YO... back from vacation. Are you passionate about FFA?
As some may know, I've been working (on and off...) on the newest version of an FFA guide. I released the original version in 2008 with three more versions that followed periodically. I am going to overhaul the last version and start from scratch to create (hopefully) an FFA guide that will not only build upon but triumph over ones that came before it, ending with an ultimate product that is epic.
If you remember, a year or two ago I started making threads on ffareplays.com to spark discussion on different concepts in FFA. Most of these discussions reached over 50 comments and some over 100. I wanted to gather the opinions of the community and entice debate to achieve the best results when putting together my guide.
I saved a lot of this to use as a resource later on. Many players contributed and a special thanks to everyone that did. I wish to continue to seek out the community's thoughts and ideas to create the best possible product. There are many players (of all skill levels) with good opinions and a solid understanding of the game type. Most importantly, a passion that keeps the community thriving.
I have been active for the last week in a general FFA discussion on WCR. It has reached 6 pages or so and has some good information/contributions. Feel free to check it out at:
Furthermore, I want to bring more FFA discussion to these boards. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the popularity and activity we see in FFA now. I will continue to gather thoughts from the community to add to my own and begin writing the final version of the guide soon.
It's pretty weak that first of all I get accused of cheating or abusing the system because I've played a lot of games recently and some with the same cast. I play every and any available game. I've been off work the last 3 days and played day and night, day time with euro people, night time with US people. Let me repeat, I play with all people every game. 12 points comes from beating maga/wreck/renaud/eshan/sparkle etc, 12 points have came from multiple games with f10ex and say]so, who are both good players. F10ex is very good better then most other players here.
Then people accuse me of trading wins or abusing the system? Be active. again I play all games.... every win I have is hard earned and achieved through skill.
And then u guys ban me from chat box because Im defending my position. While LW says the most bullshit stuff about me and offends me. BTW LW, I don't kick any players. I kicked you ONE time for going tinker towers purpose suicide me x3 games in a row.
I play with many skilled players, not noobs. I play with everyone and beat everyone too. The accusations are offensive to me. Hey guess what Ive had like80 hours to do nothing and just play WC. Now I work the next 4 days doubles. That's how it works. Play games, be active, I didn't hand select who to play with , never do. Play with everyone available. K maybe u unban me from chatbox.... off to work
Use this thread to make aware that you want to play a game!! You can also use the built-in chat box on the main page for quick communication, but use this thread first. The chat box is useful but messages are quickly lost, this creates sustainability and activity. Here you can:
1 ) Post that you are able to play at that very moment. Please list the exact time and a window in which you can play. Then continue to check back during that window of time (30 min to an hour, for example, from the time which you posted) to see if any others have replied.
And/Or
2 ) List schedules! This way players can plan ahead and make general plans. For example, if you know you will be available on a certain day or at certain times during the week, say so. This way players can better know when to ask for games.
We can play a lot more in-house games on BNet and Garena through better communication.
We all love FFA. We all want FFA to stick around and be active. We all know, however, that the community is starting to dwindle (again).
We need to take the steps to keep it going strong. First and foremost, the season 13 final needs to be played. The longer it goes on without being played the less players and fans are even interested. If the championship game continues to be on a "TBA" status that only loses interest in FFA as a whole. Seriously, put a time limit on it to schedule again. If one player still cannot play then give the spot to another deserving.
Starting the next season was a good move. Now we need to raise awareness once again. There are three ways I can think of to do that.
One, reach out to friends or people you play with and try to get them interested in the game type. I have been doing this and will continue to. Have them check out some replays and advertise the websites. Bring new people to the community, players and fans alike.
Two, simply play the game! We need more activity from those that are able to play. Keep playing in all three venues, Northrend Ladder, Azeroth Ladder, and Garena games.
The most active times to search are: Northrend = (10 AM EST - 5 PM EST) Azeroth = ( 5 PM EST - 12 AM EST)
You should be able to find a game on either server depending on the time. Northrend is already pretty active, but not with a lot of FML players. We can improve that and also vastly improve activity on the Azeroth ladder. On BNet, be sure to list the two websites in your profile.
Three, make your presence known. Post replays on FFAReplays.com and comment on other replays. Make threads and comment on threads on this website. When you want to play, make it known and post times, availability etc. Let's get a lot more in-house games (Garena or BNet bot) and commented replays. We need to play a lot more then only the scheduled FML games.
