Post by crazygambit on Jan 25, 2012 9:52:42 GMT -5
I just posted this in the update thread, but I feel it's better for discussion if it has its own thread.
I don't think adding ELO to a CCG should be that simple.
I've mentioned this before in the SE forums, but I think it bears repeating:
ELO works in chess because the game is always the same. You always start with the same pieces, placed in the same starting positions. Therefore the only variable is your playing strenght at the game. However note that in most chess servers you have different ELOs for different game speeds (lightning, blitz and standard), because the skills required for those time controls are different.
I feel having one ELO in a CCG is a mistake because, unlike chess, your playing strenght greatly depends on the deck you're using. So your ELO could be 2000 with a Lanz deck, but only 1800 with a regular site deck and then only 1500 with the starter deck.
That has to be taken seriously. If you have a high ELO rating and want to experiment with a new deck, you're pretty much screwed. While it's being tweaked (even if the concept is strong), your ELO will be lower than it previously was. You'll lose a lot against other strong players with their already optimized decks. When you finally get you deck ready, you'll have a lot of ground to make up, even though your playing strenght hasn't decreased (which would be the only reason your ELO significantly drops in chess).
While I fully agree a match making system is sorely needed, I don't know that ELO is the best choice for this type of game. Also I have no better alternative to propose, I'm just saying it requires a little more thought than to just tack an ELO rating to each account. Hopefully Ubi will take the time to do it right.
I don't think adding ELO to a CCG should be that simple.
I've mentioned this before in the SE forums, but I think it bears repeating:
ELO works in chess because the game is always the same. You always start with the same pieces, placed in the same starting positions. Therefore the only variable is your playing strenght at the game. However note that in most chess servers you have different ELOs for different game speeds (lightning, blitz and standard), because the skills required for those time controls are different.
I feel having one ELO in a CCG is a mistake because, unlike chess, your playing strenght greatly depends on the deck you're using. So your ELO could be 2000 with a Lanz deck, but only 1800 with a regular site deck and then only 1500 with the starter deck.
That has to be taken seriously. If you have a high ELO rating and want to experiment with a new deck, you're pretty much screwed. While it's being tweaked (even if the concept is strong), your ELO will be lower than it previously was. You'll lose a lot against other strong players with their already optimized decks. When you finally get you deck ready, you'll have a lot of ground to make up, even though your playing strenght hasn't decreased (which would be the only reason your ELO significantly drops in chess).
While I fully agree a match making system is sorely needed, I don't know that ELO is the best choice for this type of game. Also I have no better alternative to propose, I'm just saying it requires a little more thought than to just tack an ELO rating to each account. Hopefully Ubi will take the time to do it right.