Apparently editing my first post is not possible... so... as a followup:
Thanks for the suggestions and alternatives. It seems many people agree that the current rematching system is a problem and that there are various ways to fix it. That being said... multiple people have also told me, via this thread and Steam, that emailing Muse is the best way to get their attention. I find that odd, considering we're on their forum, but whatever. So! Here's a potential template email "petition" we can all copy, paste and send to them at feedback@musegames.com :
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Title: Please change the GOI rematching system
Dear Muse,
I, [YOUR NAME OR HANDLE], along with other dedicated players of Guns of Icarus Online, am experiencing difficulties and frustration with the current method of rematching completed matches. The current system asks players to vote for a rematch by checking a box. Many players do not clearly understand what happens when they click the rematch check box or do not realize the importance of voting. Many good matches are thrown back into the search queue because of misunderstanding and negligence, failing to pass a rematch vote by one player. Many bad matches would become good, balanced matches if the rematch vote passed and scrambled the teams' ship rosters. A thread is active on your forum under Feedback and Suggestions which proposes the following ideas:
1. Clarify that voting for a rematch will scramble what ships are on each team for the next match.
2. Make the check box to vote for a rematch marked by default to passively keep lobbies together and players playing the game, allowing those players to stick with the fellows they've gained experience with and from, resulting in player retention and community growth.
3. Alternatively to point #2, change the voting system to make players actively vote against a rematch, resulting in players being sent back to the queue in an active manner, rather than passively. As above, this will result in players sticking with the fellows they've gained experience with and from and encourage player retention and community growth.
4. Allow a separate option to vote for a rematch with the same team compositions, resulting in a "true" rematch.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to receiving your reply.
[YOUR NAME HERE]
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Sound good? If so, I'll email this tomorrow and I hope you all do too!
Jamison