Happy New Year! (soon) and with it a new format to the additional maps in the quick match:
- 25 original Westwood Maps (image archive) (map basics)
- 20 "New Maps" (image archive)
- rotating "new maps" pool, updated monthly
20 Standard "New Maps" January 2015
Bull Run
Complete image archives of the ORIGINAL WESTWOOD MAPS and NEW XWIS MAPS
The Current System:
In the current system, maps set to standard are automatically included in players' map pools when they play Quick Match games. Unless both players disable a standard map, it may be used in their games. If a map is set to non-standard, both players must enable it for it to be used.
Therefore, standard maps are very much more likely to be chosen in quick matches, while non-standard maps are equally unlikely.
As hosting of the map patch (auto ss) was brought to XWIS, the entire map pool was set to standard accidentally. This included maps which had been set standard in earlier patches but were since removed, and some which had not yet been fully tested.
Nonetheless there was disagreement over which maps ought to be removed and as a trial, this large map pool was allowed to remain. Since then there has been growing feedback requesting a smaller map pool, and as fewer games are available this has become evermore practical..
The New Format:
The new format will create a set of 20 standard new maps, with a new set chosen each month. The original Westwood maps will not change.
In the new format, the 20 "new maps" will be posted before the start of each month and will be chosen based on several factors. Some of the more popular maps may also be repeated in future sets.
This will allow new and returning players a better chance to learn the active qm maps and recognise them during the month. Hopefully this will produce better activity and competition in the Quick Match.
Note: no maps are ever removed from the patch. ALL MAPS currently included will still be available for Clan Matches, Tournament Games, FFGS and (if both players enable it) available for quick matches.
The First set of 20:
The first set of 20 was chosen based on popularity (taken from QM, Tournament Games and Clan Match statistics), balance, and balance of game type. While not every one of the most popular new maps is included (some were saved for future updates), most are.
20 Standard "New Maps" January 2015
Bull Run
Please leave feedback below and check out the map previews for January!
Please see "Standard Map Previews" for map images and descriptions!