ENVOY GETS REAL

Summary

Envoy discusses the current state of competitive Call of Duty, expressing criticism towards the ranking system and the overall talent pool in the league. He highlights the disparity between top players in CoD and other esports like Valorant and CS. Envoy also talks about the structural issues in pro teams and the constant shuffle of players. He questions the necessity of expansion and reflects on the past days when the competitive scene had more depth. He ends by expressing frustration with map designs, advocating for new appropriately designed maps rather than recycling old ones. Throughout, there's a mix of candid critiques and reflections on the challenges facing pro CoD players today.

Highlights

• Envoy calls out the CoD ranking system as 'fake' compared to other esports like Valorant and CS:GO 🎮
• Discusses the lack of depth in the talent pool and the constant player shuffle 🤼‍♂️
• Criticizes the league's expansion plans, suggesting it dilutes talent even more 😅
• Emphasizes the importance of innovative map designs and criticizes the recycling of old maps 🗺️
• Predicts CoD league's longevity but stresses the need for investment and innovation 💡

Key Takeaways

• Ranked play in CoD doesn't reflect true skill like other esports 🎮
• Current talent pool is shallow compared to earlier days of competitive CoD 🏆
• Expansion isn't necessary; focus should be on quality not quantity of talent 🙅‍♂️
• Map designs are a critical focus; there's a need for new and effective layouts 🗺️
• The future of competitive CoD depends on investment and proper innovation 💡

Overview

Envoy starts off the video by discussing the perceived inadequacy of the current CoD ranking system. He argues that the ranks don't accurately reflect skill levels in the same way as in other popular esports like Valorant and CS:GO, where top-ranked players demonstrate mechanics but also deep strategic understanding. This lacking evaluation method in CoD makes the ranking system less meaningful.

As the discussion progresses, Envoy expresses his concerns about the current talent pool within the competitive CoD scene. He reminisces about the days when newcomers would take the league by storm, unlike today where many rookies struggle to break into the top ranks. The expansion of the league is also brought up as a contentious point, with Envoy describing it as unnecessary and potentially harmful due to the limited availability of top-tier talent.

Finally, Envoy delves into the structural and strategic aspects of the game, particularly criticizing the map designs. He makes a strong case against recycling old maps, advocating instead for the creation of new, innovative layouts that can add depth and enjoyment to gameplay. Despite these challenges, Envoy is optimistic about the future of the CoD league, believing that with the right investments and focus on innovation, it can continue to thrive.

