In the past years I have been in the Doom community, I've noticed there have been a few instances where someone tries to do something different from the usual OS. It is either just a passing thing such as a tournament or just something that gains a very small cult following. Anything NS (this term really doesn't have any meaning anymore honestly) that catches momentum loses fairly quickly to the Old. Why exactly is this?
One reason that was given to me is because of the OS domination brought about by the available server hosts. Sure, they can run whatever they want, it is their server and there is no debate about this. Additionally there isn't really anything stopping someone from compiling an 'NS Duel 32' either. But would that really do much? It may or it may not.
The settings are somehow a big turn off for people. One setting that I never understood why people bashed was Free Look. Sure, jumping is something that isn't even in the original game or even the same across all MP ports, so I understand the dislike of jumping in duel. But FL is something that is optional and in most of the maps it won't cause too much of gameplay breakage. If anything, it highlights just how bad and outdated relying on autoaim is.
Item respawn is hated by players because they don't like having anything help their opponent such as a medkit. I would argue it's just players being lazy and not wanting to think while dueling. Items are nearly meaningless after the first few minutes after they are all picked up. However, item respawn adds to gameplay depth: you already control spawns and weapons, would items do much more harm? Recall some of the comments at the QCON Doom 2 tournament for those that watched the stream. One spectator typed that duel was just watching SSGs reload for 10 minutes. Yeah, that's pretty accurate in most cases.
There used to be a NS type of standard back then years ago on ZD. But that was ten years ago and it's pretty much old as dirt at this point. There really isn't a standard of New School anymore. I designed a style of gameplay I dubbed NOS(Not Old-School/New Old School) as a definite middle ground between the 2 clubs. It was enjoyable for people that actually took the time to try it out. Even DevastatioN enjoyed it and he is one of the biggest OS proponents out there. But regardless of what it's called or how it's designed, if it isn't OS it won't catch on.
So, is the OS standard holding back any evolution or change? It's very likely considering most duelers are exposed to OS first and that's what they will think of when they think of duel. I can vouch for this personally because back in they day, if something wasn't OS, it was heresy. That's just how it was and how it is to this day. But what kind of change is being fended off? Surely I don't mean CarnEvil type of change where you pretty much butch the core game and make it into a poor man's ripoff of Quake.
More specifically I am referring to things that can work with the core gameplay (aka you can keep your randomness). Anyone who has ever made a good number of duel maps can understand what I mean when I say sticking to OS mapping limits potential. There is a limit to how far you can go with OS in map designs. How many maps in duel32 can you name that follow a typical formula? A battle circle surrounded by a hallway? An inside with an outside? Hallway DM? Judas the most basic square? Yes, the maps in duel32 follow their formula and do it well. But there really isn't anything that screams 'wow' design wise. Why aren't there any maps that feature at least bridge things? What about 3d floors? Is there really anything inherently wrong with using some of these non-os features in duel maps? Yeah, infinite heights will break things but at this point in time is such a flag needed in duel? I hardly doubt the world will split because someone used a no-stop tele in a map. Sure, it won't be compatible with every port but at this point we might as go all the way. After all, the Zan duel scene DOES use a pk3.
Another thing that causes fist fights is the weapons themselves. Sure there have been many who have attempted a norandom approach or a quake approach or a re-balance approach (such as myself). But nothing sticks and I would agree that a change like this wouldn't go over well in duel. Yeah, it would do away with pointing and clicking only 1 weapon, but players aren't ready for that (everyone wants to run around with a 1-hitter quitter). I think that in order to make those types of big leaps of progress, small steps have to be accepted first. This can only be accomplished by getting rid of the old and decrepit so the new can have room.
note: to late to proof read
?? I would never claim that, seeing as I barely play. You should learn how to read too, and stay on topic.
