Ladder Pool System Vote

[FtXCommando]

GENERAL LADDER SYSTEM NOTES:
- I recognize that the “choice pool concept” is not an option. This is because it would require dev time and resources and so it is not something I can implement once I gather community feedback. Once it is a viable option, another poll can be held on whether to keep the current system or whether to use that.
- All pools WILL consist of a variety of 5x5/10x10/20x20 maps.
- All pools WILL use the current system of choosing maps and be run by the current ladder team.
- All pools WILL utilize the no repetition code currently in the 30 map pool HOWEVER the quantity of maps it factors in to not repeat may be subject to change.
- In general, no factors in ladder will be being changed aside from the ones mentioned below.
- This poll will only be about “ladder” or the 1v1 matchmaker, not future team matchmakers.

THE OPTIONS:
The parenthesis are the map quantities (5x5/10x10/20x20).

SMALL:
7 maps (2/4/1)
A map rotation every two weeks.

MEDIUM:
15 maps (4/8/3)
A map rotation every three weeks.

LARGE:
25 maps (7/13/5)
A map rotation every four weeks.

SUPERSIZE:
45 maps (12/25/8)
A map rotation every eight weeks.

VOTE HERE:
https://voting.faforever.com/vote

Thanks for taking the time to read. Feel free to ask any questions below.

[Blodir]

Thx for the poll! However where's the vote for increasing minimum map quality threshold? I love small map pools, but if the maps are sludge, aperture, crazyrush, ditch etc. it might be even worse.

[FtXCommando]

That’s going to come down to ladder team opinion and general feedback on what’s going to be in each pool. I would say even the smallest pool should expect 1 new/experimental map each pool and the other 6 coming from common/classic. I wouldn’t expect pool average ratings to go under 3.2 or over 3.6 generally, regardless of pool.

Minimum quality will be played around with to see what creates enjoyable pools in whatever will be the new pool system.

[Morax]

Is it possible to not have an "experimental" map every rotation at this point? I don't see why after so much work has been done with the ladder team rating system, that you need to test it with such wild concepts like planet zorg.

A new map is okay for medium and larger pools, but the small one, since it rotates in such a short time span, will be a bit tough.

In my opinion, not a lot of maps are generated for specific 1v1 play (don't even get me started on quality) and if you go through with "one experimental or new map" each rotation, it will more often than not be forced.

I stopped playing ladder for a long time as it was getting quite frustrating to play because of this principle.

Don't feel pressured to add new content to try and keep things fresh.

[Blodir]

I think new/experimental maps should be tested in custom games not in prod (ie. ladder). That's what the team is for, no?

[Dro]

They are already blodir.

[Dro]

Why does small have the best ratio of maps yet no other pool uses that

[FtXCommando]

With regards to experimental maps I’ve been debating other potential ways to approach the maps but I’d still like for every pool to consist of at least a new map regardless of the future decision about how to handle the experimental category. I think over the last year it’s kind of last the original intent of the category and will need to be looked at once again.

I think new/experimental maps should be tested in custom games not in prod (ie. ladder). That's what the team is for, no?

Theoretically sound but practically infeasible. There’s a correlation between being willing to help on ladder team and being willing to help elsewhere on FAF and forcing people to require testing games (particularly at the high levels) will severely hamper the process of being able to look over a map. I would hope a group of 7 1800+ ladder players would be able to launch into a map and at least have a grasp of how a game would likely play out.

Anyway the point of including new maps is that the incentive to create solid 1v1 experiences from new mappers will be gone because the reality is that almost no one plays custom 1v1s on new maps in particular. A condition that requires all new maps to be played often enough to be assured of their quality will basically make getting new maps into the pool a miracle. Sure a mapper can be stoic and know that he himself has created an experience worth playing and that he doesn’t need to be recognized for his work but that’s just not how people work. Of course it’s about weighing when to include a new map or not as you can’t include bad stuff but I don’t think a lot of our new maps have been that outrageous. It’s more of an experimental pool dilemma.

Why does small have the best ratio of maps yet no other pool uses that

Well that’s just like, your opinion, man. It has the smallest 20x20 percentage which makes it unpopular for quite some people. Unfortunately I didn’t have the maps in that pool size to make the percentages similar to the rest.

[Dro]

the 5x5 % is the only thing i care about

[ThomasHiatt]

Still don't see any polls anywhere, is this just a troll thread?