Valve answers MMR complaints with new update

In response to the public outcry over the Ranked Matchmaking system flaws, Valve has made an update to the system, effective immediately. All players in the match will now be able to identify the highest ranked person on each team and also perceive the average MMR for each team.

When players are in the Hero Selection phase, the average MMR of each team will be displayed for all players to see. This update also pinpoints the highest MMR player on each team, showing their specific rating. The information is the same for group queuing, with the player in a group with the group MMR showing.

The change has sparked a lot of debate and discussion on the pros and cons of this addition. Players have been vocal on Reddit and Twitter.

Dota 2 professional player and caster, Sébastien “7ckingMad” Debs:

@LuminousInverse @EternaLEnVy1991 @Aui_2000 this is actually the first step to start salvaging mmr, it was unplayable

— 7ckngMad (@7ckngMadDOTA) March 20, 2015

Perceived Pros:

Many people complaining about the MMR system being broken welcome this change, citing it will bring about balance and increased teamwork and cooperation. Some think that teams will be able to create strategies to identify who to target during laning phases, early-mid-late game and who to protect or support on your own team.

Here is what Cloud9’s captain, Jacky “EternaLEnVy” Mao, had to say on the matter:

@LuminousInverse @Aui_2000 No it promotes the I'm going to work with the best player to win.

— EternaLEnVy (@EternaLEnVy1991) March 20, 2015

Perceived Cons:

Others believe it will just lead to ego boosting and a distorted view of players based on assumptions people make with stats. They believe it promotes an unhealthy mindset when a player realizes they are the highest ranked player on the team and takes a leadership role.

Dota 2 caster and founder of DotaCommentaries, David “Luminous” Zhang‘s thoughts on the matter:

@Aui_2000 @EternaLEnVy1991 i think it promotes the "im better than you and I'm going mid" rather than teamwork and communication

— David Zhang (@LuminousInverse) March 20, 2015

Players have been fretting about the MMR system being broken and have consistently requested changes. The implemented change is similiar to a system in HON (Heros of Networth) that shows the MMR of every player.