I just returned to my desktop from watching the grand final demo of Quake Quick Cup #11 between Cypher and stalker on aerowalk and suddenly a couple of thoughts came into my mind regarding xerp. Before you continue reading, be aware of this: If you're already fed up with the whole topic, just don't continue reading and shut up.

While watching the (GTV recorded) demo, there was a shitload of xerp talk/whine/flame going on in the spectator chat. Now, what do people find negative connected to xerp? Basically they dislike the overpowered LG (Quote from GTV: "Everybody turned into a shaftgod with xerp") as well as the uncertainty whether people use it or not (Another quote: "How come this stalker guy got so fucking good at the time xerp got known in public?").

I'll try to sum up my thoughts about that briefly in an example by drawing parallels to cycling, where a lot of athletes were involved in doping scandals. What I want to say is not that xerp equals doping in ethical aspects, so, dearest xerp users: Do not feel offended. xerp just goes along with a few symptoms which can also be observed in doping:

Firstly, everybody pretty much agrees that xerp is very well capable of improving the stats of several weapons, which can definitely be called an advantage. But people who do not use it get a disadvantage compared to the xerp-users and are therefore pushed to use it as well (if they even know it exists), just to stay equally competitive. Anyone already sees parallels to doping yet?

Secondly, some people argue that it is just okay to use it because the command is simply there. But people use it to get an advantage over others. If I recall correctly, the original intent of cg_xerpClients 1 is the same as id's smoothclients command, namely smoothing out warpy enemymodels. Now does it do that? No, it even causes choppy enemymodels for some people. Parallel drawing to doping: Doping is being used to for purposes other than intended, since the doping I'm talking about is normally used as a medicament for improving people's physical condition who suffer from kidney insufficiency.

Thirdly, the use of xerp might have negative effects on the users themselves; not resulting in their performance, but in the way they value their achievements. A victory is not as enjoyable if you know that you played unfair and people accuse you because of that. That might result in either a lower "Quake self-esteem" or in the denial of using unfair methods. Random cycle athlete doping abuser: "I am not guilty and never took any illegal substances."

Anyhow, heavy public discussions and negative criticism about a "thing" are never seen as positive in the eyes of the people who evoked this "thing". To specify that, ask yourself the following: If you were the developer of CPMA and you put a feature into it which is criticized by a lot of people and which causes a lot of displeasure, wouldn't you feel better if people stopped expressing their discomfort?!

In the end the only thing that decent quakers want is equal chances for all. Removing xerp would remove an ability to get an advantage over others. Besides, it would counter the already imbalanced LG a little, which endangers VQ3 gameplay in my opinion. Some people say that CQ3 should become the standard, but vice versa, we would bury VQ3 with that... For me removing cg_xerpClients 1 is the only right-minded option to settle the whole thing.

Discuss.