1 Do you find playing on Kenya maps enjoyable?
Mushi
You mean maps not in "the big 3"? Definately fun. Some more than others. In general, is a lush of fresh air that I appreciate. Kenyas tend to work better in other game modes though. For example in CA or Wipeout. It has been years since we have a Clan Arena tournament, and I don't know any featuring Wipeout.

Timmi
I dont mind kenya at all, Axemen was founded around nqr2 ladder where we speciallized e1m5 and won versus stronger opponents. Kinda lame for them, but epic fun for us. Fast forward to today, I prefer tb3, but have no problem with a larger map pool.

Flamer
Some kenya maps are fun, yes

Reppie
Probably! But not for me

Pattah
Yes, very much so.

Hangtime
It can be on the right maps, and with the right teammates motivated to develop strategies etc on new maps.

ParadokS
For me the "fun" part comes with the competitive part of a map.
When both sides know basic or even some advanced tactics, that you can have meta game within the game.

Dirtbox
No

Max_Power
it's fun when you learn maps well, until then it's not

Razor
I have started to enjoy kenya a bit more lately! I think a new era of tb5 could be around the corner and if we could
just decide which those 2 maps are (schloss+?) then you could start getting into those and learn all the small tricks, know-how's
and team tactics of those maps so they can be part of a serious and competetive environment.
For now I think tb5 would be a good amount of maps so everyone is able to git gud and master them.
I personally enjoy maps the most that everyone knows really well, at least for a serious competition, while other maps that no one
really knows fully yet becomes more "for fun".

Gosciu
it sure can be, but it has to be really thought out in terms of map geometry and available resources (for example good kenya: phantombase or schloss, bad kenya: ukcldm2 or episode maps), I also believe tb3 maps don't meet the requirements for good ones, but they've been played forever and definitely will be, so no point in whining

Bernkaoch
I believe newer maps bring a note of freshness into the scene. New tactics to be discovered by any team. i dont see the point of playing the same 3 maps in which every tactic is already known for so long.


2 What kept you from participating in this tournament?
Mushi
I dont think these CS map ports work for qw 4on4. They would be better used in other game modes. IMO
I am in the tournament, as a standin

Timmi
The only reason Im not participating, is that drafts reduces my clans activity. There will be days I play officials where we could have played as a clan. I just want to improve as axemen, rather than going on a personal safari.

Flamer
I prefer to play 1 tournament only in same time and i will rather to play tournament where are tb3 maps than kenya maps only

Reppie
I do not enjoy learning new maps

Pattah
I played some of the CS conversions already and these are really some of the few kenya maps I don't like.

Hangtime
I'm not playing QW atm. To play a tourney on new maps, I'd want time to learn/practice them.

ParadokS
Because I don't know the maps at all.. and thought of CS converted maps to QW feels retarded when we have like 3000 maps to choose from.
I am also hoping a TB5 tourney starts soon and have enough activity with pracs and 2on2 on the side.

Dirtbox
Kenya is a real turn off. Real men play the maps that shipped with the game.

Max_Power
busy with life - work and skiing in the spare time

Razor
I'm going away on a trip soon so I wouldn't be able to join, but don't think I would have joined anyway tbh, converted CS-maps wasn't so fun last time I tried.

Gosciu
I've recently joined a clan, which didn't participate in EQL Cup 2, so I could be a guest player in Polonez, but now that EQL Cup 3 is around, I'd rather spend time on practicing with them, as I always give my best and don't want to stretch my focus on too many things at once, it would be either 100% on clan or 100% on draft team, anything less is just not worth spending the time for me, I also don't want to give up playing my beloved 2on2 mode

Bernkaoch
i'm not interested in 4v4 at all


3 Which Kenya map do you prefer for 4-on-4 matches?
Mushi
I dont really have a favourite. In 4on4 I enjoy Schloss and CMT3. Rocka is sweet too.

Timmi
I dont have any favourites at all tbh. I like all the maps played in recent tournaments. The only map that stands out for me is e1m2.
If I really have to pick something it would be obsidian, phantom and schloss.

Flamer
Anwalk 1 (if schloss in not kenya map anymore)

Reppie
Phantombase looks pretty good, though only played two games on it. Probably my fav

Pattah
This is a tough choice, because there are so many to pick from. A rather recent map I like is obsidian and I also like cmt1b a lot. Is schloss still considered kenya?

Hangtime
Cmt4

ParadokS
Schloss clear winner for me. It also seems to be well liked across continents, and divisions and skill level. I enjoy it both in mix and pracs.
We haven't really seen it in any high level tournaments yet but I'm ready for it.

