Valve's upcoming hero shooter, Deadlock, recently overhauled its matchmaking system, thanks to a surprising source: the AI chatbot ChatGPT. A Valve engineer, Fletcher Dunn, revealed on Twitter (X) that ChatGPT helped him find the perfect algorithm.
ChatGPT's Role in Deadlock's Matchmaking Overhaul
The new system utilizes the Hungarian algorithm, a solution suggested by ChatGPT during a conversation with Dunn. This revelation followed considerable player backlash against Deadlock's previous MMR matchmaking, with many complaining about uneven team skill levels and consistently facing opponents far superior to their own team. Reddit threads were filled with criticism, highlighting the disparity between player skill in matches.
(c) r/DeadlockTheGame The Deadlock team acknowledged these concerns, promising a complete matchmaking system rewrite. Dunn's use of ChatGPT, therefore, proved a timely solution. He even declared ChatGPT a crucial tool, keeping a dedicated browser tab open for it. He's actively sharing his positive experiences with the AI, aiming to counter skepticism surrounding its capabilities.
However, Dunn also admits to a sense of conflict, noting that ChatGPT sometimes replaces human interaction, whether in-person or online. This sentiment reflects a broader discussion about AI's potential impact on human jobs, particularly in programming.
Algorithms are essentially sets of rules for processing data. In gaming, this translates to matching players based on various factors. Dunn specifically sought an algorithm that prioritized one side's preferences (e.g., team A), ensuring optimal matches in a two-party scenario.
Despite the improvements, some Deadlock fans remain unhappy with the matchmaking, expressing their frustration on social media. Their comments range from expressing anger over the perceived flaws to criticizing Dunn's public sharing of his ChatGPT usage.
Here at Game8, however, we remain optimistic about Deadlock's future. For a more in-depth look at the game and our playtest experience, check out the link below!
