Why are the top scores lower than they used to be?

[ManBungalow]

Back in the day, the Conqueror would have 5000+ points. And at one point, sjnap and King_Herpes were battling it out for Conqueror with 6000+ points.

Now all it takes is 4385 points (still an accomplishment).

I don't think this shows a lower 'skill' of the top ranks as opposed to, say, two years ago. Maybe this is a product of a crackdown on farming methods?

I suspect also that fewer people really care about having super-high scores now. Maybe? A lot of the big names have left or lost interest.

Also, because there are fewer players on the scoreboard these days, the standard distribution graph is smaller.
Furthermore, there are simply fewer active points to go around...if membership is declining, we're losing members quicker than we're gaining them...so the principle is that points are added to the scoreboard (1000 for every new player), but a player stays a while, maybe gains a few ranks (and points, obviously), then leaves (taking more than 1000 points with them).

[Shannon Apple]

Yep, definitely a crackdown on farming. But also a decline in the number of ranking players on the site.

[greenoaks]

all of the above, especially about preventing farming.

[BigBallinStalin]

Back in the day, the Conqueror would have 5000+ points. And at one point, sjnap and King_Herpes were battling it out for Conqueror with 6000+ points.

Now all it takes is 4385 points (still an accomplishment).

I don't think this shows a lower 'skill' of the top ranks as opposed to, say, two years ago. Maybe this is a product of a crackdown on farming methods?

I suspect also that fewer people really care about having super-high scores now. Maybe? A lot of the big names have left or lost interest.

Also, because there are fewer players on the scoreboard these days, the standard distribution graph is smaller.
Furthermore, there are simply fewer active points to go around...if membership is declining, we're losing members quicker than we're gaining them...so the principle is that points are added to the scoreboard (1000 for every new player), but a player stays a while, maybe gains a few ranks (and points, obviously), then leaves (taking more than 1000 points with them).

Greater competition eats away the profits/points.

[BoganGod]

The biggest fish have left, the medium - large fish are too busy(or not allowed anymore) taking bites out of each other to gobble up the little fish. The ocean shrinks into a pond with the loss of the alpha predators. No large pelagic fish to keep the bait fish down in numbers. The eco system is collapsing as the site constricts in numbers. Driven in part by the rise of political correctness, the rampant bullying of any who show a hint of irreverence in their character or public persona. Now with people getting offended and crying about remarks not addressed to them(that the recipients don't even complain about), rushing off to report any remark that might have multiple interpretations. Always picking the worst possible meaning, and assuming that was what the author of the remark intended.

It is a miracle that anyone has a score above 4000. Though that would suggest the presence or existance of a "greater" power. Let me rephrase and suggest that - it is a testament to the sheer bloody mindedness and perseverance of some players that anyone bothers to achieve a score over 4000.

[ManBungalow]

The biggest fish have left, the medium - large fish are too busy(or not allowed anymore) taking bites out of each other to gobble up the little fish. The ocean shrinks into a pond with the loss of the alpha predators. No large pelagic fish to keep the bait fish down in numbers. The eco system is collapsing as the site constricts in numbers. Driven in part by the rise of political correctness, the rampant bullying of any who show a hint of irreverence in their character or public persona. Now with people getting offended and crying about remarks not addressed to them(that the recipients don't even complain about), rushing off to report any remark that might have multiple interpretations. Always picking the worst possible meaning, and assuming that was what the author of the remark intended.

It is a miracle that anyone has a score above 4000. Though that would suggest the presence or existance of a "greater" power. Let me rephrase and suggest that - it is a testament to the sheer bloody mindedness and perseverance of some players that anyone bothers to achieve a score over 4000.

I subscribe to this opinion.

[deathcomesrippin]

Does anyone think the growth of the Clan world possibly might contribute to the lower scores? I think that Clans right now and for the last while have been on the rise, and as the top clans compete with each other, their players (who may or may not be in line for conqueror) play each other more and play teams of a higher caliber than they might be used to. The points are going back and forth, within reason, and a run at Conqueror maybe has taken a hit in recent years with the amount of shady candidates that have held the medal.

