Why is handicapping with an MMR in competition bad?

[Cuthbert-11649]

@Zenren-1447

For further discussion regarding this matter, please review this post… In my experience in sports, both at the collegiate and high school level, I have never run across an MMR. The idea is confusing to me and I really don’t understand the need, however I do understand the fear of some players who support it, that might believe it’s the only thing keeping them at the bracket they’re in right now. My question is this, is handicapping matches bad? And if so why does blizzard continue to do it even though popular vote says otherwise?

Thanks for carrying on the discussion, Zenren! You’re asking the right questions.

If anyone wants to contribute to the active (i.e., not locked) thread, you can find it here:

Algorithmic Handicapping (MMR) is Wrong for Overwatch

This thread is a plea for truth, democracy, and regulation in online gaming. It’s about a rising schism of cognitive dissonance, caused by a new form of consumer fraud that emerged in the last decade without anybody really noticing. It’s about the rights of online gamers, and users of all social media, not just as consumers but as democratic citizens. And if you follow it to the end, you will find yourself on the wrong side of a shield wall. [Lars' Lentils – Episode 2: Algorithmic Handi…