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So here's a notion re-organizing the current QP system that is within PGI's capabilities, as it does not involve engine or mechanics changes, simply a re-shuffling of existing game modes and some MM algorithm tweaking.
What if we opened up the QP matchmaking system, such that when there is a larger population in the queue, it makes 12v12 matches as now. When there is a lower population, or when 24 'good match' players can't be paired up, it creates an 8v8 match and uses some of the smaller current maps, as well as bringing back the older Forest Colony, Frozen City, River City etc maps. (Slightly tweaked to remove obvious flaws)
In some circumstances, MM could build a 4v4 match from the available players. Either when the queue has low player count, or when there is a group that would fit a 4v4 that has been waiting a while for a match. (I suspect this would mostly occur in the lower tiers, 4 and 5.)
Domination, Assault, and Skirmish would be suitable modes for 4v4, on the smaller/older maps. It might be that PGI could come up with another mode that works well for the reduced player count. I don't think the current Scouting mode would work well for QP 4v4 as the mechs/builds/tactics are more specialized.
Either 8v8 or 4v4 could also be used to pull out mech classes that are over-saturated in the regular queue. Half the mechs queued are heavies? Fine, pull out an 8v8 that is 6 heavies and 2 meds per side. Got 10 tier 5's waiting in queue that the current MM would throw into a tier 3 match? Make a 4v4.
The MM would first try to make a 12v12 under certain constraints. If these were not met, it would drop to an 8v8 or 4v4 to make 'best use' of the available population. Map voting would not occur until after the players were placed in a match, so only appropriate maps would be shown.
Smaller maps would be easier/cheaper to make. Newer players would be less likely to be overwhelmed by the complexity of a 12v12 battle, focused fire, and the possibility that higher ranked players would be in their match. Veteran players would see more variety, more maps, and some changes to game play.
It would be less necessary to push players up tiers to separate the 'new' players from the 'veteran' players, so it becomes possible to tweak the up/down PSR values to more accurately reflect good/bad performance.
This could be implemented incrementally, with an 8v8 mode and a couple maps made available first to see how it works out, more maps and 4v4 modes to be added over time.
Edited by MadBadger, 22 February 2018 - 04:52 PM.