Chapters

• 00:01 - 01:01: Opening Thoughts on Ranked and Esports The chapter discusses the perceived shortcomings of ranked modes in certain games compared to other esports. It argues that the skill level of top-ranked players in some games, like 'Iridescent Top 250,' is not as high as that of top players in more competitive games like Valorant or potentially Rocket League.
• 01:01 - 02:01: Pro Accounts and the Ranking System In the chapter 'Pro Accounts and the Ranking System,' the discussion highlights the differences between amateur players and professional players in Call of Duty (COD). While amateur players, referred to as 'CS,' may lack the strategic intelligence of professional gamers, they often exhibit strong mechanical skills. The conversation implies that ranking within the game is largely determined by the amount of time players invest in playing, suggesting that the ranks are a reflection of playtime rather than purely skill. The speaker, Val, argues that it seems impossible for an average player to compete against professionals, acknowledging the significant skill gap. Additionally, Val remarks that having pro accounts might be beneficial, indicating a potential advantage or a desire for certain features to be available specifically for professional players.
• 02:01 - 04:01: Expansion and Talent in Competitive Gaming The chapter discusses the need for an effective ranking system in competitive gaming, emphasizing its importance for fair competition among top players. The speaker highlights the inefficiency of current systems which demand extensive time investment, suggesting a streamlined approach where top-ranked players can more easily compete against each other.
• 04:01 - 06:01: Rookies and Team Dynamics This chapter delves into the intricacies of integrating rookies into a team, focusing on the dynamics that either help or hinder this process. The lines 'I got you. Hit me once.' suggest themes of support and initiation in team settings. The chapter likely discusses scenarios where new members prove themselves or engage in activities that build trust and cooperation among team members.
• 06:01 - 09:01: Switching Roles and Challengers The chapter begins with a conversation highlighting the improvement in production quality, suggesting a new phase or development in a project or show.
• 09:01 - 15:01: Map Designs and Preferences The chapter 'Map Designs and Preferences' addresses the impact of augmented reality (AR) on designing maps and the influence of individual preferences on these designs. The transcript snippet provided ('you. Kyler has AR so much.') suggests a discussion on personal experiences or opinions, perhaps focusing on how someone named Kyler interacts with or values augmented reality in the context of map design. The chapter likely explores varying preferences in map aesthetics and functionality, how AR technology is integrated into modern maps, and how it enhances user experience by allowing for personalized features and interactive elements.
• 15:01 - 25:01: League's Position and Future This chapter discusses the current position of the league and its potential directions moving forward. It addresses the unexpected outcomes and strategic decisions that may influence the league's future developments.
• 25:01 - 30:01: Gaming Platforms and YouTube Money The chapter discusses the intense competition among gaming platforms this year, particularly in the context of championship races. It also touches on the challenges faced by the Call of Duty League (CDL) during such competitive times.
• 30:01 - 44:01: Game Developments and New Maps The chapter discusses changes in the point system for a racing championship, suggesting it will be modified again next year. The speaker reflects on being in Atlanta and having significantly more points than others.
• 44:01 - 50:00: Closing Remarks and Looking Ahead The chapter titled 'Closing Remarks and Looking Ahead' discusses the notion that expansion is unnecessary, hinting at an idea or entity that is considered obsolete or irrelevant, possibly indicating a shift or conclusion in a series of discussions or narratives.

