the item timers are actually fun for random tdm 

The rest of the changes blow dick in FFA (nb I only play botmatch BUT aside from the quality of opponents it's the same fucking game / ruined game).

Starting weapons make it a ridiculous spam-fest, right off the bat it's rockets and plasma and bullshit flying everywhere. No build-up while players find weapons, much less variety in fighting due to that.

Universal ammo packs make it even worse as you're always replenishing your starting weapon.

Movement around the map is partially discouraged as there's less need to hunt weapons and ammo. It makes the whole thing feel like Rocket Arena on a larger scale.

These are all obvious reasons why this is a terrible idea that makes the gameplay worse, and yup that's exactly how it happens.

Item timers are so-so. They're a noob-friendly pussy option but they don't really ruin the actual combat.

Same with the digits for how much damage you've done.

The new menus and screens are really fucking bland compared to the originals. 

"We feel that these elements overall help bring Quake one step closer to being a modern shooter, while still holding true to our roots of remaining an incredibly fast paced old school shooter. "

They got confused, it's modern shooters that have to be brought closer to Quake, not the contrary 

 

 

Most of the changes are pretty bad on paper, but could have worked fine if they weren't applied all at once. Spawning with the Machine Gun only always feels like shit, so I don't mind the loadouts that much - it's almost like a perverse form of Team Fortress with 16 classes.

However little balance was left, though, got completely thrown out of the window with making all ammo unified and making weapons respawn practically instantly. Sure, make me spawn with a RL and low ammo if you want to... but don't immediately let me get from 5 rockets to 25!

Item timers - every "pro" player used to count the next respawn time on their own. I don't mind this becoming global.

The new announcer couldn't sound any more bored.

A sound playing as feedback for when you get a kill isn't a bad idea - but why did it have to be a cartoony ding?!

I want a Doom Live now.