Urgent: Fix Online Tournament Fairness in DSJ4
Posted: 09 Jan 2025, 20:20
Dear Jussi,
Allow me to express my utmost admiration for the masterpiece that is DSJ4 — a game that has brought countless hours of joy, competition, and camaraderie to players worldwide. Yet, amidst this unparalleled experience, a shadow looms over the online tournaments, threatening the very fairness and integrity that underpin their appeal.
The issue at hand is the persistent and rampant abuse of the current 5-second rule for initiating jumps. A pernicious trend has emerged — players deliberately delaying their start, exploiting the unpredictable yet advantageous wind conditions that often arise for those who "wait it out." This tactic, employed by so-called "waiters," has transformed what was once a celebration of skill and precision into a contest marred by randomness and opportunism.
This phenomenon has grown into a veritable plague, eroding the spirit of fair play. In some instances, the disparity becomes so egregious that a player who once led the leaderboard with a flawless performance finds themselves plummeting to 20th place — solely because others exploited the waiting strategy. The beauty of DSJ4 lies in its realism and competitive integrity, yet this loophole tarnishes that vision.
The situation has become so demoralizing that many skilled players have ceased to take the game seriously, frustrated by the dominance of "waiters." Talented individuals such as Mariusz, Paweł, or Adieg — players who once contributed greatly to the competitive spirit of DSJ4 — now feel disheartened and disengaged. This is a devastating loss for the community and the game's future.
To make matters worse, DSJ4 does not utilize wind compensation factors or gate compensation — a common feature in real-life ski jumping that ensures fairness despite differing conditions. The absence of such mechanisms makes it your responsibility, Jussi, to ensure fairness through other means. Without compensators, fairness in the game becomes non-negotiable, and an automatic start from the gate during online tournaments is no longer just a suggestion — it is a necessity.
The solution is clear and urgent: implement automatic gate starts in tournaments only, bypassing the manual 5-second window. This would eliminate the advantage of waiting and restore the focus to skill and mastery. Importantly, the 5-second rule could remain in place for casual online play, as fairness is less critical in non-competitive settings.
Jussi, it is deeply frustrating that this glaring issue remains unresolved in a game as celebrated as DSJ4. The community has voiced its concerns for years, and yet, no concrete action has been taken. What was a minor problem in 2021 and 2022 has now escalated into a crisis that undermines the competitive integrity of the game. As the creator of DSJ4, it falls on you to address this injustice and preserve the brilliance of your creation.
I implore you to act swiftly and decisively. DSJ4 thrives on the passion and dedication of its players, and they deserve a game that values fairness above all else. Please, do not let randomness and exploitation overshadow the skill and competition we hold so dear. Restore fairness, add automatic starts during tournaments, and let DSJ4 continue to shine as the iconic game it is.
To my fellow players: I urge you to join this cause and voice your support here. Together, we can emphasize the importance of this issue and encourage Jussi to take action for the good of the game and its community.
Yours sincerely,
Jacek
Allow me to express my utmost admiration for the masterpiece that is DSJ4 — a game that has brought countless hours of joy, competition, and camaraderie to players worldwide. Yet, amidst this unparalleled experience, a shadow looms over the online tournaments, threatening the very fairness and integrity that underpin their appeal.
The issue at hand is the persistent and rampant abuse of the current 5-second rule for initiating jumps. A pernicious trend has emerged — players deliberately delaying their start, exploiting the unpredictable yet advantageous wind conditions that often arise for those who "wait it out." This tactic, employed by so-called "waiters," has transformed what was once a celebration of skill and precision into a contest marred by randomness and opportunism.
This phenomenon has grown into a veritable plague, eroding the spirit of fair play. In some instances, the disparity becomes so egregious that a player who once led the leaderboard with a flawless performance finds themselves plummeting to 20th place — solely because others exploited the waiting strategy. The beauty of DSJ4 lies in its realism and competitive integrity, yet this loophole tarnishes that vision.
The situation has become so demoralizing that many skilled players have ceased to take the game seriously, frustrated by the dominance of "waiters." Talented individuals such as Mariusz, Paweł, or Adieg — players who once contributed greatly to the competitive spirit of DSJ4 — now feel disheartened and disengaged. This is a devastating loss for the community and the game's future.
To make matters worse, DSJ4 does not utilize wind compensation factors or gate compensation — a common feature in real-life ski jumping that ensures fairness despite differing conditions. The absence of such mechanisms makes it your responsibility, Jussi, to ensure fairness through other means. Without compensators, fairness in the game becomes non-negotiable, and an automatic start from the gate during online tournaments is no longer just a suggestion — it is a necessity.
The solution is clear and urgent: implement automatic gate starts in tournaments only, bypassing the manual 5-second window. This would eliminate the advantage of waiting and restore the focus to skill and mastery. Importantly, the 5-second rule could remain in place for casual online play, as fairness is less critical in non-competitive settings.
Jussi, it is deeply frustrating that this glaring issue remains unresolved in a game as celebrated as DSJ4. The community has voiced its concerns for years, and yet, no concrete action has been taken. What was a minor problem in 2021 and 2022 has now escalated into a crisis that undermines the competitive integrity of the game. As the creator of DSJ4, it falls on you to address this injustice and preserve the brilliance of your creation.
I implore you to act swiftly and decisively. DSJ4 thrives on the passion and dedication of its players, and they deserve a game that values fairness above all else. Please, do not let randomness and exploitation overshadow the skill and competition we hold so dear. Restore fairness, add automatic starts during tournaments, and let DSJ4 continue to shine as the iconic game it is.
To my fellow players: I urge you to join this cause and voice your support here. Together, we can emphasize the importance of this issue and encourage Jussi to take action for the good of the game and its community.
Yours sincerely,
Jacek
