This is insane how it can be like this. This must be handled quickly, or we’ll lose a lot of players. Having such a big skill gap is incredibly boring. We have zero chance to even learn the game.
Check this pic
https://imgur.com/z3e44KJ
The text is not from me btw
If a game has a system where players earn 40 XP for a win but lose 35 XP for a loss, several potential outcomes could happen, especially for newer players. Here’s an analysis of what might happen:
1. Difficulty Reaching Higher Levels (Level 1, Level 2, etc.)
- Stuck at Low Levels: New players might find themselves stuck at Level 0 or barely reaching Level 1. Since they lose more XP than they gain with a loss (losing 35 XP vs. gaining 40 XP), even if they win a few times, the losses will make it hard for them to progress.
- Slow Progression: It may take a long time to level up, especially if the player is still learning the game or facing players with more experience. Reaching Level 2 could feel like a distant goal because the XP losses from defeats consistently outweigh the XP gained from victories.
2. Frustration and Motivation to Quit
- Discouragement for New Players: New players, who are still figuring out how the game works, might face a discouraging experience. If they are frequently losing and feel like they are making no progress (or even regressing in terms of XP), they may get frustrated and quit the game. This is especially true if they feel that their progress is hindered by the game’s XP system, where losses hurt them more than wins help them.
- Perception of Unfairness: If new players see experienced players leveling up much faster, it could lead to feelings of unfairness or that the game is “stacked” against them. The combination of a tough XP system and seeing others succeed could create a negative feedback loop, where they feel like they can never catch up, leading to player drop-off.
3. Skill Gap Exacerbation
- Experienced Players Getting Further Ahead: Players who are good at the game or have more experience will progress faster. This creates a large skill gap between newer players and more experienced ones. New players may feel like they are constantly facing players who are better, which makes it even harder for them to win and earn the XP needed to level up.
- New Players Becoming More Stagnant: As new players face increasingly skilled opponents, they might experience frequent losses. If the XP penalty for losses is steep (like losing 35 XP), it will be difficult for them to progress, and they may feel stuck at a low level, unable to improve or catch up with others.
4. Potential for Player Drop-off
- Players Quitting: If the XP system feels too punishing, new players might abandon the game altogether, especially if they see that they are not progressing as fast as others or constantly losing XP. If the game does not have enough support (like tutorials, skill improvements, or bonuses for newer players), those who struggle may quit out of frustration.
- Decreased Player Retention: The game could see a higher drop-off rate if players don’t feel a sense of achievement or progress. Without rewarding players adequately, they might not feel motivated to keep playing, and as a result, the overall player retention could suffer.
What Could Happen?
- New Players Could Quit: If they constantly see themselves losing ground in the XP system and feel like it’s impossible to progress (stuck at level 0 or barely reaching level 1), they might give up on the game, especially when they see others advancing quickly.
- Players Could Only Reach Low Levels: If the system remains as is, most players might only reach Level 1 or Level 2 at best. The majority might never advance past this stage because the XP loss for each defeat keeps them from progressing consistently.
- Experienced Players Dominate: Those who are good at the game or already have experience will likely progress at a faster rate, which could make new players feel alienated. This could create a barrier to entry for newcomers who feel they are always stuck in a cycle of losing and not improving.
Potential Solutions to Avoid Negative Outcomes
To prevent these issues and keep players engaged, the game might need to consider a few adjustments:
- Reducing XP Penalty for Losses: Lower the amount of XP lost on defeats so players don’t feel punished too harshly. For example, instead of losing 35 XP, they could lose 15-20 XP. This would make progression more achievable, especially for newer players.
- Increased XP Gains for New Players: Offer bonus XP for new players or those in the lower levels to help them progress faster in the beginning stages.
- XP Protection or a “Safety Net” for New Players: Introduce a system that gives new players a buffer where they lose less XP or gain more XP in their early matches, helping them get familiar with the game without feeling stuck.
- Skill Matching: Implement a matchmaking system that places new players against others of similar skill levels, preventing them from constantly facing much better players.
Conclusion
With the current XP system (losing 35 XP on a loss and only gaining 40 XP on a win), new players are likely to feel stuck at low levels, frustrated by the difficulty of progression, and possibly quit the game. Without adjustments to the system, there is a risk of high player drop-off and increased frustration. By providing some sort of XP buffer, increasing rewards for wins, or reducing penalties for losses, the game could create a more rewarding experience that encourages player retention and progress.