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2023-11-02 13:35:55
23 votes, rating 6
23 votes, rating 6
Blackbox Scheduler update
As of now, the Blackbox scheduler will separate teams with less than 15 games played from teams with more than 15 games played.
This change is sort of a "virtual first season", where the first 15 games for a team are protected from older "virtual season 2+" teams.
This change was made to remove a class of Negative Play Experiences (NPE) people have brought up to me over some time. If this turns out to become an overall problem for everyone, I'm absolutely open for reverting the change.
My hope is that this change will make it easier for people to get started in the Blackbox without needing to risk spinning into a super lean and developed opponent in game 3 or 4, and end up in more people using the blackbox system in general. Naturally, this will increase the difficulty of matches once a team hits the 16th game and likely make it harder to be paired those teams overall.
I'm interested in feedback regarding this change, and will be monitoring the number of completed Blackbox matches overall. Hopefully, it'll be a net positive. Either way, don't hesitate to let me know what you think of this change!
This change is sort of a "virtual first season", where the first 15 games for a team are protected from older "virtual season 2+" teams.
This change was made to remove a class of Negative Play Experiences (NPE) people have brought up to me over some time. If this turns out to become an overall problem for everyone, I'm absolutely open for reverting the change.
My hope is that this change will make it easier for people to get started in the Blackbox without needing to risk spinning into a super lean and developed opponent in game 3 or 4, and end up in more people using the blackbox system in general. Naturally, this will increase the difficulty of matches once a team hits the 16th game and likely make it harder to be paired those teams overall.
I'm interested in feedback regarding this change, and will be monitoring the number of completed Blackbox matches overall. Hopefully, it'll be a net positive. Either way, don't hesitate to let me know what you think of this change!
Comments
Posted by MerryZ on 2023-11-02 13:37:57
Great change ! Been waiting this since black box started \o/
Go Christer !
Go Christer !
Posted by SideshowBob on 2023-11-02 13:38:53
Amazing
Posted by MattDakka on 2023-11-02 13:43:11
Thanks for this change, Christer!
It's better to protect rookie teams and prevent TV gap matches.
It's better to protect rookie teams and prevent TV gap matches.
Posted by Nelphine on 2023-11-02 13:47:27
Anything that reduces the ability for long lived teams to get games is a negative for me - saying that, i also think implementing seasons is necessary to avoid the worst stacked teams (with 5+ superstars) from existing forever.
Posted by happygrue on 2023-11-02 13:50:47
Love it!
Posted by gonzip on 2023-11-02 14:34:10
It is a great change, the games against 15+ games were not many, but they felt really bad.
Hopefully it does not impact scheduling too much.
Thanks!
Hopefully it does not impact scheduling too much.
Thanks!
Posted by Malmir on 2023-11-02 15:40:53
I'm totally in favour.
Posted by MattDakka on 2023-11-02 15:44:39
I have developed teams myself but I'd rather not find a game than find a TV gap match (either as overdog or underdog), it can be frustrating/boring for one or both coaches.
With this 15-game protection it's less likely.
With this 15-game protection it's less likely.
Posted by Joost on 2023-11-02 15:59:23
This is excellent
Posted by Nightbird on 2023-11-02 18:11:45
Awesome! This will defo get me to play Blackbox again. Good move Christer.
Posted by PurpleChest on 2023-11-02 18:58:14
very good change.
Posted by Eki on 2023-11-02 19:00:23
Awesome! I think it's great news. we will play black box again
Posted by Strider84 on 2023-11-03 17:21:40
that might be enough to bring be back for next BB season. Thanks Christer. Also thanks on showing the tournament wins on the coach page, nice feature!
Posted by RDaneel on 2023-11-07 14:52:32
Thanks to MerryZ for bringing this news to my attention.
I am [b]super-extra-strongly-totally in favour[/b] with this change and hope it will be maintained until the re-draft is implemented for the Competitive. Thanks Christer great news!!! Now I can play the Trophy more comfortably!
I am [b]super-extra-strongly-totally in favour[/b] with this change and hope it will be maintained until the re-draft is implemented for the Competitive. Thanks Christer great news!!! Now I can play the Trophy more comfortably!
Posted by Beomer on 2023-11-09 14:06:40
All in all this is a great change. I would be concerned that the overall number of games might drop - but if the number of completed games does not dip too low I guess it's benefits outweigh the risks.
Maybe you could consider adding some kind of switch for the teams to actively "allow" such games... So this kind of matches can still happen - but only if both teams have activated that switch.
Possible cases...
1. there are only 2 teams searching and prefer this type of game over "no game at all"
2. you are an experienced coach, start a new team and want the extra-challenge/extra-excitement/extra-danger of playing against an experienced team...
But that would only be the cherry on top for me - otherwise this change is brilliant overall.
Maybe you could consider adding some kind of switch for the teams to actively "allow" such games... So this kind of matches can still happen - but only if both teams have activated that switch.
Possible cases...
1. there are only 2 teams searching and prefer this type of game over "no game at all"
2. you are an experienced coach, start a new team and want the extra-challenge/extra-excitement/extra-danger of playing against an experienced team...
But that would only be the cherry on top for me - otherwise this change is brilliant overall.