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The maps are always an interesting topic at WCG. This year we only have three maps - Paranoid Android, Gaia and Azalea.
The maps for this year is the same as the last apart from the fact the removal of the island map Estrella. It was highly criticized just for the fact being an island map. No new map has been added; the StarCraft players will have to settle with these three:
Paranoid Android
It is tough for Zerg to get away from Terran, since they can control what Zerg can do. The bases are close, and Zerg have trouble to and expand because of it. Terran can be more mobile, there is more strategic points for Terran. Terran versus Protoss is okay on it, except for the middle (on the bridge). Once the Terran crosses the bridge it is basically gg. It is easy to secure expansions on Paranoid Android for most races, but since the map is micro oriented, the focus is usually to keep your opponent busy. It seems to be more important to win each battle than outnumbering him. By map making theory, Protoss vs. Zerg on this map should be okay, it's small enough for Protoss to recover from the waves of Zerg armies but we will just have to see how it will play on game day. Paranoid Andriod will be played in the first and fourth rounds.
Gaia
A very nice map, it is the most neutral of the three. The layout is great, there are many strategical points, including backdoors to each natural. The middle is open but not disfavoring any particular race. It is balanced for Protoss vs. Terran and balanced even for the dreaded Prortoss vs. Zerg match up. Zerg has the option to pick many safe spots to expand in both Zerg vs. Terran and Zerg vs. Protoss. Zerg is also able to be very mobile in any spawning position. Terran seems to have no problems on this map as well. All the races have a lot of options on this map, and is said to be the most balanced of the three. Gaia will be played in the third and the fifth rounds.
Azalea
It is basically a strict macro map, and the one to macro the best and smoothly early will most likely be the winner. And because of the Zerg being one of the strongest these days when it comes to macro, it causes a major imbalance in Protoss vs. Zerg. On Azalea it is said that Terran has an advantage in Terran vs. Zerg. Terran vs. Protoss has always been strictly macro and this map does not change it. But the positions play as a factor in this match up, either allowing Terran to gain a good collection of expos hurting Protossà chances of winning, or an easy Slow Push Towards a Protoss' base(s). Its also said to be Zerg > Protoss as well as in Paranoid Android. Azalea will be played only in the second round.
Overall the maps seem to be disliked by many gamers, but aren't necessarily the worst choices. Gaia seems to be the best map amoung the three chosen; it is a well constructed and balanced map. We will keep you updated after the first matches with player thoughts and more about the maps.
Maps analysed by NastyMarine.
Links
GosuGamers.net - WCG06 Full Coverage
