Matchmaking

Can you show me a video of the choppy gameplay you're experiencing?

TTZ_Dipsy wrote:

You know what he meant, cmon now. 

I'm asking for a source on the statement that servers were removed. There's no room here for me to interpret that any differently. 

You may be mistakenly conflating the removal of skill-based matchmaking with the removal of actual servers. These are not the same at all. 

TTZ_Dipsy wrote:

. You've even said this before,

I've never once said that servers were removed from matchmaking. 

RSall14 wrote:

Gamechangers have mentioned it multiple times how some servers were removed.

"Gamechangers" are not an official source for information outside of pre-release hype. 

The rationale being that the player base has dwindled to the point where any filters on the search ( skill level, matching number of players, etc ) would result in unacceptable search times.

The playerbase has not dwindled. Of course, it's possible to play other teams more than once. I'm not saying that doesn't happen. I just see a lot of speculation that the playerbase is dead. Which it most certainly isn't.

There were frequent complaints that matchmaking takes too long. We also get feedback from upset players regarding watching replays or the intermissions are too long. We get complaints when pretty much any screen doesn't instantly load or for anything where you're not actively playing the game. Not matching by division helps speed up matches to get you playing faster. Also, the division isn't necessarily an indicator of their skill. They may not play as often as others so their division is lower, but they still have the skill to play in higher divisions. They also could have drop-in players with them. So, division isn't always a fair representation of the skill of your opponents.

I get it. Everyone wants easier competition. It's frustrating to lose. No matter the game, there's always going to be differing levels of skill. The best I can recommend is to use these matches where you're playing a higher skilled team as a learning experience. You're going to have a hard time improving as a team without taking on tougher competition.

That said, I would love to see a filter in place where you can choose to wait for a team closer to your own division with the understanding you're going to have a harder time finding matches. I have consistently relayed this feedback. I just don't think this will happen with 26.

I agree on using those mismatches as a learning experience. A lot of players won't want to hear it but it does help you get better if you can look past the irritation factor.  Our team has definitely improved from trying to avoid the "just quit out" mentality.

That being said, I think playoffs are a different beast.  Due to the current matchmaking, your success or failure depends too heavily on your luck in matchmaking.  Even with each round being a best-of-7, its not enough to correct for the unfair matchups if you are unlucky.  In the playoffs it really should take the individual RP of each of the players, average it out to get a current average team RP, and then set a cap against other teams current average team RP.  Say you cant match with a team outside +/- 2000 average RP.

In my opinion the playoffs are one of the balanced. Because you get similar RP opponents that doesn't have like 3000RP more than you have. So for me playoffs was shockingly good experience because you got similar opponents agains you. Thats my personal take. If i played random games vs other clubs it was a nightmare sometimes, because that all were 2-4ranks higher players and more RP players. 
Playoffs 1point, random team vs 0point 

Matchmaking in the playoffs is restricted by cup so you at least shouldn't be going up against teams competing for a different cup.

Unfortunately this isn't my experience.  My team matches up against the gamut in the playoffs, silvers to elites.  I think we've only ever seen bronze in regular season. We are gold 2s.  This particular playoffs have been bad luck for us.  Half our games vs teams full of diamonds where even if we compete in the first period they eventually pull away.

EA_Aljo, I hear you, but with only two cups, the Elite division has too large a distribution of the good to unbeatable teams.

You're only playing teams competing for the same cup. Their rank isn't taken into consideration, but typically teams in lower divisions will have lower rated players. There of course could be higher ranked players on those clubs though. I don't really see how we could restrict matchmaking by not only cup, but player rank. There would be very few matches then and wait times would be very long.

I totally understand the frustration when going up against higher skilled players, but that's also jut the competitive nature of games. In the real world, playoffs are seeded so the top team plays against the bottom team. The best I can advise is to stick with those difficult games to better learn how to play higher skilled teams.

First off.  Thank you for taking time to respond.  It is difficult to Address complaints all day.  

If we don't tell what's wrong.  How can you make a product that is good ????  

If the population is not low or dwindled.  Why can't you match 2 v 2 or more competitive or balanced games ?? 

We played  6 games in round 1  got ousted.  Played 5 of those against much superior ranks.  Played 2 in round 2 or joining again.  Got matched against 4 purples , against us 2,  who were either just too good or too good at exploits like short side dekes... etc.    So, we stopped playing playoffs. 

Losing is not the issue.  We lost close games to Purple because we do play a good HOCKEY game.  Not a VIDEO game style that you seem to cater too. 

If you want to continue to have a job and continue this Title for years to come.  Listen to the community.  Not the youtubers.....   the majority PAYING customers don't give a hoot about Moose heads.. fancy moves.   McDavid speed for every player.  We want a fun competitive game that is well made by the developers.  

Thanks again for keeping us aware of your efforts and replies. 

All respect.  Your advice should go to the developers.   Being matched against 4 purples. When you are 2 gold. Is not a learning curve.  It's a exploit fest that has no hope of a competitive game.   We want competitive games..  don't have to win.   We want hockey games.  Fun hockey games.    Please advice your developers and lets make a good game together..