A compendium of beginners getting discouraged and confused by OGS's new accounts are 12k design

[Groin]

@saxmaam

First play a 12 kyu bot

@sharkpro

Having brand-new beginners get spanked by 12 kyus is borderline sadistic.

To have to play a bot makes it even worse to me.

Till now, the three entrance points seem to be an interesting evolution to avoid too large distortion. (According to this thread:)

Proposal: New users choose beginner/intermediate/advanced and drop ranked game restrictions

This proposal is two-fold: Redefine starting ranks for new users Allow all players to play ranked games with any opponent These could be done individually, but it seems useful to consider them in the same discussion. I’ve chatted with @anoek and he’s on board in principle. But, need to get some feedback from others on whether this will be the right end result! (and/or to bikeshed the details) 1. Redefine starting ranks for new users The existing system gives new users a starting rank of ~12…

Players will always be able to calibrate their rank then with bots (instead of humans) if they want to, and it’s not necessary to say “they have to”. I’m fine with top level bots but not with low level ones which play a uninspired and tasteless go.