2 days to launch; where is ladder and quickmatch button?

i guess you read way too much into what i was saying. regardless, we're definitely looking into matchmaking and other options that would nicely round out a themed update.

those are coming shortly after launch. lots of work, lots of preparing, lots of worrying about edge cases still.

Thanks, glad to get an answer it was on the horizon pretty soon. Appreciate the quick responses.

There wasn't much to read into.

You very clearly and explicitly stated time and time again that "competitive," matchmaking, and ladders was for top tier players.

Even used phrases along the lines of "top tier players" and "climb the ladder."

I am so tempted to go dig up some of your old quotes... but it wouldn't make a difference.

making a ladder is competitive, matchmaking is not.
people is lazy and they dont like search for a game, is too hard for them.

the game is fun and that is what matters

no problem.

Meh, despite obsessing over the game for two years, I intend to play pretty casually when it comes to multiplayer. I can't say I'm grief stricken that ladders aren't on the immediate horizon. I will play a match, and if I get trounced or trounce the other player, I will play another match. I do not demand players of equal skill every game, I will surely come across them in time, and add them to play again, or just keep on searching.

i'd reply that matchmaking and rankings are good for both top tier and casual players, but it wouldn't make a difference.

you don't get it.

you get raking for whatever you do, ladder is a separate ranking (that has more value in the eyes of the peeps who play competitively) but ranking... ranking is everywhere.

And if PA ranks you after 500 AI matches at 200 ranking (downright terrible)

you'll be damn glad when finally playing online to be matched (well... "to be matched"... to be able to match yourself rather) with mr 178 and mr 213.

Don't you see that ranking is even more advantageous to you than it is to ladderheads?

It just means you're saying something different today than you consistently said in the past.

In that regard, the match making would be fine for the people who like playing 1v1's and such, but even then, that's hardly casual play, just low ranked play.

That's my opinion of it at least, I can't really tell much of a difference.

If you play casually you probably want to play "casual" opponents who play as good or bad as you do. A matchmaking service allows you to do that. A matchmaking service internally will have to have some sort of ranking to be able to do that.

That sounds lovely, but even then, that really just sounds like playing competitively on the non-ladder ladder.

It doesn't sound much different.

I understand your frustration Brian, but it's not like they aren't working their asses off.

Well yeah, but even casual players probably like to play equally strong opponents, so it doesnt really matter how it sounds.

I guess.

it is.

Here's case one.

1. Hop into a match
2. get ludicrously bashed
3. Hop into the next match
4. get bashed so hard you wish you were dead
5. repeat

Case two.

1. Hop into a match
2. get ludicrously bashed
3. Hop into the next match
4. Bash someone
5. Hop into the next match
6. even battle you loose but gg, fair match
7. Hop into another match
8. very narrow win for you, perfectly matched opponent
9. ....more of this progressing ever closer to your exact skill level.

Case three:

1. You're new to the game
2. Your macro/micro skills aren't so hot
3. Get bashed due to Dox spam
4. Get bashed due to Dox spam
6. Get bashed due to Dox spam
7. Bash someone after spamming Dox
8. Disconnected from server after too many Dox that you spammed

ladders are only as competitive as you are >.O
I play sc2 ladder from time to time, and i like ladder because i know ill get an opponent around my skill level and i have about a 50% chance to win! unlike brood-war where usually when you start your ROFL-STOMPED 95% of the time.
ladder is much more convenient for locating an opponent of your own skill level, theres no other way around it

Guys, not having ladders isn't that big a deal imo. We need more people playing to make a ladder worthwhile, and Uber have been quite clear about their intention to:

A: Deliver a competitive ranking system
B: Take the time to do it well.

Then they plan to release it as a new 'milestone' release which should hopefully raise the profile of the game again.

Sounds like a pretty sensible plan given the fact that time and resources are finite.

In the mean time, we do have PA:Stats (which really isn't *that* hard for people to install, anyone asks about ladders here we can point them in that direction).