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Re:Players Blame Skill-Based Matchmaking for Losing in Call ... by cletus on Friday December 04, 2020 @05:32PM (#25309184)
The issue here varies by game.

It was most apparent in Fortnite because Fortnite added a competitive ("arena") mode, which is by definition SBMM. The problem a lot of creators had was what was the point in unranked mode ALSO having SBMM? I'm sympathetic to that argument.

Forcing SBMM in all cases just seems like it's meant to protect n00bs from getting crapped on but isn't this coddling players? There's something aspirational about playing better players, no? Also, "smurfing" (creating a new account to play against n00bs) largely defeats this anyway.

If n00bs wanted to play against only other n00bs couldn't they play in ranked mode where that would happen?

More relaxed modes tend to be better viewing. That's actually good for the game IMHO if streaming it has longevity and audience retention.

Re:Players Blame Skill-Based Matchmaking for Losing in Call ... by cubic on Friday December 04, 2020 @06:18PM (#25309621)
> Forcing SBMM in all cases just seems like it's meant to protect n00bs from getting crapped on but isn't this coddling players?

Most people want to have fun when they play. Players consistently getting curbstomped and having no reliable avenue for improvement is a good way to create a game with terrible player retention. People don't stay around to suffer through game after game just because they really like ninja.

"Ranked" implies a competitive, high-stakes mode, which drives people who want a relaxed game (i.e. one where they _won't_ repeatedly get curbstomped) to naturally gravitate away from a game described as such. You may think that's stupid, but you can't really fight basic human psychology.

Don't forget, "n00bs" are people too.

Re:Players Blame Skill-Based Matchmaking for Losing in Call ... by asdfasgasdgasdg on Friday December 04, 2020 @05:39PM (#25309257)
> Forcing SBMM in all cases just seems like it's meant to protect n00bs from getting crapped on but isn't this coddling players.

Asking for the converse is fundamentally a request to coddle experienced players instead.

Re:Players Blame Skill-Based Matchmaking for Losing in Call ... by wmf on Friday December 04, 2020 @05:51PM (#25309376)
Before the introduction of ranking and bots you could spend a few minutes queuing up for a game, get killed in seconds, and repeat ad infinitum. That's not aspirational.