Playlist Ratings
The other major outward facing component of TU2 is the addition of Playlist Ratings to Halo 3. In a nutshell, playlist ratings are the playlist-level decoupling of Trueskill values (the in-game number next to your name) from Experience (the icon next to your name). You will now have a separate military rating (based purely on EXP) in each playlist. So this means that being a General in a playlist is based on how many games youve won in the playlist, not based on the Trueskill number next to your name. Your Trueskill values are NOT being reset. If someone checks your service record, they will still see your Highest Skill.
The most important thing to note here is that nothing is being taken away you are not losing your existing global ratings. We are in fact ADDING new stats via per-playlist EXP and ratings.
To further clarify things, I asked Tyson (Multiplayer Designer) and Shishka (Playlist Designer) to answer a few questions on this topic.
Hey guys, one of the main points of interest for TU2 is the addition of a new online rating system. What all does this entail?
Tyson: In TU2, our rating system is starting to track a rating per playlist, in addition to your traditional global performance rating. As you earn EXP in each playlist, you can earn a rating specific to that playlist, to show off your progress in the playlist of your choice. Of course, your old ratings remain fully intact and will continue to progress.
What will this ultimately mean for players?
Tyson: More stats, in the form of more detailed breakdown of your progress. If you spend most of your time in Team Slayer, youll be able to see the progress youre making there.
How does this new system differ from the previous ranking framework?
Tyson: The nice thing is that it doesnt change any of the old ratingsyour prior accomplishments remain fully intact. When youre sitting in a playlist lobby, you will see the new rating symbols instead of the old global ones, but your global rating is still front-and-center in your service record.
Why was the decision made to implement this new rating system?
Tyson: Two reasons: first, so that people who prefer to play in particular playlists can compare themselves more directly against other people in that playlist. Second, so that players who are a long way from meeting the EXP requirement for their global rating have some new, more immediate feedback regarding their progress.
Will the EXP I earn in playlists count toward my global rating?
Shishka: Yes. Thats why we call it your global rating.
How does this affect Double EXP weekends? Could I become a General in Griffball?
Shishka: Double EXP weekends will continue to make a regular appearance in Halo 3 for the foreseeable future. Yes, it is potentially possible to become a General in a double EXP weekend playlist, and yes, it will occur in half the time itd take to become a General in a regular playlist.
