Microsoft has come up with a new algorithmic/logarithmic/statistical system called "TrueSkill" to rank players on the newly enhanced Xbox Live 360 gaming service. TrueSkill relies on Bayesian inference to rank players, and enlists all sorts of bell-curves, means, and standard deviations which will cause rejoicing among the math geeks out there. A research paper on the Microsoft Web site gives a far more comprehensive insight. Meanwhile, while we're on the topic of Xbox, Microsoft is projecting that it will sell as many as three million Xbox 360 consoles in the first three months after launching the newest version of the console later this month.
|