Ranked limitations are not positive

Games Halo Infinite
1

problem

I recently flagged up the issues with the matchmaking system in this forum and have now been affected tremendously with the upcoming “drop pod”.

I play with my wife and friends. Same squad every day. Now we cannot play ranked together because I will be outside of the CSR cap. (Gold, gold, plat, diamond). In short our CSR difference is too large to enable us to play ranked together,

my opinion on these changes

This is not a “fix” - this is a plaster. This is why.

The algorithm calculates my CSR through my social matches too, matches I have no official “rank” within. We like having that badge, no radar, BRs, two shot melee, etc, so we play ranked. Now we can’t play ranked…but we can still hone our MMR with social playlists.

So. If the system takes into account my MMR for both ranked and social then by playing with these people I enjoy playing with will skew my MMR for ranked matches (even when my team are not in there!). So this change accomplishes nothing, other than to stop me playing in our preferred playlist together.

algorithm - Solution
The algorithm is at fault and putting this cap in place only serves to stop people like me playing with the people I want to play with in the playlist I want to play in. My wife, the kids swim teacher, my halo reach friend.

The algorithm itself needs to take into account team skill player variance better. If this is too long term then the upcoming changes should be reversed or halted.

suggested solutions
1/. Clan matches, 4V4 - Allow players with teams outside the CSR cap to play in this playlist instead. Same rules, same modes, but instead they get a team rank based on team CSR. Provides a good opportunity for customisation, clan pages on waypoint. It’s good for the community.

2/. change the solo duo queue - implement the upcoming changes and leave the open queue alone. Allow 4 players in both playlists; but have the “cap” only in one. Call one HCS ranked and call the other social ranked

3/. Make a carbon copy of the open ranked playlist within social. Provide visible ranks for everything. BTB, rumble pit, SWAT, etc. also possibly separate social playlists by “rotational” and “seasonal” to allow for timed playlists and to be upfront about where ranks are permanent,

summary
I am not happy with this change. It limits what is already a limited offering. In being upfront about the issues with ranked matchmaking I had hoped 343i would take in the whole picture, but this only affects try-hards positively. I appreciate halo is a game with a high skill ceiling, but games are meant to be fun and changing how a battle rifle functions in ranked, how matchmaking functions in ranked and ignoring us casuals who enjoy competition but aren’t sketch, or snipedown, has been the issue with halo since halo reach.

I’ve put my thoughts here, and I really want to generate some discussion about this because this is not a good direction for halo. I’ve always been above average and am confident I could get to onyx even with these changes but I DONT WANT TO PLAY WITHOUT MY FRIENDS, so I never will.

5 Likes
2

This game was already the most anti-social Halo ever. 343 continues to make choices that make it even more anti-social. Want to play with friends? This game is not for you.

Apparently, 343 thinks the “broader audience” is made up of lots of people with no friends. But the reality is that if this game is not something that is easily accessible for friends of all skill levels to play together, they will never reach that “broader audience”.

9 Likes
3

I was so excited to get my 10 year old into halo. She is silver V and climbing, loves playing with her mum (gold V). I haven’t had a chance to play with her yet and this is just another thing limiting our options.

It frustrates me how much sway the professional community have on a game where 99% of the player base are not professional esports players and never will be.

3 Likes
4

My friends and I have been playing more MCC lately and we’ve been having a lot of fun with that. With all the problems Infinite continues to have, I wouldn’t be surprised if more people make that switch.

343 claim they want to reach a “broader audience” but their actions show they are trying to please a select few.

3 Likes
5

I just can’t go back to the MCC. I’m sure it’s great now, but I just can’t! Think I’m going off FPS games - they’re proving to be disappointing

6

I like the proposed solutions. I just sent a text to my friend group on what are we switching to because of this issue. A lot of ppl were frustrated with rank disparity in games, when I think the real problem is how the ranking system works. Super bummed we’ve got to find something else to play.

