https://forum.battlebay.net/threads/the-ultimate-infamy-revamp.13811/#post-65394
When talking about matchmaking systems one fundamental question needs to be answered: What is fair? This might seem like an obvious question but it is actually not that straight forward.
There are two main approaches to matchmaking:
1. MMR based. In MMR based matchmaking players who perform on the same level are matched together. This is what Battle Bay has currently.
2. Equipment based. In equipment based matchmaking players play together if the have similar equipment. This is essentially what you are suggesting.
So which one is more fair? Equipment based matchmaking is essentially making a claim that players who have the same level items should be playing together. Surely fair right? However, that logic also means: "You have the same sneakers as Usain Bolt so you should be racing against him". All of a sudden it doesn't feel that fair anymore.
However, an MMR based matchmaking takes a different stance. It says "I don't care why you are as good as you are, maybe it's skills, maybe it's items, but if you perform on a certain level, you should be playing with others who perform on the same level". Using the same sports metaphor it's saying "Oh, you run 100 meters in 13.7 seconds, so I'll put you against other players who can also run it in 13.7 seconds".
So, which one feels more fair and more fun?
1. Play with other players who on average perform on the same level and is guaranteed to always give you a meaningful challenge?
2. Play against totally random people, as long as they have the same gear. Sometimes they run circles around you, and sometimes they don't even know how to shoot with their weapons. If you are one of the least skilled players you end up just losing all every time, and the game doesn't even try to correct that by adjusting the difficulty level, which doesn't feel fair or fun. If you are super humanly good, you keep on winning all the time and again the game doesn't even try to give you more challenges, which becomes boring pretty quickly.
We, the Battle Bay team, have chosen the option number 1 because we feel it gives better overall experience for the wide variety of different players.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So I linked this post in here because they are related. Miika - even so with this thread and so many like it, players are noting that there is an issue with facing ship classes they shouldn't.
I don't know the answer purse' but I think change is needed.
1] Skill - there are players who love the game and have "no skill" and "natural skill" and everywhere in-between.
2] Upgrades - whether players have skill or not they can upgrade their ships and weapons given time or money.
3] Infamy - You can raise or lower it from 0 - 4k+ (IMHO - There should be a drop threshold - don't penalize players; rather set a maximum drop)
- IE., player obtains "Warrior" league their infamy can no longer drop below 500+; similar players with similar skills and/or gear will wind up in the same place. So they will end up playing with players with similar skills and ship/weapon loadouts more often. -if intentional losses are still reported you can still curb the players gains as a punshiment.
4] I think having infamy is fine just tweak it - (Whether a player sucks or not - if they upgrade their stuff to a certain point) they should be (able to join) moved into the next league.
- This protects the newer ships from getting pummeled by ships twice their class and load-out.
- Less "skilled" players will still stay at the bottom of the new league until skills improve and the naturally skilled will rise to the top regardless.
- Limit ship class or weapon tiers to each league. IE MK1s and common weapons in "Challenger", MK2 and uncommon in "Warrior" and so on. (make new leagues to accommodate this)
Other thoughts - you can use the star rating system to separate the pack further - When a player earns 3 stars they get matched up to other players who earned 3 stars in the next game...those with 1 star get matched to those with one star....thus skills come into play (yeah; there are holes in my idea - like whomever does the most damage would get more stars in most cases)
But in theory this could help like skilled players ban together and work as a team to rise.)
- An "Extreme Challenge" option could be added for skilled players who want to face ships 1 to 2 tiers higher for better rewards. The player would check the box prior to entering the battle.
-End- Sorry it was so long - rebuttals ready and go??
Click to expand...