What Does Elo Mean In Gaming? (Explained!)

ELO is a rating system used in zero-sum games. It is a means of calculating the relative skill of players, and is used in everything from chess to sports to Overwatch and Fortnite. The rating is represented by a number and changes with every game that’s won. Points are taken from the loser and given to the winner.

While Elo can work slightly differently depending on what kind of game it is being used to rate, the basic principle is the same.

You are given a number rating for your performance based on the games you’ve played, and that number can change with every game you play.

Let’s find out more.

In This Article

History of ELO System

After a brief introduction to the concept of ELO ratings in gaming, it’s essential to delve into the origins of this influential system.

The ELO rating system owes its name and existence to Arpad Elo, a Hungarian-American physics professor with a passion for chess.

In the mid-20th century, Elo devised this system as a refined method to calculate the relative skill levels of chess players, aiming to address the shortcomings of the previously used Harkness System.

His system, adopted by the United States Chess Federation in the 1960s, revolutionized how player rankings were determined, offering a more dynamic and statistically grounded approach.

The ELO system’s success in chess quickly garnered attention, leading to its adaptation in various other competitive frameworks, including sports like tennis and, most notably, competitive online gaming.

This historical transition from board to digital arenas showcases the ELO system’s versatility and enduring relevance in measuring competitive prowess.

Explanation of ELO System

Following the historical backdrop of the ELO rating system, it’s crucial to understand how it functions today, especially in the realm of competitive gaming.

At its core, the ELO system is a method for assessing and comparing the skill levels of players by analyzing the outcomes of their matches.

When a player wins a match, their ELO rating increases, signifying an improvement in skill level.

Conversely, losing a match results in a decrease in their ELO rating.

The amount of ELO points gained or lost from a match depends on the difference between the player’s rating and their opponent’s.

For instance, defeating a player with a much higher ELO rating than yours could result in a significant boost to your rating, reflecting the unexpected outcome.

To illustrate, consider a match between Player A with an ELO rating of 1500 and Player B with a rating of 1600.

If Player A wins, they might gain 20 ELO points, as the victory was less expected due to the rating disparity.

Meanwhile, Player B, having lost to a lower-rated opponent, might lose 20 points.

This system ensures that ratings are a dynamic reflection of a player’s current skill level relative to others.

Different games may adapt the ELO system to fit their unique competitive landscapes, but the underlying principle remains: to provide a fair and accurate representation of a player’s skill through a quantifiable rating.

This makes the ELO system a universal language of competitive prowess across various gaming communities.

Adaptation in Video Games

Transitioning from the chessboard to the digital arena, the ELO rating system has found a new home in competitive video gaming.

Its fundamental goal—to match players of similar skill levels—remains unchanged, but the application has evolved to meet the diverse challenges of video games.

Unlike chess, many video games involve teams, requiring adaptations of the ELO system to accurately reflect individual contributions to team success.

This has led to the development of Matchmaking Rating (MMR) systems, which consider both individual and team performance.

Games like ‘League of Legends,’ ‘Dota 2,’ and ‘Overwatch’ have each adapted the ELO system in unique ways to ensure competitive balance.

For instance, ‘League of Legends’ uses a modified ELO system for its ranked play, introducing tiers and divisions to categorize players more granitely.

Similarly, ‘Overwatch’ adjusts players’ MMR after each match, taking into account the team’s average rating and the expected match outcome.

Despite its widespread adoption, the ELO system’s application in video games is not without its challenges.

The concept of ‘ELO hell’—a state where players find it difficult to advance due to perceived matchmaking flaws—highlights the system’s limitations in certain contexts.

Nevertheless, the ELO rating system’s adaptability has cemented its place in online gaming, providing a framework for fair play and competitive integrity that underpins the thriving esports industry.

What does Elo mean in Fortnite?

Fortnite is one of the best examples of a popular online game which uses the Elo system.

It still has basically the same meaning and function as it would in chess or any other game.

Your Elo rating is an indication of your relative skill at the game, based on your performance.

If you are around the 2000 mark, then you’re among the top players—but there are a lot of people who play Fortnite!

It can be a little bit confusing at first, then, to say the least.

However, overall, once you get to grips with it, it’s a very intuitive system for understanding your performance.

Higher Elo means the quality of the competition is going to be higher, so at lower Elo, you’ll find it easier to rise through the ranks—getting harder and harder.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the ELO rating system has undeniably shaped the competitive landscape of online gaming, it’s not without its detractors.

A significant point of contention is the phenomenon known as ‘ELO hell,’ where players feel trapped in a rank that doesn’t accurately reflect their skill level.

This frustration is often attributed to the inherent challenges of measuring individual prowess in team-based games, where a single player’s impact can be diluted or exaggerated by the performance of their teammates.

Moreover, the practice of ‘smurfing’—creating secondary accounts to reset one’s ELO rating—highlights another critique of the system: its vulnerability to manipulation.

Such actions not only skew the player’s true skill level but also disrupt the matchmaking balance, leading to unevenly matched games that can detract from the competitive integrity of the system.

The debate over the ELO system’s fairness and accuracy is ongoing, with some arguing that cognitive biases, such as the tendency to remember negative outcomes more vividly than positive ones, may color players’ perceptions of their matchmaking experiences.

Despite these challenges, game developers continue to refine their approach to ELO-based matchmaking, incorporating player feedback and data analysis to create a more balanced and rewarding competitive environment.

