I would argue that, although 16 man syncs are already in the system, their effectiveness is limited by logistical inefficiency (Lack of Team Deploy). The negative space caused by this logistical inefficiency has a net beneficial effect, however, in that there is space for other less coordinated groups to also enjoy the game mode.

If I had to re-design the FW system to incorporated platoons (because I'm not against them in principle), here is how I would do it:

1. Allow individual players and corps to declare allegiance to a FW group


2. Create a "Priority District" mechanic that operates similar to old CBs, where two groups battle against each other for a prize. Priority Districts would be selectable from a drop down menu (The same menu that was used to test the portals a few months ago)


3. In this system, the attackers would get a large team reward if they won (F.ex 150M bonus cash for capturing valuable assets) and the defenders would get X Lp per kill if they won. (For defending valuable assets).


4. Attacking players have a 5 minute warbarge wait time when they queue for these battles. Anyone who has pledged allegiance to the FW group being attacked gets a notification (Like you do for PC) that an important FW district is being attacked.


5. For the first 3 minutes of the timer, matchmaking attempts to match a platoon (explicitly) on the defending side against the attacking platoon.


6. If, and only if, no platoon queues for the defenders in the first three minutes, then matchmaking takes any players or squads that have queued into FW to fill the spots, and the match begins. This is to simulate that the districts are so important that the militias would rather throw bodies at the districts to defend them, rather than let them fall.

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I think that a system like this does a few good things: First, it offers a space for serious FW corps to play without locking out less serious (but still interested) players from the game mode. Second, it offers a strong incentive to play FW in a competitive group (due to huge ISK or LP prizes) while still offering a decent incentive for those who are less competitive.

Further still, it preserves the idea that FW is still a more ruthless space, and allows for more effective role playing. If, for example, the Caldari militia does not have organized platoons fighting for it, then the lesser skilled FW players "feel" the pressure by being attacked by the opposing militia's best troops. Caldari allied players can "take the heat off" of the militia by grouping up and defending these priority districts, allowing for the rest of the FW players to exist in more peaceful conditions.

Thoughts?

Pubs = hi sec
FW = lo sec/fw space
PC = null sec

Maybe the Dev team is turning away from their idea of FW being PC lite
Instead it's pubs with LP?

He said very clearly that they CCP Nullarbor is working on it but it will not be included with the new matchmaking.

Was there another update saying it was added? We know how things get sidelined so I can not imagine that it made its way in.