ENVOY GETS REAL Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 Like ranked is just fake. Like it's not like other esports where there's like like a big player base of people that are good. Like the people that are iridescent top 250 like sorry if some of you guys are in here but like you guys are you guys are like not as good as like you know top ranks in other esports. Like take Val for instance, Rocket League probably not. But like
• 00:30 - 01:00 Val, CS, like these people don't have the smarts as of uh as like the pros, but they have the mechanics in COD. Like the ranks just have more play time. It's all it is. So, like it's just in no scenario would like you be able to play all the pros. Feel like it'd be godlike if uh the pros accounts were just like
• 01:00 - 01:30 whitelisted and ranked. Just give us all the top rank. I mean, that'd be pointless like in a in a sense for them, but like just give us all the top rank so we can play each other and actually use the rank system. No one's no one's got time to sit on that [ __ ] all day.
• 01:30 - 02:00 I got you. Hit me once.
• 02:00 - 02:30 Wow. Is that better production? Thank you. Thank you. Thank
• 02:30 - 03:00 you. Kyler has AR so much.
• 03:00 - 03:30 Surprise LEG
• 03:30 - 04:00 P [ __ ] they can do anything. These guys are chocked. The race for champs this year is insane. I'm telling you, bro, the CDL hates the years like this, though.
• 04:00 - 04:30 Actually, I don't know. The race for champ will be good, but like, bro, the the the point system is definitely changing again last year or next year. There's no way. I was in Atlanta. I have so many more points than everyone.
• 04:30 - 05:00 bro. Expansion is not needed. That [ __ ] is dead. You think you
• 05:00 - 05:30 think some of the matches are boring to watch now? Yeah, let's expand that [ __ ] The talent is just not good anymore, bro. It's just it's straight up. Like some of the talent nowadays is better, but and the teams are structured better, but like dude, there is way less talent. For CWL, last time there were 16 teams. The bottom six teams were still dog [ __ ]
• 05:30 - 06:00 No, like the these matches will be even more uncompetitive. It's unfortunate for like the Falcon boys and stuff. Like they're obviously making switches and stuff after they tried out their roster, but like bro like six four if you add four more teams, it'd all be like that. Unless you just added like you made like a draft and like had like a lot of the
• 06:00 - 06:30 tops teams split up. Doesn't change that. like all the top teams have the be best budget, most resources and there's just like I mean there's some decent talent coming up and [ __ ] but like I just can't I can't tip any of these people. I I I got like hell hell of these rookies are, you know, in game chat standing up [ __ ] doing all this
• 06:30 - 07:00 [ __ ] thinking they run this [ __ ] getting top 12 every event, top eight. Like the rookies come in from the last couple years, probably like after AG and Sib, and most of them just get top 12. I mean, dude, I promise you. My rookie season, I was I was carrying us to [ __ ] But not top 12. I promise you
• 07:00 - 07:30 that people people aren't serious. Like, obviously, our team is underperforming right now, but I even can't I can't even waste my breath on people or [ __ ] take it serious when people get in top 12 at the other event. They're saying [ __ ]
• 07:30 - 08:00 I thought this is a better watch than the first map.
• 08:00 - 08:30 Yeah. I mean, I VJ, I I don't disagree like some of these kids are good, but
• 08:30 - 09:00 like like when I when I was coming up like the new rookies that you know that do well on teams, you'd be like, "Holy [ __ ] this guy's good. He's just willedled them to a top three, top four. These guys are willing, you know, some of these rookies willing their way to a map win and a top 12 finish. Like, how the [ __ ] am I supposed to take that serious? End of the day, you're actually only as good as your team.
• 09:00 - 09:30 So, and and honestly too, I think the biggest thing is just like you kind of got to like, bro, you coming as a rookie, you kind of just got to own own the place, you know, like own the house.
• 09:30 - 10:00 That's the Korea [ __ ] right there. Yeah, but Nep's not a rookie. Aub Neps 22. I I'll tip what Nep has done though, but he's not a rookie, so it's way different. He's played a lot of League