In conclusion, while the ELO rating system has been a cornerstone of competitive gaming, its application in video games is a complex endeavor fraught with challenges.

Recognizing its limitations and working towards addressing them is crucial for the future of fair and enjoyable online competition.

Improvements and Alternatives

In response to the inherent challenges of the ELO rating system, the gaming industry has not remained static.

Developers have tirelessly worked to refine and evolve matchmaking systems to better serve the competitive spirit of their communities.

For example, adjustments to the K-factor in ELO calculations have been made to mitigate the volatility of player ratings, providing a more stable progression of skill levels.

Moreover, the introduction of placement matches in games like ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Overwatch’ represents a significant improvement, allowing for a more accurate initial assessment of a player’s skill.

This innovation helps alleviate the frustration associated with ‘ELO hell’ by placing players more accurately from the outset.

In search of more nuanced alternatives, some developers have turned to systems like TrueSkill, which offers a sophisticated approach to evaluating individual contributions in team-based games.

TrueSkill’s ability to account for the uncertainty in player performance has made it a valuable tool for games on the Xbox Live platform and beyond.

Additionally, hybrid systems that incorporate a variety of metrics beyond simple win/loss outcomes are gaining traction.

These systems consider in-game performance, teamwork, and even player behavior to create a holistic view of a player’s skill level.

Such approaches not only aim to make matchmaking more precise but also encourage positive in-game behavior and teamwork.

Community-driven solutions and third-party tools also play a crucial role in this evolutionary process.

From alternative ranking ladders to matchmaking platforms, the gaming community has shown remarkable ingenuity in creating environments that foster competitive fairness and enjoyment.

As competitive gaming continues to grow, the pursuit of the perfect matchmaking system remains a dynamic and ongoing process.

The lessons learned from the ELO system’s limitations have sparked a wave of innovation, underscoring the gaming industry’s commitment to creating balanced, engaging, and fair competitive experiences for all players.

Practical Tips for Improving Your ELO Rating

Improving your ELO rating is a journey that requires patience, dedication, and a strategic approach.

Here are some practical tips to help you climb the competitive ladder more effectively:

Understand the System: Familiarize yourself with how the ELO rating system works in your specific game. Knowing the factors that affect your rating can help you focus on what’s important.
Focus on Self-Improvement: Concentrate on your own gameplay and decision-making. Review your matches to identify areas for improvement.
Set Realistic Goals: Aim for achievable milestones in your ELO journey. Setting realistic goals can help maintain motivation and track progress.
Learn from Higher-ELO Players: Watch streams or read guides from higher-rated players. Understanding their strategies and thought processes can provide valuable insights.
Consistency is Key: Regular play and practice are crucial. Consistency helps refine your skills and adapt to the evolving meta of the game.
Adapt and Overcome: Be flexible in your strategies and champion/character selections. Adapting to the current meta can give you an edge in matches.
Stay Positive and Resilient: Maintain a positive attitude, even in the face of losses. Resilience is essential for long-term improvement and climbing the ELO ladder.
Communicate Effectively: In team games, clear and positive communication can significantly impact your win rate. Work on being a team player.
Avoid Tilt: Learn to recognize when you’re tilting and take breaks as necessary. Playing while frustrated can lead to poor decisions and unnecessary losses.

By applying these tips, you can improve not only your ELO rating but also your overall gaming experience.

What is a good Elo rating?

A good Elo rating really depends on you as a player.

What may be a terrible Elo rating for you could be a great one from someone else’s point of view, and vice versa.

As I said, the Elo system is all about relative ability.

You are necessarily comparing yourself to other players of the game.

Let’s take chess as the example, since the exact same principle can be applied to virtually any video game.

The highest raing is between 2400 and 2599—this would be the most senior master chessplayer.

On the other hand, class A chess players would sit around 1800-1999.

These players are still in the top 10% or so of players, but they are quite far from the top talent.

So, what is a “good” Elo rating depends on what you’re happy with.

If you’re looking to compete in the top esports competitions, you’re going to need to be well into the 2000s.

If you’re happy to just enjoy the game, take whatever score you can get!

As we conclude our exploration of the ELO rating system, it’s clear that its journey from a method of ranking chess players to a cornerstone of competitive gaming reflects its adaptability and enduring significance.

While the system is not without its flaws, the continuous dialogue between players and developers around refining and improving competitive matchmaking underscores a shared commitment to fairness and growth.

The ELO system has undeniably shaped the competitive landscape, influencing not only how players perceive their own skill levels but also how communities form around the pursuit of excellence.

It’s a testament to the system’s design that, despite its complexities and challenges, it remains a fundamental part of competitive gaming, driving players to engage more deeply with the games they love.

Understanding one’s ELO rating goes beyond mere numbers; it’s about recognizing personal milestones, embracing the learning process, and appreciating the journey of improvement.

It encourages a mindset of resilience and continuous learning, qualities that extend far beyond the virtual arenas.

In embracing our ELO journeys, we participate in a larger narrative of self-improvement and community.

It’s a reminder that at the heart of competitive gaming lies not just the thrill of victory or the sting of defeat, but the shared experiences and growth that bind us as players.

As we look to the future, let’s continue to foster a gaming culture that values progress, inclusivity, and the joy of competition

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Founder - @PollyWebster

Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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