Algorithmic Handicapping is Wrong for Online Games

[Rezeak-2251]

@Cuthbert-11649

I appreciate that you are taking me up on the semantics, this is really important to the discussion. The key part of the definition is the “applied” part.

In server browser-based games like Team Fortress 2, highly skilled players will often split themselves between teams voluntarily, so that the match is not one-sided. In that case the players apply their own handicap, and it is each player’s prerogative to do so. In the case of Overwatch’s Competitive Play, the handicap is applied automatically by the Matchmaker, as it refers to each players Match Making Rating and arranges teams accordingly.

Team Fortress 2 players know each other from playing together on the same servers, and from a scoreboard which features full stats on each player. The handicapping of the match necessarily and completely depends on players’ knowledge of their skill relative to their peers. Overwatch players are always complete strangers to each other and never know any of their teammates’ and opponents’ performance stats (kills/deaths/assists), because the system is making the decision for them and segregating skilled/unskilled players based on the hidden performance stats.

But the biggest difference between Team Fortress 2 and Overwatch though, is that Team Fortress 2 does not purport to rank players based on their skill. Players would not voluntarily accept a disadvantage if they were being judged on their record of win/loss and performance.

Yea applied being something can be applied randomly.

TF Server-based human handicapping. You can do this in custom matchmaking and use discords just to put it in terms of a solution to your problem because it’s there all you need to do is get more support and encourage more to use it.

As far as human handicapping vs algorithmic handicapping when given the options players choose the second because while algorithms have problems they still will produce less error than humans.

The difference in TF2 and OW. There is none they have skill-based matchmaking now and server-based matchmaking. A player can choose to play the game either way.

@Cuthbert-11649

If matchmaking in Overwatch was SR-based and truly random, it would not constitute handicapping and would be analogous to the wind on a golf course. However, Overwatch’s matchmaking is not SR-based, it is MMR-based and not random at all.

I have already explained even random matches will handicap players. If you are randomly matched against a better team of the same SR it’s a handicap by the definition and is algorithmic.

Just like matching people based on ping and I doubt you have a problem with that.

Comp matchmaking is based on SR first then balanced with MMR.

The purpose of MMR is to give a better quality match and mitigate the impact of smurfs, boosters, and throwers.

If you play an infinite (or say 10000 matches) set of matches the only difference between MMR being there or not is the quality of matches. You will still win the same % and be at the same SR (if you ignore the better experience giving more chances to improve your skills)

I guess your issue with MMR is it holds you back or rigs your matches. The evidence that exists for it shows it does not do that and it’s not its intent.

This is why my argument, is you need to prove it’s doing something outside its intent or what it’s designed for and to prove that it’s detrimentally affecting the game more than random games would.

Or provide a system that is better. You did say a kid could do. Then do it and prove me wrong.

But to my point, your use of algorithmic handicapping is wrong and is another example of you using something that sounds good instead of building a solid argument. Like the patents, I explained in detail why it doesn’t prove anything and the existence of them doesn’t prove anything either way but you took them out of context and called them proof because like I said you care more about how your argument sounds than being fair and honest.

@Moira-21906

just watch the gameplay

A bad player can be right and to use gameplay that he is using for filler to won’t prove anything as that would be taking something out of context. Unless he claimed he was a better player than he was which would discredit the value of his opinion…

@Cuthbert-11649

I am vastly better than the majority of players I get on my teams, in every class and character. I want a random match and a fair chance prove my merit. And then mark my words, I will drag Blizzard’s precious “E-Sports professionals” down from their pedestals, together with other true competitors who are being suppressed by MMR.

There ya go.