Asymmetric Matchmaking System for Low Concurrency Gaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming platforms face challenges in matching players during periods of low concurrency, leading to longer waiting times or unmatched players, especially when entry fees and payout rewards are not symmetric.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for matching players across multiple entry fee categories and payout rewards, which involves receiving matchmaking requests, identifying game and player IDs, computing potential matches based on game outcomes and entry amounts, and allowing asymmetric entry fees and payouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If players are matched based on symmetric entry fees only, then financial fairness is maintained, but matching efficiency deteriorates during low concurrency periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by allowing players with different entry fees to be matched together. Instead of requiring symmetric entry fees (both players paying the same amount), the system enables asymmetric financial arrangements where one player may pay a higher entry fee than the other, thereby improving matching efficiency during low concurrency periods while maintaining controlled financial fairness through the platform's oversight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the financial parameter from fixed symmetric entry fees to flexible asymmetric entry fees. By allowing the entry fee parameter to vary between matched players rather than requiring equality, the system can accommodate more matching scenarios and reduce waiting times while still ensuring fair gameplay through adjusted payout structures.
2Device complexity
If entry fees are kept uniform across all players, then simplicity is maintained, but player engagement deteriorates during low concurrency periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in entry fees to enhance player engagement. By allowing different entry fee levels, the system can attract players with varying skill levels and investment capacities, making the platform more adaptable to different player preferences and improving overall engagement during periods when player availability is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static uniform entry fees to dynamic flexible entry fees. The entry fee structure becomes adaptable, allowing players to choose or be assigned different fee levels based on their skill level, game type, and current matching conditions, thereby enhancing player engagement while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated calculations.
3Productivity
If asymmetric entry fees are allowed, then matching efficiency improves, but financial fairness becomes more complex to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms to manage the complexity of asymmetric financial arrangements. The system continuously monitors player performance, entry fees, and game outcomes, using this feedback to adjust payout structures and ensure financial fairness. This automated feedback loop handles the computational complexity of managing asymmetric fees, allowing high matching efficiency without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform acts as an intermediary that manages the financial complexity of asymmetric entry fees. By introducing this mediating layer, the system can handle the computational and administrative burden of calculating fair payouts for players with different entry fees, thereby enabling high matching efficiency while keeping financial management complexity contained within the platform's infrastructure rather than requiring complex player negotiations.
4Loss of time
If waiting time is reduced through faster matchmaking, then player engagement improves, but matching precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric matching criteria to reduce waiting time while maintaining match quality. By allowing matches between players with different entry fees and skill levels (rather than requiring strict symmetry), the system expands the pool of potential matches, enabling faster matchmaking without significantly compromising match quality, as long as basic compatibility criteria are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial matching criteria to achieve faster matchmaking. Instead of requiring all ideal matching conditions to be met (which would increase waiting time), the system satisfies the most critical criteria while being flexible on less important ones, thereby reducing waiting time while maintaining sufficient match quality for engaging gameplay.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosures of the present invention relate to a system and method of matching players intending to play a multiplayer online game. The system in the present invention matches players with asymmetric entry fee and payout amounts as well as also matching the players with different geographies, time zones and currencies. The system further employs skill based matchmaking to ensure fair play. Hence, the improved system and method is capable of matching players in online games with very low matchmaking times even during low concurrency periods.