I've implemented an Elo rating system in a game. There is no limit for the number players. Players can join the game constantly so the number of players probably rises gradually.

How the Elo values are exactly calculated isn't important because of this fact: If team A beats team B then A's Elo win equals B's Elo loss.

Hence I've got a problem concerning the starting values for my rating system:

• Should I use the starting value "0" for every player? The sum of all Elo values would be constant. But since the number of players is increasing there would be some kind of Elo deflation, wouldn't it?
• Should I use any starting value greater than 0? In this case, the sum of all Elo values would constantly increase. So there could be an Elo inflation. The problem: Elo points lose value but the starting value keeps always the same.

What should I do? Can you help me? Thanks in advance!