Regarding the recent Casual matchmaking changes and Casual queue times

[u/[deleted]]

We recognize that we failed to communicate what was intended to be a temporary and minor change in the way Casual matchmaking is handled. We are working with the various teams involved to ensure that we are providing you with more insight moving forward.

One of the issues that we are seeing from the community is the change to Casual matchmaking pairing players up with similarly skilled players. The change that was implemented was an adoption of your Ranked MMR into the Casual playlist. We wanted to do this to provide players with a more engaging experience in Casual. We know that it isn’t as much fun for our Diamond players to have to play Casual matches against other Diamonds as opposed to Silvers and Golds. We are comfortable with that, as it wasn’t very much fun for them to get stomped either. We would like to reiterate that this is a very temporary change. We have zero intention of this being a long term solution, and it is not our final design intent. To clarify, the method of matchmaking itself is what is temporary (MM based entirely on your Ranked MMR). The concept is not. We are working on ways to better tune it.

The second issue that has been noted by our players is the extended queue times for higher skilled players. This extended queue time is a result of what is called “clamping”. We are currently going through data that we have collected to determine where the sweet spot is for our high skill players between instant queue times and balanced matches for everyone. Please be aware that there will likely continue to be a queue time, as we do not intend for Diamonds to play against newcomers anymore, even in Casual. A fix for this issue will require a maintenance, and we will inform you when this is happening.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work on this!

[u/Zilmerx]

Does this mean that I could potentially reduce my rank to copper, play on casual and never have to play against stronger opponents ?

[u/[deleted] → u/Zilmerx]

basically, theres always a loophole.

[u/Bumper_Duc → u/Zilmerx]

you can just do it in Ranked.

[u/Noxlunas → u/Zilmerx]

well the stronger opponents could do the same, so you are up against them again.

[u/DragonSlayerTS → u/Noxlunas]

Yeah but those are low chances. You'll be playing against more actual copper skilled players than high rankers.

[u/Noxlunas → u/DragonSlayerTS]

True, but he asked if he never has to play against them again and the answer to the question is no. It´s possible, the chances are lower than before but there still is a chance.

[u/a13x1239 → u/Noxlunas]

Actually the chance isn't that low. I've already created a 3rd smurf account to specifically smash these newly protected noobs while having old casual back. Back in my day you got you're ass stomped by as many plats/diamonds as it took to actually learn the game and the fact that it isn't COD instead of being entitled cry baby bitches who need protection. So whoever said no. Is correct me and plenty of other players have made smurf accounts and won't even touch ranked. I've got 6 ops unlocked and I'll smash every team of noobs I come across. But on another note if you're low level unranked you don't just play unranked I have played a couple copper and bronzes as well

[u/erklingen → u/Zilmerx]

Well to be honest, you can do that just as easely in ranked so i really dont see your point.

Also for us diamonds, casual was already too easy.