The kickoff of Season 14 will help the cause, but we have to take action to ensure a good season let alone enough participants to make it happen in the first place. The future of FFA may depend on our actions now...
WC3 Is the greatest game of all time, the very close second is Diablo II!!! Who loved and played d2 for years too..? Our competitive nature and strategic minds are sure to cross over to D3. I will always love FFA, still play in FML, and still play WC3 from time to time, but now the time is for DIABLO 3!!!
Who will be playing also? Please list your name (battle.net handle, not character name). Now your battle.net ID is what is shown in all newer blizzard games. Also the server you will be playing on (Americas, Europe, Asia)
Seksi, 1158 Americas
I will be playing a wizard first and will be sure to compete with the best in PvP when it comes and PvE in the mean time!!
Hey all my FFA loving friends, come join me in Diablo 3 and let's play together. I have some real life friends already, but the more the merrier!
I've been having much stress and negative influence in regards to an unfortunate string of events that keeps on rolling concerning my family...
I haven't been able to play recently and won't for at least another week. I'm pretty certain I'll be back in time for the first game, but not completely.
Most of what's been going on should be resolved soon, the toughest times are behind me. When I come back I will be in a better situation life-wise and ready to return to normality. Recently it seems that i've become hungry for attention after essentially being detached from the people closest to me (family and friends, not some high school gf, etc). After a chaotic 2 years most of this is FINALLY starting to resolved.
Anyway, not that basically a stranger's life should concern anyone. Just stating to "clear the air" for myself or anyone that was curious. Also to note that I've enjoyed the different aspects of playing FFA with everyone and have been for a looong time. There are a number of cool people that share a common interest to form what has been the FFA community for so many years.
As a result of the aforementioned events, I feel that my approach to the game has been clouded in recent times. Too many emotions, chatting, etc. Before recently, I've liked to play to the old-school notion represented today by players like Fly or Dase. This is when players will fight first, talk second, instead of the other way around. An emphasis on micro and macro before (if need be) resenting to manipulation or cries for help.
This concept brings the most enjoyment and respect, in my opinion. Ending an emotional roller-coaster for me will do wonders in portraying the persona I wish to represent.
If we end up needing to play some sort of qualifier, I will do my absolute best to be back by then. Looking forward to what's to come!
Hi, first off I'd like to say that the current system(s) in place are very good. I like them very much, this is merely a new format idea borrowing some of the current aspects in FML and combining them with some pieces of successful sports models as well as my own tournament logic. I tried to be as concise and clear possible, albeit lengthy.
- The current scoring system would be used (+25/+10/+10/+5). Any change within the point distribution (like the upcoming +4 for top score) would be also be upheld.
- 6 game regular season. The regular season would work in the same swiss-style format, however the first round would be completely randomized and not seeded whatsoever. I believe this will promote the most fair and equal opportunity for all. One of the benefits that a 6 game season provides is that even if 2 or 3 of the best players end up randomly matched against one another in round 1, there are plenty of rounds to gain back ground in the standings. The swiss-style format plays into this.
- After 6 games, the seeding and spread in the standings should be mostly accurate based on ability. A larger sample size of games should best reflect this. Of course some may have better performances and achieve greater then expected (and vise versa), but that is true in any tournament and adds to the competitive excitement. Some favorites go down, and some underdogs rise up.
- 32players would be accepted into the regular season. At its completion, the top16(out of 32) players in the standings would then make the playoffs. These players would be seeded accordingly (1-16). In the FML, the top two finishers in the regular season recieve a bye in the playoff and thus an automatic bid into the Final. By no means is there anything wrong with this system, it works well and has been widely successful. Rewarding the top 2 players in a season makes sense. However, I believe that even the top seeds should have to win in the playoffs to make the Final, much like successful sports models.
- The advantage of winning the regular season consists of two benefits. First, is an easier path to the Championship, based on seeding. Second is home court advantage. A simple comparison is the NBA. The Lakers being the #1 seed are rewarded by getting to play the bottom seed to begin their tournament. They also have home court advantage. Home court advantage in terms of wc3 would be the choice in map.
- With this logic, there would be16players vying for4spots in the Final. Similar to the FML's current system, Semi-Final games would be played. However, instead of 2 games using the (3-10) spots in the playoff, there would be 4 games using all players in contention (1-16).
- The benefit to having more players in the playoff is evident. First, it promotes greater competition between all of the top players. If you look at the NBA model again, 8 teams in each conference make the playoff for a total of 16. This allows room for nearly all of the skilled (playoff worthy) teams. If less teams made the playoff, we would never see the upsets or young start-up teams get a chance to perform well at the highest level of competition.
