It's just natural that the game, like life, evolves.
Customizing figures is a part of that evolution process within the game and it enhances the experience for many people.
You can always set rules or standards that limit the size/weight/position relative to the base (etc) of figures...to keep things fair/equal...but as long as a custom figure looks like a football player...(not and extra limbed alien - although that could be an interesting team :rolleyes
...then there really should be no debate...
Imagine a chess game where you created all your own players. As long as the rules about how your chess players could move matched those of your opponent (becasue in chess, that's all that really matters), then it should make no difference.
It's a little more complicated within MF/EF...but if people take the time to establish standards and rules that work for everybody (we know people have already done this!) then we should be able to satisfy just about everyone.
In some ways, this issue/problem speaks to the larger issues we have as humans. We like to have a certain comfort and balance in our lives...this extends to MF/EF. We get used to things a certain way...or are fearful that the "WAY" we do something will become obsolete...that the balance we try to set will become unbalanced.
I look at it this way...no matter what you do...the world is just going to keep on spinning. No matter how you look at it, you are along for a ride on this planet. You might as well enjoy it and help others enjoy it with you. Find your balance, but realize, on a spinning planet, you will have to find it again and again throughout your life. And that's part of what makes life worth living. You have to try to learn how to embrace change...it's coming whether you like it or not. Work with others to make changes for the better of all.
On a less philosophical note...it seems like now there are so many ways to approach MF/EF, that anybody should be able to find a way to participate. If playing the "game" is your thing...then as long as the rules are the same for both sides...it really shouldn't matter if you have a team of custom players or a team of stock players. Find what you like and go with it...accept the challenge and get on with the game!
Of course, this is all just one crazy man's opinion...