• 10:00 - 10:30 games. Like he was always like mechanically gifted, but just having the right people around you. People also don't realize too. I mean this year like it is topheavy again, but like a lot of the teams just look better cuz they stick together, dude, and just like have trust. I mean, what is the difference between like the bottom six teams in the league and and just challenger teams? They all want to switch. They all want to drop each other anyway. It's the same
• 10:30 - 11:00 [ __ ] I mean, what a [ __ ] comeback by Blue. Yeah. I mean, Scrap came in and he ran [ __ ] Like, I tip that. Like, he did the same [ __ ] he did in Challengers. That's like a good ass rookie. I mean, [ __ ] he was railing me or like our team that year. Last rookie to own was Dan. I mean, yeah, probably. And got picked up into a good
• 11:00 - 11:30 squad, too. Like, which is is is good. Oh, yeah. That's right. Abuzza was running the sub, huh? I mean, dude. Yeah. That's the [ __ ] I'm talking about, though. That's what I'm saying. Like, you got to come in and like run [ __ ] though. I'm not coming in, my rookie. You're running the [ __ ] wrong gun. I I'm coming in. I'm coming in like Yeah, maybe I'll run the sub, but like definitely running in AR as soon as I sign the contract. [ __ ]
• 11:30 - 12:00 that. Not coming in my I mean, dude, agreeing to that is insane. But I guess cuz like you have Alec and whoever else was on the team, you're like, "Yeah, man. [ __ ] it. I'll run the sub." I think I think switching roles like that is unbelievably hard. Tyler, fellow John. Yeah, Tyler's way older than me. Not way older, but like two years, I think. I mean, dude, Challengers is
• 12:00 - 12:30 literally all former pros. All former pros. And then you got like the phase black kids. Dylan Rex. And you guys, Dylan Rex is like, I think just a little younger than I am. Otherwise, I mean, I don't know. I don't keep up with the MC too much. But I know it's proinfested using your main gun. I mean,
• 12:30 - 13:00 yeah, dude. I'm telling you, if I'm a rookie and and I think I'm him coming in the league, like, yeah, but I should on these guys. I'm not switching my gun. Sign the contract. Tell them whatever. First day of scrims. Yeah. I'm loading up with AR in hand first. [ __ ] that. Snoopy. I mean, yeah. I mean, Snoopy. I mean, yeah, Snoopy, it's saying. Everyone's like gassing people. This guy came in and just It was not
• 13:00 - 13:30 bright. Even the shows, dude. Even the shows, like they start tipping people. Like, this guy needs help. No, he doesn't need help. Needs to play the damn game. Yeah. Like if you're going to stand out
• 13:30 - 14:00 in challengers, like you're going to you'll stand out and get picked up. Oh, that's aids for [ __ ] pressing. Free P3 break here. This guy's ride. Yeah, he was telling me earlier he was he ran an AR too much or yesterday. Maybe that's what he's going through right
• 14:00 - 14:30 now. Wrong with us major 4. I mean, dude, the curse, dude. The curse. our our our online practice and and the stage in general was just like too unbelievable and then we just I mean we just unbelievable hardpoint and then we just lost to Boston in two hard points and Toronto bad and everything to be honest not in everything but I don't know in my opinion I think I
• 14:30 - 15:00 threw the end of the host at a hard point and uh versus Boston and then the cryos been railed. Nothing to that. Could have made the control come back otherwise. Who knows? It's this map right here. Watch him in this [ __ ] ass
• 15:00 - 15:30 map. I don't know how rewind HP is in for this map. Yeah, it was a flat day, but it's just unacceptable having two flat days in a major. So, even one, like it's just like, bro, you practice all stage for this [ __ ] and then you just show up like that. Definitely doesn't feel
• 15:30 - 16:00 good. Is there anybody? I got no clue, bro. doesn't look like it. That's what I'm saying though. I mean, dude, like I like you, we lost the Boston series, right? I get you guys are hyper [ __ ] but like sit the [ __ ] down. You guys are god awful and then they just peace out right after. Beat me, lose two series, good
• 16:00 - 16:30 [ __ ] buy, man. Sit your ass back then. Rewind is is good delight. Just majority of the league didn't like it at the beginning. So, I don't know if it'll ever come back. Dan, yeah, there was supposed to be a thunderstorm tonight. I mean, obviously you're watching it, but Dan, why? Dan, why did I just get an Amber Alert? Dan, what are you
• 16:30 - 17:00 doing? Do you not hear the thunder? I mean this is unbelievable noise cancelling headphones I have
