ChatGPT Enhances Deadlock Dev's Matchmaking Algorithm

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 to the Rescue: A New Matchmaking Algorithm

The new system utilizes the Hungarian algorithm, a recommendation from ChatGPT itself. Dunn shared screenshots of his conversation with the AI, highlighting its role in identifying this solution.

Deadlock's previous MMR matchmaking had drawn considerable criticism from players. Reddit threads were filled with complaints about unevenly matched teams, with skilled players frequently facing less experienced teammates. Players voiced frustration over seemingly random pairings, regardless of their skill level or game history.

(c) r/DeadlockTheGame The Deadlock team acknowledged these issues, previously promising a complete matchmaking system rewrite on their Discord server. Dunn's use of ChatGPT appears to be a direct result of this commitment.

Dunn's reliance on ChatGPT is noteworthy. He openly celebrates its usefulness, even maintaining a dedicated browser tab for the AI chatbot. While acknowledging the potential downsides—namely, the reduction in human interaction—he remains a strong advocate for its capabilities. He's publicly shared several instances where ChatGPT has significantly aided his development process.

This has, however, not been without controversy. Some critics have voiced concern that such AI tools could displace human programmers. Others, less impressed by the results, have directly criticized Dunn for using ChatGPT instead of focusing on development.

The Hungarian algorithm, a type of bipartite matching algorithm, is designed to find optimal pairings. In Deadlock's context, this likely means prioritizing one side's preferences (perhaps team composition) while still creating balanced matches.

Despite the new system, some players remain unconvinced, expressing continued frustration with the matchmaking quality. Negative feedback continues to appear on social media, indicating that the new algorithm might not have completely solved all the issues.

Here at Game8, we remain optimistic about Deadlock's potential. For a more in-depth look at our experiences with the game, check out our playtest review (link below).