'Unplayable' CDL Map Pool Causes Huge Stir
The CDL rules are in, and the professionals are fuming. An 'unplayable' map pool is rattling the industry surrounding Modern Warfare 2.
08th Nov 2022 13:05
Infinity Ward | NYSL
'Unplayable' CDL Map Pool Causes Huge Stir
The CDL rules are in, and the professionals are fuming. An 'unplayable' map pool is rattling the industry surrounding Modern Warfare 2.
08th Nov 2022 13:05
Infinity Ward | NYSL
The Call of Duty League's Modern Warfare 2 season is already nearly upon us, with Challengers cups starting as early as November 12 and the Major 1 qualifiers starting on December 2. As the league has been brought forward to capitalise on launch hype, the developers have now revealed the official CDL 2022-23 rules, and it's caused quite an upset within the community.
As usual, the CDL will be played off a minimal map pool, selecting the maps that are best suited for the three respective game modes (Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Control), meaning that from the second MW2 was made playable, the pros have been trying out every map possible to see which are the most viable.
However, with just a few weeks until the season kicks off, the developers have doubled down on some questionable rule changes, and have revealed a rather "unplayable" map pool.
Infinity Ward Reveal CDL 2022 Ruleset And Map Pool
Ahead of the 2022-23 season, the CDL rules have now gone live. As normal, a range of weapons and equipment have instantly been banned, including all Battle Rifles, Marksman Rifles, Launchers, and most of the killstreaks; the CDL doesn't thrive with Claymore campers, and this ensures competitive viability.
But, the developers' self-picked map pool was released, and it quickly caused an uproar in the community, before being overhauled.
The map pool that was originally released omitted the fan-favourite Breenbergh Hotel, which was presumed to be a result of ongoing legal battles - the same reason as why Crown Raceway cannot be selected. The map pool also included Farm 18 as a Search and Destroy option (that was instantly mocked by ex-pro Ian "Enable" Wyatt), and Embassy as an option for Control, a map that has a broken spawn system in said game mode.
With the rules announced, one fan took to social media to say, "Players union needs to start boycotting this is actually unplayable".
CDL Pros Call Out Developers After Incorrect Rules Were Revealed
After being revealed, Seattle Surge's Mackenzie "Mack" Kelley instantly hit the devs with a barrage of laughing emojis, while Dillon "Attach" Price joked "What's wrong with the maps and modes 'Accuracy' and 'SlasheR' picked?" It's a clear jibe at both the league's comical rules and the pair of CDL Gentleman's Agreement leaders.
James "Clayster" Eubanks and Donovan "Temp" Laroda also slammed the "peewee" rules on stream.
Soon after the uproar rang through the professional community, the developers quickly released a revised version of the map pool, adding in Hotel to each game mode and replacing Farm 18 with Al Bagra.
Now, the rules are set in stone for the first Major, where it's expected we will see more maps added to the game and possibly the CDL rotation.
Yet this isn't the last we've heard from the CDL community, as for the first time in competitive Call of Duty history, the devs have doubled down on not having a classic minimap, stating that the red dots will only be allowed when UAVs are active, but the killstreak itself is a banned item...
About The Author
Jack Marsh
Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.
