The Importance of a Ranking System

I've played many fps' (first person shooters) in my day. From Unreal tournament 2004 to Halo 4, the leaderboards have been a source of bragging rights among gamers of all ages. The common form of a leaderboard in fps' is often referred to as a "ranking system." Ranking systems, often beginning at 0 and ending anywhere from 50 to 80, provide an immediate comparison of skill among players. This instant proof of ability is what makes fps' so addicting. One of the mot satisfying feelings in gaming is to surpass a friends in rank. In my opinion, without a ranking system, first person shooters become boring within a month of release. Taking this into account, it makes no sense why fps' would be released without any from of number rank. In the absence of ranks, a players experience consists of nothing more than re-experiencing the same thing over and over. There is nothing keeping gamers addicted without a goal to strive for. Whilst achievements and challenges help, nothing compares to a ranking system. So, why would game developers do this? I have no idea. I believe the only way a game can be perfected is through input from the fans themselves. Unfortunately, most game companies are selfish and care about nothing more than the money they rake in from release day. The opinions about their games mean less to them than getting a job means to bums.