Unbounded Gameplay Session Dynamic Matchmaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multiplayer video games face challenges such as waiting for sufficient players, potential mismatches in player skill or connection quality, and social pressure to avoid quitting mid-session, leading to suboptimal gameplay experiences.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an unbounded gameplay session (UGS) system that allows continuous gameplay initiated by matched players, with the ability for new players to join and existing players to leave or rejoin at any time, until a minimum number of players remain, along with dynamic matchmaking and scoring mechanisms that account for time-based performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If players wait for sufficient players to form a complete group before starting a gameplay session, then matchmaking quality improves, but player waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts group composition during gameplay, allowing players to join or leave an unbounded gameplay session at any time. The host computer continuously updates the player group to maintain a minimum threshold for gameplay continuity, transforming the static pre-matchmaking process into a dynamic in-game adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The host computer initiates an unbounded gameplay session with a partial group of players before all desired players are available. This preliminary action allows gameplay to start immediately, with subsequent players joining dynamically, thereby eliminating waiting time while maintaining eventual group quality.
2Productivity
If players are quickly matched to reduce waiting time, then player engagement improves, but matchmaking accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic player group adjustments during the unbounded gameplay session, allowing the host computer to add or remove players based on current gameplay conditions and player performance. This dynamic approach enables quick session initiation while maintaining matchmaking quality through ongoing optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of group composition from fixed (pre-determined before session start) to variable (adjustable during session). The host computer monitors gameplay parameters and adjusts player group membership to optimize matchmaking quality without delaying session initiation.
3Reliability
If players are forced to complete a bounded gameplay session to maintain fairness, then team balance is preserved, but player flexibility and enjoyment decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic player entry and exit during the unbounded gameplay session while maintaining team balance through continuous adjustments. When players leave, the host computer can add new players or redistribute roles to maintain fairness, eliminating the need for forced completion while preserving team balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The unbounded gameplay session continues indefinitely until the host computer determines termination is necessary, allowing players to join and leave at any time without forcing completion. This continuous action maintains player flexibility and enjoyment while the host computer ensures team balance through ongoing management.
4Ease of operation
If an unbounded gameplay session allows free entry and exit, then player flexibility improves, but maintaining fair scoring becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The scoring mechanism incorporates continuous feedback from the host computer that monitors player participation time, performance metrics, and contribution to the team. This feedback system dynamically adjusts scores to account for varying participation durations, maintaining fairness despite the unbounded nature of the session and player flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The scoring system changes from fixed time-based scoring to variable parameter scoring that considers multiple factors including participation duration, player performance, and team contribution. The host computer adjusts scoring parameters dynamically to maintain fairness across players with different session lengths and roles.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for continuous gameplay in a multiplayer video game through an unbounded gameplay session. Players may join, exit, and later rejoin a given unbounded gameplay session at any time. A given unbounded gameplay session may therefore continue indefinitely so long as at least one player wishes to continue to gameplay. To facilitate an unbounded gameplay session, the system may score players using time-based or other parameters in a manner that is fair to players who have been playing in the unbounded gameplay session longer than other players.