It’s really simple, similar to the XP bonus they were planning to implement for the “choose any side” option.
Calculate the playerbase over the last X period of time (1 week, 1 day, etc. The shorter the better) and determine the percentage of players on each side: [Axis vs Allies], [Axis vs Soviets], and [Allies vs Japan].
Then, starting from the ideal scenario of a 50-50 split of players on each side, any additional percentage (e.g., 10%, 5%, 20%) that one side has over the other will result in an XP bonus for the underdog.
For example, if the Allies had 70% of the playerbase in battles against Axis in the last day, creating a 30-70 split, Axis players would receive a 20% XP bonus each time they are matched against Allies, but not against Soviets.
Players must see the percentage somewhere so they can choose the underdog
It’s likely that many players will prefer playing as the underdog for the bonus. Eventually, I believe the player distribution will stabilize near 50-50 most of the time, although not always, of course
I’d argue that it should target faction winrates vs faction popularity.
Older players have better ability to influence the outcome of matches and set trends.
A stack of older players playing an unpopular faction reaps the benefits of experience bonuses and will continue to reap them until the faction becomes popular for “winning”. Then you just queue the other way once people have jumped the bandwagon off a cliff.
You have a good point. And the winrates target could work, but it wouldn’t be the same? , a stack of old players could play on the side that wins the least and we would have the same problem.
However, stacks should fight against stacks, which is an old suggestion from many people here on the forum.
Also, if the percentage is done by day (real time would be the best of course), the sides will most likely get crowded, and that is the most important thing, especially since we will be getting new people from steam soon. Also, veteran players will always be decisive, but maybe more of them will chase the xp bonus and stop playing only one side.
The idea is that the favorite side will change so fast that in practice it will no longer be a favorite. Or if there is one, let’s say because new things are added, at least the non-favorite will have some advantage to attract some players, mostly veterans who turn the thing again i hope
Lol. Yeah, unfortunately you’re not the target player, nor any veteran player. But it might help new people or anyone who wants to grind a certain faction that is having a hard time.
Still, you could earn some research points for anything new they add.
