Ranking System

Term from Esports industry explained for recruiters

A Ranking System is a way to track and measure players' skill levels in competitive video games. It's like a digital scoreboard that helps organize players into different skill groups, similar to how traditional sports use divisions or leagues. These systems calculate a player's rank based on their wins, losses, and performance, making it easier to create fair matches and run tournaments. Common examples include ELO ratings (like in chess), MMR (Matchmaking Rating), or tier-based systems (Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.). When someone mentions working with ranking systems in esports, they typically mean they've been involved in designing, maintaining, or analyzing these competitive structures.

Examples in Resumes

Developed and maintained a Ranking System for regional esports tournaments

Improved player satisfaction by optimizing the Rating System for fair matchmaking

Managed seasonal Ranking System resets and calibration periods for 100,000+ players

Typical job title: "Ranking System Developers"

Also try searching for:

Game Systems Developer Competitive Systems Designer Esports Systems Engineer Game Balance Designer Matchmaking Engineer Competition Systems Manager

Where to Find Ranking System Developers

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you design a ranking system that maintains fairness during seasonal resets?

Expected Answer: The candidate should explain approaches to soft and hard resets, methods to prevent skilled players from overwhelming newer players, and strategies for maintaining competitive integrity across seasons.

Q: What factors would you consider when implementing a ranking system for a new esports title?

Expected Answer: Look for understanding of player population size, game type considerations, anti-abuse measures, and ways to keep players engaged through appropriate progression systems.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How would you handle rating adjustments in team-based games versus individual games?

Expected Answer: Should discuss methods for evaluating individual contribution in team settings, techniques for balanced team matching, and ways to prevent rating manipulation.

Q: What metrics would you track to evaluate if a ranking system is working well?

Expected Answer: Should mention player satisfaction surveys, match quality indicators, player retention rates, and distribution of players across different ranks.

Junior Level Questions

Q: Can you explain what ELO rating is and how it works in basic terms?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that ELO is a points system where winning against better players earns more points, and how this creates a fair ranking system.

Q: What's the difference between a ranking system and a progression system?

Expected Answer: Should explain that ranking systems measure skill level and create fair matches, while progression systems are about rewarding time played and achievements.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of rating systems
  • Data analysis fundamentals
  • Knowledge of popular esports titles
  • Basic statistical concepts

Mid (2-4 years)

  • Implementation of matchmaking systems
  • Player behavior analysis
  • Season reset management
  • Rating adjustment algorithms

Senior (4+ years)

  • Complex ranking system design
  • Large-scale system optimization
  • Anti-abuse system implementation
  • Multi-region ranking management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of existing ranking systems in major games
  • Lack of understanding about competitive gaming
  • No experience with player feedback analysis
  • Unable to explain basic matchmaking concepts
  • No awareness of anti-cheating measures

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