Needs ranking/rating system for online multiplayer games

[M-C-G]

I love this board game and the digital port has been quite enjoyable, but this game needs a ranked game multiplayer online feature (or ladder) - it would help better players get matched to other good players and discourage people from leaving games early if they know there is a penalty to their online player rating/ranking. I realize there is a karma system in place already, but adding an online ranking/rating system would improve it substantially as it has in other games (splendor, ticket to ride, viticulture, etc).

[Dazrix]

Does it?
What you choose to do in game affects me very little. I don't necessarily think it needs a ladder or ranking system that is strictly like that of an ELO system or even to affect matchmaking. This game should be mostly played as a single player game.

[M-C-G]

The ladder only adds to people who seek more competition than the current modes offer. If offered as an option to enter "ranked" vs. "non-ranked" games, how does anyone lose?

[Dazrix]

by splitting the pool of players.

[M-C-G]

Not really a concern in a game as popular as Wingspan.

[Dazrix]

ah... yes it is... just because you don't 'see' or perhaps 'feel' the matchmaking experience, doesn't mean it's not there. I assure you, the player pool is reducing every day.. On occassion I'm not finding games.

[M-C-G]

I haven't had a problem finding games yet, but the game also just released - I expect the player pool will increase over time, especially if there is a ladder.

[Dazrix]

not the way things usually work... It's usually has massive player base at the start of the games life and starts dwindling... Particularly in this style of a game. You're clutching at straws trying to split the pool,

[M-C-G]

Your reality is different than mine - maybe b/c you are on Aussie servers and I am on U.S. servers, idk. Ladders keep people around - casual play doesn't... with no competitive aspect or motivation, people migrate.... like birds. Color me unworried and I only use straws in my drinks with umbrellas when I am on the beach chillaxin.

[Cass (they/them)]

Wingspan is not a single-player game. Your actions are constantly based on what the other players are doing, at least if you want to win. You need to get one better than the other players on end of round goals and that means constantly tracking the other players. You are also all competing over shared resources like face-up cards and food. Playing with other players is so much better than against the automota or the AIs which do not seem to strategize or compete well, even with the new "hard" mode.

[M-C-G]

+1 Cass - agree with your multiplayer comments.

[Dazrix]

Originally posted by Cass:

Wingspan is not a single-player game. Your actions are constantly based on what the other players are doing, at least if you want to win. You need to get one better than the other players on end of round goals and that means constantly tracking the other players...

Wingspan is primarily a single player game. If you focus to much on the end round goals or what your opponents are doing, you're going to end up hurting your own score. The multiplayer aspects are only a factor when deciding between cards/actions in a min-max scenario. Cards have innate value that you can assign to them. Such as the Canada Goose or Sandhill Crane (naturally the Canada Goose is better as it is cheaper than the Sandhill crane, depending on the intended use. Ideally these cards should always be played in the middle particularly if you can get a spotted towhee or any raven/crow in that lane aswell, because their overall end game score is by far the greatest over any card combination) Yet this strategy will only work if you are given the tools to succeed with it.

It's just like the Franklins Gull or Kildeer making your water birds pure points based or 'when this card is placed' birds because it nullifies your need for those birds to give value outside of points. This game is hugely single player focused with a hint of multiplayer. I prefer playing multiplayer over playing single player cause I like knowing that other people haven't figured these things out yet.. But you'll find in the base game, cards like Franklins Gull or Kildeer will nullify your need to effectively build a habitat, cards like the ravens/crows. Barn Swallow is probably the best individual performing card yet it's a 1 point 1 worm.

When you think about it this way, you would put him in the middle and not care if someone has a bronze cowbird or anything, because you can't truly prevent their point gain, just limit it, thus, if you do so, you're hurting your own point gain much more than you're hurting theirs. The only exception to this rule is whether or not you play a predatory bird, which you're looking out for birds that gain food due to these successful actions, which aren't popular birds (minus the vultures because of their no food cost to help inflate a habitat) because they rely on a success and they usually are to high in value for very little return or no returns if you're beyond the second round. Predatory birds are typically just not as good as a bird that tucks.

[M-C-G]

Wingspan is not a single player game. For me, it is definitely a different game depending on how many other people are playing and how/what birds they are playing. For example, if I am playing a 5 player game vs. a 2 player game, my strategies and bird choices are totally different. I am far more likely to pick birds with pink abilities in a 5 player game because mathematically I am much more likely to benefit from them in the long run. I am also more likely to draw expensive bird cards in the game progression in a 5 player game because generally food and eggs are more easily available due to triggered effects on other players' turn (think hummingbirds, etc). If I know other players already have food generators out that benefit all, then I am less motivated to play into the forest habitat as much or play birds that generate food since there is already plenty being generated for me... you can imagine myriad other examples. In all these ways, what the players are doing certainly shape my choices during the game - especially within the context of the total number of players with respect to card choices. Cass' comments are on point otherwise with regard to how you adapt your game and choices based on what others may be doing. I agree with Dazrix's comment above that you shouldn't overfocus on round bonuses; I tend to think you should have balanced and adaptive approach that starts from a strategy shaped by your bonus cards and initial bird choices. I also agree with Dazrix with respect to predatory birds being generally weaker choices overall in the long run. But, again my point of this thread was that multiplayer games are fun and challenging and that this game deserves a multiplayer ladder for players that want the option of competitive play for the challenge it provides.