This approach of running to fix maps before a tournament is a less than ideal approach. Your rolling the dice when you rush map development like this before a major tournament. I've warned people about this and I've dealt with this type of situation during the SNF COH1 days.
Reasons this might not be ok:
1. Not enough time to properly test maps
2. Not enough forum debate among experts to hammer out details
3. Not enough time for mappers to filter bias from debate and hone in on features that really need changing
4. A major tournament is about to happen so people will need to adjust on the fly to changes
5. Some of these changes are not minor.
6. Is this ok w the tournament organizer? or are we stepping hard on toes?
Hey Whiteflash.
We completely understand your concerns regarding the changes on display here, especially so close to GCS2. However, having worked closely with A_E, Sturmpanther, Capiqua, Tric and a host of high-rank players, I wanted to reassure you that we have every faith in the changes that have been made, and would not have made any of them rashly.
We appreciate that there is an ideal process for making map fixes, which we successfully used in the previous map patch, but with time against us, and only a few small-scale quality of life changes on the list, this seemed like an opportunity we couldn't pass up.
I should also make it clear that no changes were made without complete consent and unanimous support from the entire team, including A_E, who had the final word as to whether a change would be acceptable in GCS2. You yourself were included in the changes to Crossroads, as you are one of the few active mappers to have an asset in automatch and didn't wish to take that honour away from you.
Needless to say, if bugs do arise (which they always do), we can easily make fixes and changes, as the pool of maps in question is so small, and should the need arise, changes can be reverted completely.
Rest-assured, this was a Relic commissioned venture, and was carried out with more secrecy than before to reduce unwanted exposure after recent, unfortunate leaks. Nevertheless, I have complete faith in the team that identified, managed and tested these changes.
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On the topic of KFS, we should make it clear that this map featured the only case of dramatic changes - these changes were of my own design, with support, discussion, advice and guidance from Sturmpanther, and testing from the other members of the group. If you have particular problems with this redesign, please direct them to me to allow me to collate useful feedback. It is very daunting to change a map that has been present since the release of the game, but we are confident that it will reduce the imbalances of the map without damaging its soul - we urge you to give it a try!