The Evolution of Tier Lists in Gaming Content Creation

The discussion begins with an introduction to tier lists, focusing on the reasons why people create them, the varying opinions on their usefulness, and the data-driven approach taken by the speakers to create tier lists for their audience.

As content creators, the speakers emphasize the importance of catering to their audience's expectations, which often include tier lists. They highlight the necessity of aligning content with audience preferences to maintain engagement and relevance in the entertainment industry.

The process of creating meta tier lists involves extensive research and preparation, taking a minimum of two hours for each list. The speakers delve into cross-referencing data from various sources like Warcraft logs, raider.io, and others to ensure accuracy and relevance in their tier lists.

Over the years, the speakers have refined their tier list creation process based on feedback and criticism received. They acknowledge the iterative nature of tier list creation, striving to address critiques and improve the accuracy and relevance of their lists.

The speakers discuss the challenges of ranking criteria in tier lists, highlighting the complexity of determining what makes a spec 'S tier' or 'F tier'. They emphasize the importance of considering multiple factors beyond just damage output, such as defensive synergy and group dynamics, in creating comprehensive tier lists.

The discussion revolves around the analysis of popular specs in Mythic keys, particularly focusing on Guardian Druid, Mage, Shadow Priest, and Holy Paladin. These specs were commonly seen clearing the highest level keys with no debate. The analysis involved comparing the number of kills, damage output, popularity, and likelihood of being chosen by Mythic teams. The goal was to create a more universal approach to tier lists that considered overall performance and weight within a group.

The speakers faced challenges in creating tier lists due to the personal attachment players had to their specs. Despite efforts to provide objective data and explanations for rankings, they received backlash and accusations of not understanding specific specs. The evolving meta, constant tuning, buffs, nerfs, and gear changes added complexity to the tier list creation process.

The speakers found it fascinating to witness how the meta of the game evolved over time. They enjoyed tracking changes in tier lists as the season progressed, observing shifts in player strategies, gear choices, and team compositions. The tier lists were not only a source of information for players but also a reflection of the dynamic nature of the game.

The speakers addressed accusations of misinformation regarding tier lists. They highlighted the transition from being accused of misinforming through guides to facing similar accusations in tier list creation. Despite providing data-driven rankings, they encountered criticism from players who disagreed with the placements. The speakers emphasized the objective nature of their analysis and the challenges of keeping up with the evolving game meta.

Tier lists in the last year featured only two or three out of a hundred that emphasized playing what you love and feel comfortable with. Despite this, many players still gravitate towards S-tier specs, leading to misconceptions and misinterpretations of the data presented.

Tier lists face challenges as viewers often skip to the rankings without understanding the context or explanations provided. This results in disagreements and value assignments based on personal experiences, leading to misconceptions and disagreements among the community.

Balancing tier lists can be challenging, especially when specs are well-balanced, leading to limited tiers. To create more interest, the least performing spec is placed at the bottom, and the most performing at the top, showcasing power relevance between each tier.

Despite efforts to provide informative and evolving content, players still base their decisions on tier lists, even when disclaimers and data are presented. Misinformation can arise from misinterpretation of data, but efforts are made to keep the information generalized and universal.

Tier lists are created to analyze data, track the performance of top players, and understand the evolving meta in games like World of Warcraft. Content creators use tier lists to engage with viewers interested in making decisions about their main characters or alternate characters based on the analysis provided.

Seasonal tier lists are valuable for players interested in understanding the changes in Mythic plus and Raid content. They provide insights into the evolution of each season, offering a detailed analysis that appeals to viewers who enjoy data-driven content.

Content creators rely on tier lists for monetization through YouTube revenue and clicks. While tier lists generate income, creators like to explore diverse topics beyond tier lists to cater to a wider audience. Despite accusations of misinformation, tier lists are subjective evaluations based on class redesigns, hero talents, and overall player experience.

The speaker addresses the misconception that their tier lists are meant to be objective assessments, emphasizing that they are subjective and based on personal gaming experiences. They highlight that not all players aim for optimal gameplay and that some prefer a casual approach. The tier lists are created based on personal perspectives and player enjoyment rather than data-driven analysis.

The speaker explains that the ranking of classes in tier lists is determined by how enjoyable a class is to play, emphasizing subjective player experiences over data-driven metrics. They stress the importance of fun and player engagement in evaluating class rankings, acknowledging that individual preferences play a significant role in tier list placements.

The speaker discusses the process of creating predictive tier lists based on PTR or beta data, acknowledging the potential for classes to be nerfed before the live game. They highlight that even if a class is nerfed due to balance issues, it does not diminish the design quality or enjoyment of playing that class. The speaker cites examples of specs being nerfed post-beta but still being well-designed and enjoyable to play.

The speaker mentions collaborating with theory crafters and class discords to ensure accuracy in class guides and tier lists. They emphasize the importance of consulting with knowledgeable community members to provide reliable information to their audience. Additionally, the speaker references a podcast called 'moast' where theory crafters discussed specs and the evolution of classes, showcasing their commitment to involving experts in their content creation process.

The speaker expresses respect for crafters they have worked with in the past, mentioning that some of them validated guides created by the speaker. However, they are disappointed to see these same crafters speaking negatively about the guides without engaging in open discussions or providing logical arguments.

The speaker emphasizes their willingness to accept criticism and feedback but requests that it be presented respectfully with logical arguments. They express a preference for open discussions rather than negative comments made in private.

The speaker clarifies that their guides are intended to be educational for the average player, not for min-maxing. They mention that the content is based on feedback and criticism from the community, and they always reference and recommend advanced guides for players seeking more in-depth information.

The speaker acknowledges the hard work and passion of community contributors who provide advanced information and guides for the game. They express appreciation for the dedication of these individuals who contribute out of their love for the game, highlighting the importance of their work.

The speaker recounts an incident where they received constructive criticism about their content, leading them to either revise or remove certain guides. They mention that these discussions were open and reasoned, reflecting a commitment to improving their content based on feedback.

The speaker discusses their efforts in the content creation space, highlighting a podcast where they invited prominent individuals like Windwalker Preservation Pro Warrior, Frost DEC, and others for in-depth discussions. They express respect for Theory Crafters and their work on class discords, aiming to showcase their efforts and collaborate with them.

The speaker emphasizes the inherent subjectivity in creating tier lists, noting that no list can be entirely accurate due to the impact of certain elements. They mention the difficulty in ranking specs precisely and the need to differentiate between them to avoid a monotonous A or B tier list. The speaker acknowledges the subjective nature of tier lists and anticipates future prediction and fun tier lists.