Dirtbox
None

Max_Power
ctl8 is quite good among maps that were played recently

Razor
Hmmm.. probably schloss, not really into the quad-area, it is a bit TOO chaotic for my taste. But otherwise it is fun, and no LG

Gosciu
really hard question, I haven't had enough practice to master any 4on4 map, but ones from the cmt series have been really enjoyable, a fast paced schloss is also very fun

Bernkaoch
No idea, i never got into 4v4. probably played the maps less than 10 times each


4 Is this tournament a good way to welcome newcomers to QuakeWorld?
Mushi
I don't know. Worth the shot

Timmi
Drafts or Kenya tournaments? I think drafts are great for the purpose, actually the best tool we have to bring people into the 4on4 scene. Its what brought me back after 12y of idling. The problem with drafts are that the activity fizzle out a tad too fast. That is where the clan scene comes in. And to cite djevulsk: Drafts made me come back, clans made me stay. Regarding kenya or not? I dont think it matters that much. Tb3 and kenya both work in a draft scenario.

Flamer
New players can play any maps i think (they don't know any qw maps anyway), so is better if they will play tb3 maps also 🙂

Reppie
I have no idea about that tbh Only if the maps are good I guess?

Pattah
I don't think that the maps (tb3 or kenya) matter that much in that regard. More important is an even playing field (skill wise) and caretakers like Ocoini, who do so much for this community and players new to the game. Also the streamers, LAN event and tournament organizers play an important role I guess.

Hangtime
I don't know. I think it's a good leveller where newer players with good mechanical skills can shine because they don't have the disadvantage of 25 years less experience on tb3. However tb3 isn't going away so they also need to learn that somehow. I think some of the 'inclusive' initiatives like d99 are good for embracing new players and helping them develop in a friendly environment.

ParadokS
I'm not sure.
A new player has not much bias toward TB3 and the history behind, because they didn't play those maps before either and don't know the top players.
Players coming back recognize TB3 and the skill from top players so they have more associations with this and are not so interested in "kenya maps".

They wanna get that nostalgic feeling.

But of course i think new players should play same map pool as the "pros" so they can ask them for tactical advice, see demos how to play.. so much more material for them and be part of "QW culture" on the competitive side.

Dirtbox
Potentially

Max_Power
probably yes, at least they have a chance playing maps that are new to everybody

Razor
No idea, i don't see many new players playing? But as spectators I guess any method works with some good coverage of the event and if the
people in it looks like they are having fun. Maybe a few CS-players might be lured in because of the CS-maps?

Gosciu
I think it depends on whether these maps will be featured in future cups, they definitely shouldn't be hopping map to map all the time and instead focus on a stable pool, regarding the draft system, I believe it to be amazing for them, their skill can grow fast by having a captain, who cares for them and by playing equal games

Bernkaoch
I believe its easier to bring newcomers with non dm maps especially with the draft system


5 Which team do you predict will emerge victorious? (More details at https://www.quakeworld.nu/news/1192/innovative-twist-in-quakeworld-tdm-)
Mushi
Gamer's, Macler's or Milton's.

Timmi
It is nearly impossible to create a draft where miltons team are not a finalist. The other finalist will either be btk or macler is

Flamer
My black horse is BTK's team if billy will be still active

Reppie
Milton's team

Pattah
Milton's team should take this home. Macler's team is also a great contender and I'm happy to see BTK with a solid team as well.

Hangtime
Milton's team looks strongest to me, but I haven't seen any games on these new maps. I'd expect big things from BTK squad also, he's the type of player that excels on new maps and has some solid picks that will be committed to learning and practicing the maps. Keep an eye on BTK in the early matches especially.

ParadokS
Probably Milton. I know it's cliche to say, but he is the only div0 player besides diki and macler perhaps. He is always dedicated to learn new maps fast and dominate.
But it won't be that easy. The polish look good also in this constellation.

Dirtbox
The Polish team.

Max_Power
Milton's team of course

Razor
Miltons team for sure! I remember sae stealing some stuff from Milton in the last draft, but he is still solid player and shamoth looks like the best
3rd pick of all the teams so not sure how he got him. And then ofcourse sassa, that has probably been away practicing CS for 12 years and knows these maps like a beast.

Gosciu
either Macler's or Milton's team, I haven't seen sae or sassa play yet, but the mighty Finn can do miracles, if only his team listens to him (might be hard with Shamcio from what I heard)
6) I don't think it will look any different, the trashtalk is a part of Macler's mindgames, there's a simple solution if you face him tho, /ignore

Bernkaoch
I can't tell as i barely watch 4v4

6 After the intense Milton vs. Macler rivalry during the EQL Cup 2 finals, what are your expectations for their next encounter?
Mushi
my crystal ball doesn't compute that.

Timmi
Milton will take it home vs macler in the final. It will be 2:2 and mirage on the final map. Sae and Milton will run them over and end result will be 76:53 to Miltons team. You read it here first..

