FML|Mage on June 04, 2014, 02:11:27 pm
Fixed position Battleground.

That is all.
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Ugrilainen on June 04, 2014, 02:32:26 pm
You could make a rule that you rehost in case of surround, instead of fixing pos

This would create more variety in pos
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: FML|Renaud on June 04, 2014, 03:11:46 pm
I don't mind being surround, depending on the map

On maps like Harvest/Twillight/Deadlock/Silverpine it's not that big a deal
But on maps like Market Square or Emeral Shore...

(Market is THE worst map to be surrounded in imo)
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Ugrilainen on June 04, 2014, 03:24:48 pm
No the worst is murgul :(
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Lightweight on June 04, 2014, 03:40:57 pm
Being surrounded is never a problem for elf though...
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: FML|Renaud on June 04, 2014, 03:44:58 pm
No the worst is murgul :(

True, however that's not just because of the surround, it sucks for many other reason!
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: FML|Mage on June 04, 2014, 04:17:15 pm
Huh, the idea of doing only say 6 of 8 positions can have spawns so you can have neighbors but no surround instead of fixed position is an interesting one.  I think it's map by map.  If there's the possibility of being able to cross expo and play relatively normally I like it.  If it's just going to be instant death that's not as much fun. 

Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Ugrilainen on June 04, 2014, 04:46:30 pm
Yes i would use that for twilight ruins for example.

Double surround are ok most of the time

Being the only surrounded players sucks
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: MattiasG on June 04, 2014, 06:23:53 pm
Dont ignore me, i wasnt even trolling. Many people hate the hoarding but seeing guys like renaud get 60k would be fun! (X8 enabled)
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Persuade on June 04, 2014, 08:55:56 pm
Dont ignore me, i wasnt even trolling. Many people hate the hoarding but seeing guys like renaud get 60k would be fun! (X8 enabled)

Don't worry we don't ignore anyone, not even LW.

Being able to adapt in a surround is a FFA skill, so I personally am against having fixed spawns on all maps.

However, there are special circumstances for this, such as with emerald shores, because that map has a much bigger impact when being surrounded, than say twilight where you are guaranteed an expo.
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: DV- on June 04, 2014, 10:05:07 pm
Agreed. No need fixed pos or reduced spawn pos.
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Dovekie on June 07, 2014, 02:12:50 am
All I have to say:

Sanctuary.
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: Seksi on June 07, 2014, 02:43:24 am
Mur'gul Oasis is the ultimate action map, even if you are surrounded you can tech tier 3 to quickly clear the dragons - Love this map. 

Battleground is another I second. 

One game on Gold Rush would be cool too. 
Title: Re: FML Season 19 Preseason discussion
Post by: FML|red7z7 on June 07, 2014, 06:44:26 am
Always a fan of smaller maps like silverpine forest and twisted meadows. Bloodstone mesa is interesting as well as murgol oasis like has been said. And I agree with the previous posts about not fixing positions. Surrounds and randomness is what makes FFA great.