86 replies to this topic

[Dlardrageth]

Hm, the balancing/matchmaking question sort of boils down to a number of various factors being possible to influence it. Now which of those should be weighted to what amount (if at all)...

• Basic Mech Tonnage
  
• BV (or CV, or BV Mk.2 or whatever)
  
• Player skills/stats
  
• In-game Pilot skill/stats in general
  
• In-game Pilot skill/stats in a certain Mech

Now that we have gotten somewhat more information about the Info Warfare angle and the new "modular" system, the latter 2 might actually be of some additional interest. That is, if we want to include any balancing factor depending on gameplay.

Quite frankly, if the general consensus goes towards the point where actual performance/stats of a given pilot/player don't matter at all for issues of gameplay balancing/matchmaking, then we should as well disable the showing of any stats in game. If it doesn't matter for the one part at all, it shouldn't matter for the other as well. So you think you "earned" some "bragging rights" or whatever by doing this and that? Well, in that case you'd better have to take in the consequences of that as well. That is, for randomly thrown together matches. If you drop as a whole unit on an "objective raid" or strategic conquest attempt, that would obviously not play a role.

Or in "background fluff" terms... If you became that renowned/infamous a pilot, or your unit would acquire that kind of reputation, it would be absolutely ludicruous that the enemy would keep on fielding "clueless nOObs"™ against you. Or this analogy:You don't send a bunch of London policemen to fight a desert war against Rommel in North Africa, you send the best you got and as much good equipment as you can. Any different approach is not only absolutely unrealistic, it would be plain stupid.

And that is not even touching the part of what mindset it requires to seriously lobby for matchmaking that pose the lowest possible challenge, but endorse "nOObkilling" and ROFLstomping players in their 2nd or 3rd match in the game by players with 1K+ matches. On a so-called "even footing". In randomly formed matches.

It shouldn't come down to the point where a "good player"™ is "nerfed" to the point where he randomly gets killed every other match by any newb due to balancing factors. But it also shouldn't be of no consequence at all if one is fully specced in one Mech and has shown well above-average skill with it. Pitching that player on completely "equal footing" against someone playing his 2nd match in the game will only ensure new players leaving rapidly again and the community becoming an "exclusive", rather inbred small group. No good basis for PGI maintaining and developing the game further.

IMHO the tricky balance between not penalizing "good players"™ for being good at what they do, and still giving newer players the chance at a satisfactory initial game experience will be one of the main determining factors on how successful MWO might become long-term. If that means as a "veteran player" you have to actually prove you earned that status rightfully now and again, so be it. Still beats having to face people leaving the game in droves after a few matches because the balancing doesn't take any amount of (in-game) skill/experience into account.

Repeating it for clarity of the argument, that is for randomly formed matches. Not for the case where a player unit as a whole drops on a specific campaign objective. We don't have yet enough information if and how many different game modes there will be. But considering the high unlikelyness of only battles for preset units, there has to be made some leeway for taking "random battles" into account.

[MaddMaxx]

The only reference to Random Matches found (Blog 1) other than a "Practice Server" is this.

Quote

"As a lone wolf, the player can earn loyalty points through participation in random matches, however these LPs have no positive or negative implications. A lone wolf player does not have any ranks."

What that means is totally unclear but appears that Lone Wolfs will be the only participants. Houses fight Houses and Mercs bid to fight on behalf of Houses, with any empty Mech pilot slots being filled by the Lone Wolf membership.

It appears that any Pilot Skills, Perks or upgrades that could be used as an indicator for a MM system will be gained via Lance vs Lance (or greater) engagements for singular control of the Planetary bodies within the Inner Sphere proper.

If that is true, then does it matter that a House vs House battle somehow Matches up 2 forces, one offensive, the other Defensive, in nature, to be Balanced? Does the addition of a LW to a Merc crew before a Contract Match make it a Random Match?

The same could be asked for a Merc vs House fight over a Planet the Mercs won the Contract on. Maybe the Bid included the "Maximum allowable Force composition" and better pay or LP or whatever can be earned going in Light. How does the game impose a Balance when a Balance is not a requirement.

Although everyone has an idea what "random" should mean, perhaps some clarification from the Dev would be warranted. I still get the feeling we will fight for or defend planets in groups with or for a House or Merc group and anything considered random would take place on the Practice Server (if it even happens) so a MM system is currently moot.

That's all I got.

Edited by MaddMaxx, 06 January 2012 - 08:20 AM.

[Kristov Kerensky]

Question...

How many of you who want a system, be it BV or ranked skills, to be used to keep good players from facing new players, have any experience in FPS style online games besides the MW series?

[MaddMaxx]

Kristov Kerensky, on 06 January 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

Question...

How many of you who want a system, be it BV or ranked skills, to be used to keep good players from facing new players, have any experience in FPS style online games besides the MW series?

Does it have to be FPS, and if so, do those games allow for multiple Profiles across multiple accounts? You know where this is going right Kris?

To the question Yes.

Edited by MaddMaxx, 06 January 2012 - 10:47 AM.

[Kristov Kerensky]

I said FPS style for a reason, it's the genre MWO is, as to multiple profiles on account, I know where you are going, not the point of the question And so far Maxx, you don't seem to be for keeping the pro's away from the rookies, or did I misread?

[MaddMaxx]

Kristov Kerensky, on 06 January 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

I said FPS style for a reason, it's the genre MWO is, as to multiple profiles on account, I know where you are going, not the point of the question And so far Maxx, you don't seem to be for keeping the pro's away from the rookies, or did I misread?

Our Balance Team is working overtime. Not sure what you call. Slavery. we WIN

[MaddMaxx]

MaddMaxx, on 06 January 2012 - 07:47 PM, said:

Our Balance Team is working overtime. Not sure what you call. Slavery. we WIN

I have never lost 2 ever?

Missing? ????