Let's look at CTF as a whole, rather than comparing it to other games because it is unique in its own sense. Firstly, I agree with eo. He brought up a lot of points, which are very true and evident when playing. Everything I am going to say is coming from a non-bias viewpoint, the main aim of the server should be attracting more players not making experienced players even better at the game.
Before ice was even introduced CTF had a lot more new players than it does now, who actually stayed and played. That's a fact. Also another fact, most new players don't use ice when they start playing, until they see or hear about it. Furthermore, even when they do try using it they aren't anywhere as good as the previous 'experienced players'. Why is that? Simple answer, they've mastered the basics aka TNTing, tagging or mining (whatever it may be) really well. If new players can't even master the basics how can you expect them to master ice too? Therefore shouldn't new players be given a easier chance to get use to the basics first, which have always been around? The focus should be on training these new players with TNT, mining and tagging not putting more pressure on them. It takes practice to use ice in an 'attacking' way. But like eo said it's easy to use for running away from attackers, taking the flag or protecting the flag area. How do I know this? Because I am one of the players who does this. I use ice both ways attacking, defending and running away. However, most of the time if i'm being honest it's used more for running away from players. This isn't entertaining, but rather cowardly and I am even saying this about myself.
Ping can also play a huge part in how balanced ice is when you use it. Players' like myself, who have a 120+ ping find it hard to kill players with a much lower ping in the first place, having ice makes killing even more difficult. This may not seem important to you players with a low ping, but it really does make the game unfair sometimes for us higher ping players. Additionally, I don't know if you've noticed this, but it's been around for a while (spoke to unknown about it many times). Basically if you are pillaring while running too quickly with ice on a higher ping, you can fall through blocks much easier. This causes players like myself die in crucial situations, such as carrying the flag. This issue of falling through blocks is more frequent when the speed of the block is increased. It can catch you off guard when you are least expecting it. I'd rather have a level playing ground when it comes to higher ping vs lower ping players. Allowing players to place speed blocks, such as ice, causes uncertainty and helps lower ping users get away from situations far too easily, when they really shouldn't be alive.
Most players who wish to keep ice, are those who have already mastered the skill of using it. Don't get me wrong, ice has a purpose otherwise I wouldn't use it when playing. Although if we are looking at the bigger picture it tends to have more negatives than positives. Just because you enjoy using something doesn't mean it's fair for everyone else or needs to be in the game. When you have some players using it and others not, it creates an unbalanced game in my opinion. I noticed this in the previous tournament facing players like mars, who refuse to use ice and this played a huge part in them losing matches. For instance, if I was to 1vs1 steg and use no ice and he did use ice, you don't need an expert to tell you who would win. Or if new players join and I use ice to dodge their attacks and flag cap, that doesn't really sound fun to me. Before ice was introduced no one really complained at all about the speed of going around maps. I would actually say it encouraged players to be more strategic, like eo said when playing, by using the secret tunnels on maps or creating diversions so someone can grab the flag, even mine placement. Whereas now, it's more about how fast can you ice pillar over the flag and ice pillar back to your side to cap a flag. You may call it skill, but if we are being honest it isn't hard at all to run away on ice with a low ping or high ping.
I know this is a bit off-topic, but it is still relevant I believe. New Blood Zombie Survival has ice as most of you know. I've played there for a few years and I can tell you most players hate it. Funny enough they hate it for the same reasons, it causes uncertainty and an unbalance to the game. Anytime I used ice on it, was to escape players much easier. It's more of a extra perk for those who can use it, than a skill overall.
Like eo said on his last paragraph, let's be open minded and ask what will ice do for the community rather than for individuality.
EDIT: By the way, if you don't remember how fun it was before ice I encourage you to watch the advertising video, which is still on the website beside the login link. The thing Eo said about "icejumping" is demonstrated if you watch the last kill on the video. I am actually pillaring without ice and killing someone from a distance, which backs up what he was saying.
Before ice was even introduced CTF had a lot more new players than it does now, who actually stayed and played. That's a fact. Also another fact, most new players don't use ice when they start playing, until they see or hear about it. Furthermore, even when they do try using it they aren't anywhere as good as the previous 'experienced players'. Why is that? Simple answer, they've mastered the basics aka TNTing, tagging or mining (whatever it may be) really well. If new players can't even master the basics how can you expect them to master ice too? Therefore shouldn't new players be given a easier chance to get use to the basics first, which have always been around? The focus should be on training these new players with TNT, mining and tagging not putting more pressure on them. It takes practice to use ice in an 'attacking' way. But like eo said it's easy to use for running away from attackers, taking the flag or protecting the flag area. How do I know this? Because I am one of the players who does this. I use ice both ways attacking, defending and running away. However, most of the time if i'm being honest it's used more for running away from players. This isn't entertaining, but rather cowardly and I am even saying this about myself.
Ping can also play a huge part in how balanced ice is when you use it. Players' like myself, who have a 120+ ping find it hard to kill players with a much lower ping in the first place, having ice makes killing even more difficult. This may not seem important to you players with a low ping, but it really does make the game unfair sometimes for us higher ping players. Additionally, I don't know if you've noticed this, but it's been around for a while (spoke to unknown about it many times). Basically if you are pillaring while running too quickly with ice on a higher ping, you can fall through blocks much easier. This causes players like myself die in crucial situations, such as carrying the flag. This issue of falling through blocks is more frequent when the speed of the block is increased. It can catch you off guard when you are least expecting it. I'd rather have a level playing ground when it comes to higher ping vs lower ping players. Allowing players to place speed blocks, such as ice, causes uncertainty and helps lower ping users get away from situations far too easily, when they really shouldn't be alive.
Most players who wish to keep ice, are those who have already mastered the skill of using it. Don't get me wrong, ice has a purpose otherwise I wouldn't use it when playing. Although if we are looking at the bigger picture it tends to have more negatives than positives. Just because you enjoy using something doesn't mean it's fair for everyone else or needs to be in the game. When you have some players using it and others not, it creates an unbalanced game in my opinion. I noticed this in the previous tournament facing players like mars, who refuse to use ice and this played a huge part in them losing matches. For instance, if I was to 1vs1 steg and use no ice and he did use ice, you don't need an expert to tell you who would win. Or if new players join and I use ice to dodge their attacks and flag cap, that doesn't really sound fun to me. Before ice was introduced no one really complained at all about the speed of going around maps. I would actually say it encouraged players to be more strategic, like eo said when playing, by using the secret tunnels on maps or creating diversions so someone can grab the flag, even mine placement. Whereas now, it's more about how fast can you ice pillar over the flag and ice pillar back to your side to cap a flag. You may call it skill, but if we are being honest it isn't hard at all to run away on ice with a low ping or high ping.
I know this is a bit off-topic, but it is still relevant I believe. New Blood Zombie Survival has ice as most of you know. I've played there for a few years and I can tell you most players hate it. Funny enough they hate it for the same reasons, it causes uncertainty and an unbalance to the game. Anytime I used ice on it, was to escape players much easier. It's more of a extra perk for those who can use it, than a skill overall.
Like eo said on his last paragraph, let's be open minded and ask what will ice do for the community rather than for individuality.
EDIT: By the way, if you don't remember how fun it was before ice I encourage you to watch the advertising video, which is still on the website beside the login link. The thing Eo said about "icejumping" is demonstrated if you watch the last kill on the video. I am actually pillaring without ice and killing someone from a distance, which backs up what he was saying.
