Road to CFP is truly a grind lacking fun

KnocksvilleTN​ 

Oh, I definitely had mirrored teams in playoffs as well and especially the championship game. 

Last year's version (26') I had to go through same team multiple rounds, including title game.

I personally feel playoffs should be tier locked to promote and encourage people to use teams other than tier 1. Level the playing field. A lot of people just spam and cheese higher rated teams and lower tier teams are at a severe disadvantage. 

ubiquitousnobody​ you are right it's definitely a huge disadvantage for a tier 4 to face a tier 1 team. The search system I feel definitely needs adjustment, I have matched up with Tennessee (which is who I use) in the playoffs (I have a screenshot) we should never match up with the team we are using.

EA_Shepard​ 

Much appreciated and thank you!

I have definitely had that experience in the regular season, but prior to the update, I actually always played same tier when I was in playoffs.

I have played a ton of playoff games including the previous versions of the game (25' 26') and for me, I always got same tier in playoffs. I did get mirrored teams in playoffs though, especially championship game, but same tier.

So if playoffs have never been tier locked, my experience has been much different prior to the update. 

An individual gets punished by playing lower tiered teams, with constant barrage of tier 1 cheesers, that are bailed out by team rating and not player skill/knowledge of football.

Seeing the same tier 1 teams gets tiresome and no incentive to use lower tier teams.

ubiquitousnobody​ Hey, there

I am sorry to hear that the fun has been taken away from the game. That is unfortunate to hear, but I do understand why it would feel that way. Some of the content you wanted and did play just isn't the same. Totally understandable, but also good feedback. It shows what the community cares about and what they want in their experience. It should be a good experience, not a hassle or draining when you want to play. I get it. I played ball in high school, so I know what it is like to lack those specific areas.

I have the thread aside and summarized to pass along. It is always about telling the story and not just fixing it! Now we have that story!

​My primary mode is Road to the CFP, and based on my experience (including last year), the matchmaking behaves a certain way during the regular season versus the playoffs.

​During the regular season, if you pick a lower tier team (like a Tier 4) and set your search parameters to match that tier, it will prioritize finding a similar tier match initially. However, once the search queue extends past a certain point, it broadens the search and just tries to find you a game regardless of the tier restrictions.

​Then once you hit the playoffs, the tier system completely drops off. My guess is that this is intentional to make the postseason run a lot more difficult and test your skills against whatever is thrown at you, but it definitely changes up the dynamic once you get past the regular season.

EA_Shepard​ 

Everything changed drastically and quite apparently since update.

Prior to the update:

When I would request to play a certain  tier,  I would majority of the time get that request with no issue. 

In the playoffs and champ game, I always played the same tier team as I was using. In my experience, playoffs were tier locked as it should be. I have a ton of playoff games played in all year versions of this game and I don't recall ever playing a team outside my tier in playoffs. (Way it should be)

Post update:

Tier requests are being ignored completely and majority of the time is playing tier 1 teams. Takes seconds to match with a tier 1 user, even though playing with lower tier team.

In the playoffs, suddenly play tier one users even though using lower tier team.

Tier requests are completely being ignored and the filter is broken at the moment.

Also, it definitely pairs with opponents who are in higher divisions. Has happened in playoffs as well. The competitive imbalance has gotten really bad since latest update.

Why grind in the regular season with lower tier teams, all to just play tier 1 powerhouses in playoffs? Why have tier requests if they are not honored? Why even have lower tier teams if can't play against other lower tier teams and filter out tier 1?

The fun has been taken away post update and would so appreciate if you could get the proper person/team to address this and fix it.

Thank you for your time and response and hope to get it resolved. Much appreciated.

ubiquitousnobody​ It happens every single time, as though the last update changed it completely? I mean, I get team 1 balance vs your team and all, but past that, did anything else change on your end from a balance perspective, like you just got a match with a lot of rookies when you're in the pros? 

EA_Shepard​ 

Would so appreciate if can get someone to address and fix this. RTTCFP was working well and fun prior to the latest update.

It's now nothing but tier 1 team after another and the fun has been taken away. No variety and huge step back in competitive balance.

Lower tier teams shouldn't be punished by playing tier 1 powerhouse teams in playoffs.

Matchmaking needs to be restored to how it was.

xMase412x​ Hey, there

I prefer honesty over beating around the bush any day. We feel how we feel. I never fault players for hard feedback. It is valid. I have it jotted down and will pass it along.

I appreciate you taking the time to write it all out!