War Seasons Suggestion
GroundedWisdom
Member Posts: 36,638 ★★★★★
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
There are a number of issues arising from Tanking, Rating Removals, and other actions that affect the Matchmaking. In some cases, they are the result of punitive measures. In other cases, they are because of an intentional strategy. There are other issues as well, but I'm focusing on these because the result is Allies being overpowered in Matches, and others are gaining an unfair edge in Points. Quite simply, the system is propelling their growth, whether intentional or byproduct, and giving them higher Rewards. Those under them are being stunted, not only because of the overpowered Losses but because the system shifts depending on what everyone does. Having encountered a number of extreme mismatches, I've been going back to my original idea of wiping clean at the end of every Season, but I don't see that as being feasible or practical, especially since Seasons are only a short amount of time. So, I'd like to throw a suggestion out there. Feel free to use any of it.
Seasons progress should carry over and remain in Seasons. How it could work is there would be a minimum War Rating requirement to enter Seasons, something easy and accessible. Perhaps 50 or 100 War Rating. Once you enter, you work your way up through the Brackets. Stone, Bronze, etc. Your Season Rating remains unchanged by Off-Season, and you pick up where you left off in the next Season. If you finished in Silver, you stay in Silver until you win or lose in the next Season.
The same lock-out applies, which also means if Allies want to have a Seasons Alliance, that's acceptable, as we know some keep Shells. Not at all what I think is prudent, or wise, but it happens. With the lock-out, it wouldn't be unfair from what I can see.
Off-Seasons would remain separate, and not affect Seasons.
The next part is not really integral to the suggestion, but I feel important. I won't discuss actions taken on Allies. I would like to make a gentle suggestion that a new way of punishing transgressions is introduced, especially for Seasons. Whether it be Suspensions from Season, removal of Rewards, or other. I think that the adverse effect of removing Rating is causing the Matchmaking to be off-balance. Don't get me wrong. I fully support taking actions. I just feel it has an effect that is more detrimental to those playing honestly. Especially in the case of repeat offenders who end up much lower and therefore gaining easier Wins.
I thought I would put out a couple ideas as a solution. My intention is to have a fair space to enjoy a healthy competition, and I've felt since I originally thought about Seasons that keeping progress separate is the best way to reward it. Thanks.
There are a number of issues arising from Tanking, Rating Removals, and other actions that affect the Matchmaking. In some cases, they are the result of punitive measures. In other cases, they are because of an intentional strategy. There are other issues as well, but I'm focusing on these because the result is Allies being overpowered in Matches, and others are gaining an unfair edge in Points. Quite simply, the system is propelling their growth, whether intentional or byproduct, and giving them higher Rewards. Those under them are being stunted, not only because of the overpowered Losses but because the system shifts depending on what everyone does. Having encountered a number of extreme mismatches, I've been going back to my original idea of wiping clean at the end of every Season, but I don't see that as being feasible or practical, especially since Seasons are only a short amount of time. So, I'd like to throw a suggestion out there. Feel free to use any of it.
Seasons progress should carry over and remain in Seasons. How it could work is there would be a minimum War Rating requirement to enter Seasons, something easy and accessible. Perhaps 50 or 100 War Rating. Once you enter, you work your way up through the Brackets. Stone, Bronze, etc. Your Season Rating remains unchanged by Off-Season, and you pick up where you left off in the next Season. If you finished in Silver, you stay in Silver until you win or lose in the next Season.
The same lock-out applies, which also means if Allies want to have a Seasons Alliance, that's acceptable, as we know some keep Shells. Not at all what I think is prudent, or wise, but it happens. With the lock-out, it wouldn't be unfair from what I can see.
Off-Seasons would remain separate, and not affect Seasons.
The next part is not really integral to the suggestion, but I feel important. I won't discuss actions taken on Allies. I would like to make a gentle suggestion that a new way of punishing transgressions is introduced, especially for Seasons. Whether it be Suspensions from Season, removal of Rewards, or other. I think that the adverse effect of removing Rating is causing the Matchmaking to be off-balance. Don't get me wrong. I fully support taking actions. I just feel it has an effect that is more detrimental to those playing honestly. Especially in the case of repeat offenders who end up much lower and therefore gaining easier Wins.
I thought I would put out a couple ideas as a solution. My intention is to have a fair space to enjoy a healthy competition, and I've felt since I originally thought about Seasons that keeping progress separate is the best way to reward it. Thanks.
