Recently, a player discovered a way to obtain Hidden Skill Rating data in Black Ops 6, which can help us gain deeper understanding of our performance in the game. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to uncover your skill ranking and what it means for your gaming experience.
Hidden skill rating is a measure of your performance in multiplayer matches, tracked by the game's matchmaking algorithm. While players can typically see stats like elimination/death ratio (E/D), this specific ranking has remained behind the scenes—until now.
Activision provides an option for players to request their personal data, which includes match history and skill ratings. Follow these steps to retrieve your data:
1. Visit the Activision Website:
Go to Activision's official [data request page].
2. Submit a Data Request:
- Select "Access My Personal Information" as the request type.
- Log into your Call of Duty account (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox, or Battle.net).
3. Wait for Processing:
It typically takes about 24 hours to receive your data.
4. Download and Analyze:
The data will arrive in an HTML file format. Import it into Google Sheets or Excel for easy analysis.
Your data will contain detailed match histories since Call of Duty: Vanguard. It includes:
- Match results
- Skill rating trends
- Personal statistics like E/D ratio
Note: The data also includes sensitive information such as IP addresses. Be cautious and keep it private.
Your skill rating represents your overall performance and adapts based on recent matches. Here are a few observations:
- Fluctuations Over Time: Your rating adjusts gradually based on consistent performance rather than individual matches.
- Influence of Opponent Skill: High-skilled opponents can raise your rating even with moderate performance, while easier lobbies may lower it if you underperform.
- Rolling Average: The system calculates your rating using a rolling average, meaning sudden spikes or drops are rare.
One of the most intriguing parts of the data is the "Skill" stat, which reflects your hidden performance ranking. However, it comes with its own set of limitations:
The "Skill" stat is not a measure of lobby difficulty but rather a personal ranking based on your performance over time. It tracks how well you perform relative to expectations, adapting as you play more matches.
1. No Context for Lobby Difficulty:
The stat only tracks your personal performance. Without data on the skill level of your opponents, it's challenging to draw deeper insights into matchmaking.
2. Fluctuations and Rolling Averages:
- Performance anomalies, such as intentionally leaving matches or experimenting with different playstyles, can temporarily impact your rating.
- The stat adjusts slowly, smoothing out short-term changes to reflect a rolling average of your recent gameplay.
3. Sudden Adjustments:
- After consistent good performance, your rating may spike significantly in a single match, even if the match itself wasn't extraordinary.
- Conversely, poor performance over several matches can gradually pull your rating down, reflecting long-term trends.
4. No Universal Benchmarks:
- The lack of community benchmarks makes it hard to determine what constitutes a "good" or "bad" skill rating. For example, ratings might vary widely, with some players hovering around 300-400 and others reaching higher peaks.
Without access to opponent skill levels or lobby data, the "Skill" stat only provides part of the picture. It can help you track personal improvement but doesn't fully explain how matchmaking or lobby balancing impacts your experience.