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Solution to the deadbeating problem

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2007 5:41 pm
by cicero
>> Solution to the deadbeating problem.

[EDIT - Re-presented in the required form.]

>> Suggestion Idea:
A system which automatically manages frequently deadbeating players; initially restricting access to features and ultimately resulting in an effective ban.

>> Specifics:
(i) The folowing apply to all members who have completed a minimum of 10(*) games.
(ii) Said members who have deadbeated in 30% or more of their completed games cannot join any games.
(iii) Said members who have deadbeated in 60% or more of their completed games cannot join or start any games. Effectively a ban.

>> Why it is needed:
Deadbeating is widely acknowledged as a problem

>> Priority 2


>> Further notes/example.

A hypothetical scenario with a hypothetical newb member - CCnewb - to illustrate:

CCnewb deadbeats a little, mistakenly or otherwise - as a newb he might have missed something - and in fact deadbeats in 3 of his first 10 games [30%]. So CCnewb is at the first limit above and hence cannot join games. But CCnewb can still start his own games. This means the CC community automatically gets a choice whether to play with CCnewb since he can't join other people's games. Most/many people will still play with CCnewb; he is a newb after all ;)

If CCnewb mends his ways, in the light of experience/knowledge gained, as soon as he completes 1 more game his deadbeat percentage will have fallen below 30% [27.27%]. So now he can join and start games again.

If he doesn't mend his ways he'll subsequently hit 60% and ban himself. [Starting from the situation above he'll now have deadbeated in 11 out of 18 games which I think is enough.] For myself I don't think there should then be any way back, though he'd still be able to post in forums/PM the Mods or whatever, but I leave that to the CC crew/Lack ...

(*) I considered making the completed game minimum 5, in line with the first rank of Private, but this means that anyone deadbeating in 3 of their first 5 games would be effectively banned. This seems too harsh on newbs who may genuinely not understand the system when joining.

Of course to make it fair such a system would have to be clearly announced in the Rules section; it would be rule 3.

Perhaps some tweaking of the values of the percentages and minimum number of games completed is required to achieve an optimum balance, but I think this is a viable system.

It might be useful to include a player's deadbeat percentage on their profile and perhaps to have an indicator icon against player names who are operating at above 30%, but these are secondary to my main proposal.

I think it would be simple to code, is simple to understand and, since it is automatic, puts little work in the direction of the CC team to police. It allows a reasonable time for a newb to understand and abide by the rules of the site and also allows anyone who, mistakenly or otherwise, deadbeats significantly a significant grace period in which to modify their behaviour before invoking a ban.

Prepared to be shot down in (relatively polite) flames as you all see fit ...


cicero

PostPosted: Sat May 05, 2007 3:33 pm
by GreecePwns
Actually, this would provide for the perfect solution with some changes. The system starts at 10 games, as you said. At 40% deadbeating the person is banned from joining or starting games for a week (not that harsh, to keep new players from leaving.) The person is then given 5 games to change his ways. If his % percent stays above 40%, he is banned for another 2 weeks. If it goes under 40%, he is free to start and join games. If it reaches 65% after that, the player's username is permanently deleted.

Just my 2 cents.

PostPosted: Sat May 05, 2007 3:37 pm
by Coleman
I always thought the solution to this problem was castration. Eventually the dead beaters could no longer reproduce and then it is just a waiting game for them to die.

PostPosted: Sat May 05, 2007 6:23 pm
by sully800
I like cicero's suggestion a lot!