Flamer
Milton will crush Polonez with his COM team

Reppie
Revenge

Pattah
Offline we might have seen another hug ... but online? Hmm, really not sure ...

Hangtime
This doesn't interest me, and it's not proper drama like 20 years ago!

ParadokS
virtual fist fight!! Need some drama and characters in scene. just keep it relatively civilized. No death theats, no momma jokes... other than that, almost anything goes.

Dirtbox
The heat will remain. Milton is still getting counselling after his QHLAN loss and he is bringing out his secret weapon (I am sworn to secrecy as to what this is)

Max_Power
i hope they will be nice to each other

Razor
I think Milton is angry and hungry for revenge now, but Macler is gonna Macler and try and tilt Milton as usual so key-to-victory will be to just mute
him . Macler's team is probably the 2nd best one though would be my guess, so I think they got a shot and it will come down to who actually practice
these maps the most. Gamer's team looks pretty solid as well.

Gosciu
I don't think it will look any different, the trashtalk is a part of Macler's mindgames, there's a simple solution if you face him tho, /ignore

Bernkaoch
Was there drama ? Maybe Macler will dare to play next QHLAN against commando.


7 What's your favorite map in Qenya Wars 3?
Mushi
I can't say.

Timmi
I havent played anything else than mirage. It felt too large at first, but it helps when you learn to navigate and bj. But seriously, our strategy was to go 2 and 2 together, because by the time we could get across the map to help a teammate, it was time for pent...

Flamer
I played Mirage only and it is terrible map, so i don't have any favo map

Reppie
Phantombase as a potential new map in the pool - stronghold for fun@speccing

Pattah
Sweet little baby Jesus! If I had to pick one, I'd probably go with italy. But yea ...

Hangtime
Haven't seen the new ones, so it's Mirage by default.

ParadokS
I just ran around them for short time, haven't played any of the maps tbh. They are not interesting for me. If you have a bunch of players saying this is like best map ever OMG, ok i'll give it a try. But I have enough in TB3 + schloss and finding a 5th.

Dirtbox
Dust2

Max_Power
haven't seen any of them

Razor
Haven't checked any of them out, but I will for sure spec some of these games and I will come back to you.

Gosciu
haven't played them yet, but you should know which one it would be

Bernkaoch
Same as question 3


8 Can you shed some light on why Sassa was such a late pick in the draft, at 47 out of 50?
Mushi
I can think of some, but one main one.

Timmi
Sassa has just returned after many years of slumber, and much like myself, I had to start in div3 in the draft I joined when I returned. I think people are a bit unsure of the ability to learn crazy maps, but with milton on the team, you will learn fast.

Flamer
I don't know, ask draft pickers

Reppie
To not make him feel bad for being picked last?

Pattah
I have no idea what their game plan is! I would have picked you first of course!

Hangtime
Someone made a mistake and picked him 3 spots too early! But I think you mean 37/40?

ParadokS
TBH I didn't see the draft. But apart from pixols, diablic, kwon and badsebi you are probably the one everyone thinks plays the least. But I did see you recently play quite a bit with ToT.

You were never known as a high level player, and other players in this pool are more "visible" in the night mixgames and so forth, so maybe just a marketing issue?

Dirtbox
Because people who play Kenya aren't the smartest bunch.

Max_Power
it's okay, take it easy

Razor
Not sure, it is hard to rate and compare players I guess. Sassa just very recently came back as well, which means he has to prove himself in the eyes of the community! Next CS-map tournament he will be a captain.

Gosciu
other pickers didn't want their teams to stomp opponents too hard, a good competition is what makes QW fun

Bernkaoch
They forgot who is the king of endif !


9 Any final thoughts or messages for the QuakeWorld community?
Mushi
welcome back grc

Timmi
Enjoy the draft everyone! I hope atleast 1 of the maps comes out as a great alternative in a future tb3+X maps tourney. It seems to be slight consensus towards a 5map pool. I hope as many as possible can embrace that in the coming tournaments. An extra shoutout to the people who bother organizing LAN's and tournaments also. You are the real champions in our small community!

Flamer
tb3 forever

Reppie
Loving the recent activity

Pattah
Thank you all for still playing and have fun games!


Hangtime
Should we have a tb3 draft around April time?

ParadokS
Lets push for a great 2024, develop both new and old players, enjoy the tournaments and look forward to another polish and swedish LAN party!

Dirtbox
Make next tourney TB3 duel.

Max_Power
be excellent to each other and play quakeworld

Razor
Stop walking on spawn-points you damn idiots!

Gosciu
Well it's all right, it's good, they are doing good, well, everything is fine. It's git. I salute to all of Legnica, the goodfellas and let's keep it going. A good message is flying.

Bernkaoch
KURWA