I think the center objective is great, I felt that is a better use of space in the arena and is balanced while forcing two very different play styles to each side. It also brings the fight to the middle of the room, a place usually avoided. I'm still not sure if it offers a greater advantage to the west side of the arena or not, but I think it depends on your team's makeup (I still can't remember which team is which side!). There are a lot more options for cover when approaching the objective from the west side vs the east side (South igloo, center house sides, center house door, bunker A, corner barrels, plywood bunkers, vs stairs left stairs right, south wall, rear barrels, sort of behind the south igloo if you're small enough). In objective games I think this makes it easier for control-oriented teams to maintain dominant positions and have interlocking fields of fire over the objective. However...
The reason I'm not sure is because two key disadvantages that the west team has a result:
1. The east side has a bigger advantage from taking upstairs than the west side does. There is a lot of space west team space that can be covered with an east player providing overwatch. Even the objective is easily targetable by nearly any type of blaster from upstairs, and the east side of the objective has a single barrel you can get behind for cover from upstairs should west team take it.
2. The multiple avenues of approach for west, as well as a lot of ground, to defend require a lot of focus on control, otherwise, players will exploit the many ways you can approach the objective or get between the opponent team and the objective. One of my favorite plays is when people are focused on the objective, they're usually not watching bunker A, perfect for a flanking maneuver. Or, if they're watching bunker A one may be able to get to the center house and disrupt their movements, stall for time, or encourage them toward funneling to one side.
Jury is still out for me on that, I think it sort of forces a control(west) vs impact(east) dynamic. Ultimately, each side has advantages/disadvantages, and a team's ability to leverage what works for A vs what works for B is key.
The tournament was fantastic! The production was great, and the TCWZ team did an outstanding job herding all the tigers and ensuring we had a great time. Can't wait for the next one, I'm already thinking about it. I do think having more moderators for them would be a welcome improvement, imo the honor system only goes so far for some people once things get actually competitive. Perhaps in the form of volunteers who could take on tasks that free up staff to focus on moderating (ball pickup?). The TCWZ team did such a great job, I know I'd pitch in in some way to help them to keep doing their best if I could, and I'm sure there are plenty of others who would too!
