Activision’s recent patent for using matchmaking systems to drive microtransaction sales raised an interesting side-discussion - the importance of great matchmaking. From the sound of Activision’s patent, its happen to let quality game balancing fall down the crapper in exchange for a more effective method of selling you premium guns.
I’m sure most of us can agree, from a competitive point of view, matchmaking is sacrosanct. If you want a game to be taken seriously, you don’t mess around with game balance in an effort to shift microtransactions. The generally accepted functions of matchmaking are to provide an evenly balanced match between two competitive teams, preferably with the lowest latency possible. Matching a bad player with a veteran for the sake of a cheap sale throws this right out of whack. Ultimately though, does it even matter?
Felix isn’t so sure. I was chatting to him and he can see merit in moving away from traditional matchmaking. His argument is that it can be fun to go up against a terrible team or play, absolutely steamrolling them in the process.
That’s one way of thinking, but if there’s a surefire way to make an online game get old, real fast, it’s in providing the player with a stream of matches that are too easy or too hard. No one wants to face the crushing disappointment of defeat, time and again. Nor, surely, do they want to feel like they’re turning up to a pre-school for a kickabout and thumping in shots repeatedly off a toddler’s face. Or maybe you do, I’m certainly interested to find out.
I do just think there’s a sanctity to matchmaking that breeds long-term player. The closer I am to a 1.0 win rate in any game, the better the job the matchmaking is doing. Winning 50% of my matches seems like a fair deal, as well as consistently placing me against players that will help me gradually improve my play, rather than constantly batter me into submission.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to every game. For the most part I love the balanced games Rocket League and Siege can provide me, but I’m really not too fussed what goes on behind the scenes during a Conquest map on Battlefield 1. The individual impact of one player can be comparatively small in this scenario, so it doesn’t horrendously upset the balance to throw in a first-timer with a squad of crack shots.
So, the big question, how important are quality matchmaking services to you? Do you prefer to just go on endless win streaks? Or are you after the challenge that can only come from facing similarly skilled enemies? Let us know your thoughts!
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PC Specs
Is water wet?
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sorry but that is the stupidest question I've heard in a while.
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It's very important but unfortunately it hardly ever works the right way, especially with people abusing the system. As Jon stated in Rocket League and Siege it can sometimes be VERY off. Rocket League a gold 1 and gold 3 will go up against a plat 2 and copper 2 i mean come on that's 2 division difference. In Siege its diamonds playing with bronze to go up against golds and silvers its a load of garbage.
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I don't play that many multiplayer games anymore, but fairness is something that I will always support.
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I don't get it - this system was already played out by so many free MMOs for the past -8 years and no matter how good the game was, this in-balance ruined the game and it never lasted long - I mean, if anything, at least you could say "well, its a free game, it can't be perfect".
I can't think of what the excuse could be now though...
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I got sick of baby sitting a bunch of douche bags calling me a thrower for playing Genji and then throwing the match so they can flame me in chat while I go on and pick up three gold medals with a 40-5 k\d just so I can lose the match SR. So yeah, I'd say good matchmaking is extremely important.
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Given the choice between matchmaking and a server browser, I'll pick the server browser every time. Otherwise, yes, fair matchmaking is important. Activision's idea to rig matchmaking in the favor of people who pay more is scummy as hell.
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Absolutely. Recently bought Battlefield 1 and the games where you're losing or winning by miles are just boring. The ones where each team is within 20 points of each other at the end are so much more exciting
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Reminds me of old mm in wot. Tier 5s vs tier 10s now that was the good old days where you try to see how long you van survive.
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if a game is unbalanced its not even fun. of corse its very important
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Why is this even a question?
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All i just want is normal team mates on dota 2 without flame from picks and just to have fun.
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the thing is that if it's normal game then it's fine anyone can pick whatever they want and have fun but for ranked games i think there should be at least fixed rolles just having equal MMR isn't enough
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you noob. report now. jajajajajajaja
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Yes. I don't want to feel like Luigi Cadorna when playing games and get defeated 11 times in a row because of ****ty matchmaking and superior opponents.
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It's not acceptable even in casual mode for me. Imagine if Activision come out and say "No worries! matchmaking gonna be fair in competitive mode!". Then casual mode gonna ended up useless teaching new players to play in competitive levels.
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Nah... i just love to be ass humped by a bunch of top lvl players with 5 x prestige rank and top gear that costs like 300 pounds.
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those gear costs are rookie numbers u need to pump them up! :D
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If the game has a competitive nature and skill rating like csgo then yes, otherwise I would prefer random.
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u ****ing kidding me right ?
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It's sad that this is an actual topic because of Activision :/
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It feels better when you have sort of a "rivalry" with an enemy then when you dominate somebody weaker or getting dominated. Going back and forth in matches is always fun.
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Yes I hate being against much weaker players than me as it feels worse than bots.
Though to me it's more important for the game to function properly and NOT to have cheaters... I felt like saying that, because you are using R6:Siege picture as a header and that game is broken as balls.