How the ranking system works
[disclaimer]
First of all, the system is (still) experimental and might change the upcoming days/weeks/months. It might not reflect the real ratings yet, but it's being worked on. See below for an explanation.
[/disclaimer]
What is it and how does it work?
The ranking system is based on the ELO rating system, in use by (among others) the FIDE (World Chess Organization) and ngWorldStats.
The idea is that the better the player, the higher the ranking must be. This is done by comparing the mutual results for each human player against each other human player after a game. Based on the ranking of each player before the game (see below) the winning player (the player that scored more frags on his opponent than the opponent scored on him/her) gets a number of points added to his/her ranking while at the same time his/her opponent goes down with the same amount of points.
The number of points the player is raised/lowered his ranking is based on the expectancy of the outcome before the game. If a player performs to that expectation, his rating won't change. If the player performs better than expected, he will be awarded a number of points, and if he performs less, he will lose some points. If both players are equally ranked before the game, the expectancy is that they will break even (i.e. players will score an equal number of frags on each other). A higher rated player is naturally expected to score more frags on his opponent than the other way around. Based on this it is possible to gain some points from a better ranked player while at the same time scoring less frags on him than he did on you, if his ranking before the game was higher.
On this server, a frag difference of more than 8 is considered a full win (or loss). Anything between 8 and 0 is considered a partial win, and 0 is an equal game.
It is mathematically proven that this ranking system is the best way to rank players among each other. The more games a player plays, the more accurate his ranking will be.
New players start their first game with a ranking of 1000.
Here are some examples, using the formula used in this ranking system:
| old rating player 1 |
old rating player 2 |
score |
new rating player 1 |
| 1000 |
1000 |
8 - 0 |
1025 |
| 1800 |
1000 |
8 - 0 |
1810 |
| 1800 |
1000 |
4 - 0 |
1799 |
| 1800 |
1000 |
2 - 0 |
1792 |
So as you can see, a player with rating 1800 is expected to beat a player with rating 1000 by at least 5 frags!
FAQ list:
| Question |
So you have said it's mathematically proven correct. Then why is it still experimental? |
| Answer |
The METHOD used is proven to produce a fair and reasonable ranking system. It is however dependend on a few variables which are unique for the game as played on this server. The values of those can't be calculated but only measured by statistical analysis of the games already played. That measurement is still going on, and will in time produce an accurate ranking system. |
| | |
| Question |
Don't give me all this mathematical numbo-jumbo, I just want a high rating! How do I do that? |
| Answer |
First of all, WIN of course. If you think you're good and want to rise quickly, pick on high-ranked players, that's where you can get more points from. For example, a difference 8 (or higher) win against someone who is 400 points higher ranked than you will earn you 31 points. A difference 8 win against someone who is 400 points lower ranked will only earn you 18 points. |
| | |
| Question |
I kicked the shit out of Barak (a bot) totally, 25-0 win! Why didn't my ranking change? |
| Answer |
Bots are excluded from the ranking system, nor do results against them affect yours. More, to affect a ranking, both players have had to be playing more than a minute in a game and must have scored at least 1 frag against each other. |
| | |
| Question |
I am supposed to beat a player at least 5-0 to rise in my ranking. Yet I connected near the end of a game and I managed to score only 2 frags on him before the game was over! This isn't fair! |
| Answer |
Yes it is. The rankings are time-compensated. The ranking system checks how much time you and the other player have actually spent together in the game and adjusts the score accordingly. Also, you must have spent at least 1 consecutive minute in a game with an opponent in order to have your ranking adjusted (or to affect other player's ranks) |
| | |
| Question |
A very good player is cheating! He connects using a new name and kicks the shit out of me to drop my ranking! This isn't fair!! |
| Answer |
Calm down, calm down! Each and every player must have played at least 10 games on this server before he can affect his opponent's ranking (unless the opponent has played less than 10 games also). This is done to establish a more accurate rating for a new player. Starting at his 11th game he will be able to affect your ranking, but by that time he has established a high ranking himself already so the damage done to you will be less (and more fair). Also... if you think you can get a high rating by picking on easy newbies, forget it :-) |
| | |
| Question |
I haven't played since the last time I checked yet my ranking has changed! How is that possible? |
| Answer |
It shouldn't. But since the ranking system is still under construction it is sometimes necessary to recalculate everyone's stats and the stats might change. Our apologies for that. |
| | |
| Question |
This ranking system sucks! Who can I complain to? |
| Answer |
For questions or remarks, write to eric@no-sense.net |
|
