The official Matchmaking blog post
Here’s the most awaited blog post about matchmaking https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/news/matchmaking-2023
Forum Discussion
@Axs5626Sxa5001 wrote:“We don’t purposefully put you in harder matches to slow you down if you’re winning a lot, nor do we intentionally put you in easier matches because you’re on a losing streak.”
By designing their “dynamic matchmaking rating system” that is LITERALLY EXACTLY what they do. They 100% punish people for doing well, even in one single game. The algorithm reads your 3 kill 1st place win and the next game you are playing with people significantly above your skill level.
The post isn't saying this doesn't happen, it's saying they aren't intentionally throwing all matchmaking out the door and forcing players to match with harder players because they win a couple games. They are showing the system is designed to give the player a harder match as they get more confident and play better. We both know that in a set play session, playing for 2-3 hours you get better as you play... the systems design intentionally accounts for your increase in skill based on the information it's being given
This being said, I personally have no problem with this design, the issue at hand is one they have seemed to identify, the level or "bucket" in which you change could drastically effect who you are placed with... For instance lets say you finish a session in bucket 3, you've lost 3 games so your skill rating goes down.... next day you come back win your first game because you are feeling more confident.... now you've moved from bucket 3 to 4 because you were right on the edge last night, inherently putting you with way higher skill players, causing you to get slaughtered and question your entire reason for playing, but this then lowers you back into bucket 3. The systems design flaw is obviously going to be located at the edge of "buckets" because players can move between these based on winning and losing a couple games, where as players in the middle will see slower moments by inherently being further from the edge of the buckets
All said though, among many, major flaws in this system is definitely not enough buckets, the change from bucket 3 to 4 should show a skill change from gold 2 to 3, not gold 2 to diamond 1, in which the system does now. I agree totally that I can win a game or two and go from players below to right at my skill to preds it feels like, in fact it happens so often friends and I make fun of it....
Overall I am really impressed someone even took on trying to explain a complicated topic to an average crowd. Most will never see the post and out of those who do, statistically 20% will actually understand it what is being talked about.
@Rumpel1028 What level of player are you? Axsnumbers is a masters level player. At that level the MM doesn't really fluctuate very much. It takes a lot longer to get put into an easier bucket.
For me, as an average player, I see the fluctuations and agree with you.
I also agree the blog did a great job explaining a very complex subject in simple terms.
For me, as an average player, I see the fluctuations and agree with you.
I also agree the blog did a great job explaining a very complex subject in simple terms.
All I know, is that the current system doesn’t work, although the break down is appreciated, I want a fair end result, that’s all that matters to me as a player/consumer.
I’ve shared numerous screenshots of my SBMM on here, top 100 pred opponents, 3 man pred premades, or the complete opposite being matched with silver/gold players while being P1.
Just do what you have to do, and give me a fair gaming experience.
Awful mm today. I'm being put on bot teams 8/10, and sus enemies a couple of times too. I'm spending more time afc than playing. Might as well jump on Star Trek then.
As I said...
- @Gabrielmojo26 I'm scared that ranked players are not going to get that. To me ranked should be the easiest MM. Same rank with maybe allowances for a couple small rungs up or down for premades. To me the article seemed indicate this is not the plan.
To me the article seemed to be improvements to pubs. More brackets, keeping people closer to their proper bracket so you don't get a skill 8 with a skill 2 like we all know happens now, which they admitted.@hayhor Yes, but what seems strait forward is not always that. I am a system designer personally, so I know for a fact that saying something is easy isn't always the case. It's really easy to say "well just do this" than it is to actually implement it that solution. There are many many variables to take into account that they probably aren't even mentioning in the post, and probably even more we've never thought about. Just reading this short post made me, someone who already designs systems, realize there is more to MM than I even realized.
