Algorithmic Handicapping is Wrong for Online Games

[Cuthbert-11649]

@Rezeak-2251

I do think I have made a point where you’d have conceded algorithmic handicapping isn’t your issue and that is too much for your ego to deal with because it would mean your impact has really been anything but negative.

Algorithmic handicapping is the topic of the thread. I have considered that ego might bias my opinion, but I have also vetted my opinion with extensive research and polling.

I don’t know what you mean by my impact being “negative.” I am acting on behalf of other gamers, who I see as being abused by game publishers like Activision/Blizzard, the addictiveness of their products, and veiled terms of use which involve discrimination and manipulation based on intimate personal data. If I can help other gamers understand their true terms of use and break their addiction to this product, I consider it a positive impact.

@Vulpes-21163

Have you seen Blizzard revenue at OW launch? Tencent incomes?

The issue is neither how much money you earn, is that you are selling a product. You are not selling 2 tomatoes to your neighbour in friendship for 2 dollars. You are acting in a market, a market regulated by precise laws.

I agree. However this is an area of consumer law which has not yet been developed, and urgently needs to be. Big tech can’t be allowed to continue operating multiplayer gaming franchises as they have been doing. But I believe that the existing law against false advertising (as defined by the Federal Trade Commission) should be the starting point. Products like these should not be allowed to advertise “Competitive Play” a featured game mode when it is algorithmically handicapped. Especially not without disclosing the fact to players in their terms of use and getting informed consent. (Not that any rational player would consent to being abused this way.)

@Yvaelle-1484

This whole section bothers the hell out of me and comes across as very elitist. It completely complains about better players being handicapped with lower tier players without even considering the fact that the other team has the same restrictions.

I understand your issue with the tone of the section. However, it is hard not to appeal to elitism when we are literally talking about the subject of excellence. Match Making Rating was invented to identify and handicap excellent players by systematically segregating them from each other, placing them on opposite teams in every match.

@Yvaelle-1484

Its a fair and balanced match because everyone has the same restrictions. That best player has an opposing best player to outcompete against on the other team and like 4-5 other worse players to abuse. The worst player is having to compete with their worst player on the other team. By everyone pulling their weight equally to rival their competitor on the opposite team you come to victory.

The thing is, not everyone has the same restrictions. Match Making Rating treats every player differently based on their respective performance data. The best player in the match may not have an equal on the opposing team, but rather all 6 of the opposing players may all be stronger than that players 5 teammates. It is easy for the system to counteract the advantage that an individual player’s skill affords them, and in this way skew their likelihood of winning matches. How is that fair to players who compete as individuals?

@Vulpes-21163

We are in the same loop from months.

Unfortunately that is where we have been left by Blizzard, in an information vacuum that can only be filled with conflict.

@ŘïĝĜèĐ-1974

can’t wait to see the code and triumph over those who thought their pixels mattered. imagine defending a system they have no idea about, refuse to learn more about, can’t maintain an intelligent conversation about, and derail with personal attacks about.

The rigging deniers already lost that rigging debate, because they can’t prove it’s not rigged. Their time is up to show any valid evidence it’s not rigged or disprove the evidence as presented.

Is there anything you can imagine doing outside of commenting on this forum? I have tried other channels but I’m not getting anywhere.

@ŘïĝĜèĐ-1974

There are legal proceedings in the works that should get access to a code audit and disclose if it’s rigged or not. Every gamer stands to benefit from knowing the truth. It’s going to be great for the industry once the stance on rigging is known and forced to cease.

I didn’t know about this. Can you tell me anything about it, or what terms to search in Google?

@AARPMEMBER-1185

I am starting to think that the same mmr is tied to all 3 of your roles. It is quite interesting to win a few games on a higher sr role of yours in a row. Swap to a lower sr role of yours by as many as 700 SR and you feel like you are facing the same skill level and getting just curbstomped by other “bronzers”

If I am playing tank at 2100 comfortably and feel like the speed of the game is practically the same in high bronze something just isn’t right.

There are reasons to believe that Activision/Blizzard’s Matchmaker operates based on performance data from specific roles and characters played, as well as general performance data.

How long have you been playing competitive Overwatch? How much have you ranged in rank?