So, I know the conspiracy theorists don’t want to recognize this, but any “numbers you put up” doesn’t really change your MMR/SR. When they say it’s a factor, they mean it’s a factor in how much your MMR/SR moves upon a win or loss. So, if you win but do poorly, you’ll gain 22, say, vice 25.
Maybe you already know this or think I’m putting too fine a point on it, but there are some who believe that the system can actually measure your performance in an absolute manner and places you in a corresponding MMR. It’s a common misperception. It can’t possibly do the first, and though it will eventually do the second, it’s a nudge in a direction rather than an evaluation and placement.
And, unless they’ve changed things, you could sit on the sidelines above diamond and if your team wins reap all the same benefits. Diamond+ uses MMR, of course, but does not adjust MMR/SR based on performance at all. (Again, you probably know this, just clarifying.)
It’s just…a number. An expectation of your performance that may or may not be correct and can be broken intentionally (or semi-intentionally).
If there’s a healthy and happy player base that is trying to do their best, that number will be pretty accurate. If you lose people or they’re deliberately sabotaging it, well, it’ll be sabotaged. One great way to sabotage it is to convince people that it’s broken…ironically. If they think they’re in a game meant for them to lose…well, they’re not gonna try too hard, but performing consistently is an assumption of the system.
I gave an explanation HERE, on the forums years ago, when the topic first came out. I think it would be helpful for you to read, because while I agree with your overall assessment, I’m not sure you understand the conspiracy theorists beyond “I’m not as good as I think I am”. Which, to be fair, I also think is the core cause of the complaints, but they’re more complicated than just that and telling them that they’re wrong using incorrect information doesn’t help.
It’s also helpful to recognize that someone’s ActualSkill™ can in fact be higher than their SR/MMR. In fact, it probably does vary from being higher to lower, depending on the time of day and hours played.
A lot of the phenomena people are experiencing are real, just not for the reasons they seem to want to claim. I think it does a disservice to simply dismiss them without giving them the more reasonable alternative along with steps to take.
Not that EVERYONE will take to this treatment, but for all but the most nutty jobbers, giving an explanation why it seems people’s skills are all over the place that isn’t based on a conspiracy theory is going to be very convincing.
MMR/SR = AverageSkill, but AverageSkill =/= CurrentSkill, and CurrentSkill depends on environmental context.