Heh, I think that time has dulled the memories of some (peace--not implying anyone in particular). I came late to STW MP, after the MI 1.02 release, but even so, I do remember some extraordinary cockiness in regard to ladder scores from some folks--mainly the old-timer clannies from the "known" clans who had left for the most part but came back for a few games now and then. By 2003, the ladder was pretty much dismissed by the remaining regulars because of all the exploits. Very few played competitive games.

I remember some clannies coming back and beating up on newbs in comp games or playing against each other using throw-away alias accounts, just to try and up their comp score. Because it was so easy to cheat up your score, no one took it seriously anymore, and tended to laugh when someone put up a comp game. A high score usually just meant that the person figured out the exploits quicker than the rest and used them to effect. The real ability of a player was demonstrated on the battlefield, in battle. A high ladder score didn't mean much unless it was backed up with consistent observed skill in game.

I guess my point is, if there's going to be a ladder/competition mechanism, it will need to be very solid from the standpoint of not being easily exploited, or its worth will be very short-lived. If exploits exist, players will find them, which will render any rating system meaningless.