Skill-Based Matchmaking Or :How I Learned To Stop Worrying

Recently, Skill-Based Matchmaking has been a controversial topic for gamers everywhere.

Some say it’s necessary while others demand its dissolvement in current games.

But what is the right answer, and is it something that should be left for 2025?

Skill-Based Matchmaking

The concept of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM), often referred to as Matchmaking Rating (MMR), has sparked debate. This system, which dates back to professional chess, has faced criticism in more recent times.

Essentially, Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) sets up game matches by evaluating the ability levels of participants. Interestingly, this concept originated in chess with the ELO system, where a higher ELO rating indicates a player should perform better against those with lower ratings.

In ranked matches, it’s the victorious players who gain ELO points from their less successful opponents. Additionally, every player begins with a basic ELO score, similar to League of Legends (1200), which is divided into tiers such as Iron, Bronze, and Silver, using skill-based matchmaking.

Initially, the system functioned quite well, but it has some flaws when applied to certain games. In the beginning, matches are even and equitable; however, over time, it can lead a player into an ELO purgatory known as “ELO hell.” For team-based games, if your ELO rating is low, you’ll often be paired with other underperforming players because of skill-based matchmaking.

As a gamer, I find myself often frustrated by the ELO system because it seems to value only whether I win or lose, disregarding my individual performance. If my team falters and we end up losing the game despite my impressive 30-0 K/D ratio, it all counts for naught – a tough pill to swallow indeed.

Additionally, although the advancement is evident, it fosters a rather disheartening perspective focused solely on the end result. This can lead certain gamers to experience psychological decline as they fail to observe improvements in their ELO score, and some players’ skills may even plateau, unable to progress further.

Although it has its downsides, at least it’s open with how it works, unlike others.

Tekken It Too Far

I personally prefer Tekken’s skill-based matchmaking system, known as Tekken Prowess. This system evaluates your ability and boosts your score based on your rank and the variety of characters you play. While a player may have a higher rank at Kishin, someone who uses multiple fighters in ranked matches could potentially have a greater prowess than them.

Despite promoting matches between more skilled players, it comes with its challenges. When you try out a new character for the first time, having elevated prowess can be detrimental, as you’ll often find yourself up against opponents who are equally skilled and have mastered their main characters. This skill-based matchmaking system tends to pair you with players of similar high prowess levels.

Additionally, delays tend to increase while the system for fair matchups according to player skills is processing. While it’s not overly frustrating, it does subtly dissuade you from trying out new combatants. Instead, players often opt to stick with their preferred characters since the matchmaking doesn’t specifically consider individual fighters.

But another aspect is how skill-based matchmaking affects casual play as a whole.

Skill-Based Matchmaking on the Motorway

It’s often the case that the most significant criticism towards the SBMM system is predominantly voiced by Call of Duty players, with those from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 being particularly vocal about their concerns.

Initially, the apparent system for pairing players is primarily dependent on their levels. This setup seems reasonable because it’s logical. However, there’s another less obvious factor at play: a dynamic one that adjusts based on performance in matches.

Additionally, Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) extends to casual multiplayer games too. Consequently, top-tier players often find themselves competing against other skilled players in rapid succession. This has been a source of frustration for some gamers, as they anticipate a lighthearted 5-minute gaming session but instead encounter another intense match.

However, it’s also true that some players prefer ‘bot’ matches because they allow them to capture impressive “MLG” no-scope clips for their social media platforms.

It’s understandable that there are pros and cons to the concept of skill-based matchmaking, but it’s undeniable that players find the lack of clarity surrounding this system the most aggravating aspect.

In addition, when considering more relaxed play, regardless of the game, a less stringent skill-based matchmaking system is preferred. While it’s important to group players with comparable skill levels in servers, the primary focus should be on speed – prioritizing faster lobbies over ones that are carefully moderated for efficiency.

Leave the heavy lifting for ranked modes where people want that.

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2025-01-08 20:00