When queue times lie
by Zach Yonzon 
Apr 22nd 2008 at 5:00PM
Why does this happen? We're not entirely sure. I figure it's probably because there are no teams close to our bracket, but when that happens we usually get an estimated wait time of 'Unavailable'. That's when I know our night is going to be bad and filled with dueling outside of Orgrimmar in between queues. Because of the new matching system, which Drysc said they continually improve, teams are better matched than before. For some, this means longer wait times, although it also looks like they've allowed more concurrent matches for lower brackets. For 2v2, in particular, the most populated bracket, the wait times used to be excruciatingly long. This has changed drastically, which is a good thing. Matches are almost always instantaneous. Almost.
Sometimes, the estimated queue times are still way off. The problem with lying queue times is that it doesn't allow you to do anything in between. It's almost like waiting for the school bus while wanting to hit the loo. You don't want to go because you're thinking the bus will be arriving shortly. You wait and you wait until you finally decide you have time to do No.2, and when you're finally settled on that seat, the school bus honks its horn with your pants down. That's kind of how erroneous estimates are. It doesn't leave you free to do much. So, while I appreciate Blizzard's efforts at making our Arena queues better, I'm still WTB accurate estimates.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, PvP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt Apr 22nd 2008 5:06PM
It happened to me before one of my team mates told me he didnt have the queue. Once i successfully queued team again it was fine.
Damntheman Apr 22nd 2008 5:11PM
Are you really that stupid? If your wait time ever exceeds the estimated time by more than a minute or two just RE-QUEUE. sheesh
Silverrealm Apr 22nd 2008 5:20PM
More bothersome is a few times we have been prompted for two different BG's (I know this is about arenas). But it is kind of related.
I think 2.4 fuxed a few things with queue times and the likes.
Eternalpayn Apr 22nd 2008 5:22PM
The estimated queue time is just the average time that the last 10 players who got in had to wait. Let's say an AV just opened up, and there were 30 players in queue. Then it opens, and there are 10 spots left. The next 10 players won't wait at all. However, that leaves you, the next queuer, with no spots in said AV left. It might take another 15 minutes for someone to leave, or another round to end. That's why sometimes your queue time is a lot longer than the estimated.
Eternalpayn Apr 22nd 2008 5:23PM
Didn't see that this was about arenas, but I suppose the same concept still applies, all of the arena servers could be full, and they could all be 5 holy pallies vs 5 holy pallies. xD
Thijz Apr 23rd 2008 4:11AM
Finally someone who understands queue times. It says 'last 10 players.' That doesn't mean that you will get the same queue time!
Brandon Tilley Apr 22nd 2008 5:23PM
There is no "estimated queue time"; there is only the average for the last 10 people who entered that particular BG or arena queue--this is an important distinction.
Damntheman Apr 22nd 2008 5:47PM
For arenas there is very little distinction. How can you not realize that "something" has gone wrong? How stupid do you have to be to sit in an arena queue for 18 mins when the last 10 people had no wait? Do you think that all their matches have turned into 20 min battles, or maybe that no one else even remotely close to your rating has queued in your entire battlegroup? Delete this article please. I come to wowinsider for news; lately your reporting has taken a dive. Terrible opinion pieces and nubish garbage for advice.
Brandon Tilley Apr 22nd 2008 5:50PM
I came to this article to make a comment on the distinction on "estimated wait time" and "last 10 players average wait time." I did NOT say that there was nothing wrong, or that what is being experienced is normal; nor did I ask for your opinion of the article in a reply to my comment.
If the quality of the articles are truly that bad, in your opinion, then stop reading them; but seriously, stop being so childish as to as people "how could you be so stupid" in multiple comments.
Sean Apr 22nd 2008 7:09PM
..."where the queue times say that we'll have a match in less than a minute... then one minute passes and nothing comes up."
Did you even read the tooltip? That's the amount of time that the last 10 players waited. It is not at all necessarily tied to your wait time. If there are no people to play against you (for whatever reason), then you cannot get into an arena match.
Luis Apr 22nd 2008 5:51PM
.... This is because 1 or more team meabers are not in queue, so the game cannot start with 4 players.
The mos common reason its to "queue" to the next arena and one or more players are still on the old one (loading out or just watching the results table).
Tridus Apr 22nd 2008 6:15PM
As was mentioned, the estimate is based on the last 10 people. Things can change between them and you.
Besides, its an 'estimate'. Much like those relesae date estimates, it may or may not be completly wrong. Just one of those things in an unpredictable system.
Devin Apr 22nd 2008 10:10PM
Some previous people hit it on the head, it happened to me last night actually. One of the 5v5 members was in a battleground and did not receive the queue. Estimated time was like 10 seconds, and two minutes had gone by. He left the battleground, and we requeued, within 5 seconds the arena popped.
vildand Apr 22nd 2008 10:01PM
We sat in a queue for 8 minutes once where it said estimated less than a minute. Resigned and got an instant invite, so I guess it just bugs sometimes.
Kothmia Apr 23rd 2008 8:06AM
Like so many others have stated, I'll bet it wasn't so much a bug, as someone wasn't in the queue.
Sherp Apr 23rd 2008 1:56AM
Bravo for a vivid metaphor, sir. Well said.