The easy & elegant solution to BB's challenges (which won't ever happen)

While I don't think matchmaking is as bad as the general opinion around here seems to be, I'm here to show you the easy way to fix (improve) it!

The problems we'll fix:
- Unfair matchmaking (i.e. mk4 boats vs mk5's etc), too large a discrepancy in power between teams.
- Unfair matchmaking part 2 (5k players being put into 3k infamy matches, either with a powerhouse on both sides, or the worst cases where a top 10 player gets a free win against 5 noobs).
- Player base too low to implement 5 man fleeting / alternative gamemodes.

The underlying issue:
Scaling.
A mk5 vs a mk7 is a terrible experience because the differences between the two boats is much larger than 5 vs 7 sounds like. A mk5 shooter has roughly 5k hp, have fun playing against a mk7 with 10k+. On top the mk7 shooter most likely hits upwards to twice as hard and moves faster also.

The easy & elegant solution:
Reduce the scaling & power discrepancy between tiers/levels.
Obviously a mk7 with legendaries need to be stronger than a mk5 in rares -- But there is no good reason (if the primarily aim is good gameplay) for why the difference is as absurd as it is currently. If everyone was (much) closer in stats the matchmaking would have an easier time producing ´fair´ games. The top players probably wouldn't reach 5.3k, but that in turn also helps the matchmaker out of the scenario it has a very tricky time handling now. Building meaningful 5vs5 is also easier in a world with a lower powergap.
The best players will still be the best, but the smaller fish become less insignificant filler and more active participants.

Why it won't happen:
Short term profit guides freemium development alot more than long term succesful gameplay.

 

You have to get out of your dream world
That system isnt gonna give rovio money
No money= not gonna happen

 

I like my dream world too but... we have to enter rovios dream world

 

Mk7 with uncommons will still be op against mk5 uncommons or rares or any rarity.

 

That all depends on how you scale the players matchmaking "rating". You would heavily weigh the mk7 to compensate. To use an easy math example. Say mk5 = 200 points and a lv5 rare would be 100. So the ship might total 900 points. Whereas a mk7 might =700 points. so maybe you would need lv5 uncommons to still be matched equally. In theory at least.

Back on topic though rescaling is super easy but will leave a portion of the players upset. That will happen if you scale the bottom players up, and the top players down. Top players dont want to feel like their $ and effort were wasted, or that low players were given free stuff.

I wonder if there is some way to apply a handicap in matchmaking? I mean ship hit points would be easiest but I am not sure if that would do it. For top teams it could be a 5 vs 4 or something.

Despite this, I would be for it because it would benefit the game in the long run. Rovio might lose players over a controversial move like that but we can fill a new arena with their tears! The new map will be called "Salty Tearville".

 

lol isnt that how Freddy kills people in Nightmare on Elm Street

http://nightmareonelmstreet.wikia.com/wiki/Dream_World