While a lot of us have heard that the CPL and CAL just recently announced a major CS match format change, most may not know that Midway from Gotfrag inspired these changes. I must give credit to Gotfrag. They are very influential and a few their articles have been absolutely brilliant in uniting an esports community that seems continually divided. CS Ireland has interviewed Midway --one of the staff of Gotfrag — and has brought up some very good questions:
At the most recent CPL event, the stronger US teams like D!E and Rival really showed the Euros that this side of the Atlantic definitely has a leg up when it comes to strategies and tactics. Europeans still won the event, though, but there were a few close calls. Rival pushed SK to near failure many times only to lose after an incredible 41 rounds of play (Rival vs. SK was easily the match of this Summer's CPL). Will Euros try to pick up more strategies, or is the lesson they've learned that skill can always beat even the most complex of strats? Will U.S. powerhouses be able to adapt their strategies to the faster tempo of CS?
Most clans have a fairly standard CT set up which will only change slightly during a match, most if not all of the strategical stuff goes on, on the terrorist side, do you think the new system will leave us with VERY basic terrorist rushes?Click here for the rest of the very interesting interview. Midway is not the type of man who will be a mouthpiece for the CPL, so you can believe that he's being frank.[break="more about CPL changes"]I've played two scrims under the new format (click for info), and have seen how at least a couple of teams have yet to adapt to the shortened round timer. Missing plants, being unable to rush a bombsite and hold it, etc. One of the main changes is that distractions now almost always have to follow through unless your team is very strong, because regrouping 12 times in a round isn't possible. Absolutely not a bad thing! This will definitely pick up the pace of matches, and force teams to hone in their strategies. Having a good strategy is cupcakes, but being able to pull that strategy off in a speedy, coordinated matter is a different story. And this is coming from me; someone who never complained about matches being "slow" or "boring." The format change looks like it is a good switch.
Midway: They may look basic to the common person following the game but I believe that the rushes will actually become more organized then they are now. Teams will have to be so perfect with everything they do that it will force strats with unparallel complexity even for what we might call a basic middle rush. Also currently like I said teams sit around looking to pick off people and rush an opening they might create.
Skill will still be a deciding factor all over but teams who come more organized and put themselves in better places to be successful will have a better chance of winning. By the way don't forget I think this will also force CTs to take a hard look at their spots as well because more timing related and fasting attacks will make them look at possible mixing up their strats and looking to be quicker at reacting to what the Ts are trying to do.
At the most recent CPL event, the stronger US teams like D!E and Rival really showed the Euros that this side of the Atlantic definitely has a leg up when it comes to strategies and tactics. Europeans still won the event, though, but there were a few close calls. Rival pushed SK to near failure many times only to lose after an incredible 41 rounds of play (Rival vs. SK was easily the match of this Summer's CPL). Will Euros try to pick up more strategies, or is the lesson they've learned that skill can always beat even the most complex of strats? Will U.S. powerhouses be able to adapt their strategies to the faster tempo of CS?
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