Unspoken problem due to nature of matchmaker system

No flash no life·7/16/2016, 9:18:40 AM·2 votes·481 views

Matchmaker intends to match players with those of same strength by raising or dropping your evaluation (also known as mmr) based on the outcome of the game, as sources mentioned: http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=12029 https://support.riotgames.com/hc/en-us/articles/201752954-Matchmaking-Guide

The system and its intention are fine as they are. The issue lies in the flaw of players' mentality; there aren't many of us that would prefer a challenge over a game where we play against weaker opponents and enjoy the stomp fest while being worshiped by our teams for "carrying".

At this point I'm sure you've come close to realize what the problem is, something many of us vaguely knew but remained unspoken. The fact that we're supposed to strive for victory, yet the system punishes you for winning and rewards you for losing.

To elaborate for those who don't quite get it yet, the system makes your next match harder when you win, and easier when you lose. Sure, there's room to argue but think of it this way: which is easier for you, a game where you're a god leading 4 noobs against 5 other nubs, or a game where you're a helpless noob against 5 fakers and your godlike teammates shake their heads @ every move you do? Which situation would you rather be in?

We may argue that players are granted to act sportsmanlike and not supposed to exploit the system in however way they deem fit. However, recall what this game encourages us to do. We're not supposed to dive in 1v5 and expect to walk out victorious. We're supposed to fight when we are stronger. We create situations where we can gank 3v2 at bot lane instead of sending junglar top to 2v2 when our opponents are duo top. We don't pick fight against strong opponents, we pick on weaker targets to secure advantage. It shouldn't be a surprise then for players with that mindset to, on top of creating number advantage or fighting weaker champion in-game, take it to next level and seek weaker players to fight against.

This issue hasn't been emphasized because there aren't that many of us abusing it yet; at least, I haven't seen any premade that stomps every game yet refuses to push and ff@20 just so they can continue their stomp streak. However, I fear that if this isn't addressed in time it won't be long before those who have completely given up playing seriously, due to the disappointing state it has been this year, and play in however way they can find joy in.

3 Comments

Dynikus7/16/2016, 9:44:17 AM1 votes

[{quoted}](name=No flash no life,realm=NA,application-id=ZGEFLEUQ,discussion-id=7bLAogBZ,comment-id=,timestamp=2016-07-16T09:18:40.313+0000) there aren't many of us that would prefer a challenge over a game where we play against weaker opponents and enjoy the stomp fest while being worshiped by our teams for "carrying"

To elaborate for those who don't quite get it yet, the system makes your next match harder when you win, and easier when you lose.

I rather enjoy challenging, even match ups that could go either way, and like going against harder opponents so I can get better at the game. If you want to smash the enemy all day so you can feed your ego, just play bot matches. There are plenty of people that would argue that smurfs ruin the game for others.

TrulyBland7/16/2016, 12:06:34 PM1 votes

Actually, intentionally losing for the sake of screwing around with matchmaking is considered punishable by now.

Apart from that, what's the alternative? Just matching people randomly against each other? Then you'll have those stomps either way, just because it could always be that noobs fight against pros.