Bruce Dias 
The thrills of competition that accompany casual playing for most online gamers extend far beyond play. Testing their skills, climbing ranks, and proving dominance are the very fuel to the popularity of online ladder systems. But to those new players, the systems seem rather complicated and puzzling. Whether you are playing online bingo for money, ludo, snakes and ladders, or any other game involving competition with opponents or even yourself, you will come across the in-game ladder system.
Here is an all-inclusive guide explaining the core mechanics of online ladders, their benefits, and the strategy needed to win the ladder game.
The ladder system: What does it mean?
A ladder system in online games is defined as a ranked ladder, otherwise known as a competitive ladder, referring to a competitive structure ranking their users’ performances. It is sometimes called the leaderboard, where you will see the names of all the players currently playing or who have participated in the past. The ones with the highest scores are admitted to this leaderboard, and the ranking keeps changing.
The way that most ranked ladders operate in these games is to reward wins with points and upward runs up a metaphorical ladder but punish losses with either deduction of points or lowering one’s rank.
A ladder system has several key characteristics, including the ranking system. The ladder ranks the player by the number of points or by performance. These ranks often range from beginner to elite, with descriptive names such as “Bronze,” “Silver,” “Gold,” and “Platinum.”
There is also something called the matchmaking system. The ladder system matches the players to each other for competitive matches, according to their ranks. This provides a relatively level playing field as they play against opponents with similar skills. Plus, there’s the points system that most players look forward to. The points for winning a match are given to the player, which accumulates the rank of the player. Losses in a match might incur a point deduction or remain the same as their ranking, depending on the points system.
Within the ladder system, there’s the progression system. As players accrue points and ascend up the rung, they unlock better rewards, get into better tournaments, or just feel proud of the position they are in.
What are the benefits of the ladder system for players?
Online ladder systems come with a plethora of benefits to players:
- Structured competition: They provide a structured and organized competitive environment to help players test their skills against others of similar ability.
- Skill improvement: Playing competitive matches drives the player’s skills to new levels, with strategizing, knowledge of games, and mechanical abilities.
- Achieving feelings: Rising up to the top ranks will make anyone feel a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
- Better matchmaking: Rank-based fairer matching reduces the likelihood of poorly balanced matches because the matches will be closer in ranks, making it a pleasanter match.
- Community building: Ladder systems encourage a competitive community in which players can compete, share strategies, and learn from one another.
What are the different types of ladder systems in online games?
Ladder systems can be different depending on the game and implementation. Here are some common variations:
- Individual vs. team ladders: Individual ladders pit players against each other, while team ladders require players to form teams and compete together.
- Seasonal ladders: Some games make use of seasonal ladders, which reset every now and then. Everyone gets to climb up from the very bottom.
- Hidden MMR Ladders: Instead of explicit points, hidden MMR ladders base rank off an invisible MMR. While players do not know their MMR, it is what drives matchmaking and progress.
Common challenges in ladder systems
Despite all the advantages of ladder systems, there are also some disadvantages that players must be aware of:
- Ladder anxiety: The pressure to win and fear of falling in rank can cause anxiety and impact performance negatively.
- Smurfing: Some of the good players may create secondary accounts and play at lower ranks so that they get an advantage over new players.
- Inactivity decay: Some ladders have rules that punish players for long stretches of inactivity, causing their rank to decay.
How do you be successful in climbing the ladder?
For aspiring ladder climbers, here are some great strategies to adopt:
- Set realistic goals: Start by setting achievable goals, such as reaching a particular rank or improving your win rate.
- Practice makes perfect: Dedicate consistent practice time to honing your skills and understanding the game’s mechanics.
- Learn from the best: Watch replays of high-ranked players, analyze your own matches, and actively seek ways to improve.
- Maintain a positive mindset: Focus on learning and improvement rather than chasing wins or getting discouraged by losses.
- Take breaks: Avoid burnout by taking breaks to refresh your mind and prevent tilt (playing while frustrated).
- Analyze your opponent: Adapt your strategies by studying your opponent’s playstyle during the loading screen or early match phase.
- Learn from losses: Every loss is a learning opportunity. Analyze your mistakes and identify areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Ladder systems provide a tempting opportunity for online gamers to test their skills, climb ranks, and gain recognition. Once gamers understand the mechanics, the benefits, and the difficulties associated with ladders, it is easy to develop a viable strategy for success. Just remember, the journey toward improvement is just as meaningful as the rank. Therefore, be competitive, always learn from your experiences, and enjoy the excitement of climbing a ladder!
