The Problems with the Current Major System
The Electronic Sports League One Cologne, an official Valve sponsored event for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, is set to begin on July 5, 2016. As a Major event, it offers prestige and a significant prize pool for the participants. However, despite its status, there are three major problems within the Major system: format, seeding, and the last map randomizer.
Format is Just One Problem
The format is the least of the problems and requires a separate in-depth article to address. Therefore, for now, we will focus on the other two issues: seeding and the last map randomizer.
The Problem with Seeding
The current seeding system for Majors is based solely on the results from the previous Major event, which can vary over time. The top eight teams from qualifiers are randomly drawn into four tier groups. This system ignores all other events and games that have occurred between Majors. As a result, teams can go up or down in rankings very quickly, leading to unfair groupings. For example, Group D in this Major includes Fnatic, SK, G2, and FaZe Clan, all of whom are considered favorites to make it to the finals. This unfair grouping can lead to multiple favorites being knocked out early on due to a bad group draw.
The Downside of the Seeding System
This flawed seeding system can rank a team that is not in the top 20 as a top eight team in the tournament. In order to create a fair competition, a new seeding system needs to be implemented that takes into account a team’s performance beyond just the previous Major event.
The Last Map Randomizer Issue
In addition to the seeding problem, the last map randomizer used in Majors has no discernible benefit for anyone except weaker teams and bad drafters. This mechanic is biased towards weaker teams, as it gives them a chance to benefit from luck rather than skill. A regular ban-pick system would provide a more engaging narrative and showcase a team’s strategy and understanding of the game.
It is evident that both the current seeding system and last map randomizer are biased towards weaker teams. These systems do not contribute to fair play and need to be changed or removed. With the level of competition in the esports scene today, there is no longer a need for such mechanisms to create upsets. It is time for the Major system to adapt to the current landscape of competitive gaming.