ChatGPT Assists in Solving Online Gaming Matchmaking Puzzle

Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter, Deadlock, recently overhauled its matchmaking system, thanks to a developer's innovative use of ChatGPT. A Valve engineer, Fletcher Dunn, revealed on Twitter (now X) that he leveraged ChatGPT to identify the Hungarian algorithm as the optimal solution for Deadlock's matchmaking challenges.

Addressing Player Concerns

Deadlock's previous MMR-based matchmaking had drawn significant criticism from players. Reddit threads highlighted frustrations with consistently facing highly skilled opponents while being matched with less experienced teammates. Players voiced concerns about the perceived imbalance and the lack of consideration for player experience levels.

Responding to this feedback, the Deadlock team acknowledged the shortcomings of the existing system and announced a complete matchmaking overhaul. Dunn's use of ChatGPT, as he stated, proved instrumental in finding a suitable algorithm.

ChatGPT's Role in Development

Dunn enthusiastically shared his experience with ChatGPT, highlighting its increasing utility in his workflow. He even dedicated a Chrome tab solely to the AI chatbot, emphasizing its significant contribution to his development process. While celebrating this success, Dunn also acknowledged the potential downsides of relying heavily on AI, including the reduction of human interaction and collaboration. This sparked a debate on social media regarding AI's role in software development and the potential displacement of human programmers.

How the Algorithm Works

Matchmaking algorithms, like those used in search engines, utilize parameters and rules to sort data. In Deadlock's context, the Hungarian algorithm, as recommended by ChatGPT, addresses a specific scenario where only one side (e.g., a player's team) has preferences. This allows the algorithm to find the most suitable match within a bipartite (two-party) matching system.

Mixed Reactions

Despite the improvements, some Deadlock players remain unhappy with the matchmaking system's performance, expressing their frustration on social media. Some comments directly linked the recent matchmaking issues to Dunn's use of ChatGPT.

Despite the negative feedback, Game8 remains optimistic about Deadlock's potential. Further details on the game and its playtest can be found in a separate article (link omitted for this response).