Matchmaking Changes + MMR/Leaderboard Reset

#1 - Nov. 9, 2013, 1:01 p.m.

Hey guys,

As a reminder, this Tuesday we’ll be releasing changes to solo arena matchmaking, altering the way teams are formed. The algorithm works by sorting players by their MMR and then placing them into teams using a specific pattern. This will work toward eliminating two problems we currently have, 1) sync queuing, and 2) lopsided matches. This will work against sync queuing by removing an exploiter’s ability to control which team they are on, greatly increasing the risk to their MMR and leaderboard standing. This change should also do a great deal toward preventing lopsided matches by ensuring each team will have a mix of the highest and lowest rated players.

Since this is such a significant change to matchmaking we will be resetting everyone’s MMR and the PvP leaderboards on November 26th. We are waiting an additional two weeks to verify the changes are working as intended, to give the community the time to adjust, and to see how much of an impact the changes will have on match quality and fairness. This reset will also apply to team arena ratings, which have been affected by MMR issues in the recent past.

I look forward to seeing you in game!

#15 - Nov. 9, 2013, 2:52 p.m.

I should note the current leaderboards are ranked by your Glicko2 skill rating, not the number of games you played. I hope with this change players will be able to settle into their accurate skill range relatively quickly by providing matches that are more fair.

Part of the reason we were willing to reset the MMR and leaderboards was to gather data on how such a reset would affect how ratings change over time, which may be relevant to PvP seasons and whether or not we choose to have them.

#45 - Nov. 9, 2013, 4:51 p.m.

Gamn.4296:

A mix of highest and lowest rank doesn’t sound good to me. It is frustrating to play against good teams with one or two players lost on the map, not knowing what to do.

This change won’t do anything new to match you against people far from your MMR, whether they are higher or lower. However, just as it works currently, you may be matched with people further away from you if you or they have been been waiting a significant amount of time.

What this change will do is better arrange into teams the players that you are matched against.

#47 - Nov. 9, 2013, 4:58 p.m.

Gamn.4296:

Doesn’t that mean that you can have teams like that put together?
- rank 30
- rank 100
- rank 80%
- rank 900
- rank 150

Modrah

It does, but it also means that the team you’re facing is in the same situation. This will also affect top-end matches as well. Assuming the top 10 solo queue players are in queue at the same time (which is likely after the reset) – instead of having Rank 1-5 on a team and 6-10 on the other side, it will balance the top 10 into more even rosters. This will make matches much more even, assuming there is a discernible difference in skill between top 5 and top 10.

#52 - Nov. 9, 2013, 5:19 p.m.

Lordrosicky.5813:

Are you making decay permanent too? This needs to happen.

This build does not include any changes to decay, but should make decay much more effective by eliminating sync queuing.

#62 - Nov. 9, 2013, 5:51 p.m.

Mrbig.8019:

They need to take measures NOW.

We do have a long-range plan that I think you will be happy with. The news should be released soon, but I don’t know exactly when. (So frustrating!!! )

#73 - Nov. 9, 2013, 10:40 p.m.

@Lordrosicky – Thanks for the write-up. I agree with a lot of what you’re saying, and I know the team does as well. If we can get a relatively positive post out of you I know we’re moving in the right direction.

We’re not happy with how leaderboard decay works currently, and we’re going to fix that. However, instead of fixing decay specifically – we want to fix the entire leaderboard system. I hate to say this, but we’ll be able to talk more about our plans for the New Year soon. One update at a time!

#110 - Nov. 11, 2013, 2:40 p.m.

Wanted to hop in here and say that a rating reset will not touch lifetime stats like games played or won. You will keep the total number of games played for each rating type.

#131 - Nov. 13, 2013, 12:12 a.m.

NevirSayDie.6235:

New MM is a massive improvement! Had a 500-495 fight and no fight was further apart than 500-350.

Glad to hear you’re enjoying the changes! I didn’t get much of a chance to play tonight myself, but hopefully I can get some games in tomorrow. Sitting at 274 right now – hopefully I can crack top 200 in the next few days.