about 1v1 matchmaking activity

1v1 matchmaking

When I'm on a ZK binge, I usually stick to TAW or palladium, but went trying the 1v1 mm and...it's empty. ZK server, 100 online, 1 in queue (me), and it can stay that way for an hour.

A few weeks ago I saw some activity from the top 10, but not this week. Sometimes the few battles I get are against underrated people (like an orange/yellow that plays like a blue).

So, why do you think so few people play the 1v1 mm? What could be done to improve the situation?

I mean, I usually get annoyed by being matched in 1v1 because I sit there in queue while programming.
And then suddenly I get matched in Zero-K which prevents me from programming.
How rude!

I also often sit in the queue while waiting in another lobby or spectating a game.

another thing that could be done is change how the rating changes and handicap system works when large rating differences exist.

there could be be a "lowered stakes mode" with reduced win/loss rating changes.

handicap matches could go from up to +25% (?) bonus and noelo=1 to up to +15% and lowered stakes mode on.

btw casual matches could also enable "lowered stakes mode" by default, or specifically on 1v1 with large rating differences (indirectly this could push skilled people trying to rank fast in duels to the 1v1 MM which is more suitable).