Ranks: Do Pretty Numbers Dictate your Decisions?

One thing I hear sometimes is "Let's play something ranked!" or "Let's play something unranked!" The only problem I have with this statement is that all playlists are ranked to match you up with equally experienced players of that playlist. This is to make it so that it is challenging to play the game! The only two differences between ranked and unranked is that one allows guests and doesn't show the pretty numbers.

So, if there's no guests in the party, then that would mean that someone wants to play a certain playlist based on whether they can see the sweet-lookin' number next to the Gamertags or not. My opinion on this is that it shouldn't be about whether you can see a number next to your name or not, it should be about which playlists have the gametypes you wanna play. If you want to play snipers, play "Team Snipers", don't let the fact that the number appears next to your name stop ya!

The numbers will mean nothing 10, 5, and even 1 year from now. You can't put it on your resume, and unfortunately they don't impress girls. The numbers are for our enjoyment though. I might consider attempting to get at least rank 15 in every "shownnumber" playlist this Christmas Break.It's okay to get excited when the number goes higher, but just remember to have a great time as you play, ranked or not.

Bad Reason(s) to play a certain playlist:

1. It shows/doesn't show the number!

Good reasons to play a certain playlist

1. The amount of people in our party matches the number of players per team
   
2. The gametypes we want to play are in this playlist
   
3. We can't find a match fast enough in a certain playlist so we're switching the playlist
   
4. The gametypes of this playlist are similar to a LAN tournament/party I'm planning to go to and I wanna be ready!
   
5. I've had lots of good experiences in this playlist in the past

In conclusion, don't let ranks be your master.

I wish you good games in whatever playlists you choose to play this week, whatever the reason!