Also, a crackdown on farming. You're welcome.

[rhp 1]

The biggest fish have left, the medium - large fish are too busy(or not allowed anymore) taking bites out of each other to gobble up the little fish. The ocean shrinks into a pond with the loss of the alpha predators. No large pelagic fish to keep the bait fish down in numbers. The eco system is collapsing as the site constricts in numbers. Driven in part by the rise of political correctness, the rampant bullying of any who show a hint of irreverence in their character or public persona. Now with people getting offended and crying about remarks not addressed to them(that the recipients don't even complain about), rushing off to report any remark that might have multiple interpretations. Always picking the worst possible meaning, and assuming that was what the author of the remark intended.

It is a miracle that anyone has a score above 4000. Though that would suggest the presence or existance of a "greater" power. Let me rephrase and suggest that - it is a testament to the sheer bloody mindedness and perseverance of some players that anyone bothers to achieve a score over 4000.

I subscribe to this opinion.

+1

[BoganGod]

Does anyone think the growth of the Clan world possibly might contribute to the lower scores? I think that Clans right now and for the last while have been on the rise, and as the top clans compete with each other, their players (who may or may not be in line for conqueror) play each other more and play teams of a higher caliber than they might be used to. The points are going back and forth, within reason, and a run at Conqueror maybe has taken a hit in recent years with the amount of shady candidates that have held the medal.

Also, a crackdown on farming. You're welcome.

Nah mate. Last time I played CC, and was in a clan. At one stage we had 4generals, multiple brigs, etc. Had an average clan rank of 2380+ and that included "carrying" a few players that weren't even commissioned officers in rank. I was also very active in Team2000+ a social usergroup that HardAttack and myself started to play against other teams with some rank and hopefully tactical awareness. The growth of clans is not responsible for the decline in average score, and the decline in score for the top of the chart leaders. You will find that a lot of clans actively look for decent opponents in casual games as beating up "cripples" is no training for clan wars against top shelf opponents. That clan (BoFM) was built by a bunch of Lts - Majors, who as they got better playing together, climbed the score board together. Being in a clan improved all our ranks. Clan war games have always been points positive for me and mine. If you don't count silly 1vs1 challenges(the reason I'm sporting the gay(lame meaning of word) sig).

[betiko]

given the actual scores, i still don't get why they don't lower the field marshal rank to 4000; not even the conqueror is eligible to become field marshal!

[josko.ri]

I noticed another interesting point, despite high scores going down. When I first time became General, there were 25 Generals or Field Marshals (and around 20.000 players), and today we have 43. Also, number of Brigadiers or better have never been higher than 100 until 2013. Today we have 107 Brigadiers. The lowest score in Top page of Scoreboard is also growing by time, slowly but steady, today is 2699.

[Mr Changsha]

I noticed another interesting point, despite high scores going down. When I first time became General, there were 25 Generals or Field Marshals (and around 20.000 players), and today we have 43. Also, number of Brigadiers or better have never been higher than 100 until 2013. Today we have 107 Brigadiers. The lowest score in Top page of Scoreboard is also growing by time, slowly but steady, today is 2699.

2556 got one on the first page in 2010...I know this because I wrote a thread about it (naturally).

[BoganGod]

I noticed another interesting point, despite high scores going down. When I first time became General, there were 25 Generals or Field Marshals (and around 20.000 players), and today we have 43. Also, number of Brigadiers or better have never been higher than 100 until 2013. Today we have 107 Brigadiers. The lowest score in Top page of Scoreboard is also growing by time, slowly but steady, today is 2699.

Has the amount of games you play at one time changed over your time on CC? Am curious about maybe people playing less games once they reach a certain level, so less yo yo action with their ranks.

