ATLANTA — The 10th Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major, taking place this week, changed the format of how teams progress through preliminary matches. Based on what we've heard from viewers and competitors at the tournament, it's a well-received change.

Instead of the typical group stage format, the ELeague Major in Atlanta used a Swiss system in the preliminaries to determine which teams made it to the playoffs. After the preliminaries wrapped up Wednesday, we got in touch with competitors and ELeague talent who shared why they thought it was not only more exciting for viewers, but better for teams, too.

A group stage would've seen the 16 teams seeded into four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group moving forward after round robins. Teams would have had time to prepare for opponents they knew they'd be facing, but two unlucky losses could shut out even the most dominant teams from heading to the playoffs.

The Swiss system, which has been gaining popularity in the pro CS:GO scene, forgoes groups completely, instead matching teams up randomly after the first round. Those that win or lose their matches go on to play another random team with the same record — teams with 2-1 records, for instance, only play other teams with two wins and one loss — until all teams either reach three wins or three losses.

Liquipedia created a graphic that explains the Swiss system in detail.

The Swiss experience

Catching up with him just after his match, SK Gaming's Gabriel "Fallen" Toledo told us that he not only preferred the Swiss system, but that he wants to see it implemented in more tournaments, too.

"It’s way better than groups," he said. "If you take a look at the past Majors, if any team could win two straight best-of-ones they would be in the quarterfinals. That’s not terrible but sometimes it’s not fair."

SK Gaming's Gabriel "Fallen" Toledo at the ELeague Major in Atlanta, Jan. 26, 2017. Image: dave vagts/mashable

Losing two in a row in groups is called the 0-2 barbecue, and it's taken out some great but unlucky teams in the past. Fallen favors the system that gives players a third chance.

"If you lose two, you can come back all the way and make it 3-2," he said. "I saw some teams doing that this tournament — good teams that didn’t start well or had bad match ups who got themselves back up for the quarterfinals."

That happened to North this week at the ELeague Major, who started with a 0-2 deficit and succeeded in their next three matches, proving they could stay cool under pressure and making them a viable team to take the championship.

"The teams that got through clearly deserved it."

ELeague host and analyst Richard Lewis had a similar opinion.

"If you look at the teams that got through, I don’t think anybody can argue and really say anybody was unlucky or went out and it was a tragedy or a travesty," he said. "I think the teams that got through clearly deserved it — they were the best teams over the course of the [preliminaries]."

The change to the Swiss system also introduced randomness. Teams in groups usually prepare for their opponents, but the Swiss system's random matches don't give players that opportunity to get ready in advance. This might seem like a disadvantage, but North's coach Casper "Ruggah" Due explained why he thinks it's actually a good thing.

"It’s hard to prepare for your opponent, but I think in some ways that’s a good thing because then the teams play their own style," he said. "They don’t try to counter their opponent."

Teams that are too focused on what their opponents are going to do sometimes fail to consider what they do best themselves. That kind of psychology can be detrimental to teams. Not knowing which squad they're playing against until an hour or two before the match starts allows players to keep a clear head.

"The Swiss system helped us gain the confidence we needed," coach Ruggah said.

Lewis doesn't think the system benefits everyone, though.

"I think it helps certain teams: teams with deeper map pools, teams with resilience, teams that are notoriously consistent," the host and analyst said.

Lewis hit the nail on the head — those three characteristics describe teams with the ability to succeed at the highest level.

For viewers, the Swiss system can be exciting, too.

"I think it’s producing fantastic games," Lewis said. "All the games have been significant — the stakes have been high, there haven’t been any moments where we’ve felt, 'This one you can ignore.' Every game has had something on the line and I think that shows."

The comeback potential — seen in North's 0-2 start and 3-2 finish — made each one of those matches incredibly important for the Danish team.

Commentator James Bardolph said that the Swiss system is refreshing and an enjoyable change.

Even the competitors can't argue against the thrill of the Swiss system. Ruggah, for instance, likes the emotional journey of the Swiss system.

As a player, Fallen isn't yet sold on the change towards randomness, though.

"Maybe there are some adjustments we could make for the next one like seedings where the random part cannot affect some teams more than others, but I think it’s a way better system than the group system for sure," he said.

Most viewers and competitors, even those with a few hesitations, seem to be in favor of the Eleague's move toward this new Swiss system. It certainly seems to introduce more fair and balanced matchups, but the tournament is far from over yet. We'll be reporting more out of Atlanta throughout this weekend as teams fight for the champion title.

ELeague is owned by Turner Broadcasting, which also is an investor in Mashable.