7

Yep. The system is limited because of the size of these data and the cost that has with regards to server space and processing. The tier system companies introduce to ranked is just a bandage to stem the fact that these algorithms are far from perfect.

Part of me just wishes they went back to win loss rather than individual performance in a team game.

1 Like
8

Anyone else here think it’s funny that Halo 3’s ranked system never had issues? Could play with friends and be competitive.

Here’s an idea, change the aim bot aim assist back to the classic slow down of the curve and maybe we’ll be able to win a damn 1v2 in this game once I’m a while and “carry” our lower ranked friends.

2 Likes
9

This update doesn’t support the social aspect of the game when playing ranked. I understand the frustration of players over/ under performing in ranked, but the mmr balance was already put into place. I do not like this change in the slightest.

2 Likes
10

Halo 3 had severe de-ranking problems. Remember that guy on the spawn grenading himself whilst the remaining 3 struggled to avoid a steak dinner? Then you would have a level 10 teaming up with 40s to boost them to the level 50 spot. That is largely removed now - but still has flaws.

it’s difficult because the point of the ranking system is to distribute based on a bell curve - ie few people at the top and the bottom. Once you get into onyx there are just less people to play with anyway - which is why they grouped gold and below together and allow a 900csr gap between gold and diamond which deteriorates to 600 when at onyx 1500. Because if it was lower than this in onyx no one in onyx would get a game.

It just frustrates me. I don’t care enough about what my rank is - I just want to know what it is through normal play. It’s psychologically a thrill to chase something utterly pointless! It’s a personal best.

I get there are sweats in here that won’t agree because they think they’re amazing - but in reality they’re probably around 1750csr and stuck there because they’re always paired with 1550s in the lowest end of the bell curve.

The algorithm is the problem - but trying to patch it up is just lowering the ranked population in general and lengthening matchmaking times for those in the extremities of this bell curve

11

Rank 1-50.

Who cares who plays with who.

Anytime I see the word “algorithm” in a matchmaking post, I know the matchmaking system is going to be a jacked up mess.

It is. It always will be. But they’re “listening.”

4 Likes
12

your 10 year old would rather play with other like minded people. ranked is competitive, not a kick in a park where people relax and go easy on each other to keep things fun for the less skilled

2 Likes
13

The changes are good. Players like me will stop being dragged down by underperformers.

Onyxes will stop being dragged down by me.

It’s good.

3 Likes
14

Then give us an unranked playlist with BR starts.

4 Likes
15

Think you misunderstand how MMR works.

They’ll have exactly the same issue with regards to player skill playing with me in social playlists. The only difference is they don’t have a visible rank.

So your point is invalid

16

They’re not good:

1/ onyx players will have to wait longer for games because less people will be within ranked within the CSR range allowed.

2/ the problem is with the algorithm. As such, it has not been fixed. The issue is just not visible in social.

3/ there is no ranked social equivalent. To clarify:

  • Season 2 melee changes are redundant in ranked, so ranked has a 2 shot br melee, whereas it is 3 shot in social.

-Ranked has no radar so forced team play.

  • Ranked is BRs only, not BR75 as in social.

4/ people want to play with friends and gain a rank with friends. It’s a social game after all. This is an antisocial move. If onyx players really wanted to test their metal they’d queue solo in ranked and allow the algorithm to place their teams…but they don’t because they can’t get as high in solo/duos and because they want to play with friends.

1 Like
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i didnt say you should play in social games with them. Even non ranked games get competitive. Ranked should atleast be fair though, the social side can be whatever.

18

BR starts and make weapons, melees etc act exactly the same in social as ranked and I won’t care as much.

The magnum is -Yoink!-.

2 Likes
19

So what you’re saying is “don’t play games with your kids because they’re not good enough”?

Nah man, games are for fun. If you’re playing for any other reason then you’re missing the point

Cutting people out of playlists is not fun

1 Like
20

nah you can play social, no ones expecting perfect matchmaking there but it should be better wiith radar. however some people dont take social seriously while trying to complete challenges so matchmaking can be pretty scuffed.