2009 World Championship for Heroes IV Online.

I see no point in worrying about unfamiliar maps. There will be 2 months or, most likely, more to playtest them.

That's exactly the point! And besides, do only seasoned players sign up for the World Championship? :) For newcomers, most maps will be new..
At WC 2008, one of the popular maps was Lescandra, which was probably well known only to the French, and that didn't stop it from being played ;)
Well, and new maps are interesting.. At the very least, it adds some intrigue. :)
I understand that playing on old, played-a-thousand-times maps is convenient.. Tactics and strategy are already developed and honed over the years.
But aren't true Heroes afraid of challenges and novelty? :) In my opinion, a professional can show their skill on any map, even a new one for them :)
I'm not insisting that new maps absolutely must be included in the WC..
Although take "Will and Mind". The map was new and was played in a tournament only on HeroesWorld.. And only a few people, none of whom were French :) Yet that didn't stop the French from featuring it!
So I don't see any particular reason why we shouldn't do the same :)
In any case, maps need to be chosen.. and honestly, the selection isn't that big..

I've attached maps from AS.

Ruslan, thank you very much :)

Best regards, Luchik!