Adaptive Matchmaking Criteria Adjustment for Online Gaming

The patent applies dynamics by making the matching criteria flexible and adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts the strictness of matching criteria based on real-time population conditions. When player population is high, the system maintains strict criteria for high match quality. When population is low, the system relaxes criteria to ensure matches are found within acceptable time frames, thus resolving the contradiction between match quality and match time.

The patent changes key parameters of the matching criteria based on population metrics. The system monitors population size and elapsed time, then adjusts parameters such as skill level range, game mode flexibility, and map preferences. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain high match quality when possible while ensuring matches occur within time limits during low population periods.

The patent applies partial action by selectively expanding the skill range only when necessary during low population periods. The system does not always use the full skill range expansion; instead, it adjusts the expansion degree based on how long players have been waiting and the current population level. This partial expansion maintains match success rate while minimizing quality degradation.

The system uses feedback from elapsed time measurements and population metrics to adjust the skill range expansion. When players have been waiting beyond a threshold time, the system receives feedback to expand criteria. Once matches are found and population increases, the feedback loop allows the system to tighten criteria again, thus balancing success rate and quality through continuous adaptation.