• 17:00 - 17:30 I got I mean, dude, Preston's having a [ __ ] map of all time. Preston and Aber willing their way to Wait, Kyler is 10 and 11. Dude, this guy always has an AR out. Am I tripping? Am I tripping? The Vaulty had a sub. Otherwise, this guy's got a [ __ ] AR. Here he is.
• 17:30 - 18:00 Yeah, not not an ad shitty, but yeah, I mean, if they, you know, they forked up some cash, I mean, I would do the ad. Uh, Pearl, thanks for the tier one. Tyler getting his cardio, maybe.
• 18:00 - 18:30 What's good, Omigi? Is
• 18:30 - 19:00 Papa time watch any of the series besides the L's? I mean, yeah, there's two L's to win. So, I mean, it wasn't [ __ ] it wasn't bright.
• 19:00 - 19:30 Oh, here he this. No, that's actually hilarious,
• 19:30 - 20:00 dude. Shooting that [ __ ] with a sub is damn near impossible. But hitless. I mean, dude. Yeah. But I start There it goes. Just shot that [ __ ] Caesar ripped it out. This guy got to be so much dope. Dude, Dan might have got struck by the lightning,
• 20:00 - 20:30 man. The lightning sparking this guy's Jay in the back. Jetpacker boots game next year. I mean, dude, I'm I'll be down a [ __ ] on a jetpack game. I haven't I didn't get to play a good comp one besides a W when I was four [ __ ] 14. So, you've been doing that at ranked. I mean, so I mean, at least at least your teammates know your turn. [ __ ] hell. Is that a 3 0 by the way? No, no, no. The other team won the That's
• 20:30 - 21:00 [Music] one. Yeah. I don't know. Elite. I I think this I think this omni movement [ __ ] is like godlike, bro. The game feels
• 21:00 - 21:30 unreal. Next year's war. Yeah, bro. I did see some [ __ ] like that. Like obviously I'm pretty sure there was like not official post but like one of those leaked ones and that's going to be nuts on a boots cod with wall running scrim the new a scrimming the new Miami
• 21:30 - 22:00 today. Why the map so god awful? Well, Bonderhar isn't there anymore. And I don't, bro, they're just obsessed. Like, that's the [ __ ] I don't understand with the pros. We get rid like all the pros, the [ __ ] you know, [ __ ] content creator, not content creators, but like, you know what I'm saying? Creators in the space like Zuma, Haggy, you know, all these people. Oh my god, let's get three lane maps back in. Hell yeah. I'm like, yeah,
• 22:00 - 22:30 I'm down for that. We get rewind. the only like two-dimensional threelane map in the [ __ ] game. And we just chalk the [ __ ] map. Now we're playing [ __ ] Protocol and Vault where there's a [ __ ] there's an underground on Vault. There's a [ __ ] underground on Protocol. Protocol you can sit in bolt the windows and do [ __ ] all the whole map. AI this the best [ __ ] map for SND hardpoint control. I mean, Sky like Skyline again,
• 22:30 - 23:00 great map. Why does there have to be an underground? I wouldn't say great map actually. It's it's a good map and it's a it's a super bang out. It's like strike zone on steroids. But why does there need to be an underground? They need to [ __ ] off with for that and that [ __ ] We can't just make a a straight up freeland map anymore where there's just, you know, no twotory buildings. Maybe, you know, maybe jump on a couple cars, jump on like a
• 23:00 - 23:30 roof, not going second or third story of a [ __ ] building. Red car a great example. I think red car is a pretty good map. I don't know if you guys agree or not. I mean, everyone thought red car was going to be the worst [ __ ] at the beginning of the game. Like, oh my god, it's too [ __ ] big. At least it's three [ __ ] lanes. At least it's three [ __ ] lanes. Cuz godamn These other maps, they obsess with
• 23:30 - 24:00 making it four [ __ ] lanes, five lanes. Like, get a grip. These devs are like, "Yeah, we want to be [ __ ] innovative." You're not [ __ ] innovative. I mean, they're doing better things. I mean, having ranked in the game, you know, having our names in the game or like, you know, like the teams and [ __ ] and like, you know, they got the COD podcast on the the front screen, the league, the the majors are on the
• 24:00 - 24:30 front screen sometimes. I mean, that shit's all good. But, I mean, it just it just needs to get to a point where like or like we have a competitive like section of like Activision. That's the most [ __ ] cracked And people think, you know, COD's dying and all this [ __ ] like we're we're on YouTube, shit's bad. I mean, bro, [ __ ]
• 24:30 - 25:00 is not bad. God's in like a decently great spot compared to other esports and [ __ ] too. I mean, obviously, it's never going to be like CS or [ __ ] I don't even know what you put on CS after that, but like, you know, Valerant is big when they have the Internationals. Their league matches are still [ __ ] Our League matches are [ __ ] League of Legends League matches are [ __ ] Like, but the League itself is does pretty well. I mean, I mean, COD's going to be around for even the League
