How Do Rankings Work in The Video Game Industry?

When we discuss rankings in the video game industry, the term 'ranking' can refer to different things, depending on the specific area of video gaming to which it applies.  There are rankings in terms of suitability and excellence of products for at-home gaming and 'amateur' gaming, as well as position and ability rankings for eSports, and a whole gamut of rankings for gaming at online casinos. 

However, the purpose of rankings for everything other than competitive gaming is to guide players in finding the game, platform, casino, or streaming service that fits their style of play. With thousands of options, people need to cut through the noise and find what they are looking for. Without rankings, ratings and reviews,  most people could waste a good deal of time (and money) exploring games and platforms that are not suitable for them.

Competitive Gaming

eSports have developed the Elo-based system to rank players in games like CS: GO, Overwatch and League of Legends to rank players based on their performance across a range of matches. The algorithm behind the system updates the players' rankings after every match is played. However, it is not just about win or lose. The system also takes into account the opponent's ranking (and, therefore, skill) and the player's individual performance within the game. This kind of ranking is similar to that which you find in many other sports like tennis or darts. Its purpose is to create a league table of top (and bottom) players. 

It can be used to allow players to advance into elite competitions or calculate earnings or prizes. It keeps a tally over a period of time (the playing season) to establish which competitors are at their peak in a particular game, across a wide range of games or in a country, region or globally. 

Casino Game rankings

There are many types of casino and gambling games. Like non-gambling video games, there are many different genres and titles available. From online slots to poker simulations and live dealer blackjack to video craps, there really is something for everyone when it comes to online gambling in Canada. As people play for real money and risk their hard-earned cash, they need to know that the sites they are playing at are not only fun but also safe and reputable. Therefore, review sites like Casino.org have been established to help people find what they are looking for, whether it is a new online casino or an established market player.

For rankings and ratings to be meaningful, they must be based on data rather than personal opinion or whim. The experts at Casino.org follow a real-time data-driven review process which has been established over two decades to rank online casinos based on:

• Security
• Welcome bonuses
• Regular promotions
• Game variety
• Mobile experience
• Payment options
• Customer Support

Based on these factors, online casinos are assigned an overall rating, and sites are then recommended. As with player rankings for eSports, the top list constantly changes, as sites are regularly rechecked and re-ranked. If an online casino makes improvements, readers will see an adjusted score to reflect the changes.

Online casino rankings are also there to let iGamers know which sites to steer clear of. Not only do dodgy sites appear at the bottom of any rankings, but they are also highlighted in red to ensure that no one accidentally finds themselves playing on them.

Video game classifications and rankings

The purpose of game rankings is to ensure that players find games that they love and are suitable for their age. Video game rankings are more akin to film classifications as, in theory, anyone can play these games. Gambling games have age appropriateness inbuilt as you have to be able to prove your age to register to play. Video games, on the other hand, can be appealing to young children, teens, young adults and older people. It is essential to be able to differentiate games easily to ensure inappropriate content is not available to younger players.

While age classification can be regarded as a form of censorship, it is there to protect younger players. The film industry, before the introduction of age classification, required that the content of films be suitable for everyone. This meant, for example, that in any bedroom scenes, the actors always had to have at least 'one foot on the floor', and lovers were never allowed to be horizontal. 

When video games were developed, it was realized that adopting classifications meant that older players could enjoy the adult content of games like GTA V, which involves depictions of drug use, nudity, killings, gore and gratuitous violence. On the other hand, parents can buy games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Animal Crossing or Minecraft safe in the knowledge that they are suitable for younger children.

However, just because a game is suitable for younger children does not mean that it will not be enjoyable for people of all ages. The rankings are not age-exclusive but rather intended to serve as a guide for purchasers and players. Games are ranked according to suitability and have a visual symbol for easy identification. The Entertainment Software Rating Board rankings are as follows:

• Early Childhood/EC - these games are primarily intended for 3 to 5-year-olds
• Everyone (E) (this used to be Kids to Adults) – games with this ranking are (as the wording suggests) suitable for everyone
• Everyone 10+ (E10+) – games that will be enjoyed by anyone aged 10 or over
• Teen (T) – these are for slightly older kids, and the intended age group is 13+
• Mature (M) rated games are suitable for everyone over 17
• Adults Only 18+ (AO) have content that makes them only suitable for an adult audience.
• Rating Pending (RP) are games that, for whatever reason, have yet to receive an official rating.

Navigating a crowded marketplace

In conclusion, rankings have various uses and are not a 'one size fits all' form of classification. They can be used to identify skilled players, track progress, provide consumers with purchasing guidance, and determine the best places for iGamers to spend their money.  Video games are also ranked on content, production values, narrative, playability and originality. The purpose of these kinds of rankings is to help gamers navigate a crowded marketplace.