CODXP 2013 $1Million: Questions left unanswered

Even with the announcement by Activision of the CODXP Championships for $1Million, the event has left many teams wondering whether or not they can compete at the top of their ability. The tournament last year was strictly 18+ with a very strict policy. Thus, allowing many teams to make the necessary adjustments  to compete at a top-level. This year the event hasn’t officially announced whether the tournament would be ran under the same policies or provide the option of parental consent to players underage. Leaving many teams in the predicament of practicing with underage players, hoping for the best or to dropped them completely.

OpTic Gaming 2012 CODXP Champions (from left to right): Blake “VeNGeaNcE” Campbell, Matt “NaDeSHoT” Hagg, Will “BigTymer” Johnson, and Joe “MerK” Deluca

This year CODXP has decided to run their North American qualifiers through Major League Gaming (MLG) which runs under the guidance of parental consent for competitors under the age of eighteen and their online League Play system that is based in-game (leaving the possibility of an underage competitor to qualify for CODXP 2013). Based on the fact that many players have their parents buy the game for them due to law, depending on state age restriction on mature video games the discussion of age limitation  has been left open for discussion this year compared to last year’s competition.

Many top Call of Duty players such as Seth “Scump” Abner and Johnathan “John” Perez are under the age limitation, putting top teams such as OpTic Gaming and FeaR under the pressure of making decision that could affect their outcome of a chance at possibly the biggest tournament of the year.

This is not the only problem that needs to be confronted by CODXP officials, many competitors use equipment such as SCUF Gaming contollers, KontrolFreeks, or SquidGrips that allow players to enhance their game through their own desires. Making it possible for competitors to compete at a higher level with more consistency. This is the equivalent to a Major League Baseball player choosing to hit with batting gloves or to not hit with batting gloves. Or even a League of Legends player using a Razer keyboard over a MadCatz. Each competitor has the choice of which equipment they want to use to compete with. If a player wants to use a default controller and play with claw (meaning they use their index for the A, B, X, and Y, while using the pointer/middle finger for the bumper and trigger) or standard with/ without a SCUF controller should be at the own discretion of a the player. MLG allows players to make this choice, making it seem almost illogical for players to be able to use equipment that they use qualify, not allowed for the championship itself.

These questions need to be resolved swiftly to provide competitors with the proper ability to prepare themselves. Without the answers to these questions many teams and individuals are essentially practicing with illegal players and equipment until a resignation is announced. This also leaves the possibility of many teams to be disqualified even if they qualify through MLG, if last year’s tournament policies stand true. Making it likely for many of the “top tier” teams and players to not even make an appearance for their own championship.