Hello,
the reason that the testing area games generally don't count towards ladder points is because they are works in progress..
all of the other scenarios that come with the games are approved for ladder play as they are no longer works in progress.. but you'll note that each time you report a completed ladder game, there is an opportunity to rate the game's balance and playability..
It is recognized that many of the 'canned' scenarios are unbalanced.. usually on purpose because the AI severly lacks ability to play with any kind of applied intelligence...so when a scenario is designed with a suggestion as to which side the human should play.. you can be pretty sure that the game, if played by 2 humans, will favor one or the other..
the purpose of the H2H testing section is to draw upon the expertise of our gaming community to help develop PBEM scenarios. Only thru PBEM play testing can the scenarios be evaluated, improved, and then approved for official ladder play.
Pity is, that so few of our members are willing to invest the time needed to play test a scenario.. thus the offer to allow both testing players to garner some points for their much appreciated efforts..
most of the scenario designers are still acitve and are more than willing to improve playability and balance.. to only thing lacking most of the time is people to actually step to the plate and give the games a try..
doesn't matter if the test game is completed.. as the balance, or other needed improvements are often glaringingly obvious.. but without the test reports the author's ability for improving things is hindered..
Willing volunteers/victims :) are always appreciated..
Cheers! -
Greybeard