The problem with matchmaking and a simple solution.

Sarah

Let’s talk about matchmaking! For most long-term players, this isn’t really a big deal. On the rare occasions that I buy a new PW, I just hold my finger on the level-up button until it hits 60 and stops. There are no shortage of level 60 opponents in platinum.

But for newer players in the lower levels, this is a big deal. They just don’t have the runes to level up and they need to win matches to earn them.

It’s no secret that there just aren’t very many players these days—I don’t have access to the official numbers, of course, but I do have access to a bunch of data junkies and nerds and the numbers are grim (we think there are probably about 4000 players any given weekend).

Again, platinum players with level 60 PWs don’t notice this but bronze, silver, and gold players with low-level PWs really struggle to find appropriately-leveled opponents. This results in them either being unable to play when they want to play (since they must wait until more people join the event) or ridiculously outmatched.

There’s an easy fix for this! Every PW has pre-built decks that no one actually uses. If the devs made a bunch of accounts with PWs at levels 20, 30, 40, and 50 they could join the events using the premade decks; beginner in bronze, master in silver, and expert in gold.

I think it’s so very important that we make the most of the few new people joining the game and give them opportunities to fall in love with it like we have. Not being able to actually play or having to face level 60 opponents when they are only level 17 is a terrible introduction to the game.

What do you smart people think?

Tremayne

I like your idea.

How easy it is to implement by the devs - who knows.

I would like to repeat one of my ideas. Reuse story mode fights in an event similar to “battle from the ages”. There are hundreds of levels already developed which just sits there and does nothing once story mode is completed. Make an event similar to battle from the ages with these levels chosen at random.

If the devs are worried about platinum players will grind these for free resources, make the event limited to bronze and silver or restrict eligible PW to level 10 - 20 or 30.

Janosik

Seems like a good idea.

One thing I don't like tho is very experienced, long term players gaming the system by playing their PWs at lower levels to avoid good opponents, tho, so I'd like any solution to address that.

Sarah

@Janosik said:
Seems like a good idea.

One thing I don't like tho is very experienced, long term players gaming the system by playing their PWs at lower levels to avoid good opponents, tho, so I'd like any solution to address that.

I'm not suggesting any changes at the platinum level, just extending a helping hand to the newer players.

If there are a handful of expert players with alt accounts who take advantage for personal gain, then it's still worth it. It's not the sort of behavior that garners respect from one's peers and the social aspect of the game can be a powerful motivator for people. People who behave badly tend to struggle with the collaborative aspect of the game. I'd still rather help new players.

Janosik

@Sarah said:

@Janosik said:
Seems like a good idea.

One thing I don't like tho is very experienced, long term players gaming the system by playing their PWs at lower levels to avoid good opponents, tho, so I'd like any solution to address that.

I'm not suggesting any changes at the platinum level, just extending a helping hand to the newer players.

If there are a handful of expert players with alt accounts who take advantage for personal gain, then it's still worth it. It's not the sort of behavior that garners respect from one's peers and the social aspect of the game can be a powerful motivator for people. People who behave badly tend to struggle with the collaborative aspect of the game. I'd still rather help new players.

There are players that keep themselves out of platinum level to gain an advantage.

I'd agree with you that helping out new players is more important that avoiding minor exploits for experienced players (altho maybe not major exploits for experienced players!), but as the meme goes, why not both?

Xibvert

@Janosik said:
Seems like a good idea.

One thing I don't like tho is very experienced, long term players gaming the system by playing their PWs at lower levels to avoid good opponents, tho, so I'd like any solution to address that.

It's easy enough to adjust the level of the Planeswalker you're matched against to be close to your planeswalker's level and give that planeswalker mana bonuses and hp appropriate for it's level. It might not be built within the card limits for that planeswalker but I think ya just let that go It at least makes things closer to fair

If you don't want people to be able to benefit during matching from intentionally keeping their Planeswalker low level you could also factor mana runes into the match making. If a player has millions of mana runes on hand let them get matched against level 60 Planeswalkers. You can see who you're matched against before you start the fight, so they can spend their mana runes to level up if they don't want to be at a level disadvantage.

Sarah

Since we’ve got your attention @Magic:PQ Support Team I wanted to share this comment I ran across on the subreddit the other day.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MTGPuzzleQuest/s/D5PAdfdVU3

The subreddit is incredibly boring—as we’ve already discussed elsewhere, most of the conversations happen over discord or other such platforms—but it functions as an information booth staffed by volunteers and is often the first place new players ask for directions. It’s just a stepping stone.

Let’s face it, by the time someone bothers creating an account here on the forum, they are already pretty invested in the game. They probably are a member of one of more discords and I would guess gold or platinum in mastery. They regularly play with level 60 planes walkers.

The people asking questions on the subreddit are usually silver level and finally deciding to “get serious” about the game and I am incredibly grateful for all of the regular users I see showing them how to use the view the abilities of PWs at different levels on the wiki, suggesting various helpful YouTube videos, and inviting them into the various communities; I am constantly impressed by the detailed and thoughtful and thorough responses.

gozmaster

This is a great topic, I think everyone agrees the "new player " experience needs a COMPLETE overhaul...

In other games I've played when a "worthy" opponent (appropriate level) isn't available, the system has pre made decks ready to face the player , minimizing wait times and keeping it kosher for the noob to face fair competition...

the challenge here is the obvious one, do the devs have the ability/time/resources needed to build something like that into the game?

bottom line, it's a great idea sarah, just a question of what has more priority (i think) for the devs
resources.

Anywhoo, eager to see how/when WC addresses this, because there is NO doubt... It's a CRITICAL part of the new player experience and needed to ensure long term player retention.

GM