[Tenebrus]

Does anyone think the growth of the Clan world possibly might contribute to the lower scores? I think that Clans right now and for the last while have been on the rise, and as the top clans compete with each other, their players (who may or may not be in line for conqueror) play each other more and play teams of a higher caliber than they might be used to. The points are going back and forth, within reason, and a run at Conqueror maybe has taken a hit in recent years with the amount of shady candidates that have held the medal.

Also, a crackdown on farming. You're welcome.

Totally. And for the decline in speed games. Everyone is just masturbating in their clans instead of playing open games. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.

[Shannon Apple]

I noticed another interesting point, despite high scores going down. When I first time became General, there were 25 Generals or Field Marshals (and around 20.000 players), and today we have 43. Also, number of Brigadiers or better have never been higher than 100 until 2013. Today we have 107 Brigadiers. The lowest score in Top page of Scoreboard is also growing by time, slowly but steady, today is 2699.

You're right. With the shady characters kicked out, it's left a more even distribution of points. The shady ones often didn't play people who were more than capable of kicking their butts, so they held onto the points. Most of you guys who are currently at the top of the scoreboard play against each other and enjoy more evenly matched games. I don't think it's a bad thing that that's happened at all. I remember when there were majors on the 1st page of the scoreboard, or at least top of the second page.

[KraphtOne]

Triples and quads games don't filled anymore.... Or any large player game for that matter that you don't reserve spots for people... In the past guppies would fill these, now they just don't get filled... So they don't get played... So there aren't as many games being played...

I mean hell... If I set a game up and the only way to get someone to join is invite them then that kinda sucks... No randomness...

I think I had a point somewhere... Damn ether...

[Tenebrus]

Maybe the reason they don't fill any more, is because high ranks will only set them up with a team/reserved players. Who wants to join with 4 random noobs to get creamed on a map with a specialist team?

There needs to be a way to get the active people to play more open games instead of just team quads/trips/dubs and clan games. Otherwise, you won't sucker in the next generation. I've been here a long time, and never joined a clan and the last couple of years it's felt more and more as though there's nothing going on except the clan/team games. And you can't get into that world unless you've had a good run at open games.

[Shannon Apple]

Triples and quads games don't filled anymore.... Or any large player game for that matter that you don't reserve spots for people... In the past guppies would fill these, now they just don't get filled... So they don't get played... So there aren't as many games being played...

I mean hell... If I set a game up and the only way to get someone to join is invite them then that kinda sucks... No randomness...

I think I had a point somewhere... Damn ether...

I actually Hate Hate Hate when 4 random noobs join a quads game that my team have waiting. Farming noobers is no fun at all and there's nothing random about knowing that your team is going to squash them like bugs. I much prefer to go post it in 2000+ callouts or invite people that I know are going to give us a fight.

[BoganGod]

Triples and quads games don't filled anymore.... Or any large player game for that matter that you don't reserve spots for people... In the past guppies would fill these, now they just don't get filled... So they don't get played... So there aren't as many games being played...

I mean hell... If I set a game up and the only way to get someone to join is invite them then that kinda sucks... No randomness...

I think I had a point somewhere... Damn ether...

I remember when the invite function was first implemented. The good ole days..... Where you put a quads game, and someone would join team2 and invite their team. Then we would play the game. Now you have a bunch of pussies that 1 member won't accept invite until they see how easy to beat team2 will be. Have posted that many large team games where you will get 1 random low ranked player in a slot, and then no one else will join. Bring back people joining as a team.

Bogan cries into his salt and pepper beard, and wipes his nose with his thinning mullet.

[ManBungalow]

I remember when the invite function was first implemented. The good ole days..... Where you put a quads game, and someone would join team2 and invite their team. Then we would play the game. Now you have a bunch of pussies that 1 member won't accept invite until they see how easy to beat team2 will be. Have posted that many large team games where you will get 1 random low ranked player in a slot, and then no one else will join.