• 25:00 - 25:30 probably for another 5, 10 years, man. Like, easy. So, it's just about when the [ __ ] they're going to invest. And don't get it twisted, like, Activision's got infinite money. It's just about how much they give to [ __ ] godling. I'm pretty positive they used to give uh more money to [ __ ] CWL. I wish it was on Twitch. I mean, yeah, bro. I wish it was on Twitch, too.
• 25:30 - 26:00 But like, you got to realize these teams and like the league make so much money from being on YouTube. So, there's like [Music] a there's like additional reasons why it's on YouTube, too. I'm sure you guys have seen numbers before about it, you know, about Overwatch League COD League. I mean, dude, let's be honest. Like, YouTube YouTube ain't paying that much just for the [ __ ] league. Promise you
• 26:00 - 26:30 that. Bravo is stacked, man. I mean, dude, you got to think. Hold this P2. Like, they're four banging side door 15 seconds. Like, this is the most H [ __ ] ever. That is the worst [ __ ] in the world. They're out rotated. I mean, that's actually unbelievable. No one spawned front there. Look, they're tweaking. They thought someone spawned front because eight just spawned well instead of giving the front spawn. Yeah, look, they're tweaked the [ __ ] out. They're like, "Holy [ __ ] someone's
• 26:30 - 27:00 here. Some of the devs are actually pretty bashing it, bro." But I mean the devs don't make the calls. So the people that are making these maps and making the game I mean like they have an idea but they also got someone you know telling them what to do just like I need job you
• 27:00 - 27:30 know. I think Daniel's actually pretty good for the leagueman. Alpha are tweaking the [ __ ] out. I mean, yeah, dude. I think they got lucky. I think Alpha got lucky on the the skyline. I think this is a Bravo series sweep all
• 27:30 - 28:00 day. Yeah. GG. Four dead. Banging Front Rock. This is This is a bad feeling right here. You better rip Neptune off this. These new maps we get are good. I mean, dude. Yeah. I mean, throwing dealership in the row is is crazy. It's pro. It's better than
• 28:00 - 28:30 vault, but holy [ __ ] Deal dealership is going to be fun to watch. I'll tell you that. That is for sure. And it's it's fun to play already, too. But we just need them to throw like, bro, I'm done with this. Like, yeah, let's just throw BO2 maps in every year. Like, let's keep throwing BO4 maps like Hi. Like, this is a good
• 28:30 - 29:00 watch. Let's keep throwing new [ __ ] Like, bro, everyone's like, "Dude, we need Raid in this game." No, I don't want to play Raid again for the fourth [ __ ] year. And this is looking like it's over, ladies and gentlemen. Good shots from Kyler, but it's not going to be enough. I fear this, bro. This, you know what tilted me? Last series, this is the score line of the red card, and we're
• 29:00 - 29:30 like, "Yeah, [ __ ] it. We can bring it back." The [ __ ] is over, dog. We already through damn 17 rotations. This [ __ ] is done. Look, I mean like Bravo making the vet [ __ ] play here. We're just pushing through rotating. Like blue has no [ __ ] clue because they're like, "Damn, we lose off this time." Neptune couldn't believe there's no one in here. B1. No. See, Nick, I don't want BO1 maps. I promise you. At least at
• 29:30 - 30:00 least they haven't been used before, I don't think. But like damn, we're going we're going that far back. I mean, [ __ ] I might be tweaking, man. Like, maybe blue isn't making this possible. He's going to need a 1 v3 on the time, though. And GG. Nah, horn. I mean, they got to they got to make new maps like every year. Like that's just part of the, you know,
• 30:00 - 30:30 part of the job description and [ __ ] We're going for it. Dang. It stream. That is going to be it for me tonight though. I'm not even hopping in the next series cuz you've always got a [ __ ] bad and he's pretty [ __ ] tired. So, got to get some rest for Scrims. And uh yeah, I'll be live again tomorrow. Get some more eights in. I appreciate you guys all stopping by. For real. It was good. Uh, it was good
• 30:30 - 31:00 chatting. Hopefully you guys enjoyed some of my insights. You know, I don't speak my mind much, so it's fun shooting the [ __ ] watching caster. I mean, dude, that was a [ __ ] bangout series. I I wonder what watching our last series looked like, cuz god damn. [Music]