5 replies to this topic

[Sergei Pavlov]

MWO's ELO system tries to balance matches in a game were player skill is an important, though not the only, factor.

Its main problems are that MWO's population is not big enough for proper ELO balancing (especially when ELO scores are in the thousands), it only takes into account WDR, and it ignores the dramatic effects of big-sized teams in the group queue and CW.

I'd like to propose a comprehensible alternative system based on player honesty.

When an account is created, MWO will ask the player what's his or her individual skill level at the game, using a rating system from 1 to 5:

1. Inexperienced
2. Apprentice
3. Competent
4. Veteran
5. Elite

The MM will use this ranking to try to match 24 players with the exact same individual skill level. Every 1-3 minutes (depending on player population, for example) the restriction will be removed by 1 rank level, until two full teams are found.

This system can also improve the group queue. The MM will calculate the average skill level of each team, adding +1 skill level per 2 members: a 2-man group of skill levels 2 and 3 count as having a skill level of 3.5 ((2+3)/2 = 2.5 + 1), and each member in a 12-man group with an average skill level 4 count as having skill level 10. The MM will then try to match teams with the same exact modified skill level, as described above.

This system is based on honesty, but some people may be tempted to lie about their skill level, especially some veterans eager to stomp noobs. In order to prevent this, a player will only be allowed to change his or her skill level once every 30 days, and always upward. Veterans that decide to lie would soon realize enemy rookies are fun to shoot at, but friendly rookies don't contribute to victories as much as they would desire.

Skill level can only be lowered if the player has been inactive for X amount of time (let's say a maximum of -1 level per 6 months).

This system could be implemented in Community Warfare, preventing the current blatant unbalances between new, solo players and veteran teams playing together (a situation that can frustrate potential players and make them leave the game).

I hope you like my idea and would love to hear some feedback.

Edited by Sergei Pavlov, 24 December 2014 - 01:58 AM.

[Sigmar Sich]

I doubt this will work, because honesty is rare. Unfortunately.
Just look at balance disputes, both past and present. So many peoples says balance is ok, when it is not, just to for a chance to keep their toys overpowered. And you want to trust them to influence matchmaker?
(PS i'm not saying MWO is special in this case, all pvp multiplayer games have this illness, more or less)

I believe, system should be automatic, based on player's stats, maybe just on match score (disconnected and AFK matches don't count). As for groups - average score for each group member.
Maybe just change ELO to count match score, not win/lose ratio.

And as for CW. I think it cannot support match balancing, because how would two teams fight for one planet, if they cannot be put in one match?
How to deal with pug stomps then? Give players ingame communication mechanism, which can compete with outside voice communication (at least compete better than crude chat, which doesnt even have scrolling). Lets see if promised command wheel will be of any worth.

Edited by Sigmar Sich, 24 December 2014 - 07:33 AM.

[JayKay17]

Nice idea really, but I don't think it would work. Let's assume most players were trying to be honest. It's just in human nature, that in such subjective rating, there will be some that overestimate or underestimate their skill wildly. Really I don't know where I would rate my own skill compentence, because what methods of measuring do I have? The current statistics which is quirked by the Elo system that is now in place? So while I have a positve W/L ratio, I dunno what it's worth, cause it to much depends on my opponents I won against.

Another problem is that no system, but a very complex one , really can cope with the myriads of different levels of Mech effectivity, skill training and Difference in equipment.

[Burktross]

You're hilarious.
CSGO has a skill system, people still buy separate copies of the game to **** with new players.

no no no no no!

[Smoked]

Won't work. Most people will pick the lowest level because

Shortest wait time per match.
Easier to farm cbills.
Feel good about games rofl. Stomping the field.

[Firewuff]

You know that what you proposing is a simplified version of what already happens? The MM tries to match similar size groups with similar tonnages and ELOS and then adds in extras slowly reducing how strict its parameters are over time. Your scheme is back to the old old match maker from well over 2 years ago.