How do Rank splits work?
Does everyone playing Ranked get "demoted" by the same amount every split?
If so, what is the point of it? What I mean by that is, If Preds get demoted to Pat II, then everyone in Plat II is a "former": Pred. If everyone in Gold Iv gets demoted by the same amount the Pred s do, then everyone in Bronze II is a "former" Gold Iv.
The difference mostly sits in low ranks vs high ranks. While It is tempting to think that mixing new players with more experienced ones is beneficial, I do not believe it to be so. This only taints and ruins the experience of beginners who will definitely square off with players with much more experience, keeping beginners "oppressed". It is not much different than promoting smurfing. This system of "glorified" demotion (glorified because it is not really a demotion if EVERYONE who is a pred is now in plat II) has only a nominal effect in higher ranks. Not so for the lower ranks because of the ease of access lower ranks have as compared to the upper ranks.
In addition, ranked seasons are back to back. So no loss of skills if played consistently.
If a player should take a "sabbatical", then that player will be demoted, if rusty, up until hes\r former skill return.
Why not allow rank to have demotions and start the new seasons where the last one ended?