ChatGPT Aids Dev in Breaking Matchmaking Code Gridlock

Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter, Deadlock, recently overhauled its matchmaking system, leveraging the power of ChatGPT. A Valve engineer, Fletcher Dunn, publicly shared his experience using the AI chatbot to identify the Hungarian algorithm as the optimal solution.

Deadlock's Matchmaking: From Criticism to ChatGPT Solution

Deadlock's previous MMR-based matchmaking faced significant player backlash. Reddit threads and in-game discussions highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with unbalanced matches, often pitting experienced players against less skilled teammates. Players consistently reported feeling mismatched, with uneven skill levels between teams.

(c) r/DeadlockTheGame

Acknowledging these concerns, the Deadlock team committed to a complete matchmaking system rewrite. Dunn's use of ChatGPT expedited this process, leading to the implementation of the Hungarian algorithm. He enthusiastically documented his success on Twitter (X), highlighting ChatGPT's increasing utility in his workflow. While celebrating this achievement, Dunn also acknowledged the potential downsides of relying on AI, including the reduction of human interaction and collaboration.

Concerns remain, however, with some players attributing recent matchmaking issues directly to the ChatGPT-assisted changes. Negative feedback continues, highlighting the ongoing challenges in delivering a balanced and satisfying player experience.

The Hungarian algorithm, as recommended by ChatGPT, addresses a specific matchmaking challenge: finding optimal pairings where only one side (e.g., player preferences) dictates the match composition. This contrasts with traditional algorithms that consider the preferences of both sides.

Despite ongoing criticism, Game8 remains optimistic about Deadlock's potential. For a deeper dive into our impressions and playtest experience, check out our dedicated article (link below). (Note: Link omitted as it was not provided in the original text.)