- In wc3 terms, players like Renaud or Eshan who are talented enough to compete, most likely would've gotten a shot. In most other cases y.z and w8man would be in the top16also. A counter argument to this is that if these players performed better, they would be in the top 10. This is true, but still does not cover the fact that ultimately having all of the playoff-worthy players (or close to it) making the playoff ensures the highest level of competition. I think it is safe to say that no one would dispute this. Being in the top 16 is still an accomplishment, as only half of the field would make it.
- Another counter argument is that if so many players make the playoff, it does not give the highest seeded players much reward for finishing quite a bit above the bottom seeds. This answer to this is that it does based on the seeding system and home court advantage explained below:
Top 16 players enter the playoffs, seeded as (1-16). There would be 4 Semi-Final games to include each of these players. The winner of each match (4 total) would then go on to play in the Grand Final. The highest seeded player in each Semi-Final game would have the home court advantage (the choice in map out of the map pool). This seeding would give more benefit to the higher seeds, as it should be.
Semi-Final Games: Game 1: Seeds 1 vs 14 vs 15 vs 16 Game 2: Seeds 2 vs 11 vs 12 vs 13 Game 3: Seeds 3 vs 8 vs 9 vs 10 Game 4: Seeds 4 vs 5 vs 6 vs 7
Seeds 1-4 would get their choice in map, respectively. This format should promote the fairest competition and placings based on seeding. As in any competitive sport, the playoffs start a clean slate and a new season for everyone involved. Anything can happen, however there are still distinct advantages to those who have the most successful regular seasons.
- A second and seperate idea that is proposed could or could not be used in conjuction with the first. This would be in addition to the 16 player playoff explained above. It would add a secondary goal to the playoffs; a secondary championship. The players that made the playoff but did not win their Semi-Final game would still have a shot at success, a shot at winning the secondary championship.
- Only the Grand Final would deem one a season champion. This secondary goal would essentially be only for fun, but still uphold the competitve excellence that is apparent in the playoffs. In a form of "double-elimination", players who lost their Semi-Final game would still have an opportunity to win the secondary championship, if for nothing else then respect or redemption.
- The 12remaining playoff contenders that do not make the Grand Final would be able to compete in a "BIG FFA Qualifier" hosted on Divide and Conquer w/ taverns.The top 4finishers in this game would then go on to play in the secondary Final. The winner of the qualifier would get to choose the map for the secondary Final. Map choices for this final would be limited to the 'top 3' (Marketsquare, Twilight Ruins, or Silverpine Forest).
- If nothing else, this addition would ensure2more great FFA games for the community. All 16 players that would make the playoffs would be respected players, maybe even top players that had unfortunate results in the Semis. A "BIG FFA" with all of the remaining playoff contenders would be simply awesome, and a secondary final with the top 4 finishers from the "BIG FFA" would also be high level.
- "Playing for 4th" instead of playing for the win in a "BIG FFA" is much less effective in comparison to a 4 player FFA, playing for 2nd. Reason being is that with so many players, if you finish in the top 4 undoubtably you played well and either took out some opponents or survived many. In nearly all cases, if you finished in the top 4 of this game, you rightfully deserved it. In any case, the secondary Final that would come out of this would be nearly as skilled as the Grand Final.
- A problem arises of course with this idea in scheduling such a large FFA while attempting to accomidate everyone's needs. My solution to this is simple. There would be a 2 week period (same as other games) to schedule, and the time that allows the majority of players to attend would be used, most likely a Sunday. Regardless, it is likely that some players may not be able to attend. For them, oh well. The true prize in the tournament is to play in-and-win the Grand Final, and for these players that chance has come and gone anyway. This idea merely provides a secondary goal to keep players interested and competition at its highest.
- If all 12 players cannot make the "BIG FFA", the game will go on with however many that can attend. DnC w/ taverns is a great map, and arguably even better with 8 or 9 players to free up some gold mines. The top 4 would move on to the secondary Final and provide another potentially epic game.
- Time-wise, the playoffs would only be extended 2 weeks for the secondary Final to be played.
Love the ideas? Hate the ideas? Have some of your own? Please comment in support, question, or argument and share your thoughts! A lot of thinking and tinkering went into this to solidify a reasonable collection of ideas. Thank you for taking the time to read.
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