Every single time I think this is the new low...

Agree.

Ranked imo mattered when I started as only tool to separate players with skill gaps = when 1.5 tier difference was in place ensuring that e.g. me like Diamond+ never players gold players who are basically bots to me given the skill difference and effort they play vs how I play.

These days / after cancelling 1.5 tier protection, making major changes to matchmaking and even more so hacking issue - it does not mean anything besides:

• < Gold = casuals, not good players
• Plat = anything between legit good players returning from absence to blunt dumb ego cheaters
• Diamond+ = basically hackers only
• Masters/Preds = hackers that are tolerated by Respawn and not getting banned

Leader board that this point would make sense yet there is a big drawback for Respawn = leaderboard has limited opportunities to have any sort of badges :) and people here like badges. A LOT. Look at this BS with whever that glowing thing on legends backs are now these days...I saw it and my first thought legit was "if I can't turn it off, I will not play this game".