The oldest Blizzard map still played on the ladder and in tournaments - Metalopolis - takes its leave with the start of the new season. This was announced yesterday in a bluepost by Kaivax.
After more than a year in the map pool, the 4-player map Metalopolis "retires" to free space for new additions. Many fans and players have raised concerns on various forums concerning this particular decision. To answer them, Blizzard have posted an official statement about the change.
Metalopolis has been around for quite a long time, over a year including beta. We felt that taking it out of the rotation would make some room for variety in the map pool.
Metalopolis suffers balance issues when close spawn positions occur, but becomes too predictable when they are simply disabled. Close positions have been under a lot of discussion lately, and we’re definitely examining better options to allow for random spawn positions across the map pool without also creating too much predictability and vulnerability to proxy rushes.
Overall balance has also proven to be an issue on Metalopolis -- even factoring in close position spawn issues. It’s among the least balanced maps currently in the ladder pool, and along with Scrap Station (also being removed) and Tal’darim Altar, has a heavy (60%+) bias toward zerg at the highest levels of play.
Metalopolis suffers balance issues when close spawn positions occur, but becomes too predictable when they are simply disabled. Close positions have been under a lot of discussion lately, and we’re definitely examining better options to allow for random spawn positions across the map pool without also creating too much predictability and vulnerability to proxy rushes.
Overall balance has also proven to be an issue on Metalopolis -- even factoring in close position spawn issues. It’s among the least balanced maps currently in the ladder pool, and along with Scrap Station (also being removed) and Tal’darim Altar, has a heavy (60%+) bias toward zerg at the highest levels of play.
As you know, the new season will bring four new 1v1 maps and two more 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 maps. The spoilers contain images of the 1v1 maps and you can hop to the links below for the full map update.
Nerazim Crypt
Abyssal Caverns
Searing Crater
Antiga Shipyard
Blizzard have also stated that there is still hope for Metalopolis to return in one or another form, much like Lost Temple was revamped into Shattered Temple.
Links
Battle.net - New maps
Battle.net Forums - Update S3 map list
Battle.net - Metalopolis statement
