Deadlock Dev Uses ChatGPT to Help With Matchmaking Code

Valve's upcoming MOBA-hero shooter, Deadlock, recently revamped 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 Overhaul: A ChatGPT Success Story

Deadlock's previous MMR-based matchmaking faced significant criticism from players. Reddit threads and Discord discussions highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with unbalanced matches, often pitting experienced players against newcomers. One player commented, "I get harder games with better enemies, but never equally skilled teammates," echoing the common sentiment.

(c) r/DeadlockTheGame Responding to player feedback, the Deadlock team acknowledged flaws in the existing system and initiated a complete rewrite. Dunn's use of ChatGPT proved instrumental in finding a suitable replacement algorithm. He tweeted about using a dedicated Chrome tab for ChatGPT, highlighting its growing importance in his workflow. He further emphasized ChatGPT's capabilities, stating, "I'm going to keep posting my ChatGPT wins because this thing keeps blowing my mind."

While acknowledging the benefits of AI assistance, Dunn also expressed concerns about the potential displacement of human interaction. He noted, "It's often replacing asking a question to another human, or tweeting it out. It's good, but it's another way computers replace human interaction." This sparked a debate on social media, with some users expressing skepticism about AI replacing programmers.

The Hungarian algorithm, selected with ChatGPT's help, addresses the matchmaking imbalance by prioritizing one side's preferences (e.g., team A's preferences). This approach aims to create more balanced and enjoyable matches. Similar algorithms are commonly used in search engines to optimize search results based on user queries.

Despite the improvements, some players remain unhappy with the current matchmaking, expressing their frustration on social media. Comments ranged from expressing disappointment to outright anger at the perceived shortcomings.

At Game8, we maintain a positive outlook on Deadlock's future, anticipating a compelling gaming experience upon its release. For a more in-depth analysis of the game and its playtest, please visit [link to Game8 article].