The Swiss System at ELEAGUE’s 2017 Major Raises Concerns
The Swiss opener of ELEAGUE’s 2017 Major has concluded, but the tough schedule faced by OpTic Gaming sparks doubts about the viability of the Swiss system without seeding.
Unpredictable Matchups and Variable Schedules
The ELEAGUE Major uses partial seeding in the first round, but all subsequent matchups are randomized within pools without repeating. This resulted in teams facing opponents of varying strengths. For example, G2 faced tough opponents like Astralis and Virtus.pro, while North qualified by defeating non-qualifying teams.
The Pitfalls of Randomization
The use of randomization in the Swiss system can lead to disproportionate schedules, making it difficult to determine the top-eight teams. A worst-case scenario simulation shows that stronger teams may not advance while weaker teams do.
The Role of Seeding in the Swiss System
In comparison, a fully seeded Swiss system without randomization ensures that the top eight teams advance. Even with upsets, seeding provides a fairer representation of team strength and rewards unexpected victories.