Dynamic Battle Level Matchmaking for Balanced Multiplayer Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiplayer online video games face challenges in matching players of varying experience levels and vehicle capabilities, leading to frustration and boredom due to uneven gameplay, as players with significantly different skill levels compete together.
Innovation Solution
A matchmaking system that assigns players to battle sessions based on a battle level table, determining permissible battle levels for each vehicle type and tier, and adjusts these levels dynamically based on the number of battles played, ensuring balanced and challenging matches by using a formula to calculate the current maximum permissible battle level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If players of varying experience levels and vehicle capabilities are matched together in battle sessions, then more players can participate in multiplayer games, but gameplay becomes uneven leading to frustration and boredom
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of battle level assignment dynamically based on vehicle tier and number of battles played. Instead of static matching, the battle level parameter is adjusted using a formula that considers vehicle tier (higher tier = higher battle level) and battle history (more battles = higher battle level), creating balanced matches while accommodating varying player quantities and experience levels.
2Device complexity
If a static battle level system is used for matchmaking, then implementation is simple, but players become bored or frustrated due to uneven gameplay experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The matchmaking system transitions from static to dynamic by continuously adjusting battle levels based on two factors: vehicle tier (inherent vehicle capability) and number of battles played (player experience). This dynamic adjustment ensures gameplay remains balanced and engaging without requiring complex manual intervention, as the system automatically adapts to player progression and vehicle selections.
3Reliability
If players are consistently challenged at appropriate difficulty levels, then player engagement is maintained, but the matchmaking system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages complexity by changing only one key parameter - the battle level - which is determined by a straightforward formula combining vehicle tier and battle count. This single parameter change approach maintains gameplay balance effectively while avoiding the need for complex multi-parameter matching algorithms, keeping the system relatively simple despite its dynamic nature.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for performing smart matchmaking in a massive multiplayer online game are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may include multiple types of vehicles, where each type of vehicle may progress through increasing tier levels. Different types of vehicles within the same tier may have different capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. When performing matchmaking for a game session, a matchmaking server may use a battle level table defining permissible tiers of each type of vehicle allowed within a particular battle level, and may also limit the number of a specific type of vehicle allowed in any one game session. The battle table may provide an advantage to premium vehicles by limiting the tiers of other vehicles against which a similarly tiered premium vehicle may compete. Battle level difficulty may be adjusted by adjusting the ranges of permissible vehicles in each battle level.