League of Legends Set for Major MMR Update: Everything You Need to Know
Riot Games has finally confirmed that the widely popular game, League of Legends (LoL), will be moving to a new ranked Matchmaking Rating (MMR) system in the coming year—with plans to adopt Microsoft’s “TrueSkill 2” at a later date. This long-awaited update aims to tackle the limitations of the current MMR system, which has been a subject of debate and criticism for over a decade.
The Problem with the Current MMR System
As it stands, LoL uses an MMR system that calculates a player’s skill level and places them in a ranked ladder solely based on their wins and losses. This approach, however, has been widely criticized for its lack of accuracy when it comes to reflecting true player performance. For instance, a skilled player on a losing team is unfairly penalized, while a less skilled player on a winning team might experience undeserved promotion. Furthermore, the present system tends to create mismatched games, where players often find themselves facing opponents with considerably different skill levels.
Riot’s New MMR System: A Two-Step Approach
Design director August Dean “Iksar” Ayala detailed Riot’s plans on the League subreddit, announcing a two-stage approach to revamping the MMR system. Initially, a proprietary Riot-developed MMR system will be introduced at the start of the 2024 season, followed by the implementation of Microsoft’s “TrueSkill 2” as a more permanent solution at a later date.
According to Ayala, this phased approach will allow players to benefit from the immediate improvements provided by the temporary system, while giving the developers enough time to optimize the TrueSkill 2 model.
The Impact on Players
When the new system launches, players can expect more accurate placements on the ranked ladder, especially for new accounts. Additionally, changes will help reduce instances of negative LP (League Points) states, which should improve the overall experience.
Microsoft’s TrueSkill 2, known for its in-depth approach, takes multiple factors into account—not only wins and losses—to better assess a player’s skill level. This includes player experience, in-game tendencies, kill counts, tendency to quit, and numerous other gameplay aspects.
The key aspect of this update will be the LP gain or loss calculations, which will depend on overall performance rather than merely the match outcome. Therefore, players are less likely to be penalized unfairly when losing games, even if they were hard carrying their team or being griefed by a teammate.
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What the Pros Have to Say
While no specific quotes from pro-gamers or Riot developers have been made available, it is reasonable to expect positive feedback from the community, particularly as the update aims to address long-standing concerns.
Developers and gamers alike are eager for more accurate and fair rank placements that will lead to balanced gameplay and enjoyable experiences.
While it’s still uncertain when the TrueSkill 2 system will be implemented, summoners are advised to keep their eyes peeled for updates as the 2024 season unfolds. With significant changes like these, League of Legends fans are surely in for an exciting year!
