Matchmaking Problems - 90% Bots
This is a real problem with Battlefield Matchmaking. I'm from the Asia Pacific region and with Cross play ON and 'All out warfare' (which includes all maps and most of the game modes) this is how the game starts, with 5 or 6 players. Region specific issue or not, This is a real issue that affects thousands of players.
Through the game the number of players increase to about 50% and after it ends, match making starts again with 5-6 players, fill with bots.
Even by luck if you get into a game where there are 60-70% players, it lasts only for that match. As soon as it ends you are again starting with 2/3 players. What's the point in bringing them together only to throw away after a match.
I know there are a lot more players in my region (even my friends are playing) but Matchmaking doesnt put me in those servers. Server Browser might be the solution.
I did not have this problem with PS4 only players on Battlefield 5 with server browser.
I did not have this problem with Xbox 360 only players on Battlefield 3 and 4 with server browser.
Server browser helped in making the game time fun. Meeting new people in your squad and then they stayed there through out the session. After 2/3 rounds you can predict their play style and adapt. They may not be your friends but they are not strangers either which is very important for a squad based game like BF. With matchmaking, im always playing with strangers.
EA might have a good idea with Matchmaking but it's important to know when it doesn't work. It is creating more problem that it solves. Check metrics like lobby exits% before match starts and no of match exits where the player starts searching for new matches immediately. These are people who didn't like what matchmaking did. You are at the mercy of randomness to find a good match.