Also sending a team 2 invite to an inactive player (or somebody in on the ploy) to prevent a complete team joining.

[rhp 1]

Triples and quads games don't filled anymore.... Or any large player game for that matter that you don't reserve spots for people... In the past guppies would fill these, now they just don't get filled... So they don't get played... So there aren't as many games being played...

I mean hell... If I set a game up and the only way to get someone to join is invite them then that kinda sucks... No randomness...

I think I had a point somewhere... Damn ether...

I remember when the invite function was first implemented. The good ole days..... Where you put a quads game, and someone would join team2 and invite their team. Then we would play the game. Now you have a bunch of pussies that 1 member won't accept invite until they see how easy to beat team2 will be. Have posted that many large team games where you will get 1 random low ranked player in a slot, and then no one else will join. Bring back people joining as a team.

Bogan cries into his salt and pepper beard, and wipes his nose with his thinning mullet.

how bout people worry less ab points, join whatever, and teach the newbies so everyone plays more and there are more games started? wouldn't that be novel...

[Rodion]

Also, because there are fewer players on the scoreboard these days, the standard distribution graph is smaller.

/thread

[Shannon Apple]

@rhp: It's not about points though. When noobs join the other team, there's a good 95% chance that the team from my clan or whatever are going to wipe the floor with them. Seems like pointless free points to me.

My reason for joining a clan in the first place was because good teammates are hard to come by nowadays. Well, I was persuaded, by someone from Kort to consider a clan, but the former was my main motivation. Back when I was a new player, people actually negotiated in game chat. I looked back on some of my old games and there was rarely a game that didn't have communication. If they didn't, I was there taking charge. I found that this new generation don't want the bother of any kind of chat at all.

I also found that some people in clans are scared to give away their strategies, so you won't get much communication there either, which is stupid!

[rhp 1]

@rhp: It's not about points though. When noobs join the other team, there's a good 95% chance that the team from my clan or whatever are going to wipe the floor with them. Seems like pointless free points to me.

My reason for joining a clan in the first place was because good teammates are hard to come by nowadays. Well, I was persuaded, by someone from Kort to consider a clan, but the former was my main motivation. Back when I was a new player, people actually negotiated in game chat. I looked back on some of my old games and there was rarely a game that didn't have communication. If they didn't, I was there taking charge. I found that this new generation don't want the bother of any kind of chat at all.

I also found that some people in clans are scared to give away their strategies, so you won't get much communication there either, which is stupid!

respectfully? you proved my point in your very first sentence... don't join team games with just your clanmates.. just join random-ass games where you're putting your hard earned points @ risk.. I'm sure you'd agree that the best players can win with anyone.. and who knows? with your skillz? you might just be training the next conquerer... how bout that? lol

[ChrisPond]

@rhp: It's not about points though. When noobs join the other team, there's a good 95% chance that the team from my clan or whatever are going to wipe the floor with them. Seems like pointless free points to me.

My reason for joining a clan in the first place was because good teammates are hard to come by nowadays. Well, I was persuaded, by someone from Kort to consider a clan, but the former was my main motivation. Back when I was a new player, people actually negotiated in game chat. I looked back on some of my old games and there was rarely a game that didn't have communication. If they didn't, I was there taking charge. I found that this new generation don't want the bother of any kind of chat at all.

I also found that some people in clans are scared to give away their strategies, so you won't get much communication there either, which is stupid!

respectfully? you proved my point in your very first sentence... don't join team games with just your clanmates.. just join random-ass games where you're putting your hard earned points @ risk.. I'm sure you'd agree that the best players can win with anyone.. and who knows? with your skillz? you might just be training the next conquerer... how bout that? lol

Only problem with that is if you are playing with random players and they are doing their own thing in a quads game instead of playing as a team, it is not an enjoyable experience. Maybe it's just me but I like to play team games with people that are interested in playing as a team.