Variety.

Think of the last competitive online game you played. Was it popular among most people? Then it probably had a high level of variety.

Think about Battlefield 2, COD: MW (The rest in the series are complete garbage, dont kid yourself), CS, etc.

There are favorite game maps and modes and hated game maps and modes. Not everyone hates the same maps and modes.

In Spiral Knights I rarely think about the map that was chosen. They seem really similar. They seem really linear. They seem like they were designed under heavy constraints. Forest 4v4 does not feel that much different than Ruins 6v6.

Suggestions:

1.Make a map where teams start opposing east and west but put the control points north and south. Put like 20 gun puppies in the middle on respawning tiles.

2. Make a map where not all control points are the same size or worth the same value.

3. Make a map where one control point is particularly difficult to hold or take because of the environment.

4. Go crazy, think of something that hasn't been done yet that makes the game "unbalanced" in terms of what we already expect. EVEN if we ALL hate the map it will add some diversity to lockdown, which will keep us playing despite our hatred for that one map.

Seriously there are a number of highly competitive games that have survived the trial of time who avoid symmetrical maps (or atleast basic maps). I understand SC/SC2's approach to multiplayer but you guys can get more creative and not set any team up for a disadvantage (all things being equal). Even racists agree that diversity is good for groups. Lets get some insane maps that some of us can hate, some can love, but all keep us coming back.

PS: Please also fix the ranking system to do something other than show how much a person should be getting a job. Thx.