Some further Ladder Information

[SteveP]

Whislt not a full comprehensive guide, the below should hopefully give you a feel of some of the direction of our ladder format.

Ladder Information

Initially, at ladder launch we will support Informal Challenges.

What are Informal Challenges?

Informal Challenges are matches arranged between teams independent of the ladder website. For example, matches arrange within irc, instant message, email, private messaging etc

Once the match is completed, the match result should be entered on the website by either team, with the opposition confirming the result. A list of results awaiting confirmation will be display within your clans control panel, within the fixtures section.

Only once a match result is confirmed will it be eligible for application to the ladder.

You may play as many Informal Challenges per ladder period as you wish. You may also play a team more than once.

How will my match count towards the ladder?

The ladder uses a simple ranking system, which is briefly explained as follows:


If you beat a team ranked above you in the ladder, you will move 50% distance between your current ranking and the clan you beat.

For example:

Ladder
(position 10) Team A
(position 20) Team B

If Team B beat Team A, Team B would move upto rank 15 position

If the team you beat was directly above your ranking, you would simply swap positions
If you lose to a team ranked below you, you receive no change in ranking unless the team is ranked directly below you, in which case you’d simply swap positions
If you draw a match, the lower ranked team will move (tbd)% distance up the ladder. If ranked directly together, no change will occur

Match results will be applied in chronological order to the ladder when the current ladder period ends. Team’s ranked below you in the ladder that beat teams ahead of you may jump you in position, thus dropping you down.

What is a Ladder Period?

A ladder period is the time between ladder rankings generation. This for left 4 dead is proposed to be weekly with period starting at 00:00 Mondays. Only confirmed results within this period will be applicable for application to the ladder. Unconfirmed results will be carried forwards and only be valid for the period they are confirmed within.

Past ladder period will be viewable onsite with their corresponding match results, including details of movements and allowing traceability of a team’s progress in the ladder.

[Chrismet5]

Couple of questions...

Is there nothing to gain or lose by playing a team below you in the ladder (unless they are 1 below you)?

If the team who is first never plays the team in second they will remain top?

Finally, you don't gain anything extra from winning by a large margin, so once a team has pretty much won or lost wont it result in many teams just leaving the game half way through?

Cheers,

Chris

[JamesBPK]

The above is only an Initial system. We realise that there are some bugs to be ironed out , but on the whole you are right. The rules and the format of the ladder is liable to change depending on what issues arise. Its early days yet, after all.

[SteveP]

Is there nothing to gain or lose by playing a team below you in the ladder (unless they are 1 below you)?
Depends how you look at. You don't essentially lose a position, although without upwards movement you'll soon find yourself being leap-frogged by the clans below you. There will be win streaks recorded, so a loss could end this. Playing a clan below you is a way of ensuring ladder activity to make it so you aren't subject to a penalty drop for inactivity.

If the team who is first never plays the team in second they will remain top?
We'll be introducing a challenge system to ensure this situation doesn't occur.

Finally, you don't gain anything extra from winning by a large margin, so once a team has pretty much won or lost wont it result in many teams just leaving the game half way through?
I believe the rules will allow for a losing clan to leave at a certain round under an heavy loss, it doesn't really benefit any team to sit through such punishment. Teams do obviously need to have some sense when challenging, and should only be informally challenging clans they think they can win. The formal challenge system will be more restricted and not allow the bottom teams to challenge the top. There's the possible options of also including an additional skill ranking system for the future, and maybe a sportsmanship ranking.

[flex1970]

If we anticipate the release of a single player survival mode would you consider the addition of a single player ladder?

[Wannabeuk]

Ive not heard it being single player, but either way, we do have several idea's in the pipeline for other things along those lines :)

[JamesBPK]

Suvival mode will either be co-op or vs, but just involves the survivors holding out against a timer, as opposed to reaching the safe-room. We can adapt our ladder.add modes in this eventuality when its released.