5
Comments
I agree with this. Maybe Kabam could change the +/- war points amount when mismatches happen. If a 6 mil 900 war rating alliance matches up with a 15+ mil 900 war rating alliance that was recently created, the 6 mil alliance is docked very few war rating points if they lose. Kabam could alter the AW matchmaking process to consider alliance formation date as a variable.
@GroundedWisdom appreciate you offering ideas to decrease the extent of AW manipulation
LOL come on. I'm the last one to object to coming down on @GroundedWisdom when he deserves it. But he made a reasonable suggestion. This isn't like commenting on Uncollected level if you aren't uncollected.
I don't really understand what your suggesting though, the bracket your in during the season doesnt affect who you will be matched with its your war rating. A tier 1 alliance who only had taken part in 1 war during the first 2 weeks would be down in stone or some low bracket but then if they started a war they would still face a tier 1 or 2 alliance most likely in plat or master. Unless you're suggesting a divisions type thing with promotion and relegation each season?
In terms of my suggestion, my main concern is for the adverse effects of Rating changes, both as the result of Tanking and punishment. There are a few ways they could implement it. They could introduce Prestige into Matchmaking. They could transfer War Rating from Off-Season if implemented, sort of a snapshot. They could have a separate mechanic for determining Matches for Seasons. They could start fresh and have people build a Seasons War Rating. Just off the top of my head. My idea is basically the bare bones, and the specifics could be up to them. My two main concerns are separating Seasons from Off-Seasons, and having a way to maintain order that doesn't lead to Allies being placed in unfair Matches.
Yep. Removed 3 threads on the topic now. I can only conclude from it that they condone cheating and the manipulation of matchmaking via some of the approaches mentioned. The fix is simple. But, even short of a fix, an official comment on the topic that is good, bad or indifferent should be given. But, unlikely. They will just keep deleting without comment. So, cheat on.
Or there could be a change up with the next update they cannot comment about yet.
It is a big update week with version 20.
Also, my original thread still is up....
https://forums.playcontestofchampions.com/en/discussion/93359/aliances-tanking-in-the-off-season-need-some-restrictions
For now.
That would be swell. But, they could acknowledge if that's the case and therefore either completely address the topic or at least diffuse it. Silence is compliance.
I get the feeling that it is not "compliance", but they cannot comment on it publicly yet.
Obviously they are aware of the tanking/sandbagging issue, but stone silence implies one of two things...
1) They will ignore it. Which in the long run will cost them consumers.
2) They will be addressing it. But cannot talk about it yet seeing if they announce how they will fix it without their programmers already having the fix ready would cause a firestorm on the forums and support tickets.
They have not talked about season 4 much yet as far as I can tell. Last cycle when season 2 ended, they were very talkative about season 3.
That is my opinion, I could be wrong.
That would have to happen regardless. My alliance, though made up of game vets started from scratch on 5/2/18. We had to fight our way up from the basement during Season 2. We got to Gold 3 and ran out of time for any further advancement until Season 3. But, anyone starting from scratch should have to fight their way up. That's the way starting from scratch goes. Your point is valid -- some in that circumstance might complain as they'd like to use off-season to help that initiative, but that seems like a very minor argument.
Cleaning the Forum is not an indication that it's acceptable.
I never suggested anyone get punished. I suggested steps be taken to prevent people from manipulating the system and taking advantage of weaker Allies. It is not fair.
It is NOT fair. It's manipualting War Rating to take advantage of weaker Allies, just for easy Kills and a Points boost. You don't need an official comment to know what is fair or not. What about the Points those Allies are potentially missing out on because they're being overrun with Matches? Do you consider that fair, or does it matter? Learning right from wrong is not something that can be done on a Forum.
From the perspective of the Ally doing it, that might seem fair. To the Allies who are coming up against them, it's not. The system is designed to Match based on relatively proportionate ability using War Rating, and that Rating shows ability based on Wins and Losses. What people are doing is pecking off easy Wins by dropping their Rating. It's not at all fair. They're gaining an unfair advantage by doing it, otherwise they wouldn't be doing it, and it wouldn't be easy Kills. The argument that you never know doesn't hold water because the Matches are not naturally progressed. It's manipation plain and simple. Personally, I don't want to win by pecking off weaker Allies. Doesn't qualify as earning it to me. In any case, it's not that ambiguous. It's milking the system at the expense of people lower.
They didn't adapt? Right. How do you adapt to a system that blindsides you because people are altering it?
They can do more than that, which is why I suggested alternatives. They've been consistent in showing that they're dedicated to improving the fairness of Seasons and War in general, and this is just another aspect that can be looked at. If you want to go on the premise that they can't change it and that it's their fault people are playing unfairly, be my guest. You've added your stance. I can move on and discuss it with others.