Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter, Deadlock, recently underwent a matchmaking system overhaul. A key element of this revamp involved leveraging the power of ChatGPT, as revealed by Valve engineer Fletcher Dunn on Twitter (X). Dunn utilized ChatGPT to identify the Hungarian algorithm as a suitable solution for Deadlock's matchmaking challenges.
Addressing Player Concerns
Deadlock's previous matchmaking, based on a hero-specific MMR system, faced significant criticism from players. Reddit threads highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with uneven team skill levels, frequently pitting experienced players against less skilled opponents. One player commented on the disparity, stating, "I get harder games with better enemies, but never equally skilled teammates." Another echoed this sentiment, noting the imbalance between experienced and novice players in matches.
Acknowledging the player feedback, the Deadlock team announced a complete matchmaking system rewrite. Dunn's use of ChatGPT accelerated this process, leading to the implementation of the Hungarian algorithm. He expressed his surprise at ChatGPT's effectiveness, stating, "I have a tab in Chrome reserved for it, always open." He further emphasized the tool's capabilities, intending to continue sharing his successful uses of ChatGPT.
A Double-Edged Sword
While acknowledging the benefits of using generative AI, Dunn also highlighted potential drawbacks. He expressed concern that relying on ChatGPT might reduce human interaction, both in-person and online. This sentiment resonated with some social media users, who voiced skepticism about AI replacing human programmers.
The Hungarian algorithm, a type of bipartite matching algorithm, addresses the specific need for matchmaking where only one side (e.g., player preferences) dictates the match. This contrasts with traditional algorithms that might consider both sides equally.
Mixed Reactions
Despite the improvements, some players remain critical, expressing frustration with the current matchmaking experience. Comments on Dunn's tweets ranged from disappointment to anger, with some attributing recent matchmaking issues directly to the use of ChatGPT.
Here at Game8, we remain optimistic about Deadlock's potential. For a deeper dive into our impressions and playtest experience, check out our dedicated article (link below).
