FAF transitioned to a division-based system for leaderboards in 2022, moving away from TrueSkill ratings. This article delves into the reasons behind this change.
TrueSkill effectively assesses player performance to ensure balanced matches, leveraging statistical models. However, its reliance on complex statistical calculations can be challenging to grasp for users without a strong mathematical background.
One significant drawback is the system's inclusion of rating uncertainty alongside mean ratings. This often results in unexpected rating changes after games—such as varying points distribution among team members or rating adjustments following draws. While not a flaw in the system per se, these outcomes can create a frustrating user experience.
Moreover, players frequently request rating resets or decays due to a perceived inability to perform at their original level after extended breaks. Another common concern is outdated leaderboards, where inactive players retain top positions despite no recent gameplay. Many online games address these issues by overlaying simpler, season-based systems that reset leaderboards periodically, while the underlying matchmaking ratings (like TrueSkill) continue to operate in the background.
In response to these challenges, FAF opted to implement a comparable system.
The league system on FAF retains TrueSkill for matchmaking to ensure fair games, with TrueSkill calculations operating in the background as usual. In addition to this, the system introduces divisions and subdivisions tied to specific TrueSkill rating ranges.
New players undergo a placement phase consisting of 10 games. During this phase, TrueSkill determines their rating. Based on this rating, players are assigned to a division or subdivision. Subdivisions function similarly to divisions.
Players are placed in a division based on their TrueSkill rating, typically 100 points below the division's rating range. This soft reset at the start of each season allows for climbing opportunities. Starting points within the division depend on the player's relative position: more points are given if closer to the division's upper rating limit, and fewer if closer to the lower limit.
Players automatically rank up to the next division or subdivision upon reaching the point maximum of their current tier. They begin with two points in the new division to prevent immediate demotion. Conversely, falling below zero points results in demotion to a lower division, with a two-point buffer below the division's maximum to prevent immediate promotion.
At the end of each three-month season, the leaderboard resets. Players must then play placement games again. This periodic reset addresses concerns about outdated leaderboards due to inactive players retaining top positions. Returning players who were previously placed in a season need only play three games to re-establish their position.
This structured approach ensures that divisions and subdivisions accurately reflect players' current skill levels. It combines the precision of TrueSkill for matchmaking with a user-friendly, season-based division system to maintain an up-to-date and competitive leaderboard.
| Division | Intended TrueSkill Rating (µ-3sigma) | Point maximum | |
| Grandmaster | 2000+ | 100 | |
| Master | I | 1915+ | 10 |
| II | 1830+ | 10 | |
| III | 1745+ | 10 | |
| IV | 1660+ | 10 | |
| V | 1575+ | 10 | |
| Diamond | I | 1490+ | 10 |
| II | 1405+ | 10 | |
| III | 1320+ | 10 | |
| IV | 1235+ | 10 | |
| V | 1150+ | 10 | |
| Gold | I | 1065+ | 10 |
| II | 980+ | 10 | |
| III | 895+ | 10 | |
| IV | 810+ | 10 | |
| V | 725+ | 10 | |
| Silver | I | 640+ | 10 |
| II | 555+ | 10 | |
| III | 470+ | 10 | |
| IV | 385+ | 10 | |
| V | 300+ | 10 | |
| Bronze | I | 215+ | 10 |
| II | 130+ | 10 | |
| III | 45+ | 10 | |
| IV | -40+ | 10 | |
| V | -40 and lower | 10 | |