For those of you who don’t know, MMR (Matchmaking Rating) is a hidden value that adjust based in performance. Many people dislike this system, and I will demonstrate why this system is flawed.

1. Progress is hindered Have you ever been matched with players several ranks above you, getting steamrolled the entire game? That’s because the MMR system will match you up with players of a certain rank depending on performance. This system has no relation to that normal, visible ranking system. The problem here is that even if you have high enough skill, you will not rank up, since you will be matched with players of the same skill, but in higher ranks. This is flawed because it goes against the ELO system. When the ELO system is used, if you are better than the rank you are in, you are matched with an opponent at the same rank. If you are better, you will win and be promoted to a higher rank and be matched with that exact rank. If you are unskilled enough to not deserve your rank, you will lose and your rank will go down. The MMR system conflicts with this system, making it harder to rank up.

2. Players who not deserve their rank will remain in their current rank

When you are matched with much higher ranks, they are either:

a) At your same skill level

b) Higher than your skill level

In the case of option a, the players in higher ranks are basically getting their high rank for free, due to the fact that if they did get into a lobby with players deserving of their rank, they would likely be destroyed. This is yet another example of MMR conflicting the the ELO system. If the ELO system was used properly, these people would be in lower ranks where they belong.

That concludes my reasons why the MMR system is flawed. Sorry for the long post.