In order to provide the most balanced gameplay experience, a ranking system is needed. Thus, we have trueskill. When implemented properly, trueskill provides a balanced experience that keeps players in matches with others of relatively the same skill.
The problem is that since Halo 3, trueskill’s matching restrictions vary based on whether you’re playing a “ranked” gametype or a “social” gametype. This is a problem for multiple reasons:
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It divides the Halo community. This isn’t good for any game for obvious reasons. I haven’t seen a single game with such a divide between casual and competitive as Halo.
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It segments playlist populations. Creating two HUGE PROBLEMS
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Low populations hurt the viability of P2P matchmaking(by limiting the host pool in said playlist).
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If there aren’t enough players at each level of the skill spectrum, you simply aren’t able to be matched with players of equal (regradless of the strictness of trueskill restrictions). [/center]
- Loose trueskill restrictions in non ranked gametypes simply DO NOT WORK. You can be put in a game with vastly better players, or vastly worse players, regardless of whether the players of equal skill are actually playing. There is CLEAR proof of this. Good teams have put up 100+ game winstreaks in Halo Reach, not because they are better than everyone, but because the game simply isn’t matching them with players of equal skill.
Proposal
Implement the same trueskill strictness levels as Arena and Halo 3 “ranked” in all the main playlists(excluding infection, action sack, and other novelty gametypes).
