At PlayVS, we're committed to finding you an opponent at your scheduled match time. To reduce the number of forfeits and the impact forfeits have on other teams, we’ve developed the Smart Scheduler. Our goal with this new system is to allow teams to play during their originally scheduled match time as often as possible.
In Fall 2021, we used a Swiss Hybrid block scheduling system. The issues with the system were that teams who unenrolled in the middle of a block or season would adversely affect the remaining teams who showed up each week.
In Spring 2022, we moved to a week by week Swiss scheduling system and saw improvements, but we were not happy with the current match completion rates. The core issue was that we could see when teams received a forfeit, but we had no way to easily match teams who were forfeited against.
Our new system allows for Swiss scheduling to still take place, but allows for teams who lose an opponent to be re-matched on their original match day.
How Matchups Works
There are two ways your team can matchup with an opponent to compete against each week:
Automatically receive an opponent.
If you’ve never missed a game and you’re scheduled for a regular season match, the match time and opponent will remain as is.
Find your team an opponent in the Smart Scheduler Match Queue.
You must use the Smart Scheduler Match Queue for the following reasons:
If this is your very first game
If you didn’t attend the final Preseason week game
If you’ve forfeited your most recent match
If your opponent forfeits before your match time
If there are an odd number of teams slated to be scheduled
Important: The queue will close 30 minutes after your scheduled time. Please don’t leave the queue while you wait for the match to start as it may result in a forfeit for your team! Although the queue remains active, we still recommend that you remain on this page. If you need to leave the queue, please click "Leave Queue".
Use the Smart Scheduler to Find an Opponent
From your match lobby home page, your opponent may be grayed out with a timer and read “Opponent TBD”. To use the Smart Schedule and find an opponent for your team in the Match Queue, click the orange button, Find Opponent.
You will be taken to the Match Queue page. Once you’ve been added to the pool of teams seeking matchups, the Match Queue will appear as shown below, “Looking for a Team”.
The Match Queue is open for 10 minutes before match start time and 30 minutes after. Teams will be paired in 10 minute intervals. This may take a few tries so please be patient while we find you the best matchup!
If you don’t find an opponent, the search will continue in 10 minute intervals beginning at the match start time and show “Still Searching…”.
3. Once your opponent is found, the Match Queue will show “Opponent Found”.
4. Once your opponent is found, the coach, or whoever initiated the queue is redirected to that new match automatically. All team members will see the new opponent matchup on their schedule from the Match Lobby home page, like the example below.
5. If we do not find you an opponent after multiple attempts, in rare cases, we grant your team a “bye” win. In a “bye” case, we couldn't find you a match opponent and your team automatically wins the match, as shown below. If your team would still like to play after your automatic win, you can join our Scrimmage queue for fun!
Changelog:
09/02/22 // Added video guide Introducing: The Smart Scheduler - RG