Hello. A few days ago we had a short discussion in Loka discord when the following video was posted:
I encourage you to watch it. It is basically a clip from a ranked game on the Lush Valley map where a player takes advantage of the map design and runs around for an extended period of time.
I do not think this type of "strategy" should be viable. It sucks all the fun out of the playing experience and makes the match very tedious, and it takes absolutely no skill to perform. Fundamentally, it only works because of a flaw in Loka map design rather than any brilliance on the part of the person abusing this method. I believe that when 2 players click accept on a ranked match, it is an agreement to fight, and just running and avoiding said fight for an extended period of time (something only possible on a flawed map like Lush valley) should not be a thing.
I think there are 2 reasonable options for eliminating it, though I like the second option much more.
Option 1: Make it against the rules, punish with a Ranked Ban
Loka can make this against the rules and players would be able to submit clips (Loka can set a requirement ex. length of time the player does this and so on), staff review the clips at their own convenience and punish players accordingly. I think this would be an okay solution, I have heard the complaint that it would add more to the staff workload but I honestly think making this against the rules will already stop the vast majority of people from doing it, and I feel like there are people in the staff team who would be more than happy to take on the responsibility of reviewing clips every now and then.
Option 2: Address the core issue, let players report a flawed map design with a clip, and the build team edits the map to fix the flaw
I like this concept, mostly because there is some sort of precedence here since Loka has already changed a previously very easy to abuse map (Aquarium / Shipwreck? I forgot the name but you know the one) because players were able to abuse it in a similar way to Lush Valley. It also eliminates hypothetical "staff load", players can create a clip in a friendly duel demonstrating how the map can be abused and then Loka can edit the map like what was done with Aquarium. It also avoids anybody getting punished for abusing a map when they are able, since I understand some people do think this is a valid strategy.
I suppose it is also possible to combine the 2 options, make abusing it punishable and ensure maps cant be abused in such a way to begin with, but I think just option 2 is perfectly acceptable.
I really think this is a very silly thing and preventing it is in the best interests of the server, as it improves the quality of the ranked experience for all involved. I understand Loka wants PvP maps with uneven and interesting terrain etc. but it is possible to achieve that without making a fundamentally flawed map that lets players just avoid the PvP entirely for as long as they want with no way to counter.
I encourage you to watch it. It is basically a clip from a ranked game on the Lush Valley map where a player takes advantage of the map design and runs around for an extended period of time.
I do not think this type of "strategy" should be viable. It sucks all the fun out of the playing experience and makes the match very tedious, and it takes absolutely no skill to perform. Fundamentally, it only works because of a flaw in Loka map design rather than any brilliance on the part of the person abusing this method. I believe that when 2 players click accept on a ranked match, it is an agreement to fight, and just running and avoiding said fight for an extended period of time (something only possible on a flawed map like Lush valley) should not be a thing.
I think there are 2 reasonable options for eliminating it, though I like the second option much more.
Option 1: Make it against the rules, punish with a Ranked Ban
Loka can make this against the rules and players would be able to submit clips (Loka can set a requirement ex. length of time the player does this and so on), staff review the clips at their own convenience and punish players accordingly. I think this would be an okay solution, I have heard the complaint that it would add more to the staff workload but I honestly think making this against the rules will already stop the vast majority of people from doing it, and I feel like there are people in the staff team who would be more than happy to take on the responsibility of reviewing clips every now and then.
Option 2: Address the core issue, let players report a flawed map design with a clip, and the build team edits the map to fix the flaw
I like this concept, mostly because there is some sort of precedence here since Loka has already changed a previously very easy to abuse map (Aquarium / Shipwreck? I forgot the name but you know the one) because players were able to abuse it in a similar way to Lush Valley. It also eliminates hypothetical "staff load", players can create a clip in a friendly duel demonstrating how the map can be abused and then Loka can edit the map like what was done with Aquarium. It also avoids anybody getting punished for abusing a map when they are able, since I understand some people do think this is a valid strategy.
I suppose it is also possible to combine the 2 options, make abusing it punishable and ensure maps cant be abused in such a way to begin with, but I think just option 2 is perfectly acceptable.
I really think this is a very silly thing and preventing it is in the best interests of the server, as it improves the quality of the ranked experience for all involved. I understand Loka wants PvP maps with uneven and interesting terrain etc. but it is possible to achieve that without making a fundamentally flawed map that lets players just avoid the PvP entirely for as long as they want with no way to counter.
