3 replies to this topic

[ArcDemon]

This is an idea for adding some competitiveness to the game with regards to weight balance and loadout, without getting into the task of trying to simultaneously match players on both ELO, weight class and loadout (BV).

Without an absolutely huge number of players online simultaneously or an incredibly long wait time before matches I would submit that it's nearly impossible to match players on both ELO and get an equal number of each weight class and possibly match on BV. And that's without considering the fact that teams don't need to be exactly weight balanced, either on a 1-1 basis (each team has the same number of each weight class) or as a team (one team with assaults and lights, one with mediums and heavies) for a match to be fair. In pre-made 8v8 this would actually block some creativity, since a team may find it to their advantage to run under the typical weight such as a team of fast mediums and lights, leaving no team they could be matched with.

What I'd suggest instead is to continue with ELO and similar improvements to create a generally level playing field and fun game for players, but add an incentive that encourages players to not simply max out their BV but play more strategically - mixed teams rather then just a pack of PPC Stalkers. The incentive would be a profitability bonus/deduction applied at the end of the match to anyone not piloting a trial mech.

At the beginning of the match the total BV, or if more convenient for the current MWO environment the total C-Bill cost of each team is calculated, including the chasis, upgrades like double heat sinks, and weapons of each mech. Let's take a hypothetical match where the blue team fields mechs totalling 80m C-Bills and the red team fields a force valued at 88m. That's a 10% advantage in favor of the red team, either in raw weight or in weapons and technology. At the end of the match the payment is modified to reflect the difference - after things like premium time are added the blue team's winnings are increased by 10% or whatever the force difference is, and optionally the red teams winnings are reduced by 10%. Trial mech players would not be subject to any reductions.

The intent is to add a layer of meta to the game that encourages bidding and creative gameplay - if everyone is playing in XL engine PPC Stalkers it creates a strong incentive to create a cheaper mech that can beat them. If the bidding meta goes too low then it becomes an advantage to field a more expensive mech to take the win. The idea could be tried out with just 8v8 pre-mades instead of all matches. I'd also point out that the 10% difference is on the high side - after being outfitted the cost of mechs is much closer, a fitted Raven 3L is only about 5% cheaper then a fitted Atlas RS though monster boat mechs (like the PPC Stalker) are well above average in cost.

[Typhoon Storm 2142]

Wonderful ideas.

[Aurrous]

i had the same idea in an Elo post but i was a bit more sharply worded with it..

Here is a copy of BV from sarna net??. The process would have to be Simplified by Variant Boiler plating,
I'm not sure if it could ever be totally dialed in due to free building of mech variants..

But adding the Elo to weight to BV would dial it down more than it was..

http://sarna.s3.amaz..._tables_3.0.pdf

This would be based off of the assumption that the player base is large enough to match a comparable BV to weight for each side.

[Darkblood]

I think the simplest thing would be to have one number

THENUMBER = k1*ELO + k2*BV

k1 and k2 are multipliers to tune the relative importance of the two numbers.

ELO accounts for quality of the pilot. BV accounts for the quality of the Mech (and the formula can be as simple or as complicated as needed, we could start from TT values and tune them to reflect the reality of this game). Since BV is basically proportional to weight (just look at some numbers in Sarna) you do some collateral weight matching. But more imporatant than weight you would take into account the loadout, making any weapon in the game useful (you would be matched against people using the same sub-optimal Mechs/loadouts you love).

Matching just one number basically guaranties you'll find a match

I posted a concrete suggestion here: http://mwomercs.com/...61#entry2491261