Scump explains why there’s “no way” for a good CDL format

The Call of Duty League has had its fair share of critics in the two years since it came to fruition, but OpTic Chicago’s CoD legend Seth ‘Scump’ Abner thinks fixing the CDL format is easier said than done.

The format has been one of the main complaints of the CDL’s fans and critics. Gone are the days of MLG’s gauntlet open events, with teams having to fend off a vast array of teams to be named winners.

This format simply isn’t viable anymore with the introduction of franchising, with a 12-team league that doesn’t face off against Challengers teams.

So, while many old fans miss these Open events, the CDL has been tasked with the unenviable challenge of finding an optimal format — but Scump isn’t sure it’s even possible.

On the OpTic Chicago podcast, ahead of the final Home Series of the 2021 CDL season, Scump got to chatting about the CDL format with CEO Hector ‘H3CZ’ Rodriguez, Davis ‘Hitch’ Edwards and Marcus ‘Mboze’ Blanks.

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“If we don’t f**k up, we’re first seed,” Scump explained. “We only win one match and we’re top three. Best placing of the year. So, the format’s got to change man.”

Mboze went on to discuss the old Open Bracket tournaments, which Scump called “gruellers,” which got Scump thinking. “I’ve only got to win one match and we’re in winner’s finals” he reiterated. “Even if it was just group play at the tournament, based off of the seeding… but that wouldn’t work… There’s no way to have a good format.”

Timestamp 48:30

H3CZ explains that it’s still only the second season of the CDL, adding that “everything’s going to evolve,” so it will be interesting to see how the league adapts in the coming seasons.

There may not be much significant change in 2022, but H3CZ makes a valid point: the CDL now likely looks very different to how it does in 10 years’ time. What changes they end up making, though, remains to be seen.