Esports Legend FormaL Eyes Return to Competitive Call of Duty Amid Aim Assist Concerns

Esports legend FormaL is contemplating a return to competitive Call of Duty nearly three years after his retirement, with a specific concern regarding the game's "over-the-top" aim assist feature.

Key Points

1. FormaL’s Potential Return:

   • Interest in Black Ops 6: FormaL, a 29-year-old veteran of Halo and CoD, has expressed significant interest in the upcoming release of Black Ops 6. He hinted at a potential professional comeback, stating in July, “I am planning on playing [Black Ops 6]... professionally.”
   • Nadeshot's Offer: During an August 2 stream, 100 Thieves' Nadeshot offered FormaL a spot on the LA Thieves roster. While Nadeshot's offer was semi-serious, it underscored the community's interest in FormaL's return.

2. Concerns Over Aim Assist:

   • Impact on Gameplay: FormaL's major concern is the aim assist in modern CoD games, which he believes has drastically changed since the introduction of Warzone and crossplay between PC and console. “Ever since Warzone‘s been introduced, dynamic aim assist and all this extra shit has drastically changed multiplayer CoD,” FormaL remarked.
   • Balancing Issues: He feels that the current level of aim assist could be a deterrent for his return, as it affects the skill dynamics in the game. FormaL hopes for a significant reduction in aim assist in Black Ops 6.

3. Community and Developer Perspectives:

   • Nadeshot’s View: Nadeshot, a prominent figure in the CoD community, has made it clear that aim assist is crucial for the game, especially to maintain the console player base. He emphasized back in April that CoD needs aim assist to keep the console community engaged.
   • Potential Changes: With the introduction of omnidirectional movement in Black Ops 6, reducing aim assist to pre-Modern Warfare levels could potentially hinder console players, creating a challenging balance for developers.

Conclusion

FormaL's potential return to professional Call of Duty hinges on significant changes to the game's aim assist mechanics. While there is substantial interest and support from the community and fellow players, addressing these gameplay concerns will be crucial for FormaL to make a comeback. As Black Ops 6's release approaches, the CoD community eagerly anticipates how Activision will balance these gameplay elements to accommodate both returning veterans like